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.

You will definitely be invited to join another table but if you politely decline you'll be left alone. If being invited would bother you then get a pre-prepared meal you can heat up at home instead.

I have no qualms about eating out on my own, but to be honest I would rather be home with an array of tasty snacks and easy bites if I was on my own on Xmas day.

I would also treat myself to some nice bubble bath and a face mask etc. and have a bit of a pamper session and put on nice new PJ's and cosy socks and settle down with nice food and drink and TV.

Sorry I voted the wrong way, but I absolutely think you should go and enjoy a Christmas meal and agree with a planned response to any invites to join, but would use a little humour along the lines of "Oh thank you for the offer, but I've come alone as I'm the best company I know/I wanted to avoid people/fancied a me time treat"

I sometimes eat out by myself and so does my sibling. However on Christmas Day I think people would be staring more and I would feel quite self conscious. Perhaps you could ask them to sit you in the corner or get a takeaway.

I quite regularly eat out alone, usually with a good book or a podcast for company but I don’t think I’d feel comfortable on Christmas Day. Purely because I eat alone when I’m feeling a bit peopled out/over whelmed so the thought of being asked to join another table or get chatting would stop me. Equally, I wouldn’t judge or pity someone on their own. Enjoy whatever you choose :)

I went on holiday by myself this year so had 7 breakfast lunch and dinners solo. I don't think I could do Christmas lunch out alone tho, too many jolly families reminding me what I was missing

I always think that restaurants treble their prices on Christmas day, so if I were you, I would spend the day at home in my PJs and use the money I would have spent on the Christmas lunch to have lunch out on three others days whilst you are away.

I have spent several decades fantasising about having smoked salmon, fresh fruit and champagne in bed on Christmas day. I'd view it as an opportunity!

Go! Tell the restaurant staff and anyone who invites you to join them that for once in your life you have the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful Christmas in your own company and you've been looking forward to it for weeks. Big smile and turn back to your food.

Hope you have a good time

I'm going to a pub which is having a gavin and stacey party and showing. Going to feel a bit weird alone but I spoke to the pub by social media and they're not worried at all. I've asked if anyone else who's a bit alone or awkward wants to join they're welcome!

Would feel just as awkward and alone sat at home with the TV so may as well feel that way out I guess!

I've been alone with no family for many years and do stuff alone, and I find it's other people are more worried about it than I am now! And at least you can leave/eat etc when you want!

If you like the food and don’t care about what others think then go for it. I think, as misplaced as it may be, people will feel sorry for you, and to half expect a well meaning other table to ask if you’d like to join them.

I enjoy eating in restaurants on my own. I do it if I've gone on holiday on my own or if I've gone to see a play or an exhibition that nobody else was interested in.
I take a book or scroll through my phone and have never felt self conscious.

But I think I might feel a bit awkward doing it on Christmas day. If it was me, I'd probably stay at home on Christmas day, have a relaxing, lazy self indulgent day to myself and book a table at a restaurant for a couple of days before or after Christmas day itself.

This.
I eat out alone regularly and don’t usually care about other people’s response to it but I would be worried about being pitied on Christmas Day so that response is perfect.
Hope you have a great time OP.

Like many PPs, I don't mind eating out alone, but I'd feel more self-conscious on Xmas Day and worried about offers to join other tables. I think I would buy in some delicious low-prep food from M&S or somewhere and eat in peace at home.

I would get a takeout and eat at home in peace while watching something

i went to a very romantic honeymoon couples resort in Caribbean on 23rd Dec with a friend joining me on 24th. I hadn’t anticipated it being odd spending first 24 hrs alone. But my goodness the number of staff who seemed concerned for me. Where is your husband? I killed him I cackled. No other guests seemed fussed about me. But imagine family group in uk might be different. I’d just smile graciously and say thankyou but you are very happy.

If you want to go and will enjoy it then go. Take a book /kindle and just enjoy the peace

But if you will feel self conscious and stressed by it then you could ask if you can order the food to take away.

I’ve done it three times many years ago when I was in different areas for work. Have done it recently but not on Christmas Day. I’m always impressed by people dining, theatre going etc alone.

Go have fun OP...bet the food is fabulous.

I dine alone often but wouldn’t on Xmas Day because there will inevitably be offers to join tables or the next table over will start asking you questions and I’d want to be left alone 🤣

Can the restaurant package up a dinner for you? I’d much prefer to eat it at home in front of the TV.

I would totally go, but then I do go to the cinema etc by myself.

I'm surprised they accepted a booking for one, as they all like to cram customers in like sardines.

But since they have, then go and enjoy!

Anyway, it'd be a bit shitty to cancel at this late stage as they'll have their seating/tables all planned.

I don't think anyone will be staring! I think you'll have a lovely time. Wear something fab, and start with a glass of champagne 🍾 (if you drink!)

I once went o a restaurant on my own on a Sunday recovering from flu. I just fancied something someone else had cooked. I gradually noticed the tables of families celebrating together and eventually worked out it was Mothering Sunday.! I thought it was quite funny and no one said anything- for context I have a lovely family we just don’t do Mothering Sunday!! Go for it op have great time and start with a glass of bubbly

I would too but it's not comparable to sitting in a dark room, where everyone's eyes are facing forward at the screen.