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!

I like the book idea :)

Fenella do I sense a note of desperation?

A note of desperation? It's a whole novel of desperation!

Not the best form of persuasion!

I would wear pyjamas, eat M&S and watch shit while MNing.

Although smaller youth shelters have bugger all volunteers at Christmas. I say bitterly, having cooked xmas dinner for 14 when every one of them told me they were going somewhere else. Little buggers. I had to get my mum down.

And go to bed you little scamp.

That's probably what I'll do

And I've been to bed.

If you happen to find your-self over the other side of the world then you are absolutely welcome to spend Christmas with us. Sunshine, swimming pool, mocktails, bbq, seafood and noise on offer ( I will pretend we don't have a large smelly dog or a very loud child)

Blimey about where are you?

Ermm Australia. I will be accused of stealth boasting so I need to make it very unappealing. There are huge spiders, sharks, crocodiles, noisy annoying birds, mosquitoes that eat you alive and it is horribly hot with melting humidity.

I forgot to mention the snakes.

Too late, I'm on my way

I will fire up the barbie and throw a shrimp on it.

I agree about buying your favourite food and cooking it on the day, it fills in the time and chopping etc can be calming, and it gives the day a focus.

Between now and Christmas buy a little gift each week, wrap them up. Opening them will be some thing pleasant to do on Christmas morning. Save up any cards that you get to open on Christmas morning.

Buy some flowers, even just a tiny bunch will lift your spirits.

Load up your Kindle with cheap or free books, get some DVDs.

Remember it's only one day.

Come on MN, there is always someone to chat to.

All I like the gift idea :) Will there be flowers in December?

Cooking I will certainly do :)

I'll probably be online. I don't actually celebrate Xmas and usually I'm on my own.

It's a great day to get things done as no one bothers you.

But it can be a great day to relax too.

Is there a reason you can't drink? I had a friend staying on his birthday a few year ago, he started the day with a bath and a mini bottle of champagne - you know the one with just 2 glasses in? He said he had a bit of a buzz all day.

DO you want to be alone? My grandmother did it for years and loved it. If not then your uni will have some international students who can't go home so you could invite some, find out if your uni has an international society and go meet a few people (if your anxiety allows) and then do a 'Jacob's join' of traditional food.

This is a lovely thread. What works for me is to do lots of research and rough out a schedule of things i could do, then see how i feel on the day/well weekend because it really is extended. Have the schedule overlapping ( except for things where others depend on you, like the old peoples homes etc). I enjoy a day tucked up at home more when i have genuinely chosen to do that, rather than join a parkrun ( or whatever). All the best.

If you really like cooking, how would you feel about putting up a notice somewhere, incase others are in the same position. You could organise a 'everyone brings a dish' event, whether for the actual Christmas day, or one of the days over the holiday period. Include you contact details, and a rough idea of when, but make sure they have to contact you for final details and arrangements. And give a firm date/time by which they need to contact you to be included.

You break up the meal into its parts, and once you have numbers you can let everyone know what sort of thing to bring, say starters for 4 etc. Include any dietary requirements ( or set out in advance say vegan or whatever). Infact, why wait til christmas, start with next sunday and you may have built up a lovely group ahead of Christmas. All the best.

Will there be flowers in December?

Yes my grandmother always had flowers rather than a tree.

sashh I'm allergic to alcohol! That's why :(

I will look into international students :)

Finally Will think about doing that :)

Yes, there will be flowers in December, all supermarkets will have Christmas bunches with a bit of glitter on a pine cone or something of that type.

Or go for a walk and collect some ivy & holly and make a decoration on a plate to go with your candles. (Don't fritter away all your money on Yankee candles mind )

I think it's too early to start thinking about it to be honest. It's months away!

I had a Xmas alone when I worked abroad and I didn't plan anything special, just enjoyed my own company. I did have presents to open and people to phone though, so it was a special day.

You are very welcome to PM me, if you want to talk through the practicalities, though theres bound to be a you-tube video about it.

We would love to send you some little treats from Oz for you to open on Christmas day. If you feel comfortable pm ing me your address then my maternal smothering instint to you will be eased and you can sample some delights from across the world.

We would love to send you some little treats from Oz

AverageGayLadAtChristmas Australia has opals, diamonds and gold, they can be bought in very small quantities.

Its That's so sweet of you! But you really don't need to!

When I was at uni there was always something going on for the students who couldn't go home for some reason. Ask at the SU if there is anything formal already planned. If not ask if they'd like help planning something. We found that there we a lot of postgrad students especially who couldn't afford to go home.

When I was at my first job on the other side of the world to my family a group of us stragglers got together and did Christmas. It was great as we were from all around the world an each of us brought our own traditions.

Finally I've volunteered with my local Sally Army. They were glad of the extra pair of hands (and I didn't volunteer months or years in advance). My main job was driving the mini bus to collect/drop of the old ladies/gentlemen who otherwise would have spend Christmas on their own. But I also spent alot of time chatting with them and playing silly games (charades etc.)