Think i'm going to be on my own this christmas : (

[privatename]

My dd lives with her dad and will be working,ds 18 will be out with mates,ds 12 is going to his dad's 300 miles away and 2 youngest sons 7 & 5 will be with their dad,i'm going to be billy no mates,all alone,will probably put on brave face then hit the drink : (

OK. Honestly? Christmas Day is more than two months away. What about volunteering, if it's really going to be that bad?

how will your 18 year old be out with his mates, there's nowhere open.

Joan that's a good idea, I shall look into that as I shall be spending yet another Christmas on my own.

homeless charities old people's homes etc - lots of places look for volunteers on xmas day

Check with your ds18 that he is going to be out with mates. He might be looking forward to a quiet Christmas with mum.
Once you've established the situation then decide what you're going to do. Do you have any family or friends you can invite yourself too visit? Or any relatives you've not had to yours because it's always so busy.

If that isn't an option, and you want to keep busy then by all means look into the volunteering thing.

Personally I love having a nice quiet Christmas, eating what I like and watching whatever I want on tv.

do u have hospital with a childrens ward? they usually welcome volunteers with open arms at xmas. please dont be alone if u dont have to be x

DS is going to be with his mates at their house,drinking.

yes,will look into the volunteering option...was just having a bit of a down day,thought i'd come on here for some & sympathy.

Hey Privatename, you wont be the only one. I will be home alone with DS who is 3 and (fingers crossed all goes well) a newborn (I am 38 weeks pregnant) All my family are in England (I live in Costa Rica) and friends I have here are all flying home or off to do exciting things at the beach that we wont be able to join in on because of newborn/recovery period.

I have decided to just look at it as one single day to get through, once its over life goes on and its all quickly forgotten about, and there will be plenty more Christmases in the future to enjoy in better ways. What's one crap Christmas out of a whole lifetimes worth? Not every year can be a brilliant experience

xxx

Hi,hope everything goes well for you and your baby arrives safe and well,thanks for reply,am feeling better about xmas coming,as you say it's only one day,going to see if i can make a difference for people less fortunate than myself. x

I will be on my own for the first time and am taking myself off on holiday. 10 days without DS - I am truthfully looking forward to it as it is the only real respite I will get all year.

Oooh...have a lovely time!!!!

thanks private - I would quite like to do something charitable too, there is an orphanage round the corner and we regularly play with the kids there down the park. Last year I sent them over bags of sweets, but obviously cant plan much this year as I just dont know how I am going to feel nearer the time. I am sort of hoping someone invites us round to their house, but most ex-pats all want to go to the beach (xmas time is the start of summer here) and Costa Ricans all celebrate at midnight on xmas eve - NO WAY I am missing sleep for that!

veryconfused good for you. The first time I ever travelled on my own I was terrified but it was a great experience and I am so glad I did it. Drink a nice cocktail for me

The older I get the more I enjoy just going with the flow at Xmas.

No plans, no stress, just see what comes my way....

Just make sure the fridge is stocked up, and the booze lol and have the telly guide for the films....

very good advice suburbophobe

Treat yourself to some lovely food and something you would consider a luxury to drink and settle in for a TV fest

It's all changed!!

Oldest ds has said he will be with me for first part of the day and xmas dinner then off to his gf.

DD has taken time off work and is coming down with bf on the train for 10 days!!

DS2 going to his dad's

youngest 2 ds are with me for xmas day and their dad's boxing day.

This is without me saying a word!!! (i was starting to get excited about a quiet xmas!)

So,i'd better start planning for a busy xmas and a full house lol!!!

I love a happy ending!

I have my holiday booked - a few days in Massachusets (Sp?) with some old US friends then I fly to Miami for sun and whatever. I have other UK friends also holidaying down there so I may even have company for Christmas day!

That sounds fantastic!! Have a wonderful time x

Ohhh I was going to ask where you were! I could do with some company.