How about a thread for those on their own at christmas

That was laugh out loud funny Petra! Thanks for sharing

loopyloo That would be a good idea. Such a pity our favourite store closed down.

Oh Petra,that is hilarious! Having been a primary school teacher and done numerous nativity plays,I never had one who sang with such gusto!!

Hello anyone who's checking in. Hope the day has had its joys, whether simple or spectacular. For me, less is increasingly more and I have enjoyed 'the less' today xx

Charleygirl, great to hear you're ok!
Enjoy Christmas and sending you best wishes.
Would love to meet up again sometime in the new year .

MrB and I choose not to see other people on Christmas Day. This started over 40 years ago when we were unexpectedly snowed in and couldn’t make our planned visit to family. We had such a good time we’ve done it ever since! I wouldn’t say we’re on our own at Christmas though, we have each other. Sending love and best wishes for all those spending their first Christmas without a loved one xx

I believe that Charley and there’s a lot to be said for pleasing yourself. 🫶😻

petra

If you are alone at Xmas and you want to have a really laugh out loud, this takes some beating 😂
I can’t count how many times I’ve watched it but it still makes me howl with laughing.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpsXNlarAk8

I just love this. The reactions of the other children are worth watching - the little boy in blue (‘kingDUM’) and the two older girls with such sympathetic, tender smiles.

Mr J and I are on our own just the two of us, we certainly don't want people to feel sad for us. We have just got back from a wonderful meal at a local hotel, it was fantastic, no shopping, cooking, washing up just the way we like it. Now putting or feet up to watch strictly Christmas special Bliss!!!

I do what I want when I want and most years I have my Christmas meal the evening before. I had a scrumptious duck leg with trimmings and two glasses of wine. I thoroughly enjoyed it and slept like a baby. I only have one course.

It is very cold here but the sun is shining. It looks like July.

Good luck to all slaving over a hot stove, too exhausted to eat their own meal.

Living on my own and being a sloth has its advantages.

I always feel a bit sad for my friend and her partner. They always have Christmas alone. All their parents have passed away and she has no siblings and they never had children. He has one brother who he rarely sees.

She was brought up in a pub so was used to singing, dancing, merry people etc. She really dislikes Christmas but does make an effort to make it a bit festive.

petra

If you are alone at Xmas and you want to have a really laugh out loud, this takes some beating 😂
I can’t count how many times I’ve watched it but it still makes me howl with laughing.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpsXNlarAk8

It's a classic! Thank you. The little girl with the alternative song must be in her early 20's now.

Hopefully this can be a thread for anyone who wants company tomorrow. I'll check in. Happy Christmas Gnetters, you have made me laugh, think, wince and wonder. Really love dipping in and out of this group of wise and wonderful women (and a few blokes!) X

If you are alone at Xmas and you want to have a really laugh out loud, this takes some beating 😂
I can’t count how many times I’ve watched it but it still makes me howl with laughing.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpsXNlarAk8

Best of luck Kitty for your hospital visit. No doubt you and hubby will have a a relaxed (occasional bevy) and nice food at Christmas. 🍹🍷

I hate that pitying look, people can assume that I am lonely on my own. That is their problem, not mine. They have no idea, I am very content, I have lovely siblings and AC and DGC, we speak every day and I have a lot of hobbies and activities, indoors and outdoors

A brand new neighbour, friendly enough, been here two weeks, we are a quiet, self-contained community. It is as though he is trying to push himself into the community, not having the empathy to realise that it takes time. His wife was more intuitive, she stayed in her house after a quick `good morning`

On his third visit to my front door in two weeks, his first words were `what are you doing for Christmas?` he said this while coughing and spluttering. I never invite neighbours in just because they live close by. I invite only those whose friendship has evolved over the years. So we had that chat outside, even though I was freezing and he was wrapped up. See the lack of empathy

I am completely with those above, I just wish I could be quick with a response, not to hurt but to make them go away

When I moaned about anything my grandad used to say ‘well it’s better than a slap across the belly with a wet fish’ I love that saying

When people ask what I'm doing at Xmas - very much in the manner of some local government jobsworth who reckons they have a right to know - and I reply "just the everyday stuff", they often irritatingly tilt their head to one side and say 'awwww!", and that's when I wish I had a big, wet fish to hand to slap them silly with.

And then I'd need the nerve to use it.

But, hey, I can fantasise.........

Do you want to share what you have had to think over?
For the past two weeks I myself have had weighty matters to think over and decide on.

There are some matters that are not suited to discussion with all and sundry.

I haven't told people. I don't want invites, I've a heavy lurgy and have been over busy, much to think over as the year comes to an end, and I love musical company and there will be some family phone calls/face time.

Charleygirl5

I saw the pitying look on somebody's face the other day when I was asked what I was doing, and I said spending Christmas on my own as usual.
I have lovely food lined up, and more importantly, it has all been stress-free. I can do what I want when I want.

It has been like this for around 8 years and I have settled into a comfortable routine of doing very little. It may not suit many but I am stress-free and still with some money in the bank.

It is bad manners to ineffectually pity someone . Nobody enjoys to be pitied.

Forewarned is forearmed. I'd say "I always leave it to the last minute before I decide what I will do." Then not answer any more of her intrusive questions. Take a deep breath and smile.

Sallywally1

I think that many people who are not perhaps physically on their own still feel lonely and this could be a safe place to meet up and talk through whatever is on our minds?

Very true Sallywally. One can be lonely in a crowd.
I feel that when families and friends meet at Christmas, each person should aim to speak only if what is said is what the other person would enjoy to hear.

My grandson is on duty at the hospital all day tomorrow and Boxing Day. Long,long shifts.

I was going to be on my own but was invited to a friends to join a lunch for all the women she knows who are also on their own. Could be fun?
I'm bringing a veggie dish and wine. Others are bringing puddings.

I wasn't too bothered about being on my own like Charleygirl and have just invited myself to DSs this evening to deliver gifts.

The young electrician who has been here all morning upgrading my fuses, was very chirpy about working all through the Christmas time.
He proudly told me he'd probably get early call outs tomorrow. He genuinely sounded pleased to be useful. Nice.

I think it's just those attacks of nostalgia which come out of the blue which are scary. Tears fill my eyes as I romanticise all those wonderful Christmasses I've lived through.
And some pretty awful ones too! 😅😄🤣

Charleygirl5

I saw the pitying look on somebody's face the other day when I was asked what I was doing, and I said spending Christmas on my own as usual.
I have lovely food lined up, and more importantly, it has all been stress-free. I can do what I want when I want.

It has been like this for around 8 years and I have settled into a comfortable routine of doing very little. It may not suit many but I am stress-free and still with some money in the bank.

My thoughts exactly. I will be on my own on Christmas Day by choice for the third year running. I will eat a baked Camembert with garlic bread followed by home made trifle. All family are grown up and prefer money for presents, so I have had no shopping to do - bliss! I don't even bother with decorations apart from a homemade ribbon wreath on the door which comes out every year.
Happy Christmas to all GNetters, hope you have the day you wish for.