Women spending Christmas alone, what nice things do you have planned?

[MellowLemur]

I’m spending Christmas by myself this year, and while I know it can feel daunting for some, I’m actually looking forward to it. I think it’s a great opportunity to treat yourself and enjoy some peace.

For anyone else spending the day solo, what are you planning? Whether it’s cooking your favourite meal, a cozy movie marathon, or something completely different, I’d love to hear (and steal some of) your ideas!

@bringthecactusin what a nice colleague

I'd love to have a present to open.

im glad you enjoy your jumping though!

I find most people studiously ignore any mention of loneliness.

Sorry you feel like that. It sounds very tough. If you can afford it, maybe go on a cruise over Christmas next year (or snap up a late bargain for this year). There are always other solo passengers. There is also the option to volunteer in ‘soup kitchens’ for the homeless etc 💐

Me too I wanna come!

AIBU to think it's sad some people have nothing better to do that appoint themselves thread police?

Really? Odfod. Read the room you absolute tool.

Op - I have done this before. I got all my favourite food in plus a new blanket, a new book, new cosy pjs, some gorgeous scented bubble bath and just made it a day of decadence. I truly believe I enjoyed Christmas that year more than most of my friends.

Christmas Day when DD is with ex starts with bacon sarnies before a trip to the beach. This year there’s only one dog to take as I’ve just said goodbye to my beloved old girl.
After that I eat homemade pigs in blankets and sip cava while laying on the sofa.
No one makes any demands.
I think about all the people cooking dinner for 20 and count my blessings!

I can't really imagine spending it alone tbh. But if I did, I'd probably buy in lots of nice food and drink, do a puzzle, read a book, watch a film, go for a bike ride by the beach if it was sunny, have a long bath and an early night.

Same as last year for me

Workout at home (probably spin)
Long bath
Nice breakfast probably involving halloumi or bacon

Naps
Cheesy films
New book
Aldi cheese bake, cured meats, pickled onions, warm bread
Chocolate dessert of some sort

There’s nothing you will be able to say to help I’m afraid. I am NC with my big family and will spend the day with just my adult child (after they finish work) p, my partner and pets. But I’ve also spend Christmases completely alone or alone and at work. But nothing can dim the pain of the family you aren’t with :(

I want to come too!

I've only spend half the day alone for two christmases, but I love all the traditional things so I carried on doing the same each time. Pastry for breakfast, bit of Buck's Fizz, roast dinner (with sprouts without DC to moan about them 😂), cheese whilst watching all the Christmas specials. I'm a homebody and easily pleased, and almost an empty nester so I'll be happy doing this once they fly properly.

All the comments about volunteering are completely pointless and no help.
And all the people who have never actually spent a Christmas alone aren’t helping really either :(((

in the real world if people know you are going to be alone or only have a couple of people (like i do) they tend to just blank you as they don’t want to hear about it unless you have the big happy family christmases plastered all over the tv every year.

so I have to show polite interest in their family Christmases, even shop workers seem to tell me about all their plans every year whilst inside I feel so empty and drained. It starts September goes on until January nowadays too.

anyway OP if you are going to be alone just do the things that may bring you a little joy. For some that’s making plans for others that’s literally doing nothing Christmassy at all as what’s the point. Many of the people alone also won’t have a present under the tree so my best advice to them is to buy themselves a few little treats of things they like.

its usually just myself and my partner here which we both find hard tbh as we both have families that don’t see us. We’ve usually done non traditional christmases and food so a picnic in the car at the beach or a long walk and a fried breakfast or if the weathers bad find something on the tv and have some snacks.

this year it’s just us again plus we have kittens so will be focussing on them and I will see my adult child for a bit after they finish work.

i have also had many christmases alone and it’s tough.

@Doubledded123

heaven forbid a wanting to relax and prioritise herself eh? She should be serving and supporting others…

I hate to say it but if you're spending Christmas with your partner and/or your adult children then you are not spending it on your own!

@StrikeForever I find going away alone a bit grim. I had a weekend away alone at Easter and kept posting here! But Xmas is the worst time as there would be chaos if elderly mum falls or something. I did think about it but no else available if anything happens - and yes, this has happened at the most complex times and I am not able to cope with that again. It's easier to stay put.

re volunteering at Xmas. I have done it before though and it is quite depressing, it's better to find a way to get the day done fast IMHO. no transport either.

but I am grateful I'm not staring down the barrel of weeks on my own like last year.

I've treated my Christmas's alone like I'm on a long-haul flight, 1st class, with a bath somewhere on board, also the cat is here. Delicious snacks, films to watch / books to read, little glasses of champagne and orange juice, naps in blankets, baths with oils/bombs, repeat.

This year I'm alone - very grateful after a binfire last year with family; have also said no to spending it with friends as I really want my 'first class' experience. Thinking of: scrambled eggs with smoked salmon; caviar and crisps; southern fried chicken with greens; plus lovely juices, a box of excellent chocolate, some nice fruit (pineapple, mango, passion fruit). Bliss.

Sorry Emerald, it must be tough. I hope you have a nice peaceful day 💐

It won't be too different to a normal day for me. I will have my usual breakfast, go for my usual long walk, have strawberries and ice cream for lunch, go for another walk and then have dinner, which will be festive but not actually cooked by me. Other than a phone convesation with my exDH I probably won't talk to anyone - unless I meet someone out walking - all day. Hopefully there will be something good to watch on TV in the evening, otherwise it will be DVD time. The last of my five cats died this year, but hopefully my friendly neighbour-cat will spend some time with me.

I’ve had many Solo Christmas’ my DH often works holidays.

Don’t tell anyone but they are quite nice! I do really plan for them, probably as much as if it wasn’t just me. But here are a couple of reoccurring themes…

1. I generally pre cook anything I’m going to want. I really don’t love cooking so better to have everything ready ahead of time. So this means leftover lox and bagels from Christmas Eve to start, glorious cheese a;so left over from the previous day, then a small ham dinner that I cooked the day before with gooey cheesy potatoes and other sides. A couple of dessert options and lots of spare chopped running around.
2. clearly snacks are covered by #1- So next is entertainment, In the morning I will look for a Christmas movie, where I live you get 24 hours of A Christmas Story, so will watch that at least once
3. I love a good audiobook so starting in the afternoon I will start an audiobook and will listen to that as I putter around and while I eat dinner.
4. I will plan a knitting project. I have an intricate afghan in progress that will take me about 10 more years to finish. It’s beautiful wool, gorgeous colors, and just fiddly enough that it’s not one I want to work on all the time. If I’m diligent (and don’t overindulge one wine and whisky) I might finish one square. If I didn’t knit I’d probably start a puzzle, or find a really good book that I’d make myself wait to read.
5. I cuddle with the cats in front of the fire and just watch the tree lights

This year DH isn’t working so we’ll go to family on Christmas Day, it’s nice, low pressure, we have fun but yeah those solo Christmas’ can be really nice.

Lots of people who spend Christmas alone already have a lot of time alone.
A Christmas alone is nice if you are normally busy with lots of people. But if you already spend a lot of time at home alone, then no it is not so enticing.

I wish you a wonderful day.

Thank you. That's very much appreciated.

I hate that anyone has nothing to open! Can you send yourself a gift?

That would just underline the sadness I think?

it's not that I want a present as such, it's that I want people who care enough to want to get me a present IYSWIM

I've spent the last three Christmases on a solo holiday somewhere warm and sunny. Christmas Day is usually spent at the beach reading a good book or listening to podcasts. I also eat lots of nice food and drink champagne.

This year I am staying home, but home is a new country I have just moved to. So I'll be doing lots of exploring of my new city on my week off work. And also eating lots of great food and drinking champagne of course. 😊

I haven't decided what to buy myself as a Christmas present yet, but whatever it is I'll probably be wearing / using it, to add some extra joy to the day.