What do you do during the Christmas period if you've no/few friends?

[DriftGames]

Just that really. Just me & DD(2). Plans for Christmas Day and boxing day with family but nothing else. We've no friends so no parties to go to or host, no meals out with friends etc. So tell me what you do if you're in a similar position please!

Going away sounds a good idea, when it was just my DS and I we would do pre-christmassy things, have a few days of chilling out and then go away somewhere for new year.

Norfolk this year, maybe a UK city next year, but once she's older lots of European cities are beautiful for a few days at that time of year, some like Seville are even warm by comparison.

Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, Vienna, Rome etc

DH is off from 18th Dec until 4th Jan. We are planning lots of walks on the beach and in the local countryside, MIL and DH are taking the DC on a xmas steam train. DH and DS1 are going squirrel and bird watching at the local nature reserve one day - DS1 is getting some binoculars as one of his presents. Baking and icing snowflake/Santa shortbreads, watching Christmas films at home. DH is organising a disco in the front room with us and DC- they love this, only lasts half an hour or so and we all give up but it's fun- we have lights and a glitterball. Play games with them. They'll do some painting and crafts and go out on their bikes. We are going to our local Italian for lunch one day.
That's about it really.

Sarah Millican runs a twitter event each year that you can join in with, if that's your thing?

sarahmillican.co.uk/joinin/

Ooh that's a long time to not work so I understand you feeling at a loose end

Dh and I are both teachers so we have never worked between about 18th December and 3rd or so of Jan. We are usually hosting or away staying at family's houses for 23rd-27th and then often also 30th - 1st. The rest of the time we just do the kind of stuff we'd normally do at weekends, though our teen dc do their own thing a bit more now. When they were little we'd do big craft or lego projects, the odd visit to a NT place etc.

How about a zoo? They are often open on Boxing Day and pretty quiet. Could make it a new tradition?

Where are you in UK? Our Local NT property is doing a Winter Wonderland (sort of fun in the dark ,all trees lit up and so on) SE .10 days is a long time ,but maybe some swimming ?, Go to a local Church (they often have fetes over Xmas) Panto (local as well and often good and a lot cheaper!) Trip to a zoo (check if open) look at Christmas lights . Do some baking ( just little cup cakes /Box bakes) If exhausted by all that then snuggle with a lovely Christmas movie and some nice drinks!

Ah you guys are brill!

The zoo on Boxing Day sounds like a great tradition but we're always seeing family BD so I may make that a 'day after Boxing Day' tradition!

My daughter goes to a childminder and my work hours are between the normal 9-5 so I usually miss the other parents which makes meeting them fairly difficult unfortunately!

You all sound like you have lovely festive periods, I wish you all the best and have a safe Christmas whatever you're up to!