To eat at a restaurant alone on Christmas day

[Gorganzolabrie]

I'm a single woman in my sixties with no children. This year all my family and friends will be away/with other family for Christmas and for the first time ever I'll be alone on the 25th. This doesn't particularly bother me. It would be nice to have someone to spend Christmas with but I'm not a very Christmassy person and I'm looking forward to going away for a week over New Year.

I discovered that one of my favourite local restaurants is open for a few hours in the afternoon and has a Christmas menu, so I booked myself in. I'm now having second thoughts. I'm wondering if I'll feels self-conscious dining on my own on Christmas day. I don't really want to be an object of people's curiosity or pity and I certainly don't want to be invited to join another table. Should I cancel and have a more relaxing time on my own? I'm also curious about whether any of you have dined alone in public on Christmas day? What was it like? If you saw somebody doing it, would you feel sorry for them?

YABU - Sod what people think - go and enjoy your solo meal

YANBU - Stay at home. It will be less stressful

TIA for your responses.

I don't think I'd find the day long. You could read, go for a walk, watch TV, mumsnet. It's starting to sound more appealing than the Christmas I'll be having, hosting a load of people! I'm a widow so if my daughters were busy one year in future I could definitely get on board with spending it at home alone. I might invite a local friend over for a Mince pie possibly. If you were a churchgoer you'd have that too.

That is absolutely brilliant, @hangingover!! 😂 I'm on my own for Christmas and will be angling for an opportunity to use that...

Go for it! Take a good book or a magazine. I’d be impressed by your elegance if I were a fellow diner at that restaurant.

I've spent a few alone and never thought of doing this, but I like the idea! Who cares what others think.

Yes it is me 🤣🤣
OP asked

I wouldn't think anything sad or pathetic or weird if I saw anyone dining alone. In fact no thoughts would cross my mind. Do what you want, if you'd rather go to the restaurant then definitely go, but equally if you'd rather cozy up at home in front of Netflix then do that. Enjoy the day, and have a lovely break.

Do it! I've eaten alone plenty of times, once a really fancy michelin starred meal. I carry a book, or just people watch and it's bliss. Xmas isn't any different. I like my own company so it's never bothered me, and if you are the same, you'll have a fab time. For me, it's about the food and service and a change of scene from home. When I notice other solo diners, I don't think anything other than, "I hope they're having a nice time.". Men go to pubs alone so often especially when older and no one bats an eyelid, it's good for women to do the same and it does feel really good to treat yourself.

I went to Mykonos alone several years before the film was made and it actually happened to me!

Spent Christmas alone in Paris a couple of years ago and found people really keen to chat in restaurants.

I hope you realise there are many people who celebrate xmas on different days than the 25th, many people who do not celebrate xmas at all, many people who don't like xmas, many people who'd rather be at work than with family, and many people who like the overtime/tips they get at xmas they'd never get if it wasn't a 'special time'. I used to work in retail and there was a bun fight for who got the shifts because it was double pay, similarly my DH in the police has to apply to work xmas day because it's double pay and there's many people who want it.

This is the weirdest take i've heard on faux concern for the masses, which is just ignorance of different ways of life.

My god this is my dream Christmas
Go and enjoy your meal!!!

Actually, she did not ask what you would do. THis is what she asked! What would you advise her to do.

She said

"YABU - sod what people think and go and enjoy your solo meal
YANBU - stay at home it will be less stressful

On Christmas Day?

I think some people are forgetting that people are more likely to offer because of this.

Hardly. I wouldn’t expect Americans to give up their thanksgiving or Muslims Eid, and if I lived in a country where these were duly celebrated I wouldn’t want them to give this up for me either.

You’re projecting all over the place. Eating out alone at Christmas and declining an invitation to someone else’s table isn’t something only introverts do.

Problem is and I don’t necessarily mean this thread here but as a veteran of spending Christmas alone people can be very pushy about it and it can be hard fending them off.

You must be joking?
I have eaten out on my own literally hundreds of times, all over the world, and I am a young-ish well-presented woman, and not once has anyone disturbed by meal to ask me to join their table.

I’ve been asked at least once this year - maybe I was looking particularly lonely. Lol.
I was at a small hotel in Fife for work having dinner myself in the little bar , when a large group of locals entered and sat close to me, one of the guys said “sorry we are being so loud and taking over - want to join us?”

I politely declined but it was nice that he asked. I told them I didn’t mind the noise but I was just heading up to my room soon!

Lol, bloody Dougie and Janet 😂
Love that film

Me and my family went out for Christmas dinner last year, there was a man eating alone, we assumed he was there on a work trip or holiday as he sounded Canadian. Me and my family debated for a while whether to ask him to join us, in the end we didn't as we were due to finish our meal way before him.

So there's a chance people might ask you to join but it you just politely decline and saying you are enjoying a quiet meal I'm sure no one would think anything of it

I think you’d be perfectly fine. Bring a book and avoid contact with anyone. I doubt anyone would really invite you to sit with them.

YABU - Sod what people think - go and enjoy your solo meal

this. ABSOLUTELY THIS!

have a great time @Gorganzolabrie

I've eaten out alone a lot and I enjoyed it. It was usually because I was travelling for work, but I found the peace nice. I think it would be fine.

I'm a reader, so I'd pack my Kindle in my handbag, and then read in the restaurant, whilst eating my Christmas meal! I don't mind my own company, and like you wouldn't want to join random strangers. Taking my Kindle (or a book) would then make sure I am entertained but equally allow other diners see that I am occupied!

Sounds lovely! Can you bring a book to ward off well-meaning people?

If anyone invites you, just say no thank you with a big smile, happy Christmas etc

Yes
So I answered
That’s what MNs do when asked.

It would make me feel lonely and upset. I spent alot of time on my own and often struggle when I see others all together so it wouldn’t be for me.