Holiday Blog

By Happy

December 13, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this

Oh yea, more than one Christmas have I been alone. It really doesn’t bother me, as I do have alot of friends here, but my family is on the west coast. I can’t always get there, so I make it a nice day.

I’ll have a Cornish Game Hen for Christmas eve dinner, and some Champagne. I buy myself a few presents, and wrap them up and put them under the tree and sign them from Santa. Come Christmas morning, I get up with my doggies, go for a quick walk, then go home, fix a pot of coffee, lace it with Baileys, open my presents, and have myself a Merry Little Christmas. Then I call the family……

I tell myself it’s just another day of the week, and I don’t tend to get blue. You can make the choice to be miserable or enjoy the day. I choose to enjoy the day and spend some quality time alone. I do go visiting on Christmas day, in the afternoon.

By Voice of Reason

December 13, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this

So, you mean, I’m not the only one? Oh, okay. That helps.

By Tom Bianco

December 13, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

Thats sad Yall. You cant find One person to spend X-mas with

By Edward

December 13, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

It is just another day to me. I typically dislike the holidays because there is less to do since the stores and other places are either closed or too crowded, there is nothing worth watching on TV, friends are off with their families. I do get to catch up on my reading during these days, though.

By Happy

December 13, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this

Tom I’m not sad - I can find plenty of people to spend Christmas with, if I want. Sometimes I choose to spend it alone.

They said if you are going to be alone, you need to like the person you are with. I enjoy my time alone. I also enjoy my friends and family, but I do like to take care of myself too.

It’s all in the attitude, and making choices.

By Santa Clause

December 13, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

No, but sometimes I wish I could!!

BAH HUMBUG!!

By Pen

December 13, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

I honestly don’t remember what I ate as food isn’t that important to me. The year was 1986, I had just finished my four year stint in the Navy the month before. I took a temp job with JC Penney. I was a thousand miles from home and didn’t have enough money to go visit my family. My roomate left to visit his family in another state. I didn’t have a boyfriend, my best friends were both in Iceland (of all places). I went to the ship I was stationed on and visited friends that had duty that day. I talked to my dad for the first time in 7 years and spoke with my Mom and brother back home. No Christmas tree, so I opened my gifts in front of the TV while watching the Christmas parade. I did my best not to feel sorry for myself by doing nice things for others. I hope I never have to spend another Christmas alone though.

By sweetlizgator

December 13, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

No, thankfully I have never spent the Christmas alone but there have been times where I wouldn’t have mind it. The thought of just being on my sofa, relaxing, watching tv, sleeping and just chilling is not such a bad thought for me.

By Also Happy

December 13, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

“Happy” is a self-actualized person who can look outside themself and see that the world is beautiful, particularly on a day that is usually peaceful. Everyone needs some quiet time, and often the only time to get it is when everyone ELSE is busy doing something. I, too, can CHOOSE to be with other people, but often elect to be alone just to marvel at the beauty of the day without distraction. Get with it Tom - try spending a day alone sometime listening to the world instead of making a bunch of useless noise.

By Annie

December 13, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

I don’t have family here. My boyfriend has to work over the holidays. I’ll be home alone again this Christmas as I have for the last ten.

It’s not that I can’t find at least one person to spend the holidays with; everyone I know is either traveling to visit family or has family coming to town, and I don’t want to intrude on what little family time they have.

It’ll be me and my little dogs this year; nothing fancy or over the top. A low key, dvd filled day. A day where I’ll stay in pj’s all day, kick back and relax.

By Santa Clause

December 13, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

Annie, need some company?

I can have some champagne on ice and will bring my PJs too!!

LOL

By Annie

December 13, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

LOL - sure!! :)

By Mary Jo

December 13, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Yes I have and it’s OK! I also gave the server a huge tip! I dined at the Arizona Biltmore, a wonderful resort in Phoenix. I just counted my blessings!

By Santa Clause

December 13, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

Well, don’t tell Mrs. Claus!!

Or Molly the Elf!!

By Annie

December 13, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

No problem!

Bring chocolate! :)

By Chrissa

December 13, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

I won’t be alone this Christmas, but it will be a hard one. I just got married and my husband won’t have his kids till late Christmas day, so he wants us to have Christmas on the 26th. How do you tell that to a 10 year old? So I’m trying to find a soup kitchen to volunteer in. I’m hoping it won’t be as hard if we’re working to care for others.

By ron

December 13, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

By Santa Clause

December 13, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

OK, any of you fine ladies wanna join me and Annie in PJs and drankin’ champagne??

Holla!!

By Annie

December 13, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

Gentlemen, you’re more than welcome to join us too! PJ’s optional! :)

By Santa Clause

December 13, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Uhhh, I am sure the gentlemen have something better to do that day…like go to church.

lol

By Ross

December 13, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

This will be the first time for me in a while. I just got divorced, and it left me pretty bad. However, rather than sit at home depressed all day, I decided to go to Las Vegas and have myself a blast! It could be the best christmas yet!

By Annie

December 13, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

They can stop by after church! Or go the the service Christmas Eve with me.

By single

December 13, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

OK this is my first Christmas really alone. About 2 weeks ago my fiance’ dropped the ball that we should depart.. right here at Christmas ..but to make matters worse, he has decided that he would take his kids and himself out of town for the holidays ( of course with no invitation for myself). Holiday Christmas parties are single parties now… I’m truly hurt and really just want to sleep that day… For the first time I wish we didn’t even have holidays….

By Mike

December 13, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

In the 80’s, I was single and worked as a paramedic. Since I had no family in the area, and would always visit them shortly after Christmas, so I would volunteer to work for the married paramedics on Christmas so they could have time with their families. I would, however, at least have dinner with one person - my partner.

By Mike

December 13, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

In the 80’s, I was single and worked as a paramedic. Since I had no family in the area, and would always visit them shortly after Christmas, so I would volunteer to work for the married paramedics on Christmas so they could have time with their families. I would, however, at least have dinner with one person - my partner.

By Annie

December 13, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Single ending a relationship is difficult. The holidays are a brutal reminder of things.

Keep your chin up. Easier said than done I know! I won’t lie about it - the first Christmas alone is the hardest. Make it a day all about you; stock up on your favorite things and pamper yourself.

Take time to indulge, time to mourn, time to laugh.

By Oldvet74

December 13, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

I was 19 years old and had Christmas dinner in an Army mess hall in Aschaffenburg Germany in 1975. Requirement was dress greens before 16:00 and I just wasn’t in the Christmas mood so I waited till 16:05. At 16:15 all the female contractors, mostly GI wives, that worked the mess hall starting tearing down and fighting over the decorations. I felt like I was eating someones left over scraps. I turned my tray upside down,slammed it on the table and walked out. Absolute worst Christmas of my life.

By JJ

December 13, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Chrissa I, as well as my brother, are both single parents. (I don’t have to worry about my ex getting my daughter, he is out of the picture). However, my brother will not get his kids until 2:00 Christmas Day. We normally go to my mom’s house on Christmas Eve, have dinner, spend the night, and then get up Christmas Day and open presents. Since he won’t get his kids until Christmas Day, we have just pushed it back one day. We all decided that it didn’t matter WHEN we celebrated Christmas, as long as we were all together. The one benefit to this is, my daughter will get to be in her own home on Christmas morning for the first time in her 16 years. Like I stated above, we are usually at my Mother’s on Christmas Day. So this year is super special for my daughter. You can tell your 10 year old that Christmas will be stretched out one day longer……he will be ok.
There was a blog about this a few weeks ago, and one poster wrote in that he was driving around with his daughter in February, and they noticed a house all decorated for Christmas. They figured it was someone home from the Military that couldn’t get home on Christmas. So they waited for him and had Christmas in February. Like I said, as long as you are with your loved ones, the date of the 25th doesn’t really matter……..

By matt

December 13, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

1998…I’ll never forget it…I was in the Navy and pulled “the overnight watch” on x-mas eve and into x-mas day…it was lonely, but necessary…

so with that said, I would like to add a heartfelt THANKYOU to those sailors/soldiers/airmen that will have to do it this year…you guys are great and I love each and every one of you….

By Barbara

December 13, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

If you remember the true meaning of Christmas, you’ll understand that you’re never alone. The person’s birth you’re celebrating is with you!

By Happy Holidays

December 13, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

Yea, I have dined alone on Christmas. Usually go to a Chinese restaurant and read the sports section. I once just showed up at a closed golf course on Thanksgiving and walked and played 18 holes with a pull cart, a sack lunch and bottle of water.

It is what you get if you are a 57 year old divorced guy and your kids choose to go to their moms’ house to spend it with her and her new husband and their kids so they can have a “family” Christmas or Thanksgiving.

I can understand and accept that. I just pretend that it is just another day and I have the day off. The movies are open in the afternoon, and I have gone to movies that I wanted to see. I never listen to the radio though.

The Christmas music brings back too many happy memories of times that have passed and I do not want to ponder. I am sure there are a lot of us out there, but I feel like the only one on the holiday.

By FCM

December 13, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

To the newly divorced person….keep your chin up! My first year of divorce I had to give the kids up at Noon…he called and asked could he have them on the 23rd so he could go to his folks….I will not regret saying no (despite all the hell his family gave me)….we had Christmas Eve and Morning w/my folks (like we usually did before the divorce) went to Dads…..I cried all the way home. Then like you I found something to do.

I suppose I did end up dining alone…if I bothered to eat.

By Jill

December 13, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

I work at CNN, and I’ll be working Dec. 24-29. I likely will be alone Xmas day, as my boyfriend will be with his family.

By Candy

December 13, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

I moved here in May of 2006. Christmas 2006 I had just started exclusively dating this guy and he was supposed to spend Christmas with me. We were to spend time exchanging gifts, and then go and meet his parents (which I still never got to meet). He never called to say Merry Christmas, boo hoo, f-u, NOTHIN! I was extremely depressed that day. With no family or any friends around, it was a horrible feeling, especially on such a beautiful holiday. I ended up watching a couple of football games, and ended up crying myself to sleep. I didn’t even eat that day!

By JJ

December 13, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

Single That’s horrible. What a rotten man for doing that to a woman, especially this time of year. What a jerk.

Happy Holidays That’s also bad, you don’t get to see your kids on Christmas. Are they around at all during the holidays? You could create a “special” day to celebrate with them.

I too am divorced, and my child is still at home. Her father ran away about 10 years ago, so luckily I don’t have to share her with him.

By cathy lee

December 13, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

sometimes being alone on xmas are the best ones

By cathy lee

December 13, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

sometimes being alone on christmas are the best ones

By truthfully

December 13, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

damn this is depresssing ;( BA HUMBUG to myself. everyone else have a nice holiday. I’M over them!

By jmc

December 13, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

passing a cold beer to truthfully with a smile<<<

By Dee

December 13, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

I’ve had a few Christmas Days & Christmas Eve’s alone, but like another person said, if we remember “the reason for the season” we are never really alone. What a true blessing and comfort that is, first and foremost! For about threee years in the mid - late 90’s, I had to wait to see my only child, an adult daughter, sometimes as late as 8:30pm on Christmas night.. for her to finally show up; you see, since I was always so “good natured and more flexible than her in-laws”… good ol’ Mama that I was, she and her hubby had no problem with visiting everyone else first and catching me for about an hour on their way back home. Typically they stopped by later at night, exhausted, full of food, and with a carload full of presents after having visted and eaten at hubby’s father, hubby’s mother’s, and occasionally her own biological father. By the time they treked all over the state to see a few folks for a couple of hours each, they were tired and “over it” by the time they arrived at my house… and I kind of resented that. but since she is my only child, I allowed it and just tried to make the best of it. ….others close to me thought it was just awful and inconsiderate (they felt I should have been the FIRST stop on their busy Christmas Day agenda) knowing me as a hard working single mom who had devoted everything to her only child’s well being, college education, etc. Now, my daughter lives in Hawaii and of course, I miss her, and beleive it or not, I think she also wishes she could see me on Christmas - maybe - she will come home next year, that is, of course, if I am willing to foot the airfare. One year in particular, it was hard for me… I had spent Christams pretty much alone and New Years Eve… so I recall praying to God with all my heart that He would send to me a good man to love me, a companion, good relationship - something - so that I would not be alone again Next year”. Well, the Good Lord answered my prayers alright, and He has blessed my life since then beyond my wildest dreams. In the new year, summertime, I DID meet that wonderful man and now I am married, stable, and happy. this Christmas, I am focusing on doing nice things for others - the shelter for abused and battered women in my area, donations of food and Publix gift cards to the church for distribution to folks who really need some help, and my widow lady neighbors who are alone…. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

By JJ

December 13, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

Dee What a fabulous story. I was all sad that you were alone, and your daughter was with her other family……..but then you got your man. GOOD FOR YOU….

One day my Prince will come. I’ve been waiting…but if he doesn’t come, that’s ok too. I’m fine alone.

Merry Christmas!!!!!

By FCM

December 13, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

JJ—I do count myself fortunate that their father stepped out of their lives several years ago. I like you don’t mind not sharing. However to the parents who do have to do the split shift (like your brother) I say find something fun to do while you don’t have them and then make it great when you do (like your brother is). BTW, that year my ex asked about taking them to his folks, I mentioned they could do the Christmas thing with his family on the 26th (the push back like your doing) he said no I am not driving on Christmas and coming back on the 26th. I didn’t know at the time that he had used his vacation time to go out of town without the kids and so had to work the 27th…

By carolann082

December 25, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

I have always tried to do for everyone and,moved back to horrible florida,for my son,now he and wife thank got getting divorced but then he went north and she when to her families,and now my son is with ho and rest of my family is toothface back stabbers and rotten neighbors and hubby has to work on holidays,all alone and hate it hopefully will be back north where I belong with snow and nice folks.Very sad AND depressed,no one cares about you like in old days.

By carolann082

December 25, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

Here I am again and thought I would never be alone again on Holidays,but here I am all alone and hate it,for neighbors don’t believe in christmas and never celebrate any holidays,parents died and rest of family are really rotten,it all sterms about money,evil family and hubby’s is worst trouble makers and users.no friends here,for everyone today are all for themselves,I have had a lot of health problems and no one cares except hubby,and he is always working, he is native floridian and says florida has now gone to hell,with all the want to bee’s for all over world,no more southern folks that care about each other,guess it like that most places,unless you can buy your friends or have sonething they think you can do for them, no one cares selfish world.Bah humbug use to love holidays now hate them,except it’s Jesus’s birthday,other wise rots.