Not doing Christmas?

[Fledgedup]

Has anyone else considered not doing Christmas at all?
I live alone, with dogs, and have no children or partner. Jan 2025 my mum, with whom I usually spent Christmas, died. She was in hospital Christmas Day dying and I went to visit her, but it was obviously very painful. Last Christmas I went to a friend's for a Christmas lunch, which was nice - and extremely kind of her to invite me - but also just felt wrong and not Christmassy at all.
I'm not a Christmas hater, my childhood memories are of the best times. But.now all family are dead, except my siblings who live in different countries, it feels too painful to celebrate. My grief is still very strong, and Christmas in particular brings it all back for all those family members I have lost.
I am thinking of not putting up any decorations and not acknowledging it is Christmas, other than a few gifts for friends. Has anyone else done this?

Yes, I love this. Our cat gets a stocking and love watching her try to tear the paper off 😆

Could you not spend Christmas with your family abroad?

If that’s not an option, have a pyjama day eating crisps and chocolate snuggled up on the sofa.

Great idea. Hope more people follow suit.

We are all just brainwashed into thinking we need to do Christmas but when you start thinking for yourself. You realise I don't have to do this anymore.

You can buy someone a present at any time of the year if you want too.

I'm currently considering getting the family obligations out of the way in November/early Dec and going travelling over Christmas/New Year's. I do like Christmas but I like the idea of a sunny beach in Vietnam when it's biting cold and dark back home much better... You should spend the day however you like, too.