To start a thread for people joyfully anticipating Christmas alone?

[SurpriseSparDay]

Because I truly am looking forward to mine. I’ll be spending Christmas week in an undemandingly anonymous hotel by the sea in a place I love but don’t know well.

I’ve enjoyed countless family Christmasses - in all their infinite variety. And I’ve spent several Christmas times alone, generally in beautiful, embracing cities (London, Edinburgh, Cambridge for instance). But I’ve found, more and more in middle age, that I spend the year on the look-out for some joyful, peaceful retreat. Stumbled upon this place by the sea earlier this year. Longing to return.

I do feel bad for people facing a Christmas alone that they have not chosen and don’t anticipate enjoying, of course.

But the thought of my planned week brings tiny fillips of bliss every time I think of it.

[santa]

I usually work Christmas but have also had my fair share of the family stuff in the past. Last year I spent the day alone and it was bliss, best Christmas I had ever had! This year I have a week off and if I had the money I would love to do what you are doing. I am so looking forward to the time off and will love every minute of doing my own thing.

Mine will be wondrously cheap because I finally arrived in the 21st century and took notice of the million emails urging me to book early!

It’s always worth cultivating friends and acquaintances who might be away and need a house-sitter over Christmas - if one wants a change of scene. But there is a real luxury to staying at home ...

I’m keeping quiet about all this in real life though. Can do without the faces!

I spent many Christmas Days being where I didn't want to be so these days, despite invitations from friends, I buy a good bottle of champagne, all my favourite food and enjoy Christmas at home alone

I may have to waive all my favourite food as I’ll be reliant on restaurants and the nearest supermarket - but I’ll definitely be taking the best single malt I can lay hands on.

Details unimportant, but I will enjoy this thread because I am envious (in a nice way) of those of you spending C/Day alone!

I don't "hate" Christmas but I do loathe every else's expectations. I just want a quiet day, I want to putter around, I want to relax. My faith does not celebrate on 25th December so it is just another Bank Holiday with the expectation of a large dinner.

@SilverySurfer - that's my kind of day sweetie, have a great one!

I hate Christmas and would love to fuck of abroad by myself

Oh no, I have a decision to make. Champagne or a good single malt....or both? That is as much Christmas stress as I will allow.

I'm going for both AwfulSomething a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and Glenmorangie - cheers

But, seriously, how do you all feel when other people are devastated at the thought of Christmas alone? (And told to ‘volunteer’ somewhere to make the awful day pass more quickly? )

I will be spending the week alone,DD has decided to go to her dad's.Im on night duty so can't even drink.

I will be spending the day alone, but with my dog for company. I can’t wait. Whatever I want to eat and a lovely dog walk -can’t think of anything nicer !

I'm so jealous, a walk on the beach would be my perfect Christmas.
I'm going to do some gardening if its not too wet, and I will read a book while we eat dinner. I promised myself when I was little that I would be able to do this as an adult.

Christmas is busy with my dc, but the older they get, the less interested they are. Last year I got so fed up with them not even coming to help serve lunch that I pissed off for a late afternoon run - it was great so I'm going to do that bit of alone time at least this year 😁 cheers to all of you

i’ll be on my own this year - i’m a recovering alcoholic so no booze for me, but there will be a LOT of cheese.

the last few christmases have been very, very stressful, especially being the only sober person with lots of drinkers. i’m going to lock the doors, crank the heating up and me and the cat will watch what we want on the telly all day and not worry about the washing up.

i know my family and friends will invite me, but after a difficult year and a breakup, i’m looking forward to having a solo xmas (cat aside) where i can stay in my jarmies all day and go to bed after Eastenders!

I need to join this thread to snap me out of my doom and gloom. I'm spending xmas alone and feeling miserable about it. I'm single and childfree with Stately homes family and all my friends are away/busy. I cant afford to go away anywhere nice. Planning on locking myself away to finish my PhD thesis (the reason I'm skint!) I feel sad and ashamed to be alone though. I'm hoping this thread will give me the shake I need.

Right, first new resolution: I will have a dog by next Christmas.

Few years ago, Christmassing alone, I opened Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth after lunch. Not sure it was a wise move - I wept uncontrollably all evening and felt absolutely desperate for one of the characters - but it still felt somehow self-indulgent!

I quite enjoy a family Christmas if I’m hosting, but recently I’ve been the guest - and can never strike a happy medium. Either I’m left alone in the kitchen to magic up a fantasy meal - or I’m shouted at if I so much as move a plate. Result: misery.

One of the wonderful things about the place I’m going to is how miraculously peaceful it is. I have something vaguely academic I need to spend some time on - so I’m hopeful. Don’t feel sad Springfern - finishing a thesis is a magnificent reason for withdrawing from company.

Springfern Tell us about your PHD. Where do you hope it will lead to?

I'm quite sure I'll be spending Christmas alone. Unusually for me I'm craving the downtime. Being by the sea will be glorious op. I just want to stay home but being by the sea would be my second choice.

SurpriseSparDay
But, seriously, how do you all feel when other people are devastated at the thought of Christmas alone? (And told to ‘volunteer’ somewhere to make the awful day pass more quickly? thlhmm )

I feel sorry for people who aren't comfortable with their own company. I've lived alone for a long time and I have never felt lonely. To many people that is inconceivable. As for the suggestion to volunteer - my response wouldn't be very polite

exWifebeginsAgainat46 cheese sounds good to me.

Springfern I hope you have a lovely day, despite your misgivings.

What was that?

I've just been editing my Ocado orders. Lots of delicious food, nothing I don't want to eat or feel obliged to make for anyone else

At least once a day for the past month I’ve felt a spasm of panic, realising I haven’t reserved my Christmas delivery slot.

Then I realise I don’t need to this year!

Although, in truth Ocado is a less satisfactory option for celebration food shopping. Some of my most blissful pre-Christmas weeks have been spent wandering happily from farmers’ market to cheese shop to butcher (queuing for game when I still ate meat) in Edinburgh or Bath. Or long, serious discussions in Oddbins (!) branches in London, Oxford, Cambridge ...

This is a terrible time for nostalgia!

I know exactly what I would do. I would be at home- I like the idea of renting a cottage or posh hotel, but home comforts would win out for me. I would do a big clean on 22nd Dec, then I would go to Cardiff for the day on 23rd Dec and get all my fresh food and lovely treats from the indoor market (SO CHRISTMASSY) and also pop into the fab deli down the arcade (can't remember name)
Then, On Christmas Eve, I would wake up and have a walk into my town and partake of a festive latte with a friend, while reading a Christmassy book. Then home for the afternoon/ evening to watch films. Christmas day I would make myself all my fave foods and walk round the park, rest and enjoy. Boxing Day I would meet up with friends. My food would have to include : smoked cheese and biscuits, Chocolate bath Olivers, little bottled Snowballs, stuffing, cranberry sauce. All my favourite bits. A lovely little daydream.