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.