In 2020, it was estimated over 8 million people in the UK spent Christmas Day alone and given just under one in three households in the UK are solo households – that is, with only one occupant; it will not be a surprise to many in our Solo Living Community if the numbers persist this year too.
Via Solo Living’s Facebook page and Super Solos Group, we asked members of our Community three questions about spending Christmas alone and those who replied, did so to differing degrees. Here are the questions we asked:
1. Why will you be spending Christmas alone? Will it be through choice or circumstance?
2. How will you be spending Christmas Day?
3. What’s most important to you during the festive period in terms of how you spend your time and what you choose to do?
Here is how and why some of our Solos will be spending Christmas alone:
Oceana
Why will you be spending Christmas alone? Will it be through choice or circumstance?
I will be spending Christmas alone through choice. I don’t celebrate as I am not religious – I just don’t grasp the concept of it.
How will you be spending Christmas Day?
Doing whatever I want.
What’s most important to you during the festive period in terms of how you spend your time and what you choose to do?
Staying well away from the hype and socialising. Alone. Bliss.
Kat
Why will you be spending Christmas alone? Will it be through choice or circumstance?
I lost contact with all of my family after my ex-partner died of suicide in January 2015, so I do not celebrate special occasions at the moment.
How will you be spending Christmas Day?
I spend Christmas day on my own and treat it like another day – same food and listen to the radio or catch up TV.
What’s most important to you during the festive period in terms of how you spend your time and what you choose to do?
I keep myself busy and do not think of the Christmas celebrations. I go to bed early at New Year too because I treat every day the same.
Bertie
Why will you be spending Christmas alone? Will it be through choice or circumstance?
I am alone through circumstance.
How will you be spending Christmas Day?
For the past four years, I have redefined Christmas for myself. In the morning, I get up early and take the three dogs for a long walk. Then come home to a cheeky Bloody Mary, with smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. Open my few gifts and laugh at the dogs opening theirs!! Watch some TV and the Queen, then make a meal for me. This year it’s a boned and stuffed goose, with veg from my allotment. Pleasantly full, I shall sit in front of the wood burner and watch more TV, then bed.
What’s most important to you during the festive period in terms of how you spend your time and what you choose to do?
It’s only a day….
David
Why will you be spending Christmas alone? Will it be through choice or circumstance?
I will be spending Christmas alone by choice. I will be having a meal with relatives on Christmas Eve.
How will you be spending Christmas Day?
It will be a quiet day. Emotional as my parents and I love Christmas but they are no longer with us. I’ll still make a Christmas meal for myself but just want a quiet reflective day.
What’s most important to you during the festive period in terms of how you spend your time and what you choose to do?
I use the time to recharge my batteries. I suffer from anxiety/depression and having a couple of weeks break is very important to me.
Barbara
Why will you be spending Christmas alone? Will it be through choice or circumstance?
It’s just another day I choose to spend on my own.
How will you be spending Christmas Day?
Watching TV in my pj’s instead of dressing up to the nines! The past year hasn’t been pleasant for me so I really can’t be bothered.
Faye-Marie
Why will you be spending Christmas alone? Will it be through choice or circumstance?
I’m spending Christmas day alone through circumstance, as per last 11 years. I will see my daughter in the morning then she goes to her dad’s at lunch. I’m completely estranged from any other family so will be on my own.
How will you be spending Christmas Day?
Usually, my teenage daughter and I have brunch. Then I will drop her off at her dad’s and will go for a walk afterwards. Then home to cook, art/craft and watch tv. Hygge time.
What’s most important to you during the festive period in terms of how you spend your time and what you choose to do?
Spoiling my daughter, freedom, peace and choice. Ultimately, peacefulness is the most treasured.
John
Why will you be spending Christmas alone? Will it be through choice or circumstance?
Will be on my own most of the day, although I will go and cook a Christmas dinner for Dad. However, he isn’t good company at the moment and I am not looking forward to it.
How will you be spending Christmas Day?
I will probably go to church in the morning and possibility visit Julie in the evening as I would like to – but it is not definite as yet. Or, I might be home alone. Then there could be a Christmas lockdown? Who knows! Basically, I am just going to play it by ear and try to make the most of it. Even if it’s not the day I really want, it’s only another day isn’t it? At least I should see my children on Boxing day which I am looking forward to.
Kim
Why will you be spending Christmas alone? Will it be through choice or circumstance?
Seeing family for Christmas dinner in the local pub at 2 pm and then to my auntie’s for cheese, wine, games and presents. Before that, I will be home alone opening some presents, having a posh breakfast, going for a local walk or run.
How will you be spending Christmas Day?
I sometimes go to Mass but not always. Load the car with presents and off I go. Christmas Day is usually full-on and knackering so when I come home I usually watch something like Call the Midwife or if there’s been a Mark Gatiss/MR James thing on that I’ve recorded, I’ll watch that with a single malt to decompress and then go to bed.
If you’d like to read more articles about spending Christmas alone, have a look at our Christmas section.
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