Put a hat on a hitachi. Elf on Yourself.

NORAD Santa Tracker.

Op,
Just saw Christmas Santa- very cute light movie.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, how do you feel about being alone?

Dreading it . . .

You shouldn’t. Realize that this is the first Christmas that you’ll be spending with your very best friend…yourself. Also realize that you have ignored this friend for a long time because you prioritized other people, like the person you’re now separating from. Now is your chance to reprioritize.

What does this best friend love to do? For once you can give it to her, because someone else isn’t coming first. Take advantage!! It’ll be a magical experience.

DP. I quite like this framing. Maybe think of it as a “getting to know me again” event. Reuniting with old friends can be awkward at first, but it’s so good to do.

I'm sorry you're dreading this, OP. I had a Christmas eve by myself a few years ago (different circumstances -- work and logistics meant I couldn't join my family until Christmas afternoon). Here are my suggestions:

Go for a long walk. Maybe along the river.

Bake cookies for friends and neighbors. Bar cookies, like shortbread, are super easy and there are so many varieties, savory or sweet.

Go to a church. Even if you're not a regular or a "believer" (and, believe me, there are plenty of folks there who are not), you might find some peace and uplift in attending a service. At the very least, there'll be flowers and music and people-watching.

If you like to cook, make yourself a nice dinner. Or, order out, or my suggestion would be to pick up some charcuterie or appetizers from a nice take-out market. Either way, put on some music you love.

Watch a movie -- something funny or a classic or maybe a non-Christmas movie that has a Christmas scene -- e.g., Sleepless in Seattle?

Read a book or maybe re-read a book you've loved.

Go to bed early.

However you choose to spend the time, OP, I wish you a Christmas of peace and hope.

You could go to as many different church ceremonies as you can and scan the audience for interesting people. This is the time to reinvent yourself - start over - so start by setting a good foundation.

I love having a full free day to binge watch tv and eat what I want. No need to be super adventurous. Pick your favorite meal(s)- pizza, Chinese, whatever. Buy a day in advance if you have to. Pick a fun tv show with short episodes and lots of seasons that you’ve never seen. I recommend Younger on Netflix if you haven’t seen it. Shitts Creek is another good one. Or Offspring if you want longer episodes. Watch a season, grab a snack. Watch another, take a walk. The day will fly by. If you need to use your brain, do the crossword puzzle in between. The Seattle times has printable NYT crosswords.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, how do you feel about being alone?

Dreading it . . .

You shouldn’t. Realize that this is the first Christmas that you’ll be spending with your very best friend…yourself. Also realize that you have ignored this friend for a long time because you prioritized other people, like the person you’re now separating from. Now is your chance to reprioritize.

What does this best friend love to do? For once you can give it to her, because someone else isn’t coming first. Take advantage!! It’ll be a magical experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will be alone Xmas eve (and Xmas day). My gym will close early both days. What can I do by myself?

I suppose go to movies but that’s only two hours.

Lube and dildo party

Self-care is never the wrong answer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will be alone Xmas eve (and Xmas day). My gym will close early both days. What can I do by myself?

I suppose go to movies but that’s only two hours.

M or F?

F

Are you attractive?

Nah. Invisible middle-aged woman.

So far, you sound attractive. Middle aged women have a sexy way about them. Tell me more. I’m all ears…

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why will you be alone? and do you typically celebrate Christmas?

Going through a separation. Yes, typically we celebrate. Obviously not going to happen this year.

no kids? no other family? no good friends? your partner was the only significant person in your life?

DP, Don’t know if you intend it this way but this reads to me like castigation in the form of inquiry, which probably isn’t terribly helpful right now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why will you be alone? and do you typically celebrate Christmas?

Going through a separation. Yes, typically we celebrate. Obviously not going to happen this year.

no kids? no other family? no good friends? your partner was the only significant person in your life?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, how do you feel about being alone?

Dreading it . . .

I’m really sorry. The truth is, if it’s not what you chose, there may be no real way to treat it as an indulgence/pleasure as some have suggested. Maybe you’ll be surprised by how okay it is? But it’s hard to plan for it to be okay.

Maybe you can shift into anthropological mode and just observe. Observe yourself in the situation, observe your internal reactions, observe where your mind goes. Say “huh” to whatever you observe. “Huh, this is how it feels at 8pm on Christmas Eve when I’m alone.” “Huh, this is how it feels when I open my eyes on Christmas morning.” “Huh, this is what my mind is saying to me.” Just note it, and use it as information. I’ve found that shifting into observational mode makes me feel a little more in control. If nothing else you are collecting baseline data that can be used as comparison in future years.

It will not always be like it is this year. A separation is a huge rupture. You are still inside the rupture. But the rupture will end, and something new will begin.

Hang in there. I’ll think of you and wish you well. Peace.

Sorry to hear about the circumstance, OP.

Whenever I’m feeling down, I spend a few hours exercising—Pilates and walking or hiking—and read or work on hobbies. On Christmas Eve, I’d buy myself some nice plants and get some seeds and an Aerogarden or similar hydroponic set-up. On Christmas Day, I’d make myself an elaborate brunch with my favorite Christmas or other music playing, exercise, then start the hydroponic garden. Then I’d call friends and family and listen to an audiobook until it was time to make myself an elaborate dinner. Then more reading until bedtime.

After all the bars are closed you can go out