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!

It's not Vitriol. It's hardly bitter criticism or malice.
I find it quite bizarre that the Op needs suggestions on how to spend a few hours alone on Christmas Eve and wants suggestions 6 weeks in advance.

😂😂😂

I like to do a treasure hunt on Christmas day after lunch so I would use the time planting clues round the park. I know it sounds like a bit of a waste of time but I really enjoy it. It's a nice little ritual we have for the holiday.

I find it quite bizarre that you're annoyed about it enough to sarkily reply that many times criticising her for asking ideas on a discussion forum!

Have a lovely nap, or bath

I find it bizarre that you think you can call a stranger 'love' on a discussion forum and have decided to butt in when it's nothing to do with you.

😂"butt in" by replying to your comment on an open forum?? Is it anymore to do with you than me?

That sounds like heaven, get the candles out, long bath and relaxing before feet up on the sofa watching tv and munching snacks.

Indeed.

No, but your question was whether anyone has done this before. Obviously some people have; some people spend Christmas Day alone, some people spend the entire Christmas period alone, some people spend (at least) five hours alone every day of the year.

@FourFiveEightNine @DBSFstupid

I think the reason you're getting a little bit of pushback (perhaps unfairly, as I do appreciate this is a site primarily for people with children) is that those who aren't lucky enough to have a partner and family, and who are possibly facing the imminent prospect of a lot of solitary time over Christmas, get a bit fed up with this sort of question (which I've seen multiple times on MN) as if spending time on your own (especially during a holiday period) is a completely outlandish thing to be doing - plus the inevitable scores of replies expressing glee at having time away from family. This is obviously not your problem/fault, but it can be a bit of a sore point, especially at this time of year.

Personally there isn't a single day of the year, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, my birthday, when I haven't spent five hours on my own at least once and probably multiple times.

As a PP said, it certainly highlights how different everyone's lives are.

My semi-serious suggestion: watch or listen to Götterdämmerung (it lasts c.5 hours).

More serious suggestion: go into London yourself and find a play or concert to go to.

The OP was asking a question. I gave my point of view to the OP, not you, but you decided to 'BUTT IN' anyway in her defence which is quite frankly weird unless the Op needs and has asked for your support to 'fight her corner'.
Wishing you luck moving forward. Maybe keep the word 'love' out of future communications to strangers. It might just make you seem both less patronising and rude and even give some validity to your words.

I always spend Christmas alone and Christmas Eve is the best bit IMO. Have something you love for lunch and sit down with a drink, some nibbles and a Christmas film or a good book. Relish your home with Christmas decorations up and the feeling of anticipation. Or invite a neighbour round for coffee and mince pies. Treat yourself.

Thank you for this. A thoughtful eloquent post.

Do you have any friends who also won’t be tied up with family activities or shopping/wrapping etc ? If so, meet a friend for a coffee / mulled wine / mince pie ?

There are always some late afternoon / early evening carol services on Christmas Eve which is nice.

Or choose somewhere a bit different for your dog walk ?

I will confess it is somewhat more thoughtful and eloquent than my knee-jerk response to the question, "Has anyone done this before?" which was more along the lines of, "Of course they bloody have."

I’ve got a massage booked for 4pm Christmas Eve (I was amazed they were open, i did same last year) I’ll probably be running around like a mad thing till this point and I’ll take a nice chill before pickup my smalls from nursery and the madness starts.

What bliss. Sermon of Nine Lessons and Carols, glass of wine, knitting. Possibly, if feeling heroic, start the bread sauce.

Find a showing of It’s a Wonderful Life. Or get some advocaat and have a few snowballs.

You are just trying to make us all jealous 😆

@proximalhumerous you spoilt it a bit with those who aren’t lucky enough etc. It’s perfectly possible to choose or prefer plenty of time alone over Christmas - whether or not one has a partner or family. It isn’t second best.

There are often threads where an OP is asking how to spend a morning or afternoon alone in a completely unfamiliar city or country - and that seems perfectly reasonable to me.

Even - What’s the best way you’ve spent Christmas Eve alone? seems … reasonable.

It does seem odd to need suggestions when you’ll be in your own locality, or even at home. And not to realise that it’s a normal and unremarkable way of life for millions of people.

OP, I’m sure you’ve realised by now that other people do lead different lives and don’t find time alone around Christmas at all unusual.

Oddly enough, although I have all the time alone I could possibly want, it’s often quite hard to carve out on Christmas Eve. I actually prefer years when I’m spending Christmas Day alone, so I can get all my errands and visits done by early afternoon and race home for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on the radio. If I’m with other people for Christmas they’re never quite as compliant as one would wish around this unmissable Christmas tradition.

Enjoy a good film with no interruptions! Peace and quiet! Bliss!

You lucky, lucky sod! Some would pay good money for 5 whole hours of peace on Xmas Eve.

You could go to the the cinema on your own that would be open on Xmas eve or have a takeaway and film in

I would prep or cook as much as I can for the Christmas dinner, wrap the presents I still have to wrap and do any last minute shopping. I'd even be tempted to have a nap as my children get up early for Christmas so I don't get much sleep Christmas eve.

Lucky lucky you!5 hrs to yourself on xmas Eve afternoon. What bliss.
Pamper yourself. Have a glass of wine. Watch a fun xmas film.
Set table and prepate veggies for xmas day?
Just asking,but do you have a problem with being on ykur own?