Ideas how to spend Christmas alone (but not lonely!)

[Andreaoid]

For anyone who doesn't celebrate Christmas for religious or other reasons, what do you actually do? Please share your ideas!

I'm in my 30s, recently widowed without children, the whole extended family is abroad. So, I will be spending Christmas alone for the second time. I have a dog and live in quite a small town in Midlands so there's not much diversity going on and everything is pretty much shut for the day. Even our diverse places like local Chinese etc are closed for the Christmas period.

Last year, the dog and I drove to the seaside for a long walk but nothing was open for us to have a coffee or something to eat. And the rest of the day we just spent at home. I was doing some wholesome and mindless activities like a jigsaw puzzle and cross stitch.

I'd love to hear some ideas how to enjoy the day off without feeling heaviness in my heart. I'm not keen on volunteering (I know it's selfish but it's my day off!) and I can't leave the dog for an extended period of time alone.

@WonderingWanda , ignore MN for the day because of mean posters, or only read threads about arguments?

@Andreaoid Sorry, I didn't think about your dog. We have a cat which would also scupper any last minute escape plans too.

If I was at home I would probably go for a long walk on the moor then come home for a nice hot relaxing bath with a book. Followed by an indulgent cheese board and a film. Maybe a mince pie with clotted cream for desert. And I would buy myself some new things like nice pyjamas, new bath oil etc.

To be honest this actually sounds lovely! If you want more please think about booking somewhere different, near the coast, beach walk, explore a new area? There are also groups on SM who organise get togethers, they book somewhere or offer to stay with them. Or just that one friend in the same position.

You don't need to feel lonely while enjoying being alone, but there are options to pursue for something alternative.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas for whatever you decide 💗

I did it last year and I actually enjoyed it, I had a long Pamper and bath, took my dog for a long walk, had some lovely food and watched some tv its was bliss , no running round just a lovely day, I won’t be this year but I’d happily do it again.

I think I'd go for a gentle start with decent coffee and a fancy breakfast whole listening to Christmas carols.... Then a lovely dog walk somewhere a bit further afield.... Then home for a nice shower/bath and then spend the afternoon reading Christmas books and the evening watching Christmas films. All accompanied my your favourite drinks (soft or otherwise) and favourite food.

Maybe make up a box of nice Christmas books to work through?

You could also get together a face mask, foot creams, nail polish etc and a hair mask and have a pamper session?

Stay away from social media!

It's funny how there's this feeling of longing for lovely family Christmas but in reality it's utter chaos of pretending you're getting along for one day in a year. Thanks to Mumsnet I'm well aware Christmas for many women is really taxing

While I don't disagree it can be taxing, please do not fall into the trap of telling yourself everyone else is miserable to make yourself feel better. That way lies bitterness. It's not true, we're not all struggling through dinner with people we secretly hate.

And to answer the question, I'd get myself champagne and lots of cheese, and some new books.

House sitting should still be possible for you, @Andreaoid- if the householders don’t mind a dog.

And there are several dog friendly hotels - which will surely be in locations with good walks nearby. Or, <brainwave> you could spend some of Christmas Day curled up with a:

https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/ brochure. Online or in print.

You can take a dog to lots of their lovely self catering places. Start planning ahead for next year or the year after?

Staying at home is lovely, but you shouldn’t feel you have no other choice.

I do the same thing most years on the day
spin class early, nice brunch food, hot long bath with a fave book or tv series
usually a nap too!
then a film, MN browse and something special to eat in the evening

Why is it necessary to speak to someone on Christmas Day? I think it's a real treat not to have to converse with anyone... bliss!

The hotel on this break is dog friendly
Christmas in Chester | Christmas Breaks For Singles https://share.google/dpNauhDGNsBuqEq6t

I'd say treat it like any day off.

Then choose a location thats too far to go usually but as the roads willl be much quieter, go there and go for a long walk with your dog.

Buy some M&S food that you can heat up whenever you're home and watch tv while eating more nice food.

This year, weather permitting, the dogs and I are off to the beach. I will take a flask of tea for me and water for the dogs. Treats for us all. People treat for me, dog treats for the dogs.
Last year, I cleared off on my bike for 30 miles or so because the roads are quiet. I have done this for many years actually.
I read, watch TV or do a crossword. At some point, I will cook something.

I have been single now for many years. It’s fine. I was seeing someone for a while, but he always saw his parents at Christmas as they were elderly and his mum (now widowed) has dementia.
Its fine, I am happy with my own company.

I'll just be doing dog walks, watching some classic movies, opening presents (that I bought myself in the Black Friday sales!), eating junk and getting tipsy.
Thoughts of tradition or religion won't enter my head TBH. I've been doing solo Christmas for over 30 years.....I bloody love it!

Thank you for the ideas, ladies! Just to clarify I'm not lonely or sad (or bitter as someone suggested) because of Christmas so no need to make me feel better. Technically, I'm alone all day every day so one day doesn't phase me. I just wanted ideas what to do on my day off when everything and everywhere is shut 😁 and hopefully it'll be useful to others who have the same problem.

Sarah Millican has something on Twitter/X for people to join in on Christmas day for anyone needing a bit of company. I haven't tried it but it does sound like fun.
sarahmillican.co.uk/joinin/

You could try the beach again but take a nice flask of coffee or hot chocolate and have a mince pie or 2.

Yes I agree. I don't go overboard at Christmas but we have a lovely relaxing time. Adult dcs are here. Ds2 and I make the others play Taboo or headbandz. Or we might play a quiz game.

All the suggestions sound great. And having a ddog to walk is so special. I really miss mine. Enjoy your pampering @Andreaoid

I spent many holidays on my own due to living abroad, and the key is to make a plan that you are looking forward to- it can be a luxe meal, a trip out, or just activities you enjoy. It feels really different when you spend Xmas having looked forward to reading a specific book all day in your pjs by a fire vs doing the same but feeling like it is filling time instead of better plans. What would make you happy - food, activities, freedoms you don’t usually have? Lean into whatever you pick and make that your first choice.

I would have a lovely walk with my dog then come home, have a relaxing bath/shower and put on some new pj's. If I'd got no presents to open from other people (which has happened in the past) then I'd have been stockpiling packages of items I'd ordered from amazon etc, things I really wanted, then I'd save them all to open on Christmas day. I'd make myself a platter of olives, parma ham, cheeses, king prawns, dips and nice crisps and I'd open a bottle of my favourite wine. Then I'd treat myself to a new film on Prime or watch something I'd saved on my watch list. I'd then indulge in a really nice dessert or box of chocs. Most of all, I'd enjoy cuddling up to my darling dog (I lost mine recently and I was never alone when he was with me, he was better company than a lot of humans I know). Christmas is one day, be kind to yourself and do what you enjoy.

I've spent the last few Christmasses alone. I cook myself a lovely roast chicken dinner, buy myself some lovely wine, check out the TV schedules in advance to see if there's anything worth watching. If not, I'll find a good film. I often put on Christmas songs on the TV. Last year I did some oil painting. I may buy myself some lovely gifts to open. If I feel a bit down about being in my own and imagine how everyone else has it better, I just come on here and read the threads about the sadly disappointing and stressful days people are having with their extended families and feel grateful that I'm having a lovely, peaceful day!😂

I'm a widow with young adult dc who are at uni in term time. Although I'll be with them for the time being at christmas, I've said to them I never want them to feel they have to worry about me on christmas day in future. Its just a day. If they wanted to be abroad or away, thats fine.

If I spend it alone in future I'd feel less awkward to be home eating what I want, watching TV, Mumsnetting (reading about annoying rellies/disappointing pressies etc) Just having a nice time relaxing. So I wouldn't go to a hotel etc and risk people feeling sorry for me

Im self employed so I close my online shops and put on the autoresponder. From Christmas Eve to the day after New Years Day I dont even check emails. Theres nothing I can do about the international mail. I have no special plans for any of the days. A relative will come over and bring dinner and we will share a bottle of wine. Thats the only person I will probably see overr the whole period. For the rest I just do exactly what I like. Probably watching a bit of Netflix or similar, sleeping in and treating myself to the off glass of Baileys. I dont normally drink.

@MysticHalfWitch - how did you get on with The House of Mirth?