Is it sad to spend Xmas day on your own?

[Stressedmum2017]

So split from kids dad, arrangements for Christmas are they are with me till about lunchtime Christmas day then they go to their dads till boxing day and come home again. I've had a few offers from relatives/friends to join them but to be honest I really like the idea of just making my own Christmas dinner for one and just settling on the sofa on my own!

Admittedly that is what I do most weekends when they go to their dads, so it's not even like that's a real treat for me to do... I just don't know if I can bothered with being social this year.

I voiced this idea to someone recently and they said it was a bit sad and Christmas is a time for family and sort of pitied me it felt like.
Thoughts? Is OK to spend Christmas on your own by choice or is that really anti social?

Oh, yes, it’s wonderful! I stock up on champagne, smoked salmon, chocolates and other luxuries, and mooch around in my pjs watching a box set of something or other. Bliss.

The only problem is fighting off those friends who can’t imagine anyone wanting a solo Christmas, and either press me to join them or, worse, turn up on my doorstep with a plated Christmas dinner!

Do whatever you want! If you’d enjoy a solo Christmas, go for it. Your friend sounds a bit insecure.

Better to be on your own eating what you like, wearing what you like and watching what you like the having to tolerate other peoples Christmas

I would buy myself exactly what I fancied for dinner and enjoy myself

I have a friend who makes a deliberate choice to do this. He is a photographer and grabs his camera and off he goes for the day. He loves the peace and quiet.

Some people don't have a choice .

I don’t have any family or a partner atm, and friends all go off to their families who live elsewhere so I don’t get an invitation (I wouldn’t want to go anyway!) so I’ll be spending it alone like I have done all the other years I’ve been single. It’s fine. I get nice food in and spend the day relaxing, usually go out for a walk/drive too as it’s lovely and quiet.

If that's what you want to do, go for it. Wouldn't work for me and it's lovely that people are inviting you. I think that makes a big difference - knowing people care. The one year I was alone, no one cared enough to ask me if I wanted to join them and that felt f'ing awful.

I'd love to have Christmas Day on my own.

When I've been planning the inevitable expensive shopping/hours in the kitchen I've often fantasised about a huge Chinese take away, box of wine and horror films all day in my pyjamas. Anyone want to join me?

It’s only half a day on your own really.
Just enjoy it doing what you want. It’s nice people have offered though

I'd be telling Colin and Rita that I'm off to Auntie Jean's and then telling Auntie Jean that I'm spending Christmas with The Browns.

I'd then do exactly what a PP said - fill the fridge with nice food and drink, go for a long walk and come home to PJs and the TV.

Did it one year and hated it!

That sounds great actually. But can we have Indian instead of Chinese?

Heaven.
I will be overwhelmed with slightly toxic parents, completely toxic in laws and a couple of lovely but hard work friends.
The idea of sitting on a sofa eating chocolate, drinking wine and watching a film whilst my pizza cooks sounds like total bliss.

@TokyoStories I'm totally fine with Indian.

One of my best xmases was me and my 2 dogs. Dog walk through woods then a dinner for 3.

Did it once as worked Christmas Eve and was back at work on 27th and didn’t want to drive up motorway
absolutely loved it!

This will be my first Christmas alone with my cat. I’m going to spoil him even more.

Fuck it, let's get both! Room for one more? We're supposed to be spending Christmas Day with my PIL this year and I'm dreading it. Horror movie marathon with wine and a takeaway sounds like heaven!

The more the merrier!

Thanks for your responses, good to know I'm not a total loser!
And yes, super appreciative of the offers I've had. That does make a lot of a difference, would no doubt feel quite shitty if no one cared.

Lush. I’d get some champagne and smoked salmon and nice bread, buy myself a present and open it on the sofa with my food and watch what I want on tv. Sounds like utter bliss (staring down the barrels at Christmas dinner for 11 and an inevitable argument over trivial pursuit and dreading it!)

It’s not sad. But you are making a mistake in telling anyone in real life. Real people tend to make it their mission that you must join in! Go to theirs! Eat dinner with people you barely know! It’ll be fun!!!!!!!!!
no- it’ll be hard work, conforming to other peoples idea of normal, trying to make pleasant, not drunk small talk with drunk uncle George, eating food you either don’t like/is cold/later than stated/burnt etc and not drinking because you need to drive home after exchanging expensive gifts no one wants it can afford, all whilst witnessing the hosts quietly bicker and get drunk accompanied by something you would neither choose to watch or listen to on the tv or radio.
tell them you are working - much easier all round and then you can do whatever you want.
and breathe…
(learn from my bitter mistake).

It sounds bloody delightful. I'd get loads of food and wine in, have a long hot bath and snuggle on the sofa. Peace and quiet and no arguments, bliss!

No, of course it's not sad! It sounds absolutely blissful and so much better than all those awful "family days" some people are forced to have. Tell your friends you will be busy with family - so they shut up about it - & then enjoy a lovely, solo day.

I’m on my own this year I can’t wait will binge the Tudors call the midwife that night nibbles all day my meal I’m doing Christmas Eve. I live in supported housing now staff on call etc. but independent in flat. So looking forward to it.