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

I have no one but I’m also happy to be in my own home, alone. It’s the way my life has worked out. From experience, this is infinitely preferable to “being taken in for Christmas”.

I'm spending it on my own. I've become accustomed to it and am fine with it. Would I rather spend it with someone special? Sure. But there is no one. Instead I shall be walking my dog and eating pizza and chocolates and watching whatever I want on tv!

This will be my 4th year on my own. Got offers but don't want to ge forced to be jolly surrounded by siblings snd their offspring. Will do as I please and look forward to going to stay with mate on 27th

Echo what HappytoSmile said about would be nice to spend it with someone special.

My mother is choosing to spend Christmas Day alone this year. It is not for lack of invitations so we are operating on the basis that this is what she genuinely wants (she is coming to us 26/27th instead).

I have spent many Christmas days alone and I absolutely loved it and cherish the memories. Selection box and movies all day.
I had a choice though. I could have spent it with someone, but chose to do this, so maybe that’s why I loved it so much.

i have children now so it might not happen again, so I’m glad I enjoyed it.

I don't think your partner ought to be saying people "should" do anything. Some people just can't cope with noise and palaver of socialising and will decline invitations for that reason. I don't think we should feel obliged to bow to the incessant media pressure of playing "Happy Families" just because it's Christmas. I realise some people have no choice about being alone and that is sad, but others are just happier having a quiet time with no pressure.

It's Christmas morning here and I'll be spending it alone, which suits me fine. Until las year I was caring for my mother. Now I'll just have my normal quiet at-home type of day. We haven't celebrated Christmas for years and it has always felt off for me, being in summer.

I know alot of people who would enjoy xmas day on their own.
I also know alot of people who paint a smile on their face on xmas day

What a stunning place to cosy up in if you were going to spend Christmas alone. I can see why she does it! Sounds lovely.

I thought exactly this when I heard the same news item. Maybe more people people are on on their own because they choose to be! They are mature and confident enough not to be bullied into the typical ghastly family Xmas. I don't understand why being alone is seen as a bad thing - solitude is very precious.

I’d be happy to with DH and the kids.

Christmas is like weddings and every other event. It’s often about meeting expectations and pleasing people.

I'm on my own, not bothered
I don't really enjoy Christmas anyway so quiet is fine by me!

I fantasise about having Christmas on my own, preferably on a beach somewhere hot with a chilled cocktail in hand. Hopefully one day

Yes, you could, but why does that make it "bad" to want to spend Xmas Day alone? It's a day off work, time to rest and relax.

My mother is choosing to despite invitation to come to ours. She’s very happy to just chill, eat her own food and not be forced to socialise with people she wouldn’t choose to.

I think the thing that is so special about Christmas in a work context and I suppose otherwise, is that everyone stops. Everyone is closed up inside - so it’s definitely a unique opportunity.

I'm on my own tomorrow. Well the dogs will be here too but they don't really count.
I can't say I'm thrilled about it. But family have buggered off elsewhere and I've not got anywhere else to go so on my own I am!

Doesn't really feel like Christmas to be honest. So tomorrow will just be like any other day I'm on my own.

I'd love it. I hate hosting but due to family dynamics we're now the default hosts. I dread it as I'm just not a natural host and have family members who all just turn up and don't help. Once kids are older I'll be changing things up for sure.

Oh piss off x

I had an invitation to spend Christmas day with other people, which I've politely declined. I'm going out for a curry at lunchtime on my own but it's just another day as far as I'm concerned so I'm quite happy to spend it alone.

Some people literally have no family. I think it’s nice to have a choice, rather than just be left to spend it on your own because no one thinks of you.

Also it's only 2 days off work and I have stuff that needs doing still like cleaning, cooking etc etc as I'm working at the weekend, so it's effectively just a weekend off for me

DM spends it on her own. She has options, but doesn't want the faff of it all. I live overseas, but I think if I was near her, she'd come to me.

I've been on my own as well. I didn't mind it, but I do prefer a little bit of company. I'll be with DP & DN this year.