While many of us associate Christmas with having all the family round to exchange gifts and enjoy a big meal or barbecue together, that’s not the case for everyone, every year. There are plenty of reasons why people may spend Christmas on their own, and it doesn’t mean the day is to be marked off or not enjoyed as a result!
In fact, a solo Christmas can sometimes be a nice change from the usual hustle and bustle of the day. If you’re looking at spending Christmas by yourself this year, here are some ideas on how you can make the day memorable and fun.
Get out of the house and make new friends
There’s a good chance that you won’t be the only one in your town or city having a solo Christmas, so it can be a great idea to seek out others who may be in the same boat. While local events can be a little sparser on Christmas Day than other holidays, it’s worth checking out Facebook or MeetUp events that might be on in your area.
Some restaurants, backpackers and social service providers, for example, offer a Christmas lunch for you to come along to and enjoy in the company of others. While it may seem like an awkward concept to spend your Christmas in the company of strangers, you might be surprised by the friends you make. Embrace the true festive spirit with an open mind.
Give back
Getting into the Christmas spirit isn’t just about eating and drinking the day away, a big part is also about giving and gratitude. Giving back on Christmas is a great way to make the day feel fulfilling and rewarding.
Soup kitchens, animal shelters and rest homes are all places that often need volunteers on Christmas Day. In fact, for soup kitchens and food drives, Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year, as many of these services provide Christmas meals for the community. Not only will it keep you busy and allow you to meet new people, volunteering on Christmas can be a truly eye-opening and memorable experience.
Celebrate early
If December 25th doesn’t work for you to be with family or friends, why not simply celebrate early? Host a dinner party, hand out gifts and have the Christmas turkey – just do it a week or two beforehand. Especially if you’re someone that gets major FOMO, having a party beforehand can help cure those feelings of missing out.
In fact, celebrating early can have even have its own benefits. You can decorate early and feel festive for the entire month, rather than just on Christmas Day. Plus, it means that you can share Christmas with a wider circle of friends, as there’s less risk of them having other commitments on the actual day.
Connect with family and friends
Even if you can’t physically be with your family and friends on the day, that doesn’t mean that they need to be totally absent from your Christmas. With apps like Skype, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, we can still spend Christmas connecting with family and friends. If you’re overseas, arrange a time beforehand that works for everybody’s schedules and timezones, so you can be sure to catch each other face to virtual face. Skyping friends and family is a great way to help us to feel like we’re still included in each other’s festivities, even if we’re not physically present.
"Christmas... is not an external event at all, but a piece of one's home that one carries in one's heart."
- Freya Stark
Give yourself something to look forward to
Sometimes it can be nice to have some time to yourself. Whether it’s going for a hike in the mountains or snuggling up at home with a book, a solo Christmas means having time to focus on yourself and do the things that you enjoy. Look forward to it as having a day of ‘me’ time!
If you’re overseas in a region that doesn’t celebrate Christmas, you might also like to organise a special activity or trip that you’ve been wanting to do for a while. Plan it in advance, so you’ve got something to look forward to. Rather than dreading spending Christmas alone, having an exciting activity on the calendar will mean you’ll be counting down the days!
Treat yourself
Christmas is about treating yourself. Having a solo Christmas shouldn’t deter you from that. Make your Christmas all about pampering yourself and indulging in the things that you enjoy. Cook your favourite meal, pop open some champagne and allow yourself some dessert afterwards. Even better, give yourself a manicure or a facial, run a nice candlelit bath and take the time to simply relax. It’s been a long year and you deserve it!
Are you going solo this year?
Let us know how you'll be spending it in the comments below.
And have a very Merry one my friends.
x
