Due to a mix of circumstances, I will be spending Christmas by myself this year. Other people in my office had the weeks before and after already requested off, so I didn’t get to go to Ohio to see my family. My SO did get it off so is there with his family already.
I decided I’m cool with it, so I’ve booked a hotel in Palm Springs and am driving out there in a few hours to have a weekend to myself. It seems I never really get alone time so I’m looking forward to it.
If anyone else doesn’t have plans with friends or family, I encourage you to do something special for yourself as well! (Feel free to share if you’re in a similar situation)
I really hate the Christmas season (both parents passed away this time of year), so I’m much better off by myself during this time than I would be inflicting angst on innocent bystanders. I’ll spoil myself a bit tomorrow but that’s about it for the holidays for me.
Hopefully, our nice weather stays around for your visit.
I get to spend most of my Christmas with my in-laws (gag), and then with my parents and my brother and his slut (double gag). I’m not too into Christmas this year; I envy those of you that don’t have to deal with loads of family.
I love how all these Christmas movies are all about “spending time with family at Christmas,” when, really, sometimes the best times are to be had by yourself.
I’m not doing a solo Christmas this year, but it sounds pretty awesome.
My first Christmas alone, I was working in a ski resort. First time I was too far away to spend Christmas with the family. I went out Christmas Eve, late at night, onto the golf course. Trudged through the snow until I found a hill high enough to see all the lights and moonlight silvering everything. It was a clear night, and absolutely beautiful; at midnight, I was just staring at the stars, knowing the same ones were looking down on everyone I loved, and I smiled into the sky and wished everyone a very merry Christmas.
Since then, it’s been my tradition that, no matter where I’m at, who I’m with, or what my plans are, to be outside at midnight on Christmas Eve, and connect with everyone through the stars. It’s kind of my New Year’s/Christmas all in one, and I love it.
And this year I’ll be thinking of all of you lovely people as well.
I am spending this Christmas alone by choice and I love it! It is a greatly underappreciated option in my opinion. The best Christmases I’ve ever had by far are the ones that I spent by myself.
When I lived with roommates who went home for Christmas, getting the house to myself was a HUGE deal for me. After years of putting up with other people, I live alone now so I get to have that all the time anyway, but it just makes Christmas more special when I’m by myself. Plus, this year Christmas Day is the 6 month anniversary of my moving into my wonderfully roommate-free apartment so it’s just right to spend it here. I make myself some great food, get some beer and just relax around the house, reading or watching movies, buy myself some Christmas presents (and at least then I know I’ll love them, not have to smile through gritted teeth at whatever horrible present someone else got me) and watch Home Alone on Christmas Eve.
Of course, the other thing is that Christmas with my family has always been a dramatic affair that never ends well. My parents are miserable, toxic people to be around - it has apparently never occurred to them that if they aren’t happy, they could actually quit moaning about it and do something to improve their lives. And, really, how much do you really enjoy awkward small talk with relatives you’re not really that close to and pretending you care about the hideous ties and socks they give you? Better to make it a holiday for you and satisfy your inner 8 year old who desperately wants the family to disappear and leave you in peace. After all, that’s the great thing about being a grown up - you can finally say No to things you don’t want to do and spend the holidays the way you want to.
YMMV, of course. It’s not for those who get lonely easily or those who genuinely like spending time with their families, but I enjoy my own company much more than I do my family’s.
I hear you. Last year my son spent his Christmas with my daughter so I was alone. I thought I’d be sad, but I found myself enjoying it.
This year I gave permission for him to have a party on Christmas Eve so I was banished, so I went into work. I told him I’d stay away till at least 2am, but thinking about what a 17 year old boy and his friends can do to my house, I think I’ll stay here all night.
It’s Xmas now west coast time, and I will not be with anyone – it’s fine with me too. I have a pocketful of cash from last night but there’s nowhere open, so a good day to open mail/throw out junk mail, maybe make some soup.
Half of me wants to get to sleep early in case any family wants to do something, and the other half of me says keep working on some projects that I haven’t had time to chip away at – like transcribing Wynton Kelly on a couple of Blue Mitchell albums I just got a few months ago, where he’s really burning, and let this “holiday” pass without too much more folderol.
My Christmas gift was the visit of my grandson, Julian, for a week. We had his Christmas the night of the 22nd, because he had to go back home (150 miles away) to be with his “other” family on the 23rd and for Christmas.
His laughter and his innocence (as well as hearing him call me “Opa”), were heaven to me, and I couldn’t get enough of any of it.
So now he’s gone back home and I feel like I’ve lost my heart.
We always have dinner at my parents on Christmas Eve, and dinner at my in-law’s on Christmas. I love my family, so I look forward to it.
I’m on my own this year though. I was a bit naughty in a courtroom, so I’m on electronic home monitoring. I did prepare most of the feasts at both parties, which I love doing. I kind of like being alone, so it didnt really bother me. What did bother me was that some of my relatives were disappointed that I wasnt there.
It is a greatly underappreciated option in my opinion. The best Christmases I’ve ever had by far are the ones that I spent by myself.