Holidays with no family in town

[kingsrings]

I know I can't be the only one! I'm not visiting family for Christmas this year, and they are not visiting me. That was at Thanksgiving. I really don't know what my plans are for the day at this point. So far, it looks as if most of my friends already have set plans to spend it with their families, but I haven't checked with everyone yet. Not everyone spends it doing something or has a place to go, like it seems all over the place. Sometimes it's just a day to ourselves through fate. So, have you everr spent any holidays completely alone, and what did you do? Looking for ideas.

[Clara Bow]

I say get some hot tea, some good soup and a sandwich (and may I reccommend Inglehoffer stone ground mustard and Jenny-O oven roasteed turkey sliced extra thin in your deli's fresh meats section) and some favorite movies (but nothing sappy, you don't want to get down) or books and spend the day curled up on the nice warm couch....take a long hot soak in a bubble bath, listen to all your favorite cd's and have a total "me" day....and you can always call me around eleven at night to hear what I did while I was wishing I could get a holiday off. I love my family, and I love my son and husband, but sometimes.....I need a day off!!!

[Alida]

What do you think about volunteering your time at a soup kitchen/shelter on days like that?  You certainly wouldn't be alone and you would be very much appreciated.

[Clara Bow]

I like AlidaDmed's idea even better than mine...though I'd still plan on some nice hot tea and a soak in the tub.....for later of course....

[kingsrings]

What do you think about volunteering your time at a soup kitchen/shelter on days like that?  You certainly wouldn't be alone and you would be very much appreciated.

Actually, can you believe that they're closed around here on the actual holiday date?? Yeah, because all of the "volunteers" wanted to spend that day with their families, so they don't serve the holiday meal on the actual date anymore. They serve it a day or two before.

[lindsaygriff]

Hi:

I've chosen to spend most holidays alone.  As long as I have food, Coca-Cola, books and a garden to work in, I'm fine.  After years of doing that holiday bit with family and friends, it's nice to be able to ignore what I think of as:

All that bother.

Jennifer G.

Seattle, Washington

[Wordgeek]

Since I live overseas, this is a regular occurence for me.  Two basic approaches:

1.  Go it alone.  Do whatever your little heart desires.  In this situation, I would go for a bubblebath with some snazzy wine, a couple favourite movies and books, since I never have enough time for such things.

2.  Company!  Hunt out some other geographical orphans and have a party.  This can be as elaborate or low-key as you want.  A church or other community group might be able to point out some people who would otherwise be alone.

For Christmas, I tend to take option 2.  Happy holidays!

[fklwmn]

Have you mentioned your lack of plans to your friends? We always have a big family to-do, but if I knew one of my friends was plan-less on Christmas, I would borderline INSIST that she join us. My family is huge and noisy and always loves an extra person.

[kingsrings]

Success! It looks like I am going to spend it with one or two other friends who also don't have family in town. I was invited to spend it with another friend's family, but that just seemed so unappealing to me, although it was certainly generous of her. Some years I have spent the holidays with friend's families and it was great, but I'm just not in the mood this year to spend it that way. I'd rather hang around others like me with no family in the area.

[Scritzy]

Success! It looks like I am going to spend it with one or two other friends who also don't have family in town. I was invited to spend it with another friend's family, but that just seemed so unappealing to me, although it was certainly generous of her. Some years I have spent the holidays with friend's families and it was great, but I'm just not in the mood this year to spend it that way. I'd rather hang around others like me with no family in the area.

Good for you! I hope you have tons of fun!

Personally, I'm dreading getting together with Mother and Sissie on Christmas Eve. It'll be interesting this year since BIL's father has moved in with them. I've only met Pops once.

My cousin is going to pick up Mother and have her over so Mother won't have to be alone on Christmas day. And Mother is already complaining about it and bad-mouthing Jude's youngest son. *SIGH*

Christmas Day Chip and I will have to ourselves, a time to drink hot chocolate or tea, eat goodies and play with our new toys. 

[kingsrings]

Sometimes spending it away from family is the best alternative, even if your family is in town and available. Even if you get along with them just famously, it's nice to do something different for the holiday for once.

[Clara Bow]

Sometimes spending it away from family is the best alternative, even if your family is in town and available. Even if you get along with them just famously, it's nice to do something different for the holiday for once.

Amen to that. My hubby, son and I are skipping the step mother in law's family wingding (we alternate years with her and my family) because I don't think that it is fair to give my son a bunch of toys Christmas morning then haul him an hour away to spend the day and not get to play with them. I am having my in laws here for Christmas morning then sending them on to her family thing so we can stay here and play toys and watch new movies all day.

[Mrs. Eclipse]

I'm actually spending my first Christmas alone this year.  I have to work, so that fills up a big chunk of the day, but after that I'm doing the movie of choice (two actually) and a nice dinner-for-one.  And doing my artsandcrafts.  Gotta have artsandcrafts.

[Sorceress]

You're not the only one.  I have no money to go visit anyone.  I might be going to visit my friend if room opens up in a kennel by Friday; but I couldn't afford to fly out to see family.  Unfortunately, they all live in other states.

I wish I had better suggestions for you that what my lame imagination is coming up with.  If I am unable to visit my friend, I will likely just do what I do when I normally have down time.  Go for a walk if the weather permits, play computer games, or curl up in bed with a good book.

[NOVA Lady]

You could always participate in my family's christmas tradition- chinese food and a movie