AIBU to say some people are quite happy to spend Christmas day on their own

[fiftiesmum]

Item on news this morning saying a high proportion of people will be spending tomorrow on their own.
DH says surely they have someone they can go to rather than being alone.
The percentage of over 65's on their own is the same (but numbers increased) but the proportion of 21-34 year olds has increased.
He says they should visit parents and family but families are more complex so which one do you visit, there may have been other problems which you don't want to revisit. Perhaps work, travel make it easier to go at other times and more pleasant as you are free to leave

Christmas on my own is my absolute dream. I will never have it while my elderly parents are alive as I host. But to turn off my phone, eat and do what I want and prioritise myself for one whole day sounds glorious.

My Mum always gets lots of offers to go over for Christmas Day (from me, friends and neighbours) but she chooses to spend it alone. We go to her's for New Year's Day instead.

Wouldn’t say I’m happy to spend it on my own but sometimes it’s not out of choice. My 3 children will be at their dads and I can’t go to my own families because my siblings don’t speak to me for making my mum poorly

I said exactly the same. I had about 8 Xmas alone in my 20s/30s through choice.
I never spend it now with other family members or friends apart from dh and occasionally adult dd.

After my grandad died, my nan insisted on being alone every year on Christmas day. We used to drop presents round a day or two before, but she wouldn't celebrate the day at all.

I would LOVE to spend Christmas Day on my own. I have 3 teenagers and my parents to host and whilst I love their company a whole day to myself with no work would be a dream !

I've spent Christmas alone before and a really enjoyed it.

If it's what is chosen it is great, but I can see it could be upsetting for people who want to be around others or to be spending it in a different way.

Can't wait tbh

Be careful what you wish for x

I have done it and absolutely loved it!

My 34 year old daughter will be on her own as she has been the last 2 years. She's had family invites but lives up in the Lakes 5.5 hours away from the rest of us and a demanding job. She just looks forward to some chill time at home and at times I can see how tempting that is.

There's a big difference between choosing to spend Christmas alone and having absolutely no one to spend it with.

Some people do want to be alone /as a couple/only nuclear family. What is important is that we reach out to those who haven't got family to give them a choice. My friend has been offered multiple options but is choosing to be alone, it's absolutely fine to do so (i suggested he did a vicar of dibley and go to multiple meals)

For me I'd hate to be alone but we are all different. Now really need to finish my work, pack etc as leaving at 4 and not wrapped yet

My grandad spent every Christmas Day on his own. He didn’t like the fuss.

So so true xx

You know you could spend a day alone any of the other days if the year, right?

I'm choosing to be alone. DS is with her dad as l had her last year, got a few invites but l'm doing it my way - eat, sleep, be merry by myself.

Although I really like a lot of the build up before Christmas - lights, food, etc., I used to really hate the day itself. I found it stressful, my then-partner & I would spend significant chunks of time driving over the course of the week to visit family. I'd feel uncomfortable in someone else's house and routines. I'd feel the pressure of needing to have 'perfect Christmas'. After we split up (late 20s) I lived alone for a long time. I found solo Christmas really liberating because I didn't need to service somebody else's perfect Christmas. I realised that I'm an adult and can do whatever the hell I like. So I did.

There's a real difference between being alone, and being lonely.

I would have loved to have spent it as a nuclear family but never happened.
If some people want to be on their own (a couple of friends have said this) then it is their choice but DH can't accept this

I’ve done it once when mine were younger with their dad. Honestly was really nice. Grazed on nice treat food all day, watched stuff I wouldn’t haven’t done if they were here, went to bed early. It was Covid times, so I had an excuse to refuse invitations.

as another poster said, it would be different if I didn’t have anyone to spend it with.

Patronising

They probably do, but Christmas seems to have that forced jollity edge that everyone is expected to participate in

I live alone and prefer to, I'm alone most of the year, so it's nice to spend the day with family.

Oh don't be so unbearably sanctimonious

I'm on mu own this Christmas, for the first time in many years. When I was married we had parents we either went to or had round, and after getting divorced I visited my elderly mother as she lives alone and expects to have people come visit over Christmas.
This year Mum (93) is in hospital over Christmas and pregnant daughter is in Wales with her partner visiting his parents as the last holidat while they're just a couple. I haven't got any family nearby or close friends, so I'll be on my own.
I've laid in a stock of Christmassy meals from Wiltshire Farm Foods and treate myself to a selection of cheeses & biscuits. I've also serched out some DVD box sets I want to watch and daughter has bought me a game for my Nintendo Switch so I have plenty to occupy myself with. Apart from walking the dog, that is 😀.