christmas alone?

suzzi

why is seen as socially unacceptable to spend christmas on your own?..or a loser in the friend/family situation.....

I went to my parents house last christmas day and after 5 hours I wanted to be on the moon.

So I can understand some people wanting to spending it alone. I do have sympathy for people who have no one on christmas.

cloud493

Because people see christmas as a time for family, time for togetherness, and they'd assume anyone that chooses to spend Christmas alone isn't doing it by choice, but is sad and lonely, or it isn't by choice. Well not all people, but whatever.

For me, the best thing about Christmas is all my family being together in one slightly too small house and eating food and watching movies. Cliche, but its great.

cena

cloud493 wrote: »

Because people see christmas as a time for family, time for togetherness, and they'd assume anyone that chooses to spend Christmas alone isn't doing it by choice, but is sad and lonely, or it isn't by choice. Well not all people, but whatever.

For me, the best thing about Christmas is all my family being together in one slightly too small house and eating food and watching movies. Cliche, but its great.

You could also say alot of Irish family's spend the time getting drunk and ruining it for everyone

cloud493

Well I'm not Irish. So If I voice that opinion, sounds like I'm stereotyping. So I've been told anyway. I doubt they do anyway. That would be stereotyping.

Shanotheslayer

cena wrote: »

You could also say alot of Irish family's spend the time getting drunk and ruining it for everyone

Ehh? Proof that that happens to '' a lot'' of families? Silly thing to assume!

kylith

A couple of years ago I was single and planned to spend Christmas getting baked and playing xbox while eating pizza. My parents insisted on coming to get me because 'you can't be alone on Christmas'. I spent the next two days watching the fecking Antiques Roadshow, or some such rubbish, and trying to make small talk with a puritanical, joyless, teetotal aunt. I hated every second of it.

If you're not Christian then Christmas is just a couple of days off from work. I don't drag my parents to my house because 'you can't be alone when the season premier of SGU is on'.

arybvtcw0eolkf

I love Christmas, I love the work Christmas break up party - the few drinks, switching off and looking forward to quality time with family and friends.

For those of us lucky enough to have family and good friends its a lovely time of the year, but my heart breaks a little for those who find themselves alone - for those people it must be the worst time of the year.

I was in Lebanon for the Christmas of 2000, and whilst I didn't feel lonely it was a little difficult.

I rang the wife and kids, then decided to switch off and treat it like any other day - went to the gym, went back to my room and read a book and decided to skip the camp Christmas dinner.

That evening a few of us trained Tug-o-War, had a few gargles and spoke about the phone calls to the families.

kylith

Rey Rotten Carpentry wrote: »

For those of us lucky enough to have family and good friends its a lovely time of the year, but my heart breaks a little for those who find themselves alone - for those people it must be the worst time of the year.

Don't feel too bad for us. While some people do feel lonely and isolated, for others of us it is, as I said above, a free couple of days off work and an excuse to be absolute gluttons.

Just because you're alone doesn't mean you're lonely.

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

arybvtcw0eolkf

kylith wrote: »

Don't feel too bad for us. While some people do feel lonely and isolated, for others of us it is, as I said above, a free couple of days off work and an excuse to be absolute gluttons.

Just because you're alone doesn't mean you're lonely.

I think you know the people I'm talking about - the homeless and destitute.

RichieC

Generally I like time to myself but I can't imagine christmas on my todd..

7Sins

Bah, humbug!

Caraville

See there's a big difference between being alone and choosing to be alone. Either way I think it's kinda sad, cos you either have nobody or you there's nobody you'd want to be spending the day with.

Now I know there'll be some people here saying they don't mind being alone, and that's fine- but I just think it's nice when people have other people- not just at Christmas, but at any time of the year.

I do love Christmas but I can also see why it might both bug people and depress people too.

RichieC

being alone all the time isnt healthy. It turns you into a social retard and melts your brains. Anyone choosing to be alone on christmas would want to have a long look at themselves. It's not normal.

FloatingVoter

RichieC wrote: »

being alone all the time isnt healthy. It turns you into a social retard and melts your brains. Anyone choosing to be alone on christmas would want to have a long look at themselves. It's not normal.

Its not a choice in a lot of cases. Just because circumstances force you to spend the couple of days involved alone doesn't make you Scrooge.

RichieC

FloatingVoter wrote: »

RichieC wrote: »

being alone all the time isnt healthy. It turns you into a social retard and melts your brains. Anyone choosing to be alone on christmas would want to have a long look at themselves. It's not normal.

Its not a choice in a lot of cases. Just because circumstances force you to spend the couple of days involved alone doesn't make you Scrooge.

Idid say choose to be alone...

Shattered Dreamer

Personally I think spending Christmas alone would be really depressing

Da Shins Kelly

cena wrote: »

You could also say alot of Irish family's spend the time getting drunk and ruining it for everyone

My family get drunk and we have a great time. Nobody's Christmas is ruined. Eating too much and drinking a lot - a great time all round.

RichieC

I'll spend mine in my parents and no doubt there'll be lots of wine and drunkness to be shared...

Caoimhín

I wont be alone. My good friends, Mr Jim Beam and princess cocaine will be with me.

Saila

if you dont live near your family and dont see them much ok, but if you see them weekly and meet up regularly its a bit meh isnt it?

Immaculate Pasta

But who would you pull a Christmas cracker with? :eek:

On a side note I'd love to pull a Christmas cracker with Frank Carson :cool:

Gareth2011

RichieC wrote: »

being alone all the time isnt healthy. It turns you into a social retard and melts your brains. Anyone choosing to be alone on christmas would want to have a long look at themselves. It's not normal.

I disagree, My wife is in Donegal and im in Laois. Were not spending christmas together cause she might be working and we have dogs here with me too so can't go up to her. Im going to be alone at christmas with my dogs but I do have the option to go to my sisters and be with my family for christmas but I dont feel comfortable doing that. So il be on my todd with my dogs instead.

afatbollix

This year will be my first Christmas over in London on my own put myself down for nights over Christmas week so the guys with family's can take the day off.

Azureus

RichieC wrote: »

being alone all the time isnt healthy. It turns you into a social retard and melts your brains. Anyone choosing to be alone on christmas would want to have a long look at themselves. It's not normal.

Wow,bit harsh no? Not everybody likes socialising. Some people enjoy their own company and would choose to chill out with a tv show or a book by themselves. Doesnt make them abnormal or brainless, just unusual and yes a bit anti-social.
Granted its my personal idea of hell to spend Christmas alone, but try get my mother to join us for xmas dinner, a few glasses of wine and a nice movie and she'd rather jump off a cliff. She would much prefer to be by herself and watch the harry potter movies on repeat than have to sit and make small talk with a group of people. One or two people shes fine with, but any more than that for a few hours and shes not enjoying herself. Took me a while to understand it, but thats just how some people are.

Ash.J.Williams

suzzi wrote: »

why is seen as socially unacceptable to spend christmas on your own?..or a loser in the friend/family situation.....

i think it's becoming less "unacceptable" every year. Catholic dominance over the years made xmas more important here than in other countries, nowadays Ireland can't shut down for the holidays like it used to and in the future it will be like the american "holiday". Along side businesses not closing, we also have staff from abroad who would xmas in ireland on their own. So i'd say it's not so bad...unless the person feels lonely.
I personally spent most of last xmas in hospital with my da, and seeing the same faces of the hospital staff every day got me thinking if they had xmas at all. (that sentence was in no way influenced by a certain song)

Jaxxy

I think I'd get a bit upset if I was to spend Christmas alone. We always have a brilliant day; eating fantastic food, having a few drinks, bit of banter with the folks and my brother and my cousins. Last year we had quizzes and rude pictionary and a Mr & Mrs competition and played the Michael Jackson Experience. Seeing the aul lad drunkenly doing the Thriller was probably the funniest moment of the holiday. Then the next day I overcome the hangover by heading into town to meet friends for the Stephens' Day session. It's as close to the perfect way to spend Christmas as I can get.

That being said I can totally understand why some people might want to spend it alone. I'm lucky enough that my parents don't just around eating Quality Street and watching soap omnibuses, I don't think I could handle that at all. My family all get along great and have similar interests so it makes for great craic.

3ndahalfof6

Spending Christmas alone these days is not unheard of, with technology the way it is, on line, mobile phone can make the distance a lot smaller,

also there is the families who meet up for Christmas where people in the group feel alone and nobody sees it, these are the people I would be more worried about,

its not what it used to be, to much pressure put on a lot of people, baaaaaaaa humbug.

up for anything

RichieC wrote: »

being alone all the time isnt healthy. It turns you into a social retard and melts your brains. Anyone choosing to be alone on christmas would want to have a long look at themselves. It's not normal.

Just because it's not your normal. :rolleyes:

The only reason it's difficult to spend Christmas alone is because it's such an family driven event.

I spent one Christmas alone in Germany years ago. I was flat broke and it was one of the most miserable days of my life.

However, since then and now in the middle of raising my family I would give a king's ransom this year to spend it on my own with no one having any expectations of me and no Christmas day drudgery. Get up when I want. Eat what I want. Watch what I want. Read in peace. Spend a bit of time on the AH Christmas Day thread. Have a Baileys. Share the couch with the dog. Phone the kids. Phone the my parents and the rest of the family. Then go back to eating what I want and watching what I want. No wrapping paper to clear up, no batteries to insert, no watching toys that were long anticipated being opened and played with and falling short of the anticipation. Wake up on Stephen's morning and not have to pack the car and head off to visit family. Bliss.

mikom

This man had it right......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THcbQyFtCqg

If you can be with someone you love for Christmas...... please do....... even if you have to travel miles.........

Jaxxy

mikom wrote: »

This man had it right......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THcbQyFtCqg

If you can be with someone you love for Christmas...... please do....... even if you have to travel miles.........

My favouritest Christmas song EVAH.

up for anything

mikom wrote: »

If you can be with someone you love for Christmas...... please do....... even if you have to travel miles.........

NO! :P

mikom

Jaxxy wrote: »

My favouritest Christmas song EVAH.

I'd add these two to the playlist when travelling to someone you love at Christmas....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADbJLo4x-tk

Red Hand

Jaxxy wrote: »

My favouritest Christmas song EVAH.

He's going to crash some year. Shouldn't be driving and singing at the same time.

IsaacWunder

RichieC wrote: »

being alone all the time isnt healthy. It turns you into a social retard and melts your brains. Anyone choosing to be alone on christmas would want to have a long look at themselves. It's not normal.

And what, pray, is normal?

44leto

Every year I say I am definitely going away for next Christmas but I never do, so I just grit my teeth and bare it.

I just don't like it.

Kintarō Hattori

Caraville wrote: »

See there's a big difference between being alone and choosing to be alone. Either way I think it's kinda sad, cos you either have nobody or you there's nobody you'd want to be spending the day with.

I have to disagree with you. As I'm getting older I'm finding that I prefer time on my own to that with say friends/family/colleagues.

I'm fortunate that I have a lovely partner but if I didn't I'd have no issue spending it alone. As a poster above mentioned, it's a few days off of work to relax and enjoy yourself.

hooradiation

Shattered Dreamer wrote: »

Personally I think spending Christmas alone would be really depressing

I have spent the last three Christmas's on my own and it's actually great. All the stress and bull**** is done away with, and nobody judges you if you decide to eat Christmas dinner in your underwear.

El Horseboxo

Christmas does my head in cause everyone always tries to make sure i'm not alone for it. I usually have to lie by telling x i'm going to y's house and y that i'm going to x's. I should really just slag them over their shíte names.

kwestfan08

Jaxxy wrote: »

I think I'd get a bit upset if I was to spend Christmas alone. We always have a brilliant day; eating fantastic food, having a few drinks, bit of banter with the folks and my brother and my cousins. Last year we had quizzes and rude pictionary and a Mr & Mrs competition and played the Michael Jackson Experience. Seeing the aul lad drunkenly doing the Thriller was probably the funniest moment of the holiday. Then the next day I overcome the hangover by heading into town to meet friends for the Stephens' Day session. It's as close to the perfect way to spend Christmas as I can get.

This. This is what I love about Christmas. Hanging out with the family, few drinks, a couple of movies or stand-up DVD's and for the majority of college students the relief of Christmas exams being over (4th Year this year so desperately looking forward to it)

Then the next day heading into town, a slight chill in the air, the crunch of frost underfoot. Finding your favourite local pub filled with mates and the sweet sweet taste of your first stout leading the way for the best night's craic of the year. Sheer bliss.

df1985

Im going into my neighbours for xmas this year, both my folks are deceased and im an only child.If i didnt have the neighbours id be by myself.

Owen

I've done it a few years no my own, no real issue about it. Will be doing it this year too - except now I've got a Dog, so it's probably going to be a day of hiking for the two of us. It's a day, like any other. All the fuss and panic buying at the Supermarkets make me chuckle every year - 'Oh noes! Dunnes is closed for 2 days, we must have 20 litres of Minerals, 80 cans of beer, 10 tubes of pringles, and 3 selection boxes for everyone - quick!!'

BraziliaNZ

I detest it. The dinner is nice but most boring day of the year for me. I'm not going home this year and the pubs are open here so at least I can numb the boredom downt pub.

MrSausage

Getting married soon, abroad, and travelling on 22nd-Will be my first xmas away from home and even tho Mrs Sausage to be will provide the best of Ukranian fare, i'm devastated I wont be home for xmas dinner

Caraville

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

I have to disagree with you. As I'm getting older I'm finding that I prefer time on my own to that with say friends/family/colleagues.

I'm fortunate that I have a lovely partner but if I didn't I'd have no issue spending it alone. As a poster above mentioned, it's a few days off of work to relax and enjoy yourself.

Yeah I get that but I still stand by my opinion that being alone at Christmas, by choice or not, is sad. Like actual sad, not pathetic sad- because even if you have no one by choice, it's kind of sad that you've never met somebody that you like enough to want to hang out with for the day. And I don't mean that in a couply/romantic way, it could be just a friend that you like spending time with. I'm single but am lucky enough to have at least 10 people whose homes I would be more than happy to spend Christmas in if my family weren't around.

bobbyken

I like to spend christmas at home with my family,was overseas for it once,didnt bother me,i like to reflect on the year past.nothing to do with religion really.nicest pint of the year is in the local christmas eve watching all the fathers rushing off to put presents under the tree.just my thoughts.