# Celebrating Christmas alone **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 24, 2021, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582 "2021-12-24T07:59:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![notadoctorshh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/notadoctorshh/32/9286_2.png) [@notadoctorshh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notadoctorshh)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/1 "2021-12-24T07:59:36Z")
To my fellow soloists out there–how do y’all get into the “Christmas spirit” when you live alone? I have no work tonight and am thinking of ways to enjoy Christmas eve. Not really in the mood to go out bar-hopping–any fun ideas is very much welcome! ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/2 "2021-12-24T09:00:32Z")
Listen to Christmas music: [https://www.google.com/search?q=christmas+music](https://www.google.com/search?q=christmas+music) Watch Christmas movies: [https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-christmas-movies/](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-christmas-movies/) I usually go to my sister’s on Christmas but she is traveling–a 1,000 miles away. So I will also be home alone. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/3 "2021-12-24T09:37:26Z")
For Thanksgiving: A bag of animal crackers. For Christmas: A bag of chocolate chip cookies. ---
**Author:** ![notadoctorshh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/notadoctorshh/32/9286_2.png) [@notadoctorshh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notadoctorshh)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/4 "2021-12-24T10:21:33Z")
usually not into the christmas movies–although they do give chick flick vibes! will sort through this list tysm! @Senegoid I’ll turn that into a whole bag of mint chocolate chip cookies lmao ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/5 "2021-12-24T10:23:00Z")
Lots of Chinese food! ---
**Author:** ![notadoctorshh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/notadoctorshh/32/9286_2.png) [@notadoctorshh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notadoctorshh)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/6 "2021-12-24T11:44:33Z")
Mhhhmm, chinese food. Might order some while watching movies! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/7 "2021-12-24T12:06:34Z")
I spent one Christmas alone when I was stationed in San Diego. I went to the beach, which was weird for me. In Merrylande, it was pretty much too cold to consider any outdoor Christmas activities, but there I was, sitting in the sand watching the waves. Not sure what I’d do now if I didn’t have family - probably surf the web or watch TV. I’m boring at heart. ---
**Author:** ![notadoctorshh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/notadoctorshh/32/9286_2.png) [@notadoctorshh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notadoctorshh)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/8 "2021-12-24T12:15:19Z")
I’m from Alaska so it’s pretty much too cold to do anything anyway lmao. I’m just mostly staying in. Family is also in Alaska but we’re all a bit scattered out and come together during the New Year’s ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/9 "2021-12-24T13:16:16Z")
Last night my gf suggested we watch an xmas movie together. She suggested **Bad Santa** , but then I found my **Die Hard** DVD. She said **Die Hard** wasn’t an xmas movie, which was just what I wanted to hear. I told her to google “Die Hard xmas” and she learned there was a controversy. I then told her about the two novels by Roderick Thorpe, how contractual issues led to Frank Sinatra almost getting the John McClane roll, and some other trivia. She’s getting acquainted with Thorpe’s books this morning. Eggnog. My answer to this thread is eggnog, bourbon back. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/10 "2021-12-24T13:24:20Z")
We go out for a dim sum brunch, then take a drive to a redwood forest to get a gander at some Christmas trees on steroids. I guess technically we’re not alone - it’s me and my husband. But neither of us sees family, so it’s pretty close. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/11 "2021-12-24T13:28:34Z")
If I were in your shoes I would invent a situation where a pair of bumbling robbers tried to enter my house, then create hilarious slapstick solutions to scare them off. Such hijinx! Actually, I would probably just binge watch some series, likely of a non-Christmas nature. With Chinese take-out. ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/12 "2021-12-24T13:45:06Z")
I won’t exactly be spending it alone, but this is my forty-ninth Christmas on this planet, and the first when I won’t be waking up under the same roof as my parents, who live about five hours away and who I always visit for a few days in December. Instead, I’ll be spending the day at my new girlfriend’s house with her family, meeting most of them for the first time. I oscillate wildly between not being sentimental and drowning in an ocean of emotion, so I don’t know how I’m going to feel waking up in an empty apartment tomorrow instead of in my bed from high school. The GF and her clan do dinner midday instead of at dinner time, and I don’t know when things will wind down, but I may spend the evening alone ultimately, and I’m sure the big change will hit me by then. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/13 "2021-12-24T14:05:47Z")
Winter cocktails and Rankin Bass Christmas specials for me. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/14 "2021-12-24T15:13:54Z")
Oh, god. Blessed relief. I can only dream, tho’ Too many people is bad bad bad! Trust me ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/15 "2021-12-24T16:16:35Z")
Here in the UK our TV channels are putting out a lot of classic programmes and series. So hopefully you too can find an old favourite or something you missed. One of my Xmas presents was a subscription to Disney+, so I’m going to binge-watch ‘Hawkeye’. 😍 I’m going to go for a walk on Xmas morning, then do a bit of Skyping friends. Here’s some stuff that will cheer you up: [Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice dance Couple’s Choice ✨ BBC Strictly 2021 - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QejOzrlovTQ) (she is deaf and wanted to show us how it felt) [Ash Morgan’s amazing performance of ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ - Blind Auditions | The Voice UK - BBC - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjvBH48V3Pk) (an amateur sings his heart out and really impresses a judge) [Monty Python - The Fish Slapping Dance - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8XeDvKqI4E) (zany, surrealist humour) ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/16 "2021-12-24T19:22:37Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > For Christmas: A bag of chocolate chip cookies. As a non-Christian, not being fully conversant with Christmas traditions, I could use a bit of advice from the Dope on this. Am I supposed to start eating my chocolate chip cookies on the afternoon or evening of Dec. 24, or am I supposed to wait until Christmas morning on Dec. 25 to start eating them? As a matter of principle, I want to do this right. Need answer fairly soon-ish. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/17 "2021-12-24T19:42:49Z")
Midnight ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/18 "2021-12-24T19:55:07Z")
I’ve spent quite a few holidays on my own. For Thanksgiving and Christmas I usually cook a fairly elaborate meal. It gives me something to do, a new skill to learn, and if I do wind up hosting people in the future I’ll be able to cook something good. I’m leaving to pick up a ham right now. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/19 "2021-12-24T20:15:50Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Lots of Chinese food! > [@notadoctorshh](#): > > Mhhhmm, chinese food. Might order some while watching movies! And you should order it from **Bo Ling** ’s. (If you don’t get the reference, go watch the Ralphie movie, again.) ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582/20 "2021-12-24T20:22:21Z")
I often spend Christmas alone, by choice. I live far from family and while friends are always eager to jump in with invitations to their festivities, I really enjoy having one day that is truly my own to do with as I wish. Weather permitting, I love to take a nice walk in the forest. If there’s a little snow, so much the better. Bring camera. I don’t celebrate Christmas but rather the Winter Solstice. I’ve evolved a tradition of decorating a Solstice Rake with lights, ornaments and garland. That provides the cheery glow of fairy lights with minimal effort. It makes me happy. After I get home from the walk, I build a nice fire in the wood burner and light a bunch of candles. I put on soothing background music – holiday or otherwise. Then I do something luxurious and artistic with my time, such as sketching or painting. I can get lost in this part of the day. Dinner will be decadent and stuff I really love. I like to cook, so the range is wide. This is often the evening I have an annual Perfect Martini before dinner. The glass of wine with dinner will be expensive. After dinner, I may watch something I really enjoy or just pass the time staring at the fire and thinking about what the new year may bring – and how I can encourage good things to happen. Altogether, I find it an excellent way to spend the holiday while on one’s own. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrating-christmas-alone/956582.md?page=2)