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?

It's interesting how people do assume it's sad for people to be alone. I do get why but it's quite simplistic thinking. The saddest Christmases are actually in unhappy/dysfunctional family situations imo. Ones that may look socially conforming from the outside.

That’s a really good idea that I shall steal for next year @singthing

I want to be on my own this Christmas, I guess my adult child will come over but my family is torn apart by grief this year and Christmas just feels like cruel mockery. I have had some wonderful Christmases and some terrible ones, 2025 is going to be the hardest toughest ever. I would like to sleep through it but guess we will find a way to cope. I am even thinking of odering a take away and streaming non Christmas music and films as a way to edit it out of my life.

I potentially will be as child 1 might be posted abroad, child 2 is working and I'm not sure about the other. It's the first one since I moved and I might be working part of the day caring for old people. It will be fine, but different and maybe the thought is harder than the reality.

That's good, I understand it won't be the same without your mum but i'm glad to hear you will be going somewhere. Nice to have that to think about and look forward too. Maybe you could bake something on christmas day to bring with you?

Probably - unless I get called out (cat rescue). It's just another day to me, albeit with lighter traffic. So I'll be sorting out the animals and I often use the quieter time to get my tax return done or do some house painting, or both.

Wonderful that you're there if needed even in Christmas Day 🐈‍⬛ Thank you

I have been alone one Christmas Day about three years ago. It was fine, I still did a Christmas Dinner, I watched TV with the cat, he was still around then, had a couple of glasses of wine, ate a few chocolates and enjoyed the lights twinkling on the tree and my log fire burning.

If I'm alone this year, I'm ok with that, although I will miss the presence of the cat. I'll watch a few cat videos instead. 😆

Maybe time for another cat? If you rescue one now, he will have a lovely Christmas 🙂

It's so tempting and I'd truly love another one but I said when he went I wouldn't get another, partly my age, mainly the cost of vets bills that have soared massively the last few years and actually being able to register with one in the first place. Also the food, good quality food is pretty expensive too.

That's why I tend to watch cat videos, it's not quite as nice as owning one but it's definitely cheaper. 🙂

@Myblueclematis have you considered being a cat fosterer for Cats Protection? They need them, not only for short term help, but also long fosters for cats difficult to rehome (e.g. older ones). They cover all expenses and would understand your reasons for not rehoming.

Yes, I did consider this and I would love to do it but I know immediately that the first cat I fostered, I would want to keep. Although I don't live near a main road, the road out the front is quite fast with some of the blithering idiots who ride motorcycles and stupid uprated cars speeding down or up it. My last cat never went out the front but he was very nervous and wasn't that curious which was good.

I do say to myself, never say never and there's always the possibility I might either adopt/foster in the future or even get adopted myself by a stray cat, you never know. 😃

You could get the back garden cat proofed with Protect-a-Puss or similar. Or have a catio built.

Edit - just saw your other post regarding expenses - and cat proofing wouldn't solve that.

Mother and kitten fostering would be ideal. It would be hard to see them go - but they would be immediately replaced by another furry family needing your help.

I'll be alone. Just a nice breakfast and lunch. Some champagne and good films

I'll be on my own. Since my parents died I have fended off the kind invitations of friends, not wanting to be the spectre at anyone else's feast, but appreciate the kindness of those who tell me that if I suddenly feel lonely to go to them at any time - I know they mean it.

I keep a bag of 'presents from me to me' - mostly books (though Amazon have still not delivered stuff ordered in August), I know there's jigsaw puzzle there, some sherry, I'll get a few DVD box sets (they suit me better than streaming) - the latest season of Murdoch mysteries is one the list.

I decorate, I'll have friends in on other days, weather permitting I'll go for a walk, I'll go to church, I'll cook something nice, probably either chicken or a turkey breast with ham and the doings so that I have nice leftovers for the next few days. Looking forward to it.

I may be alone unwillingly. I'm early 30s and live with my dad and step mum as I'm disabled. But my dad will be working offshore and my step mum needs to go abroad as her mum is having an operation, so I'll be alone mid December to mid January. My sibling may be coming but I will have to drive 1.5 hours to get them and 1.5 hours to drop them off (they don't drive) and I'm really not sure if I can cope with that, so I'm still in two minds about it. One side of my family lives an 8 hour drive away so not an option and the other side my uncle said their house will be too busy for Christmas and New year, so no dice there either.

I'm really not looking forward to it. I have no friends at all, so no option there either. Just me and two dogs. I really struggle to cook so not sure if I'll even have a roast dinner. Probably will just chuck some pigs in blankets in the oven and miserably eat those 😂

I won't be alone, but I miss my christmases when I was - just me and the dog

Id wake and walk him, go take a leisurely bath and then go and meet friends about 4 or 5 miles away across London - taking the dog. I enjoyed the walk

A few drinks and a taxi home - double bubble on Christmas Day so a taxi only one way, home and a meal of Marks finest nibbles and snacks and a bottle of wine

Another dog walk, and up on the sofa wrapped up and snuggly - open pressies and fall asleep watching "the movie" with dog curled around me

Id pay for those days now

Later on, Indian restaurants opened on Christmas Day - Happy Days indeed

@Myblueclematis, foster cats never go outside, always kept as indoor cats. It can be tough saying goodbye, but you know you've made such a difference and it's a wonderful thing that they've got a new home and freed you up to foster again if you choose to. I sobbed every time, but overall it's been a really positive experience.

I have had a few Christmas Days that were unenjoyable and ruined, thanks to family drama. It was so uncomfortable for many years, that the whole Christmas and New Year break was awful feeling really down and sick to my stomach. But because of the terrible times, I have develop huge anxiety about Christmas Day.

I think people who 'dream of being alone on Christmas day '
Are missing the point for someone who has no choice to be alone

You can be alone without being lonely.

I will be alone on christmas and boxing day entirely by my own choice. To me its a time for quiet reflaction, sleeping in and self indulgence.

A relative will be around the day after boxing say and we will have a belated christmas dinner with all the trimmings and a bottle of wine. I have spent christmas alone for many years and for me its just a few days rest from running my business (online sales and tutoring). I close down from christmas eve until the day after new years day. I do look at emails and send a holding message/out of office where necessary but I dont do any business or communicate with clients. I dont do big family get togethers, cards or gifts. I am one less person for my family (who mostly live in another city) to buy for.

Yes - was widowed nearly 5 yrs ago and have no immediate family.

I'm ordering a turkey crown from a good butcher and shall have that with various types of alcohol whilst having a binge of Christmas movies.

My local town is having a Christmas dinner in a hall for people who will be alone - I think that has become a lot more common, and might be worth looking out for if anyone is dreading it. One of my aunts used to go to a hotel with fellow-widows to avoid either being alone or being with her grandchildren all day - she adored them but felt that family needed a day doing their own small children focussed thing and that it was better to be with them on a day that didn't have so many expectations tied to it.

Churches are good for having people around you, watching open air swimmers is alleged to be fun. Start planning now for four days doing what works for you.

I will be, I was last year too.
im just waiting to hear if my work contract will be renewed, if it is I’ll go away (we have 2weeks furlough from work) if not I’ll stay home and have a quiet time.

Hope you enjoy your day and don’t find it lonely.

I used to have that too. It fades after lots of Christmases that you like. See if you can make it work for you 💐