Christmas Eve Afternoon Alone

[Shambles123]

So, I will have approx 5 hours of Xmas Eve alone as DH taking kids and ILs into London for an activity. I can't go as will be working till about lunchtime Xmas Eve and there are two dogs to consider. After work and dog walk I will have 5 hours alone Xmas Eve.

Am wondering what I can do, has anyone done this before and have any good ideas? Am assuming lots of places not open and my friends are likely to be with their families!

I always spend Christmas Eve alone during the day as DD works and my mum doesn’t come over until the evening. I love it, I have a nice breakfast (usually toasted panettone and coffee) then finish any last bits of cleaning/wrapping. Go for a walk in a park or the woods, then home for lunch and a Christmas film, followed by Christmas carols while I prepare a small buffet for when DD and my mum arrive. I don’t cook Christmas Day, we all go to other family members for dinner so don’t have to prep anything for that.

Beauty treatments another great idea! Thank you!

I have Xmas eve alone this year as dh will be with MIL all day and coming back after the children are in bed. I’m planning to do baking with the children then when they are in bed watching an Xmas film and having a lot of chocolate

Think I’d make sure DH and kids (if age appropriate) have done as much of the prep for Christmas Day as possible, whilst you are at work, and then use the 5 hours for a nice peaceful break, movie etc

Testing sloe gin....love the wording

Get sorted to make Christmas day easier. Prep veg, bake, get the turkey out, get all the drinks in the fridge.

Why do you need advice on what to do with an afternoon to yourself? Not being cheeky, I’m genuinely interested. Not every minute needs to be filled with planned ‘stuff’. And I’m guessing you can’t go far and leave the dogs for long.
If it were me with an afternoon to myself on Christmas Eve I would probably be having a couple of glasses of wine or Baileys, doing some last minute wrapping, baking, possibly some early prep for Christmas dinner (make dessert, defrost what needs defrosting, I also like to set the table).

Wrap presents with carols on and a glass of champagne to hand.
Long bath, hair wash, face mask, pedicure.
Prep some of next day's dinner so you feel more relaxed on Christmas Day.
Watch Christmassy films

Lovely long dog walk and do any last bits of prep, Then in no particular order: put on your favourite Christmas movie, eat your favourite snacks (splurge!) with a face mask and a foot bath. Have a long shower and then read a book with Christmas music on!

Sounds dreamy 😍 hope you have a lovely afternoon whatever you're doing on Xmas eve!

I would have a tidy up, a long bath and then, if I still had time, watch some TV or read.
OR I would think about which of my girl friends might be free & invite them over for a drink or two. Actually, I think that this would be my preference. My DC are now teens so we’ve been in the midst of Christmas chaos for years and, whilst I’m missing the magic, I am enjoying spending more time with my friends again without mine or their DC involved. I’ve certainly got a few friends who would be happy to escape their visiting relatives for a couple of hours or whose DC will be at their father’s and so may be free.

Your dogs would like an extra walk after dark to see the Christmas Lights

Then they'll snoooze happily and you get get your coffee'n'Baileys

This is a gift, embrace it! Glass of wine, Christmas music/film as you do any last min prep or just relax and feel festive!

Christmas movie
Carols
a book or two
taking a bath in utterly peace
a walk with the dogs and then home for any of the above
a nice drink
some cake/biscuit/mince pies/chocolate

Treat it as a gift to yourself, don't think.of it as a time to get all the chores done, unless you want to or it makes the rest of life easier. The rest of your family are going on a treat, and you deserve one as well.

Get yourself something to eat that noone else particularly enjoys, watch films or read books. It's not compulsory for these to be Christmas themed, again unless you want to. I'd be more inclined to watch/read something I've been trying to get around to since August.

Then after dark extra dog walk to see the lights is a good shout, and an extra treat for the dogs.

I saw an advert for a new film on Netflix with Michelle Pfieffer about a Mum who's had enough of doing it all for her family. I would crack open a bottle of Baileys, some quality street and watch that with my feet up!

Book a masseuse to come to your home. Get some nice picky M&S bits for a snacky late lunch. I was going to suggest a pedicure but I think it'd actually be a bit grim with the pre-christmas rush.

Other than that ask a friend to meet you for a local easy dog walk. Grab a nice coffee to go and go for a walk and a natter.

Cinema is always open

That sounds like bliss. A bath, finish wrapping, watch something on tv, read a book.

But if you're looking for something more meaningful to do, visit someone that's alone this chrismtas, there's charities that organise this sort of thing I think. Volunteer at a homeless shelter.

I mean, I know which one I'd be choosing though 🙈

Just a thought, you may find local volunteering possibilities (especially if you have churches and similar nearby), I am not entirely sure of Christmas Eve ones specifically, but usually you can sign up for a few hours. It can be a nice way to spend time and the people are usually very nice and motivated.

Swap the port for Baileys and the Stilton for brie and l'm the same!

Honestly I'd just lean into and enjoy the peace and quiet, I wouldn't be rushing around to fill it with anything.

I really like wrapping so I'd probably do that in front of a film or with some Christmas music on and would have some wine or whisky.

I'd get myself something super easy for dinner too. Like a whole tray of party food which goes in the oven!

Final Christmas day prep. Read a teary book or watch a funny film. Then best coat and boots and head to midnight mass. Whatever your beliefs you will r warmly welcome. Don’t forget some loose change for the collection.

has anyone done this before?

Please have my prize for the absolute strangest query of the year!

MN really is excellent at highlighting how different everyone’s lives are.

(I’m sure you’ll have a splendid five hours, @Shambles123.)

Sofa, tv, wine, nibbles. Basically just chill!