Will You Be Alone at Christmas ?

hollydolly

hollydolly

SF VIP
Location
London England
...and will you mind being alone...?...or will you enjoy the chance to do as you please?

Lots of people will be alone this Christmas, it's one of the worst times for depression and suicides.., IMO, because it's been drummed into everyone that Christmas is for spendint time with families and full of Joy and Fun...and when you're alone you think everyone is having a good time except you...

However, that's not true, there are probably just as many people spending time alone this year than there are with families or friends...and many people enjoy the peace and quiet and chance to do what they want for themselves on Christmas day..

For those who would love to spend time with people, perhaps you could find somewhere to volunteer fo the day, a crises centre, for example or contact your local hospital...or maybe invite another lonely neighbour to your home.

if you can't get out or do any of the above then if it's possible , make a call to a friend or neighbour family member and have a little chat...

I've been alone at Christmas I know it feels like the whole world has left you alone but , now we have the internet, so if you're alone this Christmas and want company then just log onto any forums and have a chat with many of us who will be around..don't be despondent, it's just another day, and those of you without family or close friends, have friends here, don't forget that...

I won't be alone, but my Husband is not much company at Christmas and my daughter is overseas...so I'll be home, and probably floating around the internet too..

However, after spending so many Christmases travelling, this year I'm glad to just be at home, watch my favourite TV shows, read my favourite books, cook favourite food, maybe go out to the pub for a drink at lunchtime.. and snuggle down out of the cold when it gets dark at 3.30pm.... bliss...
 

I hope you have a lovely dinner Pappy... hubs and I will be having a festive dinner with friends next week out at a restaurant, but like you my family are spread to the world...

often we go overseas for Christmas but not this year due to circumstances beyond our control, this time of year is my daughters' busiest time, so she can't fly over here ...but we'll make the most of it and talk to her on the day ...
 

For the past couple of years,I spend Christmas late afternoon/ early evening at my close friends,Marcia and Dave's house for dinner.
I'll be having dinner with them on Christmas Eve this yr,they've been invited to Christmas Day dinner with their son&his girlfriend&her parents
I like being by myself on Christmas taking my walks, reading my book,listen to our local classical music station.
My siblings don't live here,my brother lives in Rye,NY{burb of NYC},my sister lives in Richmond,England,plan to talk to both of them during the day Sue
 
I will be alone, it's normal for me.

I would much rather spend the day alone than be the odd duck in the corner at a big Christmas celebration. I enjoy being visited by the ghosts of Christmas past while I fix dinner and putter around in my little apartment. Being encouraged/forced to participate in things is one of my major fears about eventually moving into an independent living facility.
 
For years, I was alone for Christmas, my birthday, etc.. Absolutely hated it!! That was when I was divorced. Never/ever liked being single, but during those 21 years, was never with a gal during Christmas.

Well, that all changed when I met, and married, my wife. The first couple of years, we were around her family for Christmas, but when we moved out of the state, it was just her and I. Been that way for 15 years now, but we survive and survive very good. Her family doesn't have the finances, or want to spend, to come and see us and we are pretty much the same way. As for me, very little-to-no family left.

We put up Christmas décor inside and out, go Christmas shopping together, attend Christmas Eve Service and really enjoy Christmas Day together. IOW, I'm a much happier man now that I'm married!
 
Aunt Bea said:
I will be alone, it's normal for me.

I would much rather spend the day alone than be the odd duck in the corner at a big Christmas celebration. I enjoy being visited by the ghosts of Christmas past while I fix dinner and putter around in my little apartment. Being encouraged/forced to participate in things is one of my major fears about eventually moving into an independent living facility.
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Same here...and I'm not big on Christmas...it's just Dec 25th....
 
We'll have the sister, niece, kids, grandkids. I really enjoy cooking for a slew of folks, and it brightens my day when everyone is a member of the clean plate club! There's a great feeling I get when I get up, in my whisper quiet house, at 5AM, to start prepping. By the time everyone is up, Christmas Day, to open presents, the house is filled with the great smells of delicious dishes waiting to be served!
 
For years and years I felt sorry for myself because I thought that everyone's Christmas, except mine, was like a Norman Rockwell painting. I found out that's far from the truth . Even the most picture perfect family could have drama brewing behind the scenes. Now I don't mind being alone . I'm happy with my life and thankful that I'm able to do whatever I Want !
 
I spend Christmas Eve with my older sisters and my dad and am alone on Christmas Day. I don't mind it these days. If it's a nice day I'll go hike at a local mountain park and spend the rest of the day home watching movies or binging a TV show.
 
Christmas, for our family, is a multi-day event...as the kids and grandkids hop around to all the in-laws, etc. For us, we will go to the city on Saturday, and check into the casino, then Sunday is our gathering at one of the daughters houses. Sunday night, back to the casino, then on Christmas day we will pick up one of the great granddaughters, head back home, and she will be with us all week while school is out...should be a fun week.
 
MarkinPhx said:
I spend Christmas Eve with my older sisters and my dad and am alone on Christmas Day. I don't mind it these days. If it's a nice day I'll go hike at a local mountain park and spend the rest of the day home watching movies or binging a TV show.
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oooh what a great idea about the hiking, and the double benefit will be that it'll probably be very quiet too...
 
My son and grandson will be coming over for dinner and our gift exchange, as usual. I'm planning a scrumptious feast. Just bought the rib roast yesterday; it's in the freezer. And we're having crab-stuffed baked potatoes and a delicious salad. That's the plan so far; probably more dishes will be added. :)
 
I'll be mostly alone, but do have 2 potlucks with others here in our apartments so I will only end up alone by choice. I will go down though, and take something, probably baking, but I might get more inspired by the time those dinners come around:) Saturday, pictures with Santa at the Senior Center. I'm still a bit timid about sitting on a "strangers" lap, LOL!

We are also having a gift exchange (Secret Santa) which some are participating in. Kind of fun:) Decided to get my "draw" and sort of hickory Farms collection, just small as we aren't to go over 5 or so dollars. But some sausage, cheeses, and crackers, they'll love it;) Of course, I first bought some to make sure it was ok, LOL!
 
I’ve lived alone for many years but never had Christmas Day on my own, if it came to it I’d probably volunteer to help out at one of the charity events, Boxing Day is just another day to me
 
I'll be going to my daughter's for Christmas this year. Last year I went to my son's in Illinois. I don't think I've ever been alone for Christmas not even after my husband died.

Id be okay with it though, I'm great company! :)

I don't know yet if I'm staying until New Years though. I have to go back for a week around Jan. 13 to watch my 14 yr old grandson while his parents go on trip. His older brother will be back at Cal Poly so that kind of plays a part in my final decision.
 
Hopefully, yes.

There is local initiative to call on the elderly, but I shall ignore the bell.

I love the festival, but hate the enforced bonhomie, "You WILL have a good time"

So I will once again enjoy the Nativity, listen to the carols and reflect on how good life is.
 
Christmas eve, my son and dil will come over for pizza. Not sure yet if grandsons will be here.

Christmas day I'll be alone; eat shrimp and drink some wine.

Holly your post was excellent in it's truth;

"....drummed into everyone that Christmas is for spending time with families and full of Joy and Fun...and when you're alone you think everyone is having a good time except you..."

I wish those of us who are alone wouldn't buy into that.

You gave lots of good ideas, thanks!
 
No, will have my daughter and grandchildren here. Hope to have a dinner for family (we had to cancel Thanksgiving because of wife's operation.)
Lon, if you're down this way, please come by.
 
My take on this business of loneliness, (before revealing my situation at Christmas), is that I've experienced the feeling of being on my own and not too keen on it, and yet nowadays I can equally be happy to be on my own.

I think this is perhaps because of two important factors, the first being I have animals to care for and they find was of amusing me so I can never figure out what they will come up with next, and I think "generally" they like me too. Therefore those who tells folks who say they feel lonely to get a pet, or a dog perhaps, have a point, but at the same time it wont make up for not having a special person in your life in my view.

The second thing I think it important is that I find as I'm older I can seek out company, or engage people in conversation easier who I don't know at all. This means joining a group of quizzers every week at a local pub or bar, appeals to me greatly, even though I don't know many people there well. In the supermarket I like to say something to the checkout workers and usually you get a nice response to that quick chat.

I will be on my own on Christmas day, the same as last year, but in the morning I'll go to the local pub where you can't move if you arrive too late. As my birthday occurs early in the New Year I'm trying to organise a party, again as I did last year, and this is obviously something to look forward to as well.
 

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