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!

Perfect opportunity to catch up on sleep, I’d take dog out for quick walk then fall asleep in front of the tv for rest of afternoon.

That’s what I’d do.

long dog walk somewhere that ended up at a pub with a fire and take a book!

@Glitchymn1
Feeling stabby 😂

Watch Home Alone in my snuggly pjs with a huge glass of wine/cocoa and chocolates. Bliss.

Any fancy hotels around that will be decorated? After your museum/gallery you can pop in for a festive cocktail and people watch.

I'm curious if you are part of an organised religion or something you have essentially invented yourselves? I can't find details on any religion where funerals are a complete no-no - honouring our dead is pretty much a common feature of every human culture we've ever known about.

During my grandmother's funeral, my stoic grandfather wept like a child. Funerals are definitely for those left behind. I doubt many people attend funerals thinking the dead person is getting something from it.

Relax and enjoy!

Go to a local carol service at a church. Even if you’re not religious, singing your heart out for half an hour is lovely. Then back home, Christmas movie on, large glass of wine and present wrapping.

A perfect Christmas Eve afternoon in my opinion!

I feel like if I made plans (like booked a swim then a massage) I would be bound to curse myself with one of my dc coming down ill - always happens when you least expect it and dc2 always used to get I’ll just before and all
over Christmas 😭

What would YOU like to do that you never get time or peace to do? Do that!

I always love coming home after work - wouldn’t want to head back out on xmas eve if not with my family. Would get any jobs/last min xmas prep done, then pjs, film, wine, snacks and just enjoy peace before the chaos begins! 😅 Any shops/cafes will be rammed with last min shoppers (cant think of anything worse as im an early prepper!). Any sort of ‘day out’ kind of place will be packed with families and would be sad not to be with mine. Cosying up at home would be a no brainer for me. Also, i’d check if any friends are free for a quick drink as plenty of people do work xmas eve so you might find a friend is on their own for some of it.

When did I say it was awful? I wanted help to think of something good to do...

Hope you are ok...

I’d take the opportunity to do absolutely nothing!

After spending almost the whole of the last year alone, I find this post very confusing!

I once told family I had to work Christmas Eve, I didn't.
Had a lovely day to myself went to the cinema, nice lunch, popped in shops.
Never let on.

Doesn’t it sound amazing!

I don’t know, but I'm jealous!

Ummm . I think you’re the one that should be asking if you are ok?!
You’ve posted on mumsnet to ask how to fill 5 hours?
how absolutely ridiculous.

I would be gift wrapping while watching a Christmas movie! Alternatively, I might go for a swim, go to the cinema or clean the house.

God! Bliss! You lucky bugger!

I’d be getting as much done BEFORE this Christmas Eve afternoon as I could - to try and free up as much time as possible for myself, in this precious window.

Then do any last bits - lay the table, peel the potatoes etc - and get that out of the way.

Thennnnnn… breathe!
Hot bath with your most expensive bubble bath
Snuggly clothes on
Curl up in front of the fire and watch whatever Christmassy thing you want to and eat whatever you want. An M&S Christmas sandwich and some Lindors. Or prawn cocktail and some chocolate-covered Turkish Delight. Whatever treat-y thing YOU fancy - with no one to have to serve a proper meal to. Heaven.

Before you know it they’ll all be back.

I’m not sure why you’d need to ask others for ideas? Could you really not think of the cinema on your own?

Make sure there’s nothing to do but relax and enjoy it.

Even a really really really long service dogs should be ok. If dogs can’t be left for, say 5 hours, there has been an issue with training or something

Ignore the thread then. Seriously, hope you are ok.

They will have been left for 2-3 hours in the am already before I am back. Our dog is fine, ILs dog isn't left alone very often.