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

It's cloudy and humid at the moment, and we only reached 22 degrees today and cooler tomorrow. However, contrary to popular belief, the South Island does get hot and in fact the highest ever recorded temp. in the country was in the S.I.

FX its not too bad, I'd totally be dreading that too. Be tempting to wake up to sick to go.

I love the build up too, we over decorate and have Christmas treats all through December, but the day itself I could do without. Servicing someone else's perfect Christmas is a very apt description of it. My XH always went out of his way to tarnish special occasions so there's a lot of bad associations too, but Im also peopled out by Christmas day and would rather not interact facd to face on the day. I had the kids last year, I won't be changing the arrangement because the kids would be hurt, but honestly I prefer this Christmas day on my own, we'll do presents and a roast on Saturday, but I'm happy to miss all the hoopla.

I don't think a lot of people can imagine what it's like to have no or very little family.

I have two living relatives. Both abroad. One is in a care home. I could fly to be with the other but would have to pay a lot for flights this time of year, and leave my pets at home. Instead I choose to spend Xmas on my own and enjoy a relaxing week off work and do whatever I want.

Dumped by my boyfriend a few weeks ago, and spending Christmas alone would have added insult to injury. No viable family and no available friends. Could have sorted something out with friends some months back, but the dumping was too close to Christmas.

I’ve done a big clean of the house and picked up some great food and naice booze. And since yesterday, I’m feeling very content, surprisingly enough. I realised that getting organised for it in plenty of time and having nice things to look forward to make all the difference. Bought myself some soft warm clothes to lounge about it and went to the salon. Seems I am more easily consoled than I had imagined!

Anyone else alone and heartbroken, be kind to yourself and be patient with yourself, you’ll get through this and soon be laughing again. Hold your head up high, you’re on cruising speed, things will change again, they always do!

Im 28 and spending today alone by choice. My mum has been pestering me to come for dinner and thinks im weird but i like to do my own thing and im not bothering with a cooked dinner.
i’ll be doing a christmas style afternoon tea around 1pm with turkey finger sandwiches then scones with clotted cream and jam. I have text a few people but i wont properly speak to or a see a soul today thank god. I hope everyone is having a good day, merry christmas x

If people want to that’s fine and none of my business. I know on a personal level I would hate it. I have a huge family, all my siblings are a lot older than me except one half sister who is horrid. My brothers live in America they are in their seventies now, I’m still in my fifties. So there was a time when there was so much family stuff but two of my siblings have died already, my parents have died and worse of all DD died a few years ago. My parents were over 40 when they had me. DH is from a small family and his one sister never had children.

I've done it and I'd happily do it again.

I'm alone this year, and also last year. I like it, I have a relaxing day.

As other PP have said though, I enjoy it as it's a choice. I see family and friends on other days in the season.

I have spent a few birthdays upset to be alone, because it wasn't a choice.

Indeed. We worry about the elderly being alone but really it's the younger people we should be more worried about. Especially with MH which they are more conscious and aware of. Young people have smaller friendship groups now. My parents have multiple invites from friends to come over on Xmas day and a very busy social life.
Younger people are not as social, find it hard to make & keep long term friends. So those who are single, living alone, with complex family situations or not local, will spend it alone. Even if they tell a friend they will be alone, that friend is not very likely to say come over to ours!

@CandyCane5 There are some very isolated elderly people who have no family and friends. Lets not make this an intergenerational war.

This is what I do. My SO and I don't live together, and he's with his very elderly mum this week.

I'm reveling in a lovely week off work and today will open presents, eat, drink Chambord for breakfast with a brownie cake, watch all the old movies and pamper myself with spa products and a home pedicure.

Nap, fire, champagne and more movies in the afternoon. Dinner already sorted so no cooking, though I suddenly am craving potatoes au gratin so may make some.

Could be worse!

I'd hate to be on my own but both everyone feels the same as me. If people are happy to be alone then let them. Two people I know live alone but always go to family for Christmas Day

That reminds me to watch The Christmas candle and The Bishops wife