Anyone else spending Christmas alone?

[Idontknowhatnametochoose]

As the title says. I will be alone on the day, which is fine- I was last year too and ended up watching the first Harry Potter film. It looks likely that i will be alone for every Christmas for the foreseeable as everything is different now my mum has died. I don't mind it as I'm an introvert and enjoy my own company but it's nice to hear from others who will also be alone. I'm not strictly alone as I have my dog and cat.

So...will you be you alone and if so what are your plans fot the day?

Hi I’m not on my own but I do follow someone on instagram sologirling. She’s no longer on her own but was for some years and she shares ideas for weekends for those on their own with suggested plans. She’s doing Christmas ideas for those spending it solo. Might be worth a look op?

I’m just curious to know what your plans are OP? Are you going to acknowledge that it’s Christmas? How do you feel about spending it alone? My friend was unexpectedly alone on Christmas Day last year thanks to her older children ditching her at the last minute so she reached out to me on Christmas morning and we welcomed her with open arms. She was so grateful to be with us and all of our chaos (four kids) and we all had a wonderful time. It makes me so sad to think about all of the people who are alone at Christmas but equally, if it’s your own choice then I’m genuinely curious as to why?

I will be on my own this year.
I love it I've been on my own for Christmas every year for the past 10 years.
It's just another day to me.

It's not really my choice- well it is and isn't.

I'm chronically ill and can't cope with too much going on.

I can't drive anymore and my only family left live a distance away.

I've had an offer from a friend but she will have 9 people over and it will be too much, although I appreciate the offer.

I genuinely don't mind being alone although its sad that Christmas isn't the same since my mum died.

My plan is usually a dinner and movie and taking dog out as usual!

It's just another day to me and I love a peaceful at home with nothing much to do. If I knew I had 24-48 hours to myself, I'd stock up on food I love, go for a nice walk or run first thing, binge watch a series, read a book, have a mini spa day at home with a glass of wine and then have an early night... absolute bliss!

I could join the running club Xmas day run, or there's a walking group near me that does an Xmas day walk especially for people on their own, or I could volunteer at the soup kitchen.... but honestly I just like the thought of a day all to myself!!

I was alone bar for pets one year. I made us all a roast dinner, drank too much and snuggled by the tv. It was lovely!

I won't be alone, but I have often fantasised about Christmas alone. I'd make myself a stocking with a luxury bath oil or bubbles, a really good book, some fancy snacks, maybe a beauty product like a face mask or scrub, some very soft socks, then I'd start the day with a long bath with Christmas music on the radio, get dressed and take the dog out for a walk, then home to read the book beside the fire, eat the snacks and then watch some Christmas films.

OP, would you consider buying yoruself a stocking of treats for the day?

OP I hear you re the chronic illness and what you say resonates. I have been unable to have the christmas we have wanted for the last few years and it has ended up being just my husband and I (appreciate it’s not the same as being on your own), but its not as we would want it to be.

That's a really nice idea! I think i will!

Yep. Me. Again.

I have two Christmas alone then one when my son and DIL visit.

Do you like reading @Idontknowhatnametochoose ? One year my mum got ne a subscription to Rare Birds Book Club for my birthday- it's a online book club that sends you a surprise book written by a woman every month. They also do lucky dip books or book bundles https://rarebirdsbooks.com/products/personalised-book-bundle

which could be lovely if you want to unwrap a surprise on Christmas Day x

I’ll be alone from the morning of Christmas Eve until the evening of Christmas Day because my daughter will be with her other parent. It’s the first Christmas I will ever have woken up alone and I think I'm feeling ok about it. I’m going to go for a walk first thing and then volunteer with a local charity for most of the day. And hopefully feel enough gratitude for being free of an abusive and destructive relationship to make up for any feelings of loneliness. I’m free to choose what I do for the first time in a very long time.

I will be alone this year for Christmas, my children are going overseas for two weeks with their father to have Christmas with his family. My mother is also going away to see one of my siblings and my other sibling is going to his wife’s home country. So I’ve decided to go overseas too and am going on a group tour in a country I’ve never been to before with a few days on my own exploring at the end of the- I’m excited and it has taken my mind off not seeing my kids at Christmas.

I spent several Christmases alone as my parents and brother are dead. I just stocked up on nice food and watched TV for the day. One year I got what can only be described as a pity invite from a friend to spend Christmas Day with her and her parents. I hadn’t wanted to go but she insisted. As soon as dinner was finished at about 4.30 she offered to drive me home, it seemed very abrupt. I met my partner in 2020 and have spent Christmas with him since then.

In one sense I won’t be alone on Xmas Day but in another I will feel very alone! I look after very elderly relatives who are still managing at home with care so on Xmas Day will drive to one & cook lunch there, then on to the other (each refuses to leave her house 😱). My own children (older teens & students now) will be with their father & I will do stockings presents etc the day before or after - I hope after.

It has been like that for some years and to be honest I just dread it. Getting up early, packing food etc, driving, cooking (food I would not choose) in someone else’s (awkward) kitchen, being cheery, washing up, looking after them, then driving on & doing it all again! I get a bit down when I imagine everyone having fun, opening presents round the tree etc, champagne & all the rest of it. However I remind myself that in years gone by I did have to do all the early morning rising to stuff a naked giant turkey thing & that was pretty grotty too!

I hope you have a relaxing day OP & make treats for yourself. A lovely bath & a classic film (or Pride & Prejudice!) & a winter scented candle maybe. There can be a difficult stage in life when your Xmas diverges wildly from what we are led to believe is the norm- maybe it helps to know this is true for lots of us!

I will be spending the day alone. My parents are both dead and I have no partner, children, or siblings. I don't mind, I still make the day special with nice food and some treats, and I really prefer to be alone although I did have lunch with my neighbours last years, which was nice. I just potter around doing whatever I want and enjoy the day. It's summer here so I go out walking, go to the park etc.

I love reading and this looks amazing, thank you!

I feel similarly. Some people don't understand how I can prefer to be alone but I genuinely do. I'm not religious but have spiritual faith and I enjoy the meaning of the day in my own way. Plus I have my pets.

I will be alone but I'll have had family round for dinner the day before so I'll probably enjoy the peace and being able to do what I like. I had another Christmas Day alone about 10 years ago and went for a long walk. It was lovely - very cold and quiet, and nice to see houses lit up inside.

Oh yes, I forgot to say I have pets to spend the day with - and I might even go to church! Even when I had family I always used to say I would still be able to enjoy Christmas if I was alone. The day is what we make of it.

Spending xmas day alone is a relief compared to spending it with my family (no kids, so by family I mean parents and siblings). Aged around 30 I realised I didn't want to, and couldn't, endure any more toxic and stressful relationships in my life, and so I have since mainly spent the day alone or sometimes with a friend. I've got to the point where I just see it as a nice peaceful day to eat special food. Part of me is always a bit apprehensive as it does bring back unhappy childhood memories and highlights the fact that my situation isn't 'normal', so I'm always a bit relieved when it's over. I prefer to focus on building a nice, non-lonely life throughout the year though rather than worrying about one particular day.

Why the hell would you think that people would not “acknowledge” Christmas Day just because they are solo? That’s pretty tone deaf and insulting.

Could we just keep this as the gentle supportive thread it was? Just this once?

Can we just stop condescending to people and telling them how “sad” their chosen lifestyle is?

I spend Christmas alone and wasn't offended at all by that post.