Alone at Christmas

[Clio_86]

Does anyone spend Christmas eve/day alone? What do you do? I've been alone at Christmas a few times but usually had some social outlet for Christmas Eve.

In 2017, I did not go home to be with family but a friend cooked dinner and we went to Christmas Eve mass at a church. In 2018, I spent Christmas alone but I decorated my apartment and had my pets with me. It was peaceful and nice.

I was able to spend Christmas with my family in 2019, but then went abroad in January 2020 and have yet to go home. Last Christmas, I made a dinner for my other expat friends who weren't going home. However, this year I will be alone and my pets are in my home country. I've decorated my flat with Christmas lights, lots of candles and some Poinsettias. It feels "homey," but I'm also feeling a bit sad.

I was planning to go home to be with my family but the travel restrictions are too much and my mom told me not to come back. It was the right decision because I have other important things planned for when I go home which I can't do with travel restrictions.

I really enjoy Christmas Eve mass and there is an English church in my city which I have been to once before. Last year, I watched their Christmas Eve service on facebook live. There was a lockdown at the time. This year I could go in-person.

I'm very comfortable doing things alone but I'm kind of nervous to go to a Church service on Christmas Eve by myself. I go to art exhibits, movies, etc, by myself. A few weeks ago, I went to an immersive art exhibit alone and we had to lay on bean bags and I was the only person there by myself. Maybe I was paranoid, but I felt like some people kept looking at me with curiosity.

I would really enjoy going to a Christmas Eve mass service but this is one time when I feel kind of insecure.

[Hologram8]

I always spend christmas alone ~ there are never any presents or anything ~ the only holiday I celebrate now is 24 ~ 7 ~ 365

I really despise the way society has holidays and flood the stores in masses and clog up the system in a billion different ways

in my Amish days I was always producing production and working 7 days a week ~ I thought sunday was an excuse for people to be lazy and not work

it may be sunday but you still have to function as a human being ~ when I was homeless I had to find food to eat ~ the restaurants were closed on sunday so I had to go to chinatown to a buddhist place to get food because they were open on sunday

now I like sunday because it's not a business day and maybe no one will call my phone or bother me in some other way

I really hate christmas ~ they push the family event on you
I don't like my family at all and I don't want to be a part of it
now I live alone and family is no where around thank god ~

christmas is just an inconvenient day where I can't take care of simple things like going to the grocery store ~ accompanied by all the proceeding inconvenient days where sheep are flocking in masses and disrupting the flow of life with their hooliganism ~ as they clog the system with irrational behavior

it always bothered me how society doesn't celebrate every day as something special and then they ruin a perfectly good day with their holiday hooliganism ~ I have spent almost my entire life in solitude ~ I am alone all day everyday and have been for 98% of my life ~ I try to be my own best friend and love myself for who I am ~

[BigJohn]

I had a few quiet Christmas days.

Two that I remembered I can say I went and watched Santa arrive to give presents to children. Each time, he arrived on an Elephant. That always made a big impression on me.

[astralsuzy]

Unfortunately not everyone has family so Christmas day can be quiet or lonely. Christmas can also be very stressful for a lot of people. They can be with relatives or family that they do not get on. There can be arguments so there is no joy in that. Last Christmas my brother and his wife did not want us there for Christmas. It was just my husband and myself. We made the most of it by having a nice Christmas meal, went for a walk and watched a movie. This Christmas my son came home from overseas so it will be extra special. He will have Christmas with us.

I felt disappointed that my brother did not let me know that his family was going away on holiday for Christmas this year. I found out through my daughter. That hurt that I was not told. I have to let things go and not to think about it. We do not give presents because I do not want anything. I am happy with the things I have. I do not want more things.

You are the only person Clio_86 that can decide if you want to go to the mass alone. Some people would still go if they are nervous and other people would not go. Going to a mass you only listen to someone talking so in a way it is like being by yourself. Perhaps at the end of mass people socialise and you may feel awkward. I usually find there are people there that will make you feel welcome and will talk to you.

Im sorry for anyone who is alone this christmas and doesnt wanna be

[Clio_86]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I will consider going to mass over the next week. I saw someone post on reddit about Christmas volunteer opportunities in my city, which I would also be interested in. Either way I will cook my own special meal on Christmas day and facebook video call my family.

[astralsuzy]

That sounds good Clio_86. There are times we have to make the most of the situation we are in. I am glad you are going to cook a special meal for Christmas. It makes it special for yourself and video call.

[lostsoul13]

I’m spending Christmas alone-(hostel has a whole bunch of other tenants not going home for Christmas) last year I spent it in hospital-the year before that a b&b-year before that alone… don’t let your spirit be crushed- I’ve decorated here too this year-and definitely got the spirit of stuff- a costa Christmas tree(for the love of cappuccino) lol present under the tree—- this will be the 20th year alone since my twin flame manifested and children—- I once upon a time ago had Christmas with them… they are away at the moment and I’m in the reincarnation game- couple hours of pain for 1000+ hours of fame…I should be here in hostel again next year- until I get a flat of my own.. spending Christmas won’t feel the same but the latter is great in diminishing those blues’ I’ve been making arts&crafts - and boxes of chocolates for residence and staff… I’ve been getting into the swing of things -this year, also supporting my local shop with a real Christmas tree…and ornaments… we went to the Christmas market—- and had dinner at restaurant and bowling… nice long walks- lunches at pub & decorations are up in hostel… it’s great they celebrate-they also cooking Christmas dinner… so I’ll be preparing some veggies…. What’s great is your getting in the mood- these things will pass and hopefully the years to come will be full of love and laughter… I’m glad my children and wife is away… we’ve celebrated Christmas and the inserts are intense… big pill of presents unopened… lol life and destiny seem to take us else where from the moment- jumping… I suppose jumping/ teleportation first… it’s a number one gift??!! Couldn’t hope for any better… I’m just going to enjoy it- and I’ve got plenty of stocking and presents’ I’ve been really spoiled!!? I’ve got dreams of having a more better Christmas with twin and children but here is so unpredictable that the courage is better to be alone and face reincarnation’ just a little bit of misery for a long period of loneliness’ more misery and then better!!?

Merry Christmas!!!?

[Clio_86]

I'm now going to a group Christmas celebration on the 25th. I'm really excited.

Today I was walking in my neighbourhood and gave the little change I had to a homeless man. There are three homeless men who sleep near my apartment. I want to make some gift bags for them with some food, a bottle of water, a Christmas/holiday card in their language with a 2 euro coin taped to it. If anyone has any suggestions on what these men might prefer let me know. The city where I live isn't super cold and they have winter equipment. My city also provides a lot of free services and people leave bags out for them regularly throughout the year with hygiene products and stuff.

Merry Christmas everyone!

[Native spirit]

I wont be alone for christmas because my kids are still at home.
But sometimes i crave some solitude.i have many friends but i am also happy being Alone.

its finding a balance, because of my health not being to good this year.
I think finding a balance is going to be the Exercise of the day.


Namaste