Christmas spent alone

I spent most of the day alone as my daughter partner and children all had Covid. A brief morning visit from my son and family was lovely but they then had dinner with Dil family. I was invited but decided to stay at home. I actually had a pleasant day eating whatever I fancied and watching the Bond movie followed by the Christmas soaps! Just waiting for son and family to arrive for Boxing Day dinner. I have no complaints - I just hope nobody else falls I’ll and that 2022 is better than last year! Best wishes to all.

I find the heading to be very misleading because none of you were alone all day.

I no longer have any family so I spent a normal day here, phoning people, receiving calls, watching TV and cooking myself a very pleasant meal and had a couple of glasses of wine with it.
New Year will be the same as well as many days in between but minus the wine.

Oh don't abandon the wine, Charley ?. I hope you can decipher the Radio Times and have a good book or two. There's a piece in one of the papers today about the miseries of stressed out families schlepping around between relatives. Not an easy week.

I was alone for the day. The only time I felt a bit sad was when I was walking the dog and went past a neighbour's house. Her front room filled with people talking and laughing.

Unfortunately I had my children in my late 30's, and although they both have partners, neither of them have their own properties or children yet. I hope one day in the future I'll be sitting in a front room full of people on Christmas Day.

I still have my DH but children and grandchildren abroad, no other close family nearby, so it could easily be me or him. I must admit that it does cross my mind and so I can sympathise. Eventually we’ll all have to cope, as so many of you do. Do you have a dog? I guess that would help x

Well now, some years ago Help the Aged (as they were then) ran a Christmas campaign “One is the Saddest Number”.

I was incensed to be a sad object of pity because I was a one instead of the two or more that society wants us to be.

I was very lucky. My DS picked me up & I spent a lovely day with his family. DDiL cooked a lovely Turkey dinner & made a lovely day. DGC are the best. Though I am not too steady on my feet & have shoulder & hand problems I did get up to DGS bedroom to look at all his presents. He loves SF & Fantasy Fortnite is his favourite. Loves all things Marvel as does his DD & I so he includes me in it all, love him loads. Then pretend to like Barbie & Unicorns going from 10 year old Grandson to play with 6 year old GD, much loved too! Having thought due to all going on I may have been on my own this was a lovely day. Most of my life now is alone as we do live a way apart but are in touch most days. So hope everyone had as lovely a day as possible & hope for better next year!

I was alone yesterday, from choice really because I just couldn't be bothered this year. I've spent a few C days alone, I really enjoy doing my own thing, watching old favourite films and eating simply.
However, I realise that when there is no choice, that's a different matter.

I do understand why some people feel so alone at Christmas time. We're all totally bombarded for many weeks with demands everyone must have the best Happy Christmas. With the best turkey, the best tree, best pudding, best presents and the best fun day. Its utterly exhausting. And so unrealistic. No wonder there are so many family fallouts! I'm so grateful I can keep myself under the radar. We spend time with our family in the days beforehand, enjoying a lovely relaxed meal together. They spend The Day with the other side of the family whilst Mr Jolly1 and I have a lovely day at home. I can't help feeling thank goodness just another day and everyone will get back to reality again.

Just wondering how those who were alone are feeling today?

I didn't spend the day alone but must say I find your tone very patronising.

Why are you wondering how they felt?

I expect those for whom it's just another day and not bothered are feeling fine; and those who were unwillingly alone are feeling sad and you want to rub salt in their wounds.

Oh dear! What an answer Riverwalk to a perfectly innocent question!

Does anyone else think it’s a bit odd to have a title “Alone at Christmas” and then to have posters telling us what a lovely day they had with their families?

?

Sorry “Christmas spent alone”

But the same thing?

YES - I do, Peasblossom.

Unexpectedly alone - as my grandson tested positive in the morning. Still, I had a lovely day, nice lunch, walk with the dog, watched films - oh, and ate too many chocolates in the bath!

Somebody posted a similar question last year. Why assume that being alone is dreadful? It's much better than being trapped with a partner (or family) you don't get along with. Those are the people I really feel sorry for.

I have spent the last two Christmases alone, it is my choice. It is a pleasure no longer having to visit my husband's relatives. They would become very quarrelsome after having a few drinks.
One of the few pluses of being widowed.
My husband used to say 'next year we'll spend it on our own' but it never happened.
I found couples used to patronise me for being alone.
One day I realised that happy couples never patronised me!!

I was alone yesterday too due to Covid within the family but I had a lovely day pottering about, phone yapping , eating sleeping and making a birthday cake for today . It was good !

The one year I was alone after the death of my husband I managed Christmas Day ok. I treated myself to good food and drink and was fine until the evening. I then went downhill remembering all the busy Christmases we had spent with family. Then I had to do it all over again on Boxing Day! Fortunately I am with my son and family this year.

Peasblossom

Does anyone else think it’s a bit odd to have a title “Alone at Christmas” and then to have posters telling us what a lovely day they had with their families?

?

Yes , completely.

Example : whilst Mr Jolly1 and I have a lovely day at home.

So not alone !

Peasblossom

Does anyone else think it’s a bit odd to have a title “Alone at Christmas” and then to have posters telling us what a lovely day they had with their families?

?

Yes, it’s a very odd thread to have started.

I assumed Sallywally was on her own, perhaps recently widowed and wondering how other people in her situation had coped.

I was alone yesterday so telling me to remember not all family units are happy felt patronising.

I hope that any GNers who live alone managed to have a pleasant day after all.There is also a world of difference between being alone and being lonely.
There are many lonely people at Christmas, but the other side of the coin is that many older people find spending a day in noisy overheated surroundings with shrieking over excited children, too much rich food and yapping dogs a bit of a trial,
As a phone call to me from a friend who lives alone has just confirmed.Home again now and much relieved apparently.