Christmas alone, any ideas where?

[Techway]

I will have Christmas alone as dc with their dad and although I have family I would prefer to be away.

I would like a wellness type holiday but obviously CV is making travel a challenge. Anyone did something similar? Christmas for singles, UK or abroad, not sure if the single holidays with a group of strangers will be right for me but then the thought of eating Christmas Dinner alone isn't appealing.

I enjoy Christmas alone, but not sure I'd care to be in a group of strangers.

A perfectly anonymous hotel on the coast works well - nowhere grand enough for the staff to be constantly enquiring after your welfare. And I'd skip the enforced jollity of Christmas lunch in the dining room: wine, whisky, something easy and luxurious to eat in your room ... Last time, I took several books to read but found myself glued to never before viewed Disney movies on TV. Most places of entertainment were closed, but that didn't matter - the peace and quiet and absence of pressure to be doing things was wonderful.

(Possibly insufficiently glamorous for anyone else, though!)

I know champneys is generally hated on here but they do a 3 night Xmas break with full use of spa facilities at 3 of their spas. When I've been chatting to people who have done it they've always enjoyed it, either by themselves or as a couple

@PersephonePromotesEquanimity, yes the it's the forced jollity that I would want to avoid. I could go to family but everyone is coupled up and I did it one year and felt more alone in a room full of people.

That sounds like a plan. I like my own company so happy with that.

@muddledmidget, I have done champneys before, not Christmas, so maybe that's an option. Will investigate.

What about the Scarlet Hotel? scarlethotel.co.uk

Stayed at the sister hotel for families and it was lovely and friends go regularly to the Scarlet and think it’s fab. No children Which would be a great advantage, I think.

I would volunteer at a local charity on Christmas Day. As a child my family would often help at a soup kitchen on Christmas Day morning. It was awesome!!!! I absolutely loved it.

@whattodo2019

I would volunteer at a local charity on Christmas Day. As a child my family would often help at a soup kitchen on Christmas Day morning. It was awesome!!!! I absolutely loved it.

It’s very difficult to get accepted as a volunteer for christmas

Depending on time and budget, Thailand?

Or Russia, christmas is a completely different day there

It’s very difficult to get accepted as a volunteer for christmas

Not at Crisis it isn’t.

Thailand this year does not seem like an option.They want long term guests who will quarantine for 14 days in the country and then stay for a possible 270 days.Plus all accommodation has to be pre booked and paid for.

@RomanyBlood

It’s very difficult to get accepted as a volunteer for christmas

Not at Crisis it isn’t.

I thought you had to sign up 3 months in advance and have a food hygiene certificate

Actually this year due to we all know what, Crisis are oly working with experienced volunteers and fewer.

My friend who has volunteered was given Hygiene Certificate Training by Crisis - but had previously volunteered in other capacities that didn't need one. And they were crying out for volunteers of all kinds - but not this year

If Covid travel allows I'd suggest Madeira. It's mild over Christmas and still very green. Funchal is a nice little city. It's about a 4.5 hours flight.

Just to say I think your plan is great. I did Xmas eve alone last year for the first time. Stayed at home and it was awful, a mistake.

A spa or hotel break combines self care with seeing others in the same situation so less isolating I think. That will be me too next year 😊 Hope you find something good op

I've done small group holidays abroad over Christmas/New Year - some walking, some sightseeing, usually in countries that don't celebrate Christmas. Quite frequently I've got half way through a day exploring new places before I've realised it was actually Christmas Day. They tend to attract people who aren't very "Christmassy" and a nice mix of couples and singles. Might be harder this year, of course, but worth bearing in mind for the future??

OP I'm in the same boat and tossing up whether to stay in UK, spend it with friends or go abroad solo.
Actually considering Greece (pending travel rules at the time) Think the Christmas feeling would feel very different abroad and interesting, rather than lonely? They also celebrate it a little differently there, which would help.