Spending Christmas day alone

[Milktray]

I've spent a few Christmas days alone over the years. They've always been the best ones. You can make the day exactly how you want. I always stock up with good food and start recording films or finding stuff I want to watch in the few weeks leading up. There's no mad pressure or hype that you get with being with other people. My Christmases have always been wildly different so never had a 'tradition' so that's helped. To me it's for kids anyway, so don't get involved with all the schmaltz that's associated with it.

Exactly...Christmas is what YOU make of it. Don't feel under pressure to conform with the 'but Christmas is a family time'...yes, but someone's ideal day is *not always* someone else's ideal day.

Christmas Eve, Boxing day, Twixmas, New Year...lots of other days to celebrate with others and probably with less pressure.

 

[Ensay]

You can please yourself and watch what you want on telly. Doesn't sound so bad!

 

[didn't want to join]

I've had a couple, one my Mum was seriously ill and in hospital, I spent most of the day with her there, waiting for her Consultant and discussing her care plans and my kids were in bed by the time I got back.

Another my marriage of 20+ years ended I spent that on my own, eating a bowl of cereals lol, because I was meant to be at a huge family event and it turned very sour. Other half didn't defend me and a family member and for me, it was the final straw.

Some of the other posters above me mentioned it's just another day and sometimes, it very much feels like it.

If it's a case that you get to decide to have that time for yourself, (rather than it going pear-shaped lol) then there are ways to make it feel like a great day You can start with a lovely breakfast of your choice, have a lovely soak in the tub, or shower with some nice new smellies. Grab your fav chocs, because....... (one joy of being a onesie) you don't get pipped to the best ones and you can have whatever you darn well like

You could have a facepack, paint your nails, have a full on pamper day (foot spa if you wanted in front of a film lol) and just snuggle up with a good book, a great film, youtube, pop on here for a natter and catch up.

Maybe book up to see your Son for Boxing day, or new year's eve or new year's day? Hope whatever you decide, you have a lovely time x

 

[emm]

I have never spend xmas day alone, quite different but I have spend the last 5+ NYEs alone, friends/family always seem to find it odd but I love it. I threat myself some nice food, make a cocktail, watch a film on netflix and just relax

 

[mcfeez]

I think it could be a lovely day to yourself - you can do whatever you want and answer to no one. Do what makes you happy and don't overthink it and get bogged down in the christmas day of it all - its just another day!

 

[under the ivy]

I wish I could spend it alone! Which sounds really selfish as I have a loving family, but my MH is not good at all. I hate the forced happiness, the rush, the false pretence. I live at home with my Mum while I save for a house deposit so I will regularly be retreating to my room for 10 mins to just breathe. I recently bought a car so I have the option of escaping for a drive to a park for a Christmas Day walk if needs be.

 

[prozacprincess]

I’m spending Xmas alone this year. We’ve had to cancel our planned holiday as my mother-in-law has been diagnosed with cancer. My husband will fly over to spend Xmas with his family and I’m going to stay home alone … our house is thankfully a xmas tat free zone this year

 

[HaggisInMyBin]

I did it annually for 5 years before having kids. I loved it!

 

[ATV2021]

Just wondering if anyone has spent Christmas day alone or is planning too as I'm giving it some serious consideration this year

I did it last year and I bloody loved it

People seem so twitchy if you say you want to....I'm like well I'm alone every other day and nobody gets flappy then so what's the difference

Had a Xmas dinner delivered, I could watch what I wanted to, stayed in my Xmas PJ'S and I COULD DRINK as normally I can't as I have to drive somewhere.

 

[yogiessexdubs]

I was planning to spend Christmas alone this year but now be with a friend instead. Honestly I would've just cooked a nice dinner, and watched some good stuff on the telly. I was way more excited to do that than spend an 'expected' forced day, pleasing everyone else & being around people you don't want to be around.

 

[Sardine]

My boyfriend is spending Christmas alone. He's welcome at his families place as well as mine but he's not interested. He's one of these anti Christmas people that think die hard is a Christmas film

One year he made himself a pigs in blanket roll for Xmas Dinner and gamed all day.

Do whatever makes you happy I say

 

[Curly Top]

My question was, do you think I'm being selfish hoping that one of my family would offer to spend Christmas or some of the day with me?

No, not at all. It would have been nice if your mother could have returned all the support you've given her over the years to come by and see you on her own - and not to have gone on so much about pleasing your sister's short term boyfriend.
Thankfully it sounds like you have lovely friends - as you deserve.
Enjoy your day and zoom call later and don't let them spoil your holiday x

 

[didn't want to join]

Happy "we do our own type of Christmas"

(that emoji is the nearest I'm getting to a tree this year )

Wishing you all a very happy, calm, peaceful, chilled out day of rest and hogging the remote

 

[lasttime]

I think if you're choosing to spend it alone it can probably be quite nice. In saying that I've spent quite a few alone not through choice and was quite miserable knowing everyone else was having a good time together whilst I was alone.

 

[Kim Mild]

an 'expected' forced day, pleasing everyone else & being around people you don't want to be around.

You've summed it up perfectly there .

 

[Bellagoth]

Whilst I'm not going to be alone, I don't spend Christmas with anyone other than the people who live in my home (husband and sons). It's been this way for years as the extended family Christmas days were getting too structured and exhausting. We now have very casual Christmas days. I dress up but the men don't - I look like I'm at the wrong party. We eat with breaks between courses, watch crap TV, and drink much nicer wine than usual.

 

[emm]

I don’t think that is selfish at all, but equally mi don’t think you should feel you are an imposition at a friends family Xmas, we frequently have people over to our family Xmas if they don’t have anyone else to celebrate with, the more the merrier! I hope you manage to have a nice relaxing day in any event

 

[Idk54]

I was going to see if any takeaways were open but I’ve just gone on Uber Eats and there’s about 20 restaurants supposedly “open”. Bet it’s wrong. Don’t want to order for nothing to turn up.

Im sure some would be open - turkish/Indian places usually are because they don't celebrate Christmas. I've ordered pizza before on Xmas lol

 

[rainbowlemon]

Cadbury mini rolls have always been horrible.

Christmas cards are a nice way of telling people you're thinking of them, but the rising cost of stamps is prohibitive in them being sent out in the first place.

 

[Kim Mild]

There is a difference between spending the day alone and spending Xmas day being lonely .

Visiting the cathedral for a Christmas service sounds like something that would be nice to experience, and it obviously appeals to you. Would it be something you wish you could have done if you don't go?

If you fear you might mentally become fragile alone, remember it's just a day. Can you arrange something for boxing day with your son ?

What would you do if you had an afternoon/ evening to do what you want in the house?