My first ever time being on my own on Christmas day. Must be a few others in that position – what do you do?

FWIW I live on my own on a narrowboat in a marina where there are quite a few other people around living on their own and I do regularly speak to lots of other people here, though I guess most of them have family they’ll be visiting.

You’re never alone with Pornhub.

Non-trite answer: maybe look into volunteering somewhere locally?

though I guess most of them have family they’ll be visiting

I wouldn’t assume that if I were you, why not ask?

Other options include volunteering (a brilliant, rewarding a fund way to spend Christmas) or heading out on a long bike ride.

Wish I was…..

You can’t really just volunteer for Christmas. I used to work in volunteer recruitment. This article covers the reasons quite succinctly: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/dec/10/no-room-at-the-inn-uk-homeless-charities-turn-away-xmas-volunteers

I won’t be alone for Christmas as I have two cats.

Go ride your bike. No walkers to bother you.

Did 3 years in Oz on my own, amazingly your not the only one, plenty of mates got together in different places, had a BBQ with some friends last year. depending on how your friends are about the time of year there could well be some relaxed ones who welcome another for lunch.

Just fly this flag from your narrowboat.

You never know what might happen…..

Aracer..where do you live..>

It looks like I’ll be alone for a few hours on Xmas morning…
I’ve been given “permission to see the children between 0530 and 0730″… granted I’ll have them in the afternoon, but i might spend a few hours on teh road bike TBH in the Am!

You near the south?

DrP

I wish

I’m going to spend it with my parents, sister and her two kids this year. More because I think I should rather than because I want to.
But I spent it alone last year. Hardly acknowledged it to be honest. Exchanged a couple of Merry Christmases with fellow dog walkers, dog got to unwrap a squeaky toy when we got home but that was it. Suited me.
This year I shall probably start drinking fairly early and stay drinking for much of the day. ‘Tis the only way to cope with family Pilot!

If anyone wants to swap being alone for being with my increasingly Milly Tant sister, PM me.

perchypanther

Member
Just fly this flag from your narrowboat.

You never know what might happen…..

😆 just googled that!

I used to sit in, watch TV and enjoy the silence.

TBH Xmas Day alone wasn’t exactly a highlight of my year, but it was a blip on a pretty decent week of boozing and riding with friends.

I think there’s a lot of weight we put on ourselves about being alone at Xmas, but I’d treat it like any other odd day off work when I didn’t have anything planned. Indulge in your hobbies, catch up on some chores, or if you really want to buy yourself a gift to enjoy that morning.

LEGO

Big LEGO

I’ve spent Christmas on my own – it was ok.
I’ve also dreaded spending it on my own and that ended up being a great Christmas – lots of different people made the effort to ensure I had company.

OP – if you want company during Christmas then I’d second speaking to other boat owners, maybe invite them over for a mulled wine/buks fizz/wine and food type thing either Xmas eve or on the day itself?

If I was aware of someone spending Christmas alone that didn’t want to then I’d do my best to ensure they had company. And I’m a miserable so and so who doens’t really like people! 😉

Where are you based OP – we live near a canal so in the unlikely event you’re close by…..

Si

LOL at Perchy

It might work……

Used to enjoy the xmas’s I spent with just me & another singleton mate, getting right royally mashed in front of the telly was all that was desired or expected. Knock on a few port holes & I’m sure you’ll find someone in a similar boat

I like being alone and doing my own thing during the xmas break. I just go to my sisters on the day, for around 5 hours, and that’s enough xmas socialising for me. I also avoid pubs at this time of year and all the fake bonhomie.
If I lived on a marina like the OP, then I’m sure there will be other people in the same boat (hahahahahahaha). Why not organise a little shindig and take one of the boats for a ride out of port.

Never mind Perchy’s flag, you want the Blue Peter:

I looked into volunteering, but as ygh’s article there don’t really seem to be any opportunities (and TBH my life is normally full enough it’s not something I’m likely to do regularly).

I will have a chat with folks here and see if anybody wants to get together – though I’ve not been here that long and don’t know many people that well. FWIW I’m in Worcester. Honestly I normally do just fine living on my own, and usually try to head out on Xmas day for a ride on my own (normally a road ride, not many days you get roads that empty), just it’s going to be strange not seeing my kids and I’m thinking a bit of company would be good. Was thinking of just taking the boat for a cruise – at least that way I should get to say hello to all the people out walking.

🤣🤣🤣 @ perchy

Possibly. This is the first Christmas in my 44 years I’ve been away from my family for xmas.
There’s a chance I might be going around a friend’s house but nothing’s confirmed yet.

@Mikey74 and others who might not want to spend Christmas alone… If you’re the doggy sort, how about fostering a dog for the Christmas period. This can really help the dog as it gives them a break from kennels and rejuvenates their spirits which may help them get a home when they go back to kennels. It also means you get to share the Xmas turkey with someone.

Good idea pilot. Unfortunately, we’re not allowed dogs in our apartment building. I’m sure it’s a great idea for others.

Knock on a few port holes

Is that a euphemism? I’m alone for 5 days over Christmas. Working 5 nights so family heading off to tour the grandparents etc. Will be up early afternoon for a bike ride and maybe some Lego!

That’s a real shame. Hope xmas works out for you anyhow.

Christmas alone isn’t bad if you just use it like any other day – albeit one in which lots of places are closed. Done that a few times, great day to get out a long walk/ride. I wouldn’t be sat at home making Christmas dinner for one and wearing one of those paper hats. I would still pull my cracker though…

I used to sit in, watch TV and enjoy the silence.

I’ve done this in the past, frankly it’s been a godsend.

I’m always a fan of big Christmas gatherings, I’ve been lucky in recent past that there’s always been a massive crowd..

But years ago.. nope, sometimes I’d choose to be alone at Christmas and blimey I enjoyed it and made the most of it.

Well strangely it’s all just changed and it seems I won’t be having Christmas on my own after all! Talking about Christmas to a friend this evening and I said I’d be on my own (the subject had come up and he asked – I wouldn’t have mentioned it otherwise, I’m not after sympathy invites). He suggested him and his partner might pop round to visit, so I invited them to come for a cruise on the boat, have just had a message from his other half (who is also a friend) thanking me for the invite and saying she’s looking forward to it! 🙂 Not sure whether I now need to do Christmas dinner – but I’m sure we’ll come up with something between us.