How to Spend Christmas Alone: 11 Ways to Be Solitary & Merry
On Christmas Eve 2016, my then girlfriend and I exploded into an argument in the parking lot of our apartment building in downtown Salt Lake City.
The car was packed with suitcases and gifts for her parents.
Wr had planned to drive 5 hours, from northern Utah to Nevada, to visit them for the holiday.
Seething about some unknown grievance, she needled me with barbs, while I tried to diffuse the tension.
Finally, I was fed up with arguing, and dreading the long trip trapped in the car with an angry woman.
I ended the discussion by grabbing my suitcase and dog, and leaving her alone in her car.
I walked upstairs to our apartment, dejected.
She burnt rubber peeling out of the parking garage, and drove the five hours alone, down I-15 to her family.
That was the first of a four year tradition of me spending Christmas Day alone.
That first solo Christmas stung with the bitterness of an impending break-up.
I ended up catching a basketball game with a co-worker and his friends Christmas Eve, then getting drunk and making nachos Christmas Day.
Since then, I’ve become a professional at spending December 25 on my own.
I’ve perfected the art of being solitary and merry.
Here are my tips to celebrating the Christmas holiday on your own.
Reach out to your neighbors
Most Americans don’t even know their neighbors.
It’s a good idea to meet your neighbors so they can look out for you: Amazon packages, shady characters lurking around, watching out if your pets escape.
If you haven’t already, introduce yourself.
Go around and bring Christmas cheer to your neighbors.
Bake cookies, or give them inexpensive, but thoughtful treats like candy canes or popcorn tins.
2. Go for a Hike
Even the most popular trails will be quiet and empty on Christmas morning.
Head out to the mountains to enjoy invigorating fresh air.
With a new year only a week away, the peacefulness of nature will give you the opportunity to think and plan for your future ahead.
3. Go on a Road Trip
Explore a nearby town, state or national park, or a beach or mountains.
This is an even better idea if you’re sad about being alone.
Change your surroundings by jumping in the car and exploring the open road.
Make sure to plan ahead in terms of food and accommodation, as many establishments will be closed, or fully booked on the holiday, especially in small towns.
4. Deck Your Halls
In the past 4 Christmases I spent alone, I didn’t decorate.
I laid around the house watching movies, eating snacks, chilling.
This year, I decided to decorate the house with a big, shiny wreath on the door, garlands and lights around the house, and Christmas stockings for me and my two dogs.
I filled the stocking with chew treats for the pups, then open them on Christmas morning.
I’m looking forward to it and it’s made me happy and expectant for the holiday instead of years I didn’t decorate when I didn’t even care.
Bring Christmas cheer into your space with bright, shiny decorations that celebrate the season.
5. Go to the Movies
It’s fun to get out of the house and get lost in an adventure.
Film studios save their most powerful works for the winter season, right before the Oscars in February.
Grab a bucket of popcorn, fill your pockets with gas station snacks, and enjoy the year’s best films for your own special celebration.
6. Go Out for Chinese
Just like in “A Christmas Story”.
Make a fun holiday tradition of eating rice and noodles instead of turkey and dressing.
You’re probably sick of turkey from Thanksgiving anyway.
7. Don’t Feel Down on Yourself
There’s many reasons why you might have to spend Christmas alone.
You needed to work and couldn’t take the time off to travel home, flights are expensive, your friends are scattered to the ends of the Earth visiting their families.
Maybe you don’t have any close friends to be with, or (best case scenario), you genuinely prefer your own company.
Whatever the reason, don’t let yourself slip into sadness because you’re alone.
Remember the good times of special Christmases from your past.
Plan a brighter holiday for next year by deciding what changes you need to make in your life to have a different experience in the future, if that’s what you want.
Accept that you’re spending this holiday alone, and that’s ok.
Use the tips on this list to enjoy your day to the fullest you can.
8. Stay off Social Media
Get rid of your social media altogether.
Researchers have proven over and over that social media makes people depressed, isolated, envious, and anxious.
Read my post “Instagram Is Making You Miserable”.
People only post the highlights of their lives on their feeds, and hide the rough times, the fights, the money problems.
You compare the reality of your own life with the cherry picked highlight reel and you’ll start to feel bad. People will post romantic photos of all their gifts and you’d never know about the sky high credit card debt or the argument they had the night before.
If you’re alone on Christmas Day, especially if you don’t want to be, log out of social media for the day.
9. Travel
Ignore Christmas tradition completely by jet setting to an exotic destination for December 25.
Establish a fun tradition of flying to the Florida Keys, the Smoky Mountains, or Southeast Asia to celebrate the day.
10. Book a Night in a Nice Hotel
Spring for a luxurious staycation by booking the night in the fanciest hotel (you can afford) in your own town.
Spend Christmas soaking in the hot tub, doing laps in the heated pool.
Lounge around all day and get ice cream delivered up by room service.
11. Go For a Walk Through Town
Just get out of the house.
Walk through town, admiring the beautiful decorations, and soaking in the magic of the Christmas season.
Christmas is a magical time where we all focused on giving and sharing what we have with those we love.
That’s what is special about the holiday.
Simply walking around your town, enjoying the positive, loving energy can feel amazing.
Spread the spirit of Christmas by offering a big smile and greeting to every one you see.