Looks like I'm going to be on my own for Christmas - anyone else?

[Sidge]

So my children are going to be with their dad this Christmas (we're divorced). Last month I split with the guy I'd been seeing - we had planned to spend Christmas together. No family to share it with and whilst a couple of friends have said to go to theirs I don't want to feel like I'm intruding on their family day.

In some ways I don't mind too much being alone - I can sleep late, eat junk and watch loads of crap TV! But I do feel lonely and the idea of being alone on Christmas Day and Boxing Day just seems a bit sad.

Please tell me I'm not the only one!

I am terminally alone. I have a DS and I feel bad for him most of the time. I think I've covered Christmas for him but personally if I could disappear for a whole month I would be fine with that.

Sorry to hear that kwitter

Hope things get better for you in '14

One Christmas Day I spent alone was probably one of the best I've ever had, obviously I was upset I couldn't have the kids with me, one in fc and the other at his paternal GP's as they facilitated contact for DS' father, but I got up on the morning, walked the dogs, then went out on my horse for the day no traffic, no lorries or motorbikes.. Bliss!

Everyone always goes when I tell them I enjoyed it, but it truly was a stress free day.

I hope whatever you all end up doing you enjoy it.

I fantasise about a Christmas alone. I would go a lovely long drive (I love driving) have a long walk, have some lovely nibbly food and get pissed.
Instead it will be chaos, unhelpful drunk partner, over excited 8 year old and teething baby, if I dont have a breakdown by late afternoon it will be a miracle. Oh and not forgetting the relatives dropping in with their over excited kids while I'll be in the middle of peeling spuds/feeding baby/shouting at dp.
can't bloody wait.

This will be my 33rd Christmas when I have cooked a Christmas dinner!
Sometimes, nice though it is to have family round, I find myself fantasising about what it would be like not to have to do anything at Christmas.
In many ways, the thought of having Christmas alone is quite intoxicating and would seem hugely indulgent and luxurious.

Enjoy your day OP!

I did 3 years of Christmas Day alone and volunteered with Crisis who have an amazing hub of operations in London and smaller outreaches in Newcastle and I think Birmingham and Liverpool. Last year my then boyfriend came with me. I'm having an enforced year off this year with my left leg in plaster but Christmas wouldn't be Christmas now without it.
The first year I was alone and had lost my mum and daughter that year. Many people that volunteer have such stories and I think I got more out of getting outside of myself than the 'guests' of the projects.

This will be my first Christmas waking up along as my DS (5) is spending his first xmas with exH. I have the fact we are both travelling to Europe on the 26th as a huge huge bugger BUT whilst there is nothing 'wrong' with spending the day alone (I spend an awful lot of time on my own as my family and old friends are back in Europe) if that is what you would like to do, if you DO want company, I wouldn't worry one jot about invites you may have being out of pity etc.

I know that I wouldn't respond well to being on my own all day so fairly early on this year, I shamelessly threw into conversation that it would be my first year along and that I would no doubt be forcing myself on friends etc.....fortunately I have an older friend with teenage/grown up kids who is terminally social, an amazing cook and along with myself, another older friend and her grown up son who is visiting from the UK there will be large collection of odds and sods from 18-80, free flowing wine and great company.

I know that in her case invite is genuine as she loves people but since then also had some others from a cross section of folk. I don't think ANY of them were pity to be honest -- I know from previous family christmas growing up and hosting as an adult I LOVE when non-family member spends time with you as - at least in our case brings out best and avoid the petty trival pursuit-esque sibling squabbles!! It wasn't pity on my behalf. Just empathy and the more the merrier approach and yes, I wouldn't like to think of someone on their own unless they wanted to be, but I don't think that is pity - just something avoidable and that would add to the party.

Of course there is an element of singing for your supper (take nice wine/fizz/treat/offer to cook a course etc) but then that is good manners anyway.

zoo. I'm sorry to hear about that awful year that triggered your volunteeering

buffer not bugger!

We have invited someone who is on their own to ours over Christmas, because we want her company. She will also be a reason to not doze on the sofa after inlaws have gone (by five o'clock) and will encourage us to play games etc. The children love her and she will add to our Christmas enjoyment.
If someone invites you and they have space I would say it's because they want you to come. Quite often a none family member helps to make the day more special because you make more of an effort.