Alone For Christmas

Faith177

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Isn't that illegal or has the law changed? It always used to be eleven hours between shifts.

You are meant to but I signed a document at start of my contract to waive it as I do two jobs so never get a gap between shifts that long

daisiegg

Does your OH drive? No one will probably agree with me but if I were in your position I'd be getting the person who drives to drive to the other one when they finish work, even if it was only for 8 hours overnight or something! But Christmas is very important to me...on our first Christmas together, OH and I had been together 4 months and didn't live together yet and weren't at the stage of going to see each other's families, so I spent Christmas with my family and he went up north (4 hrs drive) to spend Christmas with his. However, on Christmas Day he didn't drink and he left after lunch to drive 4 hours back down South, arriving at about 8pm, just so we could see each other on Christmas Day for a few hours

However, the sensible part of me says it's just one day, you will be working most of it, and agrees with everyone else about spoiling yourself with your favourite foods and drinks, a nice bath, and trash on TV. I think if it was absolutely impossible to see my OH or family on Christmas Day, that is what I would do. And I would comfort myself by reminding myself that I do have family and a partner who all love me, unlike some people who are truly alone

Newly_retired

I would rather be in your situation, where you will have company for part of the day, then can totally please yourself for the rest, than the situation of people totally on their own in the world all day, every day.
Then there are those who are stuck with certain family members they don't want to be with, when all they really want is to be with other family eg stuck with elderly relatives when they want to be with grand/children, or with in-laws and their boring version of entertainment when they would rather have their own choice of Tv / food / company etc.
DH and I expect to be together, which is lovely, but he will feeling guilty because he is not with his elderly mother, and I will be wishing I was watching the young grandchildren enjoy their presents.
Christmas is a difficult time for a lot of people.

marisco_2

duchy wrote: »

Move Christmas day !

Seriously instead of having a "not the real thing" on Christmas day-Have your own Christmas day the week before with your OH. All your usual traditions -and then make the 25th an indulgence day for you. You'll have had your Christmas already so won't feel you've missed out but then after work will have an evening of treating yourself

Am I the only one who looked at your message and for a split second thought you were suggesting the OP kept herself busy by moving house on Xmas day. It has been one manic Monday for me as you can possibly tell

ska_lover

eamon wrote: »

Last christmas my friend took great pleasure in turning down dinner with his daughters family. All because he wanted egg & chips for his dinner and couldn't be bothered getting dressed. He took great delight in posting a picture on FB of himself wearing his string vest & pj bottoms standing over the chip pan. The man has no class!

What?? I think he is AMAZING:rotfl:

duchy

marisco wrote: »

Am I the only one who looked at your message and for a split second thought you were suggesting the OP kept herself busy by moving house on Xmas day. It has been one manic Monday for me as you can possibly tell

LOL

\erm well no-one else is admitting to it ! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Hope the rest of the week has calmed down for you

juliebunny

Well, you aren't exactly going to be on your own if you have your cat for company!

I used to spend Christmas feeding the cats at our local shelter on Christmas morning after I lost my mum (who I spent every other Christmas with). It gave a break to the usual people so they could spend time with their family.

It was only me and my sister, she went off to muck out her horse, leaving me to make the flipping dinner! So I decided to make myself useful at the shelter instead.

Last year, I ended up cooking dinner for 6 people. 4 of them turned up an HOUR late so dinner was ruined. I barely knew 2 of them but thought I was doing a nice thing (never again.) I've often had 'waifs' around for an extra person at dinner, if they have been on their own/family far away etc. This year I'm the waif!

Christmas on your own isn't always the worst option....I love to see my cats playing with wrapping paper and climbing the tree. We have the heating on full blast and don't have to watch anything awful on telly if we don't want to! I exchange a millino texts with friends and call the close ones (who live 200 miles away sadly) A walk is always lovely too, wrap up and get out. Doesn't matter if you've had a few wines that way too!

I've woken up on my own for the last few Christmases - and will be on my birthday next month. You can either let it worry you or just get on with things. Having pets is a great way to stop you moping around as they don't care what day it is - they need their food/walk etc.

We can all come here and wish each other Happy Christmas too

[Deleted User]

This will be my third Christmas on my own, and I prefer it that way.

I just do the things I normally do, on any other day of the year.

meritaten

I was going to suggest exactly what PasturesNew said!
look on it as a xmas pressie to yourself - peace on earth!

dogstarheaven

it's been sorted, i'm going to parents' after all. this is due to my having no job to tend to (made redundant last week!) and am able to make the xmas eve train and come back on the 27th when the trains are back in services again. i've asked a neighbour who's agreed to look after my cat (feel awfully bad about 3 nts away tho).

although, i'm still half-hearted about going now, mainly it's the money issue where i can't afford to buy pressies for 5 kids (inc. one of my own) which brings me so much shame (HM stuff doesn't wash with them as they're teens and are used to expensive gifts like iphones, lego etc., :eek:yes, i come from that kind of family and i'm the opposite to them being the black budget-conscious sheep that i am!)

also, as someone has already said, i quite like my own solitude. as i've done solo xmases before, i quite enjoy the peace on earth vibe! /COLOR]

meritaten wrote: »

I was going to suggest exactly what PasturesNew said!
look on it as a xmas pressie to yourself - peace on earth!

krlyr wrote: »

You may but you have to consider the implications - e.g. it potentially being taxable income you'd need to declare, having public liability cover incase any of the dogs were to bite someone or damage property in your care, transport to get the dog to a vet if it became ill or got injured, etc. - dog walkers charge the money they charge for a reason, it's not as easy as picking up a lead and heading around the block!
didn't think about this. sounds like too much hassle for what it's worth!
Another option could be to see if anyone nearby does walking at a rescue and see if they'd give you a lift over the Christmas period. Someone may be passing by you and willing to spare room in the car if you were flexible time-wise!

i would have to register my interest with the kennels/cattery and make a start on my voluntary work there before the holiday starts. i won't be able to ask over the phone and hope that someone is able to offer me a lift there and then!

juliebunny wrote: »

Well, you aren't exactly going to be on your own if you have your cat for company! he would be the main source of entertainment (i don't own a tv)

I used to spend Christmas feeding the cats at our local shelter on Christmas morning after I lost my mum (who I spent every other Christmas with). It gave a break to the usual people so they could spend time with their family.

Last year, I ended up cooking dinner for 6 people. i end up being a scivvy with my mum to prep for 11 ppl. the other sis is taking the glory and doing just the 2 meats (carving, basting and dolling out)

We can all come here and wish each other Happy Christmas too

yes, i agree....:D


that's what i'd like ideally. thesedays, am not a v. sociable in large groups (recently have noticed i've got low esteem) and besides, the kids and my siblings get v cosy/chatty with each other, sharing the spirit, watching carp tv (how i hate the tv on full-blast all the time). as they're there for xmas day and then boxing day with an all-day shopping trip in the sales, it'll be v. full-on. and as usual, i'll have to reluctantly tag along like a spare part...:(

there are downers to this and now i wished i hadn't mentioned it to them as they're all expecting me