Christmas Alone - what will you be doing

Gettingtherequickly

I usually go home to Ireland for Christmas, but that is out of the question this as my mum is 80, so in the vulnerable category. However, I have had so many invites for the day that I am leaning towards being on my own that day. I have been so busy all year, not been able to have any time off that the thought of being able to do what I want, when I want, have complete control over tv viewing, is so tempting. That way I will not be “beholden” to anyone and will be able to enjoy visits over the period into the new year as I will be off work.

I fancy driving over to Richmond Park and having a long walk, get back, cook dinner, have got a really nice steak in the freezer for this reason, and then just chill while phoning my nearest and dearest.

Katiehound

In the past you probably would  have been able to help at a community Christmas lunch. Not sure what is happening this year- home delivery- no gatherings.
 If you could do that it might be worth contacting your local Community larder / parish worker/ SA  because they will know who/ if help is needed

Sistergold

Katiehound said:

Apart from lunch on Christmas day I shall be home alone with my 2 dogs. I would normally be away staying with a friend & her family but that's going from one tier to another and she will have folk from 3 families staying so- that idea is out! She has sent me a box of seasonal goodies so I shall not starve!

The dogs have a short walk everyday and then my 'dog runner' takes them better places. I guess she will do a short walk even then as she is working cooking the SA lunch.

I know quite a few people home alone this year so I have offered to email / phone them over the 4 days- even if the email is only a couple of sentences. No television here so hope there is some good radio or I shall play favourite CDs.

Apart from that it will be a 'normal' day'! like very many others this year. It's just a day after all with masses of consumer hype...... stay safe, stay home and stay sane!!

I see Good Morning Christmas is on 8am R2 with Rev Kate Bottley- her programmes are generally uplifting.

Thank you fir this suggestion, I will surely need an uplifting word in this day to keep my spitlrit up! 

Thank you

Sistergold

Torry_Quine said:

I'll be on my own. It will be the same as most other days. 

Looks like letting it be like all other days will be the best. 

Thanks for stopping by

Sistergold

Gettingtherequickly said:

I usually go home to Ireland for Christmas, but that is out of the question this as my mum is 80, so in the vulnerable category. However, I have had so many invites for the day that I am leaning towards being on my own that day. I have been so busy all year, not been able to have any time off that the thought of being able to do what I want, when I want, have complete control over tv viewing, is so tempting. That way I will not be “beholden” to anyone and will be able to enjoy visits over the period into the new year as I will be off work.

I fancy driving over to Richmond Park and having a long walk, get back, cook dinner, have got a really nice steak in the freezer for this reason, and then just chill while phoning my nearest and dearest.

Yes seems good to have some time to oneself. I do miss going away on a real holiday though for a break. Hope lockdown will be over soon, but I doubt. I do need to at least stock up for the holidays period. 

Richmond Park sound like a good idea. 

Sistergold

Gettingtherequickly said:

I usually go home to Ireland for Christmas, but that is out of the question this as my mum is 80, so in the vulnerable category. However, I have had so many invites for the day that I am leaning towards being on my own that day. I have been so busy all year, not been able to have any time off that the thought of being able to do what I want, when I want, have complete control over tv viewing, is so tempting. That way I will not be “beholden” to anyone and will be able to enjoy visits over the period into the new year as I will be off work.

I fancy driving over to Richmond Park and having a long walk, get back, cook dinner, have got a really nice steak in the freezer for this reason, and then just chill while phoning my nearest and dearest.

Sorry you are not going to be able to travel but yes this year has called for some difficult decisions so as to keep other safe. I could have maybe checked on extended family to see if I can go and be with them but then with covid and also I just could not be bothered to fit into whatever their traditions at Christmas would be so I decided to stay put. 

Richmond park sounds like an exciting idea! 

Thanks for saying hello, feels less lonely already. 

Sistergold

Katiehound said:

In the past you probably would  have been able to help at a community Christmas lunch. Not sure what is happening this year- home delivery- no gatherings.
 If you could do that it might be worth contacting your local Community larder / parish worker/ SA  because they will know who/ if help is needed

This would be a Christmas well spent for sure! I do love cooking infact. And it will mean I am not on my own. As the singleness is permanent I will need to consider this from time to time whenever I am on my own. The children will always have to split their time between the two homes. I will surely find ways to be occupied!
thanks for good suggestions 

Dolly_Mixture

I'm sorry to hear you are on your own this Christmas, Sistergold.  I think this Christmas is going to be hard for a lot of people. I think finding out about volunteering is a good idea, even if it is just phoning an older person who is on their own, it might do you both good. May I suggest you have your "Christmas" with your kids, either before they go or when they get back. It is not compulsory that Christmas is on 25th December and you can treat it as a more normal day, knowing you will get Christmas on a different day. Even if you can't visit your family, maybe you could video call them at a certain point in the day, so that you have some contact with family. I think it is a good idea to make some plans and be in touch with people on here too. Contacting people on Mumsnet might work too.  I think there will be other Mums in your situation.  I hope your Christmas goes well. xx

Sistergold

Dolly_Mixture said:

I'm sorry to hear you are on your own this Christmas, Sistergold.  I think this Christmas is going to be hard for a lot of people. I think finding out about volunteering is a good idea, even if it is just phoning an older person who is on their own, it might do you both good. May I suggest you have your "Christmas" with your kids, either before they go or when they get back. It is not compulsory that Christmas is on 25th December and you can treat it as a more normal day, knowing you will get Christmas on a different day. Even if you can't visit your family, maybe you could video call them at a certain point in the day, so that you have some contact with family. I think it is a good idea to make some plans and be in touch with people on here too. Contacting people on Mumsnet might work too.  I think there will be other Mums in your situation.  I hope your Christmas goes well. xx

Thank you for wonderful suggestions. Yes it will be a good idea to do something special when they come back. Video calling sounds really appealing and should be able to easily do that. Where can I get on the list to call an older person who might be on their own this Christmas. 

Katiehound

Probably too late to register as a telephone befriender pre Christmas. Looks like AgeUK, Ageconcern, Royal Voluntary Service all have a scheme. Just google 'Telephone befriending'

Otherwise whoever is providing a Christmas lunch locally (SA? Local Church?) may know of someone who would like a call. There is just about time to organise that