Alone at Christmas... How do I make it fun?

[AverageGayLadAtChristmas]

I'm going to be alone at Christmas, uni student so not much money, just me in my flat

How do I make this fun???

I can't drink so can't even get sloshed

I'm already stocking up on Christmas Yankee Candles!

Were there any traditions when you were young that you can carry on?

If your a poor student could you try and get a job waiting in restaurants on Xmas day ? Might pay double!

I love cooking :) favourite meal is probably takeaway big fan of cold meats like Turkey and chicken, cheese and grapes on cocktail sticks too

Average come to mine if your in the northeast, my Mam feeds 16 she will never notice an extra one.

16???

Yup various grandkids and partners.

It's only September anything could happen too you between now and Christmas. Anxiety is shite mind

Ah this makes me sad no one should be alone at Christmas, unless they choose to be

Although the 'offical' large Christmas day shelters will have loads of volunteers nearly every town will have a church or local organisation that is arranging Christmas for people on their own so you could volunteer to help with that - or go as a guest. Or if you want to earn a bit of money look into working on Christmas day - lots of hotels, pubs, residential homes etc will need casual labour.

Put up a note (or whatever you do these days on social media ) there will be lots of other students who will be alone at Christmas and would probably like to get together.

Scoose I might have a cat, if that helps?

Could you set yourself a project like to learn to knit and knit yourself a pair of socks? It would occupy your thoughts but be quite cheap?

I'm useless at knitting

Ha ha! Well I'm impressed that a young man like yourself has already tried it!

I had a very persuasive grandma once.

I'd volunteer for the morning then puss off home after lunch, put on pyjamas, open the booze and chocolate and Pringles, watch crap telly and when you want company come on here to join in the bitching

Oooooh, will there be bitching?

will there be bitching?

Lol. MN at Christmas is a real experience!!

I do Christmas alone now most years, bluntly I cannot cope with my family, who could rival MN in the bitching stakes. Honestly you'd think it was a military operation not one day!

I go to church Christmas Eve and day and I cook Christmas dinner from scratch having all the things I love in Christmas dinner, which would make others going I'll buy between now and then a cheap box set, a film and a book and wrap them as I get them. I'm in one of the places no one delivers food to, so no worries there, and one of the few places where businesses close for a long time at Christmas so I basically hide away which I do most of the time and, might MN, depends on my mood!

Becca that sounds like bliss. Just bliss.

It works for me far better than the alternative actually. For many years after I left I would be guilt tripped into family Christmas either by family or friends all saying being alone would be horrendous.

Actually every year I went, I keep a diary, there would be repeated "why do I do this to myself" type comments. The first year I was nervous about what would happen because of all the fuss about needing to be with others, but then someone I barely knew pointed out I live alone, reality is its no different, just a time for celebrating (I'm Christian so observe the religious significance) and me time.

It can be upsetting too, but it's better for me to be alone, though I admit there were threads on here last year that had my blood boiling so maybe a little less MN this year!

Christmas Day Parkrun. Justifies all the Xmas food.

Alternatively if you are in the south and fancy helping me deal with my vegan, teetotal mother whilst 8 months pregnant you'd be very welcome at ours.... (it's me who's pregnant, not my mother - just to clarify!!)

Homeless shelters are often oversubscribed yes, but if you fancy volunteering old people's homes are a really good bet at Christmas- they'd be grateful for some visitors for those who don't have any family?

Fenella thrilling as that sounds I'm a bit too far away

I had spent sopme christmasses alone in the past. Through choice as I dont want to be sitting a round someone elses house where I cant relax. I always worked on Christmas day when I was at uni. Kept me out of mischief and the pay was much higher than normal. First year was in a hotel then the last two years in the kitchen of an old peoples home. And I got a proper christmas lunch.

Failing that get a nice cheeseboard together and just veg in front of the tv . Am very jealous!

If it was me I would probably buy a book I really wanted to read, and wrap it up and hide it from myself. Possibly also a new pair of pyjamas. Nice nibbly food.

Then I'd shut myself in the house, get into my pyjamas, and read the book cover to cover while eating nibbles.

Actually that sounds lovely.

Too far away, you say? I'll happily send her to you....