Spending my first ever Christmas alone

[happygertie]

After the break down of my relationship I am spending Christmas Day alone. It is partly by choice, I do have lovely family and friends that would be happy to host me but due to some other commitments I have it’s not worth the faff. I’m a bit worried on the day it will hit me that I’m alone on my favourite day of the year so looking for recommendations on how to make it feel special and indulgent. I would have gone away but have work either side so can’t make it work. Suggestions welcome

I’d buy myself some presents in November then wrap them up and have completely forgotten about what they are in time for Christmas so you get surprises and they’re definitely ones you want!
Id drive myself to the beach for a Christmas Day swim, come home for a hot bath with a good series of something to watch while I was in there.
Then I’d light the fire and get out the snacks I had made in advance, sausage rolls, spinach and feta triangles, indulgent stuff. Maybe read a book or again find a series to watch on telly, FaceTime someone if you want.
Open my presents, have a drink if you’re that way inclined and then be ready to relocate into bed for an early night around 9pm, ready to be up for an early Boxing Day swim. Actually sounds bloody lovely now I’ve written it all down!

I volunteer on Christmas days at a community lunch, gives me something productive to do and makes me appreciate what I have in my life. My son came last year and loved being a waiter for the day!

I had my first Christmas alone last year. Did what PPs have said; walk, TV, Had the best bits of Christmas dinner, (pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, cheese and wine were my choices). If you can, buy yourself some small gifts over the next few months, and ideally wrap them as soon as possible and put them away. Books, make-up, your favourite sweets, whatever you like. Then you’ve got some things to open on Christmas morning, if you would like that!

DH has to work xmas so some years when he's on a 1pm - 10pm shift, hence no xmas dinner, i just avoid the whole day and pretend it isn't happening.

One year I spent the first few hours of the afternoon at MILs house doing her washing (she was in hospital for months during covid and ward staff basically handed her laundry out the door as we weren't allowed in, TMI but it was a total biohazard and I wasn't willing to put it in my washing machine so travellled to her house, put wash on, sat and read my book for a few hours, emptied machine, headed home with clean laundry😆).

Another year I logged on to work and cleared out 3 years of emails 😳.

I do have family I can go to but I don't want DS/DIL to feel obliged to host me every year as they have friends and DIL's family to consider too.

As others have already suggested really, perfect that you have dogs 🤗
I would get up and go somewhere for a lovely long walk, even if it means driving an hour or so, bring a nice flask of something and a little picnic maybe.
Then come home and have a long soak in the bath. I'd buy myself some new comfies to wear. Get in your favourite food and drink. Pre select things you want to watch on tv, even start recording things from now. I think it can be a bit depressing flicking through tv without anything you really care about watching so great to have something you've been looking forward to seeing.
I'd spend the rest of the day cosy, comfortable, chilling, watching tv and eating. Actually sounds bliss!
Also agree keep the lead up busy so this day to yourself feels like a real luxury.

This sounds great! I'm amazed anything was open on Xmas day! Which museum was it out of interest?

i would do a long walk with the dogs somewhere lovely, followed by a nice bubble bath (maybe with fancy bubble bath, candles, wine?) into new pyjamas and dressing gown, under a blanket on the sofa with all my favourite foods and some films.
my foods would be a cheeseboard, with a nice baguette, prosciutto and sun-dried tomatoes, with a nice box of chocolates to pick at.

I think the advice to avoid social media isn’t just that it could make you lonely etc but also that a special day surely involves none or very minimal use of it, at least that’s how I view it.

I hope you have a great day. I love the idea of planning nice food for the day. The great thing about being alone is you can completely prioritise yourself. Buy some nice presents for yourself some time before and wrap them. I’ve done this before and I forgot what I’d bought 😂 which was a nice surprise.

CrystalSingerFan .. love your Westie ! Here is mine .

Yes the Christmas of 2016 was certainly one to remember for me! I was surprised anything was open too and was pretty busy but thinking about it London is so diverse that not everyone is celebrating Christmas Day. It was Ripley's believe it or not that I went to

Im alone every christmas day by my own wish. I simply treat is as another day and do what I wish. Ive even done a photo shoot on christmas day because the light was ideal. I never answer the door.

I voluntarily spent it alone. DD was with her dad, and my dad was abroad. My brother invited me as did various friends but I decided to work on Christmas day morning as there were shifts available, earnt triple pay! Then I just made a roast dinner for myself in the PM, it was lovely 😅. I got DD back on boxing day and we did Christmas then. Had no issue spending if alone!

I revel in spending Christmas Day on my own.

Day to day I’m quite careful about what I eat. All the rules go by the board on Christmas Day (and Boxing day to use up the leftovers). I do family in the run up to Christmas, make sure I have a few options incase I decide I do want company on the actual Christmas Day.

Otherwise have a lovely day breaking all the usual rules. Some time outdoors each day. Our local morris side dance locally (walking distance) on Boxing Day. Otherwise it’s just doing exactly as I like.

im not sure I would enjoy it so much if I hadn’t ensured car there are other things I could be doing but chose to spend the time in my own.

if I do find myself misdingvhavingcyovtalmcuk Sarah Millicent does a chat thread which is lovely. I had a few years when DH was quite ill but stilling clinging to the traditions so did all sorts of pointless presents for a stocking so he had something to unwrap. etc. now I’m just glad to spend the day exactly as I choose.

I am an inveterate home alone for Christmas person and I love it!

Christmas Eve, I place my stocking at the bottom of the bed, from September until Christmas I pick up little bits and pieces to open on the day and frankly by the time it comes around, I have forgotten what I have bought, but it must include a book, a jigsaw puzzle and good box of chocs.

Christmas Day, starts with a decent coffee a sausage roll and a satsuma (childhood tradition), then a soaky bath with a glass of fizz... then I get dressed, open whatever is under the tree and send good wishes texts to friends and family. Then I decide what nibbles I will have at lunch time, whilst Christmas music is listened to for the last time, I then have either the radio playing or old albums that I sing along with. Then it is time for the puzzle of the book to be started... if the weather is good, I might venture to the park to watch children on their new bikes and scooters.

Between 5:00 and 6:00pm I make a dinner, maybe steak or something special from Waitrose... After the fizz in the morning, I have now gotten into the habit of drinking NoSecco, so no headaches for me, I seldom watch TV, but might have a film to watch and then I count my blessings as another year draws to a close...

Yes, I do have Christmas PJs from Sainsburys, yes I do make an obscene fuss when the cats from next door jump through the window... and yes, I am lucky to enjoy it all.

Finally, for the last few years I have run a thread on here, to toast all who want to feel that they are with friends by running a drop in between 12:00 noon and 1:00pm... I might be off to start my Xmas shopping on Etsy, tonight...

I would echo PPs and do a walk, but I’d also recommend going to church as well. They’ll have familiar carols, probably coffee or mulled wine after, you’ll be made welcome and if you think being alone all day will be a struggle then that’ll give you some company and your day a focal point. Then, by the time you get home, make some lunch, watch the King’s Speech or a film it’ll be time to open the chocolates, watch a funny Christmas special then go to bed.

Wow you’ve really thought about this , some great suggestions . I’m definitely with you on the journals and planning the year ahead .

The Christmas I spent alone hadn't been planned - my son was with his dad and the household I was going to came down with Covid (2021), so I didn't have all the nice food in etc. I did have cheese though as I was meant to take it with me... I basically grazed all day at a giant cheeseboard, with a can in hand, doing a 90s themed jigsaw (I think it's still rolled up unfinished, but I was loving it at the time😂)
I had been gutted in the morning but it was actually alright. With a bit of planning in advance it could have been great though!