What to do..

scaredy_cat

sometimes it's just nice being in the company of someone else, even if you are doing separate things like reading a book or just chilling watching a movie.

Elsewhere

How about going to a midnight service at your local church on Christmas Eve?

cmazza

You could always get one of those mini-roasts from a supermarket and just do that with some veg, doesn't have to be turkey. Board games with two can sometimes go on for ages, cards are usually a good fun and if you have a Play Station you could play Buzz. Boxing Day you could always hit the Sales lol.

Wol2

Some great ideas on here.

The main point is that this is about two single people spending some time over the Xmas break in each other's company.

I live on my own and am having a friend down to stay at Xmas who also lives on their own. This will be our third Xmas so it;s getting to be a bit of a habit but clearly suits both of us.

Prior to Xmas, we will put up an Xmas tree and decorations.....mainly for me.....and do a last Xmas shop inc booze - for both of us. We both normally spend a lot of time on-line on our respective computers during their stay including posting on MSE! The best thing is that neither of us feel we "have to entertain" the other or even "engage with the other" 24/7.

They are bringing their new rescue cat down for the first time so it will be interesting seeing how she gets on with the Xmas tree and my herd of guinea pigs..and the rest of the house...that will probably keep us a bit busy!

Xmas Eve after a steak dinner, we will probably stroll up to the pub for a couple of hours in the evening to meet some friends in the village that we both now know....and stagger home with/without popping in to midnight mass in the local village church. If I decide to do Midnight Mass, I know my friend will be happy to trudge home alone as it isn't their thing and neither of us would be worried about that.

Xmas Day - friend will probably be up with the larks and watching the TV/daily clicking on the PC/playing with the animals. It is accepted that I will get up when I'm good and ready!
Then the pets will open their Xmas pressies - we aren't officially doing pressies for each other.
I am elected to do the cooking. We do have a major difference in diet - they don;t do veggies - but that it is easily accommodated without fuss. Lunch will be late afternoon or whenever it's ready and we've decided to try a turkey crown this year with the usual full roast accessories - pigs in blankets, yorkshires, stuffing, potatoes etc. NB Sprouts are NOT on the menu. I do cook from first principles - but equally as others have said, there is plenty available in "ready" format. All you have to do is note the timings for each and work out at what point each needs to be stuffed into the oven/microwave to all end up cooked at the same time.

By the time we've eaten and imbibed enough alcohol we will be setting the world to rights followed by watching a decent film and having a real good laugh...and feeding/playing with the pets

Boxing day - repeat of Xmas day, but this time it will be roast beef.

Following days - possible trip to my brothers where my parents will be staying. Friend has met them all before several times. Maybe we might also make a trip to the coast to play shovehalfpenny on the pier - but only if we both feel up to it....and maybe I will invite some other local singles around that we both know for another roast lunch one day. But no real plans are made - we take each day as it comes.

The main point is - it's all very laid back...We enjoy the prospect of the companionship but also have respect each other's personal space and don;t live in each other's pockets or have any expectations of each other for the duration.

That's why it works so well!

I hope you have a lovely Xmas with your friend. Keep it relaxed, low key. Don;t try too hard to live up to "what you think their expectations might be of you" to entertain them..... otherwise you will get stressed!! Been there, worn the T shirt...once I'd "let go" of the whole "expectation to entertain thing"....everything fell into place.

xxxx

Toto

Can I come Wol? sounds bloomin lovely

mountainofdebt

Wol2 wrote: »

They are bringing their new rescue cat down for the first time so it will be interesting seeing how she gets on with the Xmas tree and my herd of guinea pigs..and the rest of the house...that will probably keep us a bit busy!

you're braver than I would be with this mix

Wol2

Toto wrote: »

Can I come Wol? sounds bloomin lovely

Awww Bless Honey...you and I have been on MSE for years...you are welcome providing you don;t need a place to sleep....or alternatively are happy sleeping on the floor/sofa bed in the piggy room

Methinks however you have your own plans

xxx

Wol2

mountainofdebt wrote: »

you're braver than I would be with this mix

I have to admit to some real trepidation this year :eek:...but my friend is just as concerned as I am to make sure this works in the best possible way for all animals and hoomans concerned.

We have some cunning plans

xxx

blunther

Wol2 wrote: »

Some great ideas on here.

The main point is that this is about two single people spending some time over the Xmas break in each other's company.

I live on my own and am having a friend down to stay at Xmas who also lives on their own. This will be our third Xmas so it;s getting to be a bit of a habit but clearly suits both of us.

Prior to Xmas, we will put up an Xmas tree and decorations.....mainly for me.....and do a last Xmas shop inc booze - for both of us. We both normally spend a lot of time on-line on our respective computers during their stay including posting on MSE! The best thing is that neither of us feel we "have to entertain" the other or even "engage with the other" 24/7.

They are bringing their new rescue cat down for the first time so it will be interesting seeing how she gets on with the Xmas tree and my herd of guinea pigs..and the rest of the house...that will probably keep us a bit busy!

Xmas Eve after a steak dinner, we will probably stroll up to the pub for a couple of hours in the evening to meet some friends in the village that we both now know....and stagger home with/without popping in to midnight mass in the local village church. If I decide to do Midnight Mass, I know my friend will be happy to trudge home alone as it isn't their thing and neither of us would be worried about that.

Xmas Day - friend will probably be up with the larks and watching the TV/daily clicking on the PC/playing with the animals. It is accepted that I will get up when I'm good and ready!
Then the pets will open their Xmas pressies - we aren't officially doing pressies for each other.
I am elected to do the cooking. We do have a major difference in diet - they don;t do veggies - but that it is easily accommodated without fuss. Lunch will be late afternoon or whenever it's ready and we've decided to try a turkey crown this year with the usual full roast accessories - pigs in blankets, yorkshires, stuffing, potatoes etc. NB Sprouts are NOT on the menu. I do cook from first principles - but equally as others have said, there is plenty available in "ready" format. All you have to do is note the timings for each and work out at what point each needs to be stuffed into the oven/microwave to all end up cooked at the same time.

By the time we've eaten and imbibed enough alcohol we will be setting the world to rights followed by watching a decent film and having a real good laugh...and feeding/playing with the pets

Boxing day - repeat of Xmas day, but this time it will be roast beef.

Following days - possible trip to my brothers where my parents will be staying. Friend has met them all before several times. Maybe we might also make a trip to the coast to play shovehalfpenny on the pier - but only if we both feel up to it....and maybe I will invite some other local singles around that we both know for another roast lunch one day. But no real plans are made - we take each day as it comes.

The main point is - it's all very laid back...We enjoy the prospect of the companionship but also have respect each other's personal space and don;t live in each other's pockets or have any expectations of each other for the duration.

That's why it works so well!

I hope you have a lovely Xmas with your friend. Keep it relaxed, low key. Don;t try too hard to live up to "what you think their expectations might be of you" to entertain them..... otherwise you will get stressed!! Been there, worn the T shirt...once I'd "let go" of the whole "expectation to entertain thing"....everything fell into place.

xxxx

That sounds terrific.

sulkisu

SimonSays wrote: »

Thanks guys

She replied "Anything I'm not bothered really"

So back to a selection of take aways from Just eat/Hungry house

Check that they are open first :-)