How are your solo Christmas plans coming along?

[NeonSoda]

What plans have you got? Ordered anything nice to eat? Bought yourself a present?

I’ve picked out a stack of books to read if my mother doesn’t come through with the two on my wishlist, but I’ve not figured out what I’m going to eat yet. I really want a takeaway on Christmas Day but I’m new to the town and can’t guarantee any will be open! 😂

It’s unlikely you’ll get a take away. Maybe ask your favourite places if they will be open so you’re prepared. If they’re not then cook / buy your favourite things and spoil yourself

I used to get a takeaway every year in my previous home. Almost all of the Muslim-owned takeaways were open as usual. :-)

Meat is ordered but so far not feeling the festive spirit at all. I think that unusually for me, I might be suffering from SAD or change co clocks malaise or something. Last month was a very drab and down month and I'm still feeling that way - and looking at the weather that's not going to help my mood.

We got a curry a couple of years back when we were both on shift and couldn't be bothered! There's a pizza place and a Chinese open on Christmas day too.

Yeah given them a call and check @NeonSoda, make your day even more chilled rather than being in the kitchen. I'd get a bunch of m&s stuff if you have to cook .

Baked potatoes and cheesy beans with sausages is our go to for the day. Fire lit and definitely a PJ day. Books or maybe something funny to watch. Dh snacks in cheese footballs, whilst I will probably demolish a box of mince pies. Just another day really!

Not sure whether I can be bothered to do anything special.

Yep, treated myself to duck breast that's now in my freezer, not sure yet what I'll have with it, but there's always some frozen roast potatoes in the freezer.

Well, I was planning salmon with roast veg, but I've been having gut problems and visited my GP last week so until those problems lessen I won't be eating much at all! I'm glad I am on my own this year (DP at his Mum's) as it would have been really odd just watching them eat whilst I shuffled a dry cracker round my plate! 😂Fingers crossed gut is OK by then!

You could go wild and have sauerkraut or red pickled cabbage (or both😁) and bread dumplings. My fave meal

I don't do Christmas, all I need to do is get a frozen dinner in (the kitchen is closed on Christmas Day and going from last year's example the food set aside is fairly crap. It isn't usually, just the turkey and ham slices they do that day are rubbish.)

I'm not in the UK, but there won't be any takeaway places open here on Christmas Day as they aren't allowed to be.

I have a list of things to get for the day, and have already made a start. I will buy a roast meal within the next couple of weeks and freeze it, and get a trifle and some strawberries and ice-cream (it's summer here). Plum pudding already in the cupboard, just need some custard. As for presents - I've been buying frivolous things for myself all year, but as it is my first Christmas without any family I'm using that as an excuse!!

I'd check with the take away, lots open near me.

Or you could ask them to make one up the day before to be heated up.

A couple of years ago I had meals on wheels so had a roast delivered.

@Troubledwords if you mix red wine with morello cherry jam (50/50) and simmer it for a bit until it reduces you get a lovely cherry sauce for duck.

food is not important to me, but i did get a Yule cake and pudding. on the 21st i will do a Solstice ritual. I may got to a public ritual; we'll see. if not i will do one at home.
This week i went to see the lights and visited the cinema (Napoleon) and had Chinese food with a childfree friend. Bought myself some gorgeous Triskellion earrings.
i like celebrating the midwinter festival in a pagan way. I feel happy to have the free time and no obligations. I'll visit the spa and have a good steam.
On 'the day' itself will probably just hang with friends and read a bit. if it is not raining go for a long walk.

Now November's over (usually a bad month for me due to historic family reasons) I'm starting to take some interest. Cards have gone to neighbours and relatives, presents are bought and a list written for food and lights will go up tomorrow. I've decided to keep it low kepy i.e not go mad on food, and save the food and drink treats for January when I really need cheering up.

I have terrible SAD and historically hate Christmas and all the family stuff

This year I'd just like to survive the few hours with mum without bursting into tears. Some years I go away, which is great, but now mum is alone, I don't feel able to do that.