I didn’t put up decorations because I’m single?

[ChristmasTreescars]

Two people have said “did you bother putting Christmas decorations up?”

I responded with yes, why? (nothing overboard, tree, lights and candles)

The responses because you’re single and the other response because you live alone.

I hate the assumption that because I’m single I should apparently just wallow and not do anything until I meet a man.

Yes it smacks of you not counting enough to just do it entirely for yourself! Can’t stand that.

Very weird of them! Take no notice

They have a weird attitude.

Maybe they’re a bit dainty and think you need a man to get the tree down from the loft?

Very bizarre, OP! As if single people don’t want to feel cosy and comfortable in their own houses?

Well done, OP. I’ve a DH and a child and a dog and didn’t bother!

Take no notice of these rather odd people OP.

Every single person I know 'trims up' and I did when I was single.

Enjoy !

I put the tree up when I knew I wouldn’t be on my own at Christmas.

When I am alone at Christmas (whether or not going to someone else’s celebration) not putting up the decorations feels like luxury, a burden removed. Something I looked forward to in the “Doing it All” years.

I mean why bother doing any home decorating at all. Wallpaper? No thanks I’m single! Nice new set of crockery, I couldn’t possibly

I think it’s an odd thing to ask. But tbf my DM doesn’t put up decorations and is single. She tells me she doesn’t bother as ‘it’s just her’.

Of course if the individual doesn’t want to do X, Y or Z that’s different. Free yourself of the burden, if that’s what it is to you! But the idea that a single woman automatically wouldn’t or shouldn’t bother is ridiculous.

I must save all the plastic cutlery from all the takeaways I apparently get because because cooking for one does not exist.

I had to work in another city one day and didn’t get home until 10 so I just had toast and went to bed. Friend said it’s very common for single people to just eat toast for dinner as that’s what she did when she was single.

That is odd, I always decorated my flat when I was single.

Come on, OP, you're single. You've opted out of 'family life' so you don't need a tree and decorations and your Christmas dinner was a reduced price microwave ready meal because 'It's not worth cooking for one.'

The above is sarcasm, btw. Good for you for having decorations and some Christmas cheer in your home.

Perhaps the key difference is that I never, ever ‘do it all’. I would never play the martyrdom game, nor play along with that narrative. So it’s not a burden, and hence I’ll do it just for myself too, with as much love and care and effort as if I were doing it for others.

Why’s that tbf? Her choice but your DM doesn’t speak for all single people.

Friend said it’s very common for single people to just eat toast for dinner as that’s what she did when she was single

If I have toast or a sandwich for dinner it's because I can't be bothered to cook, not because I'm single. So depressing that these attitudes are still around.

I would have a really tasteful tiny little tree if I was single (well I am single, but when the kids leave home) and a few lovely candles. And that's it. I wouldn't cook a roast turkey or anything like that.

I'd still celebrate Christmas by seeing friends, shows and drinking ridiculous cocktails. But would be happy without a massive tree and huge amounts of food. I'd just prioritise me and what is important to me and a huge tree and lots of decorations aren't at all important to me - so it's not at all about saying that I'm not important enough for a tree but that I'm not doing things that don't matter so much for me.

I don't bother putting decorations up. If they made me happy though, I would, regardless of anyone seeing them.

The great thing about being single is you can do you. I love the freedom.

I don't bother with a tree because I'm on the first floor and it would have to either go out of the window after Christmas or carried downstairs and I'd still be picking up needles in July. I have poinsettias, amaryllis and candles instead.

Yes there certainly aren’t any rules about what one must or mustn’t do! ‘Please yourself’ is surely one of the best bits about being single!

The most beautiful tree I saw on SM this year was my single friend's.

When I separated from my ex, the first two things that entered my new home as a singleton were a big christmas tree and a mattrass, in that order! I spent my first evening there decorating the christmas tree while my cup of tea was sitting on an empty upturned box (furniture arrived a week later). Such a fond memory, I was so happy doing that.