I like Christmas alone

I would hate to spend Christmas Day on my own, I spend enough other days on my own! I love to see my family, both siblings and adult children, share good food and play party games. Lots of drink, laughter and chatter!

Even last year I saw my sisters family ( my support bubble) and my daughter although it felt odd not seeing my son and brother. I’m hoping that my sister will be able to join us again from the US as I missed her last year.

Prop,e should be able to do what they want without feeling under pressure to please others.

If it was just me, I would have breakfast in bed then ring DC and DGC to wish them merry xmas etc. Then ask Alexa to play some xmas carols before opening a new book preferably a good thriller. I'd definitely make a xmas dinner ready prepared by M&S followed by xmas pud and Irish coffee. Then back to book or maybe watch a xmas film while eating mint chocs. Later still in dressing gown (not getting dressed on xmas day) I'd make some Wensledale and cranberry toast before retiring back to bed with my book and a glass of wine and some chocs.

However its isn't just me and this never happens as I'm usually stuck in the kitchen. I just wish on xmas day everyone could do exactly what they want not what others expect them to do.

We were just DH , me and MIL last year. I hated it. We are used to all the family joining together, food, games and no television. We love it.
Having said that if you enjoy Christmas on your own then do what makes you happy.

I have to admit I enjoyed last Christmas, just the two of us and a nice meal, no fuss.

I learnt a lot about this last year. We were in tier 4 so unable to see anyone although we did visit the gardens of our local AC to give gifts. Even this wasn’t allowed! My DH and I tried to make the best of it but the food tasted like cardboard ( because we had no guests). All the chocolates remained unopened and we didn’t have a single drink. Our AC were very unhappy too. I will be with them this year rather than let them worry and because it’s what I want. Plenty of other days to be on our own even if you’re not retired.

Got to age if 63, I have now come to the conclusion
I am doing what I want when I want
Many years of doing/going to please others or feel guilty

No More

I don’t really care what others do
(good for them)

When they were younger, we would often go to one or other of my older AC for christmas day, or boxing day, but they are all (but one) quite a way away, so it was trains&travel and/or a hotel stay, and it made it more hassle than enjoyable..We do visit before christmas though to take gifts etc. And ring on christmas day/new year if we can. 2019 i was very ill and ended up with hospital trip both xmas day & boxing day!

Often (especially since covid began) we stay at home to enjoy christmas day- my two youngest AC (18&22) are still at home, and as they aren't great socialisers (various health problems etc) they prefer it. They dissappear after lunch to their rooms to play new video games or watch new movies, snack on the xmas chocolates etc. I put on dishwasher then put my feet up downstairs with xmas telly and my chocs, maybe a glass of xmas cheer, and we all enjoy our 'me time'- later ill do sandwiches etc to stoke us up, and we all do/play/ watch whatever we want till bedtime.Sometimes we will play a new christmas board game but still not having to rush anywhere or please anyone else.The cat fits in with this nicely as long as he's fed/watered.?

Made me Hetty58

Nothing wrong with having your own Christmas Neen sometimes the sheer must be jolly and eat lots attitude is overwhelming. Nice to have a peaceful time. You see your family around the Christmas period so it's a win win as far as I can see.
Yes but are we pleasing others aonk or do we just habitually feel that we should be with others on Christmas Day. Maybe if we all had an honest conversation about it a lot of people may feel like Neen

A cancer scare (same here) often makes us realise what we really want out of life, what makes us happy and the courage to say what we will and will not do.
Stick to your guns Neen and do exactly what you want.

Hetty58??

I'm not retired.

I don’t understand what the problem is here. If you’re retired you can spend as many days as you wish eating sandwiches and watching tv. It’s just another day on which I for one want to please others rather than myself.

Some people seem to think it shouldn’t be allowed to spend Christmas Day alone. I’ve often heard of people having to fend off evidently very well meant invitations from family or friends aghast at the idea - ‘But you can’t be alone at Christmas!’

Oh yes you can - eat and drink what you like when you like, watch whatever TV you like (or none), no noisy, overtired, fractious children….

Go for it, OP!

Christmas Day alone is great, but keep it a secret as family and friends will pressure you to share the day with them.
Eat what you want, drink if you want, watch what you want - it's wonderful.

Neen, last year, due to Covid worries, I spent the day alone. Secretly, I really enjoyed it - but felt duty bound to tell relatives that I really missed them!

I totally get how you feel. Do what you enjoy and make any arrangements with family around that.

crazyH oh my goodness x

Yes, xmas day can be quite stressful. I have 3 families to visit. I usually have lunch with my divorced daughter and her children. But before that I visit my older son and his family. Then, in the evening, I go to my younger son's house, and stay there till about 10pm. Enjoyable but exhausting day !!

I spend christmas day alone, too.
I would rather, so I can do what I want without being a kill joy to others.
I like the peace, the cheese sandwiches and pickled onions, and the fact that it stays tidy.

You do exactly what you want!