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?

I would go away if it was me. Apparently 1 in 6 people now travel alone, you are likely to make friends with others. I no longer enjoy Christmas, I find it boring and I hate having to visit family (the ones I don’t like). I am a single parent to 2 teens who also find it a bit boring, we spend Christmas Day alone, if I could afford it we would go abroad for a week.

I live alone.
If I was fit and healthy I would definitely go abroad(Spain or Canaries) and stay in an all inclusive hotel)!

Unfortunately as I can no longer travel abroad I will do what I have been doing for the last few years and spend the time at home relaxing, don't even get out of my pjs.

I will have sorted out some DVD's to re watch!
Lots of decent food that I like.
I am more than happy with my own company now was I find Christmas with dysfunctional family too stressful.

I know of friends who go on coach trip to hotels in Scotland for Christmas or New Year most years and they absolutely love it and say there are loads of single people on these trips.
They say the whole experience is brilliant!

Are there any community meals going on, our town has one for anyone on their own, not just the elderly, maybe you'd find someone else in the same position otherwise do markets, carol services, even if you're not religious they have a lovely atmosphere.

Buy yourself food you'd never usually great yourself to

I've never had Christmas alone, but I have had New Year's by myself, and though I'm a very self-contained introvert and I fully expected that I could make it special for myself, it ended up feeling a bit thin and sad, and I felt rather left out.

I think it was a mistake to just be at home by myself so, in future, if I have to do an occasion like Christmas or New Year's solo, I would definitely want to go away for it. The dream would be a private and cosy little cottage with a log burner and bath, where I could hole up all by myself with books, good food and a few little luxuries.

Failing that, I think the dog boarding up thread sounds brilliant. A dog to look after for the two weeks would absolutely stop me from feeling lonely, and give me someone to spoil in proper Christmassy fashion. Good walks with the dog out in the countryside during the day and then, in the evening, walking round the streets looking at the Christmas lights and home for cocoa sounds great. I'm a massively doggy person, though!

Is the Op still here? Can you give us some ideas of the sorts of things you enjoy at weekends. How do you spend your free time, I get that not everyone's suggestions will suit you but we do need a bit more to go on.

I’d agree with the suggestion of a Christmas coach tour if that’s within your budget. Somewhere like Germany or Switzerland, food all cooked for you, trips to quaint towns, festive atmosphere and often not that expensive. You can socialise if you want or keep to yourself if you want. Even if you only did a few days away you’d probably feel happier and more content to spend the rest of the time at home.

You can celebrate it with your family or friends. Don't miss the fun especially when it's Christmas time.

Like someone else mentioned, assuming you finish on 21st:

Over that weekend, there will be lots happening - church events (carol concerts etc), carolers in town, movies, gigs in pubs etc.

And still lots of last minute shopping etc.

So I would get out and about a bit those few days, to enjoy the atmosphere at least - meander around the city, even if not religious, pop into a church for the peace, stop for mince pies/coffee and people watching etc. Maybe grab a bargain if you see it, like the last minute over-stocked turkey joints or posh nibbles...

And yes, to getting the house as you'd like it. Decorating. Cleaning. Making it cosy, having nice blankets/rugs washed to snuggle into, logs for the fire or fuel for the heating, clean sheets for the bed.

Have things in for a few days peacefulness - nice candles, good movies/box set/books/music, relaxing bubble bath/shower gel (even a mini spa?), and good food that YOU would enjoy that is either really easy to prepare or something you can get stuck into (enjoyably).

You say your friends will be very busy beforehand - but would they like to meet up later on? Could you arrange either an outing (meal, hike, pub, gig, movie, ....) or host something in your place after 25th on a date that works for them too? You'll have time to prep for it, and they will enjoy it more if not pressed into it when they are manic beforehand, but may even welcome it to fill a gap after 25th before everyone heads back to work/school etc.

And perhaps think about getting out into the outdoors yourself as well - a decent hike if weather is ok, walk in a local park, visit some museums or galleries or heritage sites etc once they reopen?

Or maybe take the time to learn a new skill - with a block of 2 weeks, even taking Christmas itself into account, a few days working on a project or a skill could keep you quite usefully occupied.

Is it worth considering a good declutter, or restocking the fridge/freezer etc in that "after" period also? Particularly the freezer, with meals for once you are back at work - hearty healthy ones to get through the icky days of winter.

And yes, if you have the budget, a short trip within the UK or farther afield could be something to look forward to after 25th and before returning to work.

Hopefully there's something there to whet your appetite!

(And on the declutter - it's possibly a good time to do a wardrobe as well, as any gaps you see may be fillable in the sales....)

Okay, if going away really wasn't on the cards, here's what I'd do... (and I have done Christmas alone before).

In the lead up I would blitz the house and make it look its best - yes, including a tree. I'm not particularly religious but I might go to Church - it's lovely to see people and sing carols etc. Also a visit to one of the big Christmas markets (in the UK).

I would get some lovely food in and I would cook something of a Christmas dinner with a small bottle of something sparkling - I don't normally advocate (or should that be advocaat? ) drinking at home or alone but it's Christmas for goodness sake.

I would have a massive pile of books to read. A selection of boxsets. The double issue Radio Times - as there's some lovely stuff on over Christmas (ballets, films, etc). I would watch Strictly. I would NOT watch Eastenders.

I agree with someone upthread who suggested hair appointments etc if funds permit. I would have candlelit baths. If I couldn't afford to get it done, I would do my nails and eyebrows etc. I would treat myself to some beautiful "loungewear" (not PJs - you're not ill!).

Having been single for the best part of a decade, I don't agree that Christmas is just for families. I only spent two Christmases alone, and that was because I chose to (I appreciate I was fortunate). I spent it with a siblings, friends or hosted other single or childfree friends myself (which is also fun).

Above all, I would relax with a capital R and get myself ready for the new year and who knows what that might hold?

I hope you have fun whatever you end up doing OP

Oh and of course guilt-free mumsnetting time!

Thanks to @IrmaFayLear for the dog boarding idea, it's totally planted a seed and I've thought about an idyllic Christmas with a guest dog all day. I doubt I can swing it for this year, but I will totally go for it if I'm ever at a loose end of an xmas.

why isn't there a dog/pawprint emoji?! A bear was the best I could do!

I've had several Christmas Days on my own and quite enjoyed them but I was always busy with friends etc in the run up to Christmas, so agree that 2 weeks is a long time to fill.
If it makes you feel any better OP my worst ever Christmas Day was spent with a lodger I had taken in because I was short of money.
I was expecting him to bugger off to his family for Christmas but he didn't .
Had to make polite conversation all day when all I wanted to do was loaf on the sofa in pj's eating chocolates!
It was awful!

Definitely use meet up.com I run a female only group and have put plenty of meetups on over Xmas. You will meet plenty of people in same situation

manjushri.org/christmas-course-2018