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!

Ignore the thread then! 😙

Seriously I hope you are ok and manage to survive your 5 hours alone... I am really perplexed.
What a strange question to ask.
Good luck.

OP, just in case you are worried about ‘not doing anything special’ on Xmas Eve, just remember there will be millions of others like you going to work Xmas Eve as it is a normal working day (really wish it was a bank holiday as it’s my favourite day). Both myself and my DH work it some years (luckily not this one) and you can feel like the odd one out in your family/friendship group when alot of businesses do shut down over Xmas.

I think people aren’t being rude in the responses, but for alot of exhausted/burnt out parents, 5 hours to relax before the chaos/fun/work begins, is a no brainer to just stay at home. We have such limited time alone these days with most parents working whilst the kids are at school, personally I never feel I have to ‘fill time’ if they are out with my DH. You might get some quite strong responses on here because for the majority of parents, there will be zero time alone at home over Xmas (and we wouldn’t change that for the world but would also embrace the silence for a few hours)😁

I’d book to get my nails done and then home for Carols at Kings with a glass of something nice.

For me Christmas eve is all about Christmas dinner prep, wrapping presents and having a hectic day with family. Swapsies? 😁

That's your judgement based on your own dog I assume. The Op knows how long she's comfortable leaving her dog.

A special five hours.

I don’t understand why you posted tbh!

Oh wow that sounds bliss!! I would be doing lots of xmas baking with carols on repeat followed by a xmas film and a glass of wine and some snackeroonies.

Certainly living up to your name 🤣🤣🤣

While I’d love the idea of staying home and getting everything ready for the next day (possibly organising something special/magical for when everyone else got home), if I wanted to do out like you then there is plenty to do! Yes lots of things will
close earlier because it’s Christmas Eve, but it’s one of the busiest retail days of the year, so most places will be open until at least 4-5pm. My DH works in retail and on Christmas Eve his store closes at 5pm, and the Waitrose next to his store will close at 6pm, so what he’s done for the last couple of years is go there and pick up some reduced fresh stuff that we normally wouldn’t spend money on (eg last year he got some fancy canapés).

I think if I were you, after the dogs, I’d head into town, look for some bargains, enjoy being there because I want to be rather than have to be, and then go to a coffee shop/pub/bar that overlooks a busy street and sit in the window watching everyone bustle about. Then home for a bath (maybe having bought some fancy bath stuff on my travels) before everyone gets home.

why are you confused?

I spend all Christmas day on my own. I treat it as just another day.

😂

It’s almost as if some posters don’t understand that everyone is different!

Can’t believe you are worrying about an afternoon that is 6 weeks away. I suggest you do the last few bits and bobs, walk the dogs, find something nice to watch on tv, have light meal sorted for your family if need be and count your blessings.

Sounds bliss. Carols at King's which is usually on BBC 2 around 4.30pm is a good way to start Christmas, even better with a glass of something.

Just enjoy some you time, bliss! Xxx

Listen to the carols from Kings' College on the radio

Jeez calm down love - lighthearted thread about nice ideas to do alone on Christmas eve does not deserve this level of vitriol....

I don't think she's worried at all? more mulling (ha) over nice ideas for some quality alone time!

I am so jealous. If you have done the wrapping and prepping already (I usually do mine on xmas eve) I would get some Bailies, a box of chocoloates, stuck on a christmas film and just chill out.

Bath, book and bide time before chaos begins

I'm not your 'love'
Im entitled to my opinion.
Vitriol?? I suggest you look up the meaning.😂

👏 It's bizarre and attention seeking.

Vitriol - bitter criticism or malice.

"Oh my god how awful for you.
This has got to be a joke."

"You’ve posted on mumsnet to ask how to fill 5 hours?
how absolutely ridiculous"