Spending Christmas alone

take everything

Anyone doing this.
I'm not but i would love to do this.

I immediately feel guilty and maybe I should (mostly because i love my parents). But sometimes It'd be nice to be cut off from the bull**** that is other people.

#solipsism

tomwaterford

I am going to I'd say..

Plan is domino's and wiskey and meet friends early Stephens day

VandC

Whoever lives in my house are the only people that will be there. I might go visit some family in the morning but only to keep them away from mine. Have had some friends/family drop heavy hints (ask about) coming over to mine for drinks at night which I have chosen to ignore.

I am not the biggest fan of Xmas (for lots of reasons) at the best of times, but this year I have no time off work so have zero interest in entertaining and spending any of my time off prepping/cleaning. I'll take the presents though

Here's to the rise of "Bah Humbug"

Advbrd

Nah. Love it. Two kids, one still believing.

mansize

I live alone. I'll be going to my sister's house for Xmas

Oodoov

I have to say i absolutely despise Xmas. The day itself i can handle it's just the constant hard sell for weeks leading up to it. Then again i always go to bed with a smile on my face Xmas night knowing it's a whole year away again.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

This year I will be, but it's fine. Xmas sucks

gifted

I love it........loved Xmas when single...and love it even more with herself and 3 little girls.....couldn't imagine being on my own for that day.

petrolcan

Will be working so it'll seem like any other Sunday.

mansize

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ6kJ7GWtv0

It's annoying that everywhere is closed. Nowhere to escape to! At least in England, you can pop into the local pub.

I used to hate Christmas. Like some have said here, I too wanted the period to finish and be done with it. I never had enough money for decent presents for family (drink and drugs took priority) and meeting up with old school friends in pubs and listening to them brag at how much they had made of their lives whilst I was stuck in a rut in a dead end job. Family situations were awkward and emotionally void.

Then I met my wife. She turned things around. Drinking and drugs ended. I've a great job. Moved away to a place we absolutely love. Bought our own little house together. When I see the joy and happiness that the simplest of Christmas things brings to her, like the lights on a Christmas tree, Christmas decorations, Christmas music etc, it I hard not to become enthralled by it. We've no kids so we enjoy Christmas together just the two of us. Both our families are abroad so we don't have to be/go anywhere.

I'm not trying to stick it to you in a "look at how great everything is for me" way. When you do find someone special to spend the time with your view might change.
OP id enjoy spending the time with your parents while you can, they wont always be there.

Make a small effort to enjoy it and you will. Even if it makes someone that cares for you a little bit happier or brings joy into their lives for one day, surely it must be worth it for that alone.

Hercule Poirot

I've always thought that Christmas day is a bit pointless unless there are kids in the house, of which I have none. Spent it with relatives last year who have young kids and it was a blast but this year it's just myself and herself (which has happened before) - we don't even bother cooking a proper dinner, just get a load of party food ****e and pop it the oven whenever we're hungry - but it's still a nice pleasant day for the two of us

hawkwind23

I understand it.
Neglect as a kid and i spent many painful Christmas days alone.
PTSD so i cant remember much of the actual days Drink and drugs seen to that in the late teens.
But as you get older you get a bit out of it looking after others and making sure they are ok.
The whole thing is a bit antiquated now though , we are too fragmented and narcissistic as a society and the sharks feed off that , its an idea of Xmas from another era that makes them lots of money.
Odd fact i heard last night , Santa Claus is used so much in advertising as he has no copyright , therefore cheap and effective.Crazy eh?

I make my own rules , im trying to arrange an alternative Xmas for friends and family over the next couple of years , just a proper holiday from work , like all go away skiing or the like and hang out with none of the politic or stress.

Heading off this year in a few days to give it a trail run

gramar

Deleted User wrote: »

It's annoying that everywhere is closed. Nowhere to escape to! At least in England, you can pop into the local pub.

There are plenty of Irish pubs you can pop into too if you know the secret knock.

andekwarhola

take everything wrote: »

#solipsism

If you were a true solipsist, would you be seeking affirmation from others online?

I like spending time with family on the day and the kids do make the day. I wouldn't change it for the world but by evening, I've defnitelty had a surfeit of it and look forward to the evening when it's just two of you. Can see why for some people it could be a quiet time of reflection that doesn't require others around.

AnneFrank

take everything wrote: »

Anyone doing this.
I'm not but i would love to do this.

I immediately feel guilty and maybe I should (mostly because i love my parents). But sometimes It'd be nice to be cut off from the bull**** that is other people.

#solipsism

Spent the last 10 alone, becareful what you wish for, i can tell you, it sucks

TheTorment

TheTorment wrote: »

I used to hate Christmas. Like some have said here, I too wanted the period to finish and be done with it. I never had enough money for decent presents for family (drink and drugs took priority) and meeting up with old school friends in pubs and listening to them brag at how much they had made of their lives whilst I was stuck in a rut in a dead end job. Family situations were awkward and emotionally void.

Then I met my wife. She turned things around. Drinking and drugs ended. I've a great job. Moved away to a place we absolutely love. Bought our own little house together. When I see the joy and happiness that the simplest of Christmas things brings to her, like the lights on a Christmas tree, Christmas decorations, Christmas music etc, it I hard not to become enthralled by it. We've no kids so we enjoy Christmas together just the two of us. Both our families are abroad so we don't have to be/go anywhere.

I'm not trying to stick it to you in a "look at how great everything is for me" way. When you do find someone special to spend the time with your view might change.
OP id enjoy spending the time with your parents while you can, they wont always be there.

Make a small effort to enjoy it and you will. Even if it makes someone that cares for you a little bit happier or brings joy into their lives for one day, surely it must be worth it for that alone.

this a very good post, fair play to you. It's obvious you're not sticking it to anyone but rather trying to outline how the whole Xmas feeling is a state of mind. If you're not in form for it, you wont like it and vice versa.

I agree about the parents thing. As they are older and have less time on earth, you really should give them more of yours (providing you don't hate each other or are estranged for understandable reasons). if iit means little to you but the world to them, why not just make one party really happy.

AnneFrank

AnneFrank wrote: »

Spent the last 10 alone, becareful what you wish for, i can tell you, it sucks

really??? WTF, that's very not cool. sorry to hear that

andekwarhola

Hercule Poirot wrote: »

I've always thought that Christmas day is a bit pointless unless there are kids in the house, of which I have none.

My folks like coming up to ours because they're pushing on now and they don't have to cook or worry about anything and can just enjoy the bustle of a house with kids in it. As another poster said, they won't be around forever.

That said, I do look forward to christmas night (and new years eve) when it's just 2 of you in front of TV with a drink. I love the family being over but wouldn't really like to have people over for Christmas night.

andekwarhola

AnneFrank wrote: »

Spent the last 10 alone, becareful what you wish for, i can tell you, it sucks

Did you keep a bestseller diary?

pavb2

VandC wrote: »

I might go visit some family in the morning but only to keep them away from mine. "

I like your Style it's all about tactics, forward planning and the strategic use of place holders.

Irish Guitarist

I usually record a load of programmes and sit around watching them on Christmas. Last year a friend asked me if I wanted to go to her house for dinner so I did. I might do that again this year. If not I'll be home alone. I could go to my sisters but I don't get on with her for the rest of the year and all she does is complain about everything I do so I'd rather not put on an act.

osarusan

With our two young kids it's great, but if I didn't have my own family I'd be very reluctant to go and spend it with my sister or brother, who both have their own families.

I could go to my parents maybe, but even that would be intruding a bit I'd say.

It wasn't a special time for me until we had kids, so I wouldn't be too bothered spending it alone.

AnneFrank

andekwarhola wrote: »

Did you keep a bestseller diary?

I've never heard that before, how original !

andekwarhola

AnneFrank wrote: »

I've never heard that before, how original !

Less sarcasm, more time finding a good hiding place.

fizzypish

AnneFrank wrote: »

I've never heard that before, how original !

Aaaaahhhh ya must have! Come here to me, will you do something about the queues into your house. Tis ridiculous.
Anyway, x mass with my Dad at least, probably the mother, sister and two kids too. I think I could do x mass alone. Not very x massy.

Lux23

I am 34 and I haven't yet had a Christmas away from my family home. I can't afford kids so that might never change.

Lux23

Lux23 wrote: »

I am 34 and I haven't yet had a Christmas away from my family home. I can't afford kids so that might never change.

That makes me a little sad. My Christmas wish this year is for you and that your situation will change.

Could not do it alone - it's one of my excuses to cook as much as possible for as many people as possible. "Danny the Dinner" as my 6 year old daughter calls one of our pet geese is off for the chop and coming back as nicely packaged ingredients - and all the recipes for starters - snacks - mains and desserts are already in the planning and in some cases already in the production.

If it was just me I would probably buy some cheap turkey based TV dinner and sit watching box sets for the whole weekend.

SEPT 23 1989

its all about the kids if it was just myself and herself we would be lying on a beach somewhere with money in our pockets:D

Absolutely love Christmas, is and always has been my favourite time of year and couldn't comprehend spending it alone or not making a big deal out of it. Will spend two full weeks at the home house too which is great as it's the only time of year I can spend such a long spell at home. Finishing work this Friday until the 3rd Jan, can't wait.

Oodoov

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

its all about the kids if it was just myself and herself we would be lying on a beach somewhere with money in our pockets:D

It SHOULD be all about the kids but it's not at all. It's about buying presents for everyone in the family, relations. friends etc.. and a constant hard sell from the media and advertisers. A couple of years ago i decided i wasnt buying anything for anyone except my kids and i was making a 100 euro donation to a charity of my choice to cover the adults. Didnt go down well with everyone so that only encouraged me to continue to do that every year.

hawkwind23

Oodoov wrote: »

It SHOULD be all about the kids but it's not at all. It's about buying presents for everyone in the family, relations. friends etc.. and a constant hard sell from the media and advertisers. A couple of years ago i decided i wasnt buying anything for anyone except my kids and i was making a 100 euro donation to a charity of my choice to cover the adults. Didnt go down well with everyone so that only encouraged me to continue to do that every year.

Did the same , also set a limit on what the kids get.
As i said earlier its antiquated and been 100% commercialised so we have the ridiculous situation of everyone wanting to be like the adverts and nostalgia played on yet finding it all coming up miles short and then not enjoying it and forgetting what spending quality time with family is.

Estrellita

Christmas is important to me, but I dislike seeing all the Christmas stock in shops since early October.

I love cooking at Christmas, and my kids love the smells wafting from the kitchen. They buzz around me like a pair of wasps they aren't believers any more, but the Christmas spirit is not lost. We love going to the evening carol service at church, it's such a lovely atmosphere. Christmas will never be boring if you don't lose sight of the point of it. Christmas.

I love Christmas. It's the one time I get to be home with the parents and siblings and grandparents and niece and nephews, though one of my siblings is missing it because of work. I don't get to see everyone in the one place for most of the year, though its happened a few times this year for a change. I just love being with everyone.

This year three of my cousins and uncle are joining us so it'll be a packed house, so my cousin and I are planning a couple of days away in the middle and that'll be a nice respite, but overall I just really like being in the middle of all the people and busy-ness and getting to enjoy the kids and spoil my folks a bit. I really love that time with them all, I'm just so grateful I have them all to annoy me and boss me around still.

I'll be quite happy to get back to my regular life too, what makes Christmas special is the ephemeral nature of it. Too much of a good thing is as bad as too little.

MeatTwoVeg

TheTorment wrote: »

That makes me a little sad. My Christmas wish this year is for you and that your situation will change.

If she wakes up on Christmas morning to a baby under the tree, it's your fault.

I would love to spend it on my own. A little dream of mine is to have a gorgeous stone cottage up the top of a mountain surrounded by trees. I'd be delighted to spend not just Christmas but all my days hid away.
There are some people in my life who need me and who I wouldn't leave by themselves on the day even though it means very little to me.

Pac1Man

Henley Victorious Harvester wrote: »

Will spend two full weeks at the home house too which is great as it's the only time of year I can spend such a long spell at home.

Good god that would drive me nuts!

Pac1Man

Pac1Man wrote: »

Good god that would drive me nuts!

I love it, spend a week at home a few times a year and loads of weekends but Christmas is the longest and the best spell. I'd live there full time no bother if work was closer.

notsoyoungwan

Christmas itself means very little to me. I spend it with my parents cos that means something to them, but when they're gone I will happily spend Christmas on my own in my home, and I'll just enjoy the few days off rather than have any celebration as such.

Ayuntamiento

Husband and I spend every Christmas alone together (and have done for the past 5yrs). He has a big family, I have a big family, but we enjoy our own company and routines too much to spend it with other people. I see the Christmas break as the refuge I need from all the idiots I have to deal with on a daily basis. He's the same.

Luckily I come from a family that accepts and allows for the fact that everybody is different.
I don't know how I'd cope with the typical passive aggressive Irish mammy who'd try and guilt me into being traditional.

harry Bailey esq

[Deleted User] wrote: »

It's annoying that everywhere is closed. Nowhere to escape to! At least in England, you can pop into the local pub.

Its not as hard to find somewhere that will serve on Christmas day. Clandestinely of course,growing up i spent a few Christmases down in West cork and the town i was staying in always had at least two pubs that would let regulars in if they fancied a pint,cops hadn't much issue with it as its only a small town so the lads in the station would be regulars too.Its more of a country thing though,with many publicans living above their premises.In Dublin,parnell st has a string of asian restaurants that open on Christmas day, and i have it on good authority that they'll also sell you drink if they think your nice.

JustAThought

I know three different people ( all men) from work, all of whom have good incomes & jobs and will be spending Christmas alone. They have been seperately speaking of it since Early November with solid stocism & dead eyes. & it really makes you realise that despite it all, there is no place like having a home to go to where you are loved and welcome, on Christmas Day.

Cupcake_Crisis

We're having other irish over for Christmas dinner tha year. It's my first Christmas in my own place so I'm going all out. I'm quite excited!

Oxter

[Deleted User] wrote: »

It's annoying that everywhere is closed. Nowhere to escape to! At least in England, you can pop into the local pub.

The fitness center I am a member of was open till 2pm. Had a workout and swim.
Back home now, the spiced beef is cooking and i can watch what tv channel i like.

The Raptor

I must say today was pure bliss.

I didn't have to travel, only to the shops yesterday, 5 minutes up the road and back again.

Watched things on TV all day. I bought my own present and it was something I wanted. No faking liking a pile of shyte. Had dinner the way I wanted. Just finished desert. Will watch TV until bed and mess on my laptop for a bit.

I didn't have any hassle or people saying I was creating tension because I wanted an apology and they refused to give one.

The Raptor

Just to add to my above post. I realise I'm so much better off than other people. I'm just after watching the news where a young fella was made homeless a few weeks ago. At least I have somewhere.

I'll look into a foreign holiday or volunteering for next Christmas.

amtc

I live alone and spent yesterday alone.

I dropped my mam to airport Christmas Eve to surprise my grandmother over there on Christmas Day, and we had a Christmas breakfast.

My dad doesn't eat meat and requested none in the house so I made mine at home.

My best friend did invite me....but to her in laws on first married Christmas....2 hours away.

My other best friend due baby yesterday...not here yet.

I was quite happy reading my book and watching TV!

Had 12 for Christmas dinner, between my own (grown up) kids, their partners, and Grandchildren.

Wouldn't have it any other way - except that two of my sons are abroad working, and they didn't make it home for the first time ever!
Still, video calls are a wonderful thing.....

nice_guy80

Jet off and enjoy other people's company

Merry xmas