If you spend Christmas alone what do you do for yourself?

[Twatalert]

I go first: I bought a winter landscape 1000 jigsaw and THREE kinder chocolate santas. I will make beef stew for myself with dumplings.

Also just had the idea to run myself my first bath in ages.

I'm estranged from abusive family and this is my 2nd Christmas alone, not including COVID Christmasses.

Not been alone but I'd recommend park run on Christmas morning, if you're not a runner you can volunteer on the course, it's the best start to Christmas morning

Respectfully, just leave please.

I buy myself really nice special food - the stuff that I wouldn't buy the rest of the year because it's too expensive. And not just for Christmas Day but to cover a week.
Usually spend some time over the Christmas week sitting down and planning some travel/experiences for the year ahead - the planning and booking is enjoyable for me.
And I love a long walk.
It's the Lindt chocolate santas for me 😊

I'm usually on a beach somewhere! I typically go on holiday over Christmas / NY, however this year I'm not because I have just moved to a new country/city and want to explore it while I've got time off work.

My plan is:

• exercise class in the morning
• lovely walk somewhere
• dinner with strangers (from an app similar to Meetup)

I live very centrally and luckily most things around here stay open (gyms, restaurants etc.) so it won't be completely dead on the streets.

@paranoiaofpufflings that sounds wonderful and like a good ritual to have. What kind of food will you be having?

My cats will keep me company. The best company actually.

I might watch a Christmas movie. Or Squid game which I think will release a new season. And Gavin and Stacey.

@Crushed23 Fantastic to spend it with like minded people in a new country and town!

I would do a Christmas walk , but my country gets a winter wonderland. First I would wake up at 12, then will eat something, go for that walk and pop in a church to light a candle, then would come home and have hot bath or shower depending what the rental had, then would eat whatever I had. Sometimes I had a landlady, so we did it the dinner with her. Her adult kids would visit but they were weird to her, so they would just eat the food and leave

There's absolutely no need to be rude. What's so wrong with park run?!

I think the Parkrun suggestion was kindly meant. It wouldn't suit me either (am disabled), but not everything can work for everyone.

Hope you have a lovely, peaceful and pleasant Christmas, OP. Cats are the best company in the world!

@TotallyTwisted Nobody asked for recommendations, especially not from people who haven't spent Christmas alone.

so yeah, I was blessed with that land lady whose kids came and ate and left after 1 h without chatting too much to her and then we would laugh , have wine and sherry and watch the Christmas night programs. I have done more than 1 Christmas alone

@johnyhadasister I would like something like that. If I didn't have cats I'd get up as late as you, have a bath or shower and go out for a bit. I'm not religious, but like visiting a church. There is a kind of peace.

Yes, I did not have cats or other pet in the rentals, but kind of spread out the time more in sleeping or walking or eating rather than pondering things too much....also did it because has NC period with the parents. That was years ago and I have forgiven them and they are too old. Hoping you get the comfort you need and have serenity for the fact that this Christmas is like that.

Quite.

I was going to suggest church as ive been alone before at Xmas and everyone is made to feel welcome and there would be some lovely carols.

I fear I may get my head bitten off for that too. Her username is appropriate.

@ElinAlma did you just agree my comment was rude and then proceed to be rude? Ohohoh

Here is another rude comment:

I'd like this thread to be about what people have planned and not people barging in and throwing around unsolicited advice. It's not needed or wanted or asked for.

Im on holiday to avoid all the faffing ill be back in the new year.

@livingafulllife enjoy your holiday!!

@johnyhadasister thank you. And thank you for sharing your story. I have had much more peace since going NC. It Sounds like you are ok being around your parents now. Have a wonderful time!

Thank you. I am still very low contact. Mainly forgave and made a call because of covid. Out of wanting clean spiritual slate and forgiveness in which I believe. I would never go back to full contact. My life has been very peaceful all these years. You will be fine.

If I were to spend Christmas alone, I would like to volunteer. I have only been in this position once and, unfortunately, the only places that were available when I thought to look were not accessible on foot.
I bought loads of lovely food - not meals, just things I liked that were more expensive than I would usually spend - and enjoyed those in my own time. If I enjoyed cooking, I would probably have taken the opportunity to try something new.
Boxing Day for me is football. Normally in person, during covid on TV.
Maybe you could go to the cinema? I believe they are open on Boxing Day.

I get where the op is coming from. She's not asking for suggestions, she has her day planned, she just wants to hear from other people in the same boat and what they do.

If it were me I would consider unasked for suggestions from people who've never been alone quiet patronising.

She’s coming to jump down your throat in 3, 2, 1…

Sleep late. Potter. Cook lunch. Eat. Go for walk.
Phone family if not done so already.
Watch TV/ do a jigsaw or christmas lego
Go to bed.

EDIT: for all the judgy pants on here I'm alone by choice on Christmas day. In fact this year I'm fending off a couple of families who very desperately want to adopt me. Except I don't want to be adopted! I like an unpressured Christmas day and am looking forward to it.

But there is such a thing as remaining polite. There was a kinder way of responding to what was a genuine attempt by another poster to be nice.