Christmas alone

[sapphiresandemeralds]

I’ve done it before but in every case I’ve got through it by working and it’s just been a totally normal day with shops closed.

I’d like it to feel like Christmas but am I kidding myself that this can be done?

The only specific planning I'd do is 1) do a big shop and include any of the things I love to eat, 1) for the day itself I'd plan films etc, go for a walk. The rest of the two weeks can be filled with all the usual lively things you do when off work, but book friends in advance.

Ahhhhh, I'm remembering the one Christmas I had alone. It was so wonderful. But I do usually find all tree family stuff overwhelming anyway.

@sapphiresandemeralds no I get that but you haven't said if being alone at Christmas is a one off, or if you spend lots of time on your own usually.

Do you have people locally that you can meet up with at all? Not necessarily on the 'big day' itself. Could you invite others to join you?

If in conversation with a friend or colleague someone said to me they would be alone I would automatically offer a genuine invitation for them to join us. Anyone is always welcome at my house.

Not sure if you want to get a job but perhaps a temp job in a favourite store and treat yourself with the staff discount?

Would you be interested in doing a few festive craft courses, making a wreath type thing?

I think if I was on my own I'd like to book into a hotel or restaurant for christmas dinner. It'd be nice to get dressed up and be around others. But I'm very comfortable doing things on my own and happily take a book to a restaurant and eat alone.

You could also leave everything until you're off work and sort of condense it all. So only put up decs, send cards, buy tree, do present shopping etc within those 2 weeks. You could be pretty busy and there'd be plenty of opportunity to stop for coffee and mince pies along the way.

Do you like animals? I wonder if sanctuaries and kennels need holiday cover at christmas?

Do a project for yourself, is there a room you could redecorate?

I find it really sad that so many people, me included, dread Christmas. I think the pressure we are under to be having a ‘wonderful’ time means that the reality never matches up.

Thank you. I wouldn’t want to impose on anybody at Christmas butterfly it’s for families.

Two weeks is a long time so I'd try and make plans to fill the time. We can suggest all sorts, but it would help to know more about your situation. What's your budget like? Where do you live - are you in a big city or the middle of nowhere? And when you say alone, do you mean totally alone, or do you have friends you can arrange to see?

it’s for families

NO IT ISN’T.

Christmas (like every other day of the year) is for anyone who cares to celebrate it! Or not celebrate it. And you’re talking about two weeks, anyway, not just one day.

It doesn’t sound, OP, as if you want suggestions for entertainment. It sounds as if you’re having (giving yourself?) a hard time. Which may need addressing first?

Thanks. I do have some friends but it’s unlikely I’ll get to see any of them. I’m fairly rural but can get to cities easily enough.

This makes me sad .
I know some people are on there own at Christmas and they enjoy it but it sounds if your not happy alone .
If you not happy alone then it's time to do something about it .
You don't mention family or friends so do you have hobbies?
There are lots of ways to meet people, what do you enjoy?
Think about that walking groups , fitness groups, park runs are all really friendly and social start thinking about what you would like to do .
I don't think being on your own for 2 weeks is good at all .

OP, I did it last year, it was the first time my DD went to her Dad’s. I thought I was going to hate it and I was, frankly, dreading it.
We had a Christmas lunch on the 24th and then, just as Christmas (for me), started, they all left 😨.
Can I just say it was the best christmas ever?
I had food already prepared, had a hot shower, fresh bedding with no soft toys/crumbs etc, fresh pyjamas, I watched a movie, went to bed with a book.
The next morning it was perfect, no rush, no worries, I well and trully pampered myself, done my hair, my nails, I’ve put on some nice but comfortable clothes, popped round to see family for a glass of champagne, I brought a dessert, walked back after about 2 hours, remembered I haven’t opened any presents, enjoyed that, went to bed, woke up when DD got dropped off on boxing day.

Perfect.
I am looking forward to next year’s, this year she’s with me, I’m going to enjoy it just as much.

I'm usually alone at Christmas. I don't want to be part of other people's celebrations, nor do I want to work/volunteer, having done plenty of that the rest of the year, so I usually set myself a project. Last year I Kon-Maried my clothing. The year before, I painted my kitchen while singing along to Christmas music. This kind of project can expand to fill a week, easily.

On Christmas morning, I have a day of rest a lovely breakfast, a super-luxurious bath, and watch a movie/read a book I've saved especially. The week after, I plan for the whole of the rest of the year buy pressies and write birthday cards, do my Self Assessment (I know how to live ), book in all my reminders for the car MOT etc. and plan my budget for the year. It starts the new year off right.

I really like it just being me now, so I hope you can get to that place too.

@sapphiresandemeralds no it really isn't just for families and I doubt you would be imposing. The more the merrier as far as I am concerned.

Where roughly are you based? People may be able to suggest things locally to you

Christmas is NOT just for families!

Not only do single people deserve equally nice Christmasses, but God knows families can use the fresh air of non-family visitors to prevent things become stale and irritable.

I totally understand if you don't want to endure someone else's family Christmas Day. But as for thinking you need to hover discreetly alone for two weeks?! Arrange a few lunches/walks/etc, find out if anyone is going to carol concerts before Christmas, invite people around to yours (so they can escape their house for a bit). If you start a few things going, you will find plenty of takers.

I would see friends during the two weeks, maybe invite some over for dinner, or brunch.

What about a decorating project? I have so much stuff I could do with two weeks off at home: getting stuff ready to eBay, de cluttering, painting etc.

Some form of self improvement? Online language course?

Get loads of stuff in the freezer for when you go back to work.

Thanks. Honestly, being part of other people’s christmases is a bit miserable and I don’t want to invite myself.

It’s unlikely I’ll get to see friends as the run up to Christmas gets a bit manic.

If I was alone on Christmas I would love to be able to explore winter wonderland properly and see the Xmas lights. I would love to be able to enjoy the Boxing Day sales. I would probably go to the cinema or theatre and treat myself to pizza express or harvester. Christmas would be vegging in front of the tv and maybe getting a Chinese takeaway and eating lots of chocolate. Maybe going round somewhere like Hampton court. I think it would be good to have a few treats and spread them over the two weeks. You could get your hair done or a massage or a day at a local gym another thing very difficult with kids x

What do you want to do, OP?

If anything.

That’s the second time someone has said that and for the second time I will answer that if I knew that I wouldn’t have started the thread.

I really, honestly am not trying to sound snarky but I feel like a small child who has misbehaved in some way when I am spoken to like that. It is a challenging question that I presume is meant to ‘snap out of it’ and charge into the Christmas spirit.

In fact, all I am looking for are some ideas and as always some won’t be workable but some are and that’s all good.

I think in your position I would divide the two weeks down into smaller chunks of time and concentrate on filling those individually which could be less daunting than the prospect of a whole two week stretching ahead of you.

Then, I’d come up with a list of projects- some practical and some utterly indulgent. For example- decluttering and sorting my wardrobe (1 day), decorating a room (2-3 days), organising old photos into albums (1 day), reading a trilogy of books I’d never had time to read (2-3 days), watching all of the Harry Potter films back to back (1 day), perhaps a craft project if I were better at that sort of thing. I’d stock up on some treats and try my best to enjoy.

Also, don’t assume that people won’t want to spend time with people outside of family. I love mine dearly but after a few days of family time we are normally very appreciative of some outside company b

Well, if you're sure you don't want to see other people, the other thing I would love to do is visit some places from books I love. Not a big holiday, but a day or so in Bath, Edinburgh etc. Nor rushing, no worrying if the train gets delayed, just pootling about.

My number 1 would be to go to Green Knowe for one of their candlelight readings in the Music room, but whether you prefer Dickens or Poldark, there's probably some place you would love to go, but never usually gave the time?

Can you join a group like Spice? They are friendship groups who meet up on organized adventures anything from sky diving to theatres and meals out plus holiday weekends etc?

They aren't linked to romance - but inviously that does happen for some

www.spiceuk.com/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

You sound as though you just want to moan about being in your own at Christmas tbh. And that’s obviously fine, I’d moan too. But, you’ve had lots of lovely ideas of things to do here..
Do you want ideas or to wallow?