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NINE SECRETS TO ENJOYING THE HOLIDAYS ALONE
The holiday sentiment is right there in all those beautiful songs sung by Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Perry Como.
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know.
Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Even when Elvis Presley croons about having a Blue Christmas, it’s because it’s without you.
The Christmas season pours on the nostalgia. According to the songs, the Hallmark movies and even the television commercials, Christmas is a time for togetherness, family, warm feelings and eggnog.
But there are plenty of people who don’t view the holidays that way. Perhaps their friends and family are far away. Maybe they have to work. Maybe they’d just prefer to stay home, and not deal with the stresses that these gatherings can have.
Maybe pianist and comedian Victor Borge had it right.
Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year.
*Here’s the deal: It’s up to you!
Let me say that again.
IT’S UP TO YOU.
You get to choose, no matter what your family, friends and cranky Uncle Joe say about it.
If you want to be with people on the holidays, but need to know how to cope, or find a place to go, check out this post.
But if you WANT to be alone – it’s okay to give yourself permission to do just that, no matter what your friends and families say.
Remember, “no, thanks” is a perfectly acceptable answer.
PLAN OR NO PLAN?
One big question is whether or not you should plan what to do on the holiday. Either way can be fine but remember that many stores will be closed that day, and it’s not much fun to be shopping for your Christmas dinner at a convenience store (yes, I say this from experience).
Personally, I’m a fan of planning. I can always deviate from my plan, and often do, but it also gives me something to look forward to on that day.
Here are nine suggestions of ways that you can enjoy the holidays by yourself.
Have a no-electronics self-care day. Turn off all your devices and take a long bath, drink a glass or two of wine, do some meditation or read a book (not on your tablet!). The constant distraction of our electronic devices can be a real drain on our bodies, and it’s good to take a day from time to time away from them. So, relax and unplug!
Binge. OR, take this day to binge on your devices. Play games, watch an entire season of something on one of your streaming apps, watch clips from the Graham Norton show and old Tony award broadcasts (that last one is me). Be a couch potato!
Work on a project. Today might be just the day to tackle a project! You can be practical, such as cleaning out a closet, rearranging the living room, or getting the stain out of that rug. Or you can have fun beading, sewing, woodworking – whatever gets your jam on! Put on some great music and your slippers and you’ll come out feeling accomplished at the end of the day.
Exercise. Today might be a great day to get some exercise. If the weather permits, go for a long walk or bike ride, head for the ski slopes, or to the beach. If the weather isn’t amenable, see if a gym is open near you – the larger chains often have some open hours even on holidays. If none of that works, look up exercise videos online – YouTube is full of them.
Go to the movies. Most movie theatres are open on holidays, and it can be a great time to catch up on a flick you haven’t seen yet. It can be a great time to see the latest blockbuster without the crowds, especially if you go in the morning. Treat yourself to a large bag of buttered popcorn!
Go out for ethnic food. Many large cities will have some ethnic food options open, even on Christmas. Find a Jewish deli, or some yummy Chinese food! Make sure you check ahead for their hours.
Travel. This certainly takes a bit of planning, but you might take the time to go out of town over the holidays. Any large hotel will have restaurants open, and you can take in the sites of someplace different! Be warned – flying last minute may be pricey, so check early and often for deals.
Volunteer. This can be a great day to offer your services to a homeless shelter or senior living center. Being kind to others is one of the best ways to spend your holiday time. Call ahead to find out what they might need that day.
Wing it. Or – just treat it like a normal day! Get up, feed the cats or walk the dog, get a little work done at your computer. If your job needs someone to work, offer to take a shift (often you’ll get a bonus for this). Just because a lot of people are celebrating something doesn’t mean that you have to. Be independent!
The message here is that if you would prefer to spend the day alone, by all means do so. And have a happy holiday!
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NINE SECRETS TO ENJOYING THE HOLIDAYS ALONE
The holidays are steeped in nostalgia, with Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Perry Como serenading us about snowy nights, family togetherness, and warm memories:
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know.
Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Even Elvis, in all his heartache, croons about a Blue Christmas because “it’s without you.”
For many, this season is painted as the ultimate time for togetherness—family dinners, shared traditions, and cozy moments. But let’s be real: not everyone sees it that way.
Maybe your family and friends are far away. Maybe work keeps you tied up. Or maybe, just maybe, you’d rather skip the stress altogether and embrace a quieter, solo celebration. Pianist and comedian Victor Borge may have summed it up best:
Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year.
Here’s the Deal: It’s Up to You
Yes, YOU get to decide how to spend the holidays—no matter what anyone else says.
If you’re craving company and need tips on finding a gathering, that’s great—there’s advice for that elsewhere. But if you *want* to spend the day solo? Go for it. Remember:
“No, thanks” is a perfectly acceptable answer.
To Plan or Not to Plan?
The first question to tackle is whether to create a holiday plan. Either way is fine, but keep in mind that many places are closed on the big day. Wandering into a convenience store for a makeshift holiday dinner isn’t exactly festive (trust me—I’ve been there).
Personally, I like to plan. Even if I end up ditching the schedule, having something to look forward to makes the day more enjoyable.
Here are nine ideas to help you celebrate the holidays solo, your way.
1. Have a No-Electronics Self-Care Day
Turn off your devices and indulge in some true relaxation. Take a long bath, sip some wine, meditate, or dive into a book (*a real one, not on your tablet!*). Unplugging from screens can do wonders for your mind and body.
2. Binge Without Guilt
Prefer some screen time? Embrace the binge! Watch a season of your favorite show, dive into old Tony Award clips on YouTube (my personal favorite), or play video games all day. Today is your couch potato pass.
3. Tackle a Project
Use the day to focus on a project—whether it’s practical (cleaning out a closet, reorganizing furniture) or creative (sewing, woodworking, painting). Put on some great music, stay cozy, and enjoy the satisfaction of accomplishing something just for you.
4. Get Moving
Exercise is a great mood booster. Go for a walk, bike ride, or hit the slopes if the weather’s right. If you’re stuck indoors, look for a gym with holiday hours or follow an online workout video. Moving your body can energize the whole day.
5. Catch a Movie
Movie theaters are often open on holidays, making it the perfect time to watch that blockbuster you’ve been meaning to see. Go in the morning for an even quieter experience, and don’t forget to treat yourself to popcorn.
6. Explore Ethnic Cuisine
Many ethnic restaurants, like Chinese food or Jewish delis, remain open on holidays. Plan ahead and treat yourself to something delicious and out of the ordinary.
7. Take a Holiday Getaway
If you’re feeling adventurous, plan a trip. Big hotels usually have open restaurants, and exploring a new place can add excitement to the season. Just keep an eye on travel costs—holiday fares can skyrocket!
8. Volunteer Your Time
Spending the day helping others is incredibly rewarding. Many shelters, soup kitchens, and senior centers need extra hands during the holidays. Call ahead to find out how you can contribute.
9. Just Wing It
Not a planner? That’s okay. Treat the holiday like any other day: feed the pets, do some work, or even take an extra shift at your job (holiday pay, anyone?). Just because others are celebrating doesn’t mean you have to.
The Bottom Line
If you’d rather spend the day alone, embrace it! The holidays are about what makes you happy—not someone else’s expectations.
Have a wonderful holiday, no matter how you choose to spend it!
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