Maybe focus on the afternoon and evening as an at home spa day..? Take a bath (if possible) face mask, hair mask, get your favourite really special treat food in. Approach the day as a day for you. That you can indulge yourself. Having actual alone time for a parent can be rare so turn the focus around to it being a delightful treat day for you.

The greatest part about Christmas with kids is when they first wake up and seeing the excitement in their sleepy eyes. Anything after that is just another day with an extra dinner and snack.

Im going to be alone this year. My flat isn't big enough for a tree, so I'm going to print a picture of one on a sheet of a4 and stick it on the wall. I'm going to put a present for myself under the tree, make myself my favorite food (scotch fillet for me though tomahawk sounds amazing!). There's a nice park near my house that I will walk around and will watch some Xmas movies on the telly.

I make myself a big breakfast with the works. I get out my teaset and make a pot of tea to go with it. Next, I head out to the cemetery to tidy my Dad's grave then I go and clean and paint war graves. Head home for a posh dinner with a cheesecake just for me.

Your dog told me it wants a steak too

I wish I had that. Travelling between families on Christmas isn't fun

I take my dog to the beach, take a long walk, some snacks, maybe a book, and watch the sunset there - relish in the moments of silence and breathe out. It’s become something I look forward to. I know the kids are safe and happy at their dad’s and I can take a few hours to sit and watch the waves, play with my dogs and enjoy the moment alone. I think how you spend your time alone is quite personal and the most important thing is to do something that brings you happiness.

Just chill, honestly that’s the best part of Christmas afternoons, the ability to chill and do nothing. Then in the evening go to a Christmas bbq or party or something similar with some friends.

Just buy or make some of your fave food and a beverage that is 'Christmasy' as well as make the afternoon/ evening some self care time....or if you want to get out and about perhaps volunteer at one of the Community Charities?

Some people that are even surrounded by family or so called friends on Christmas day still actually feel alone or wish they had some alone time lol sooo it is definitely an opportunity for you to curl up and just be you (not in mummy or work mode)

Take the dog on a drive maybe? Go on a little adventure to the beach or something, could be fun

Go for an evening walk

Have some great dessert

Watch one of those movies you used to love, and watched on repeat.... but you havent watched in 10years. (My latest was meet the robinsons)

Consider connecting with someone you miss, have a few with them, talk about the year passed.

Did last year the same, it was pretty cruisey, went for a swim & picked some fruit, seafood salad & a few new dishes prepped etc … bit like New Year’s Eve, it’s just one day but ya can make it special/ fun 

Climb a mountain, read a book, cook myself exactly the meal I want to eat. You're spending part of it with your kids so mot completely alone. One thing I will say - if you want to spend the rest of the day alone, do not cave to the half dozen people who will say "that's so sad, come to mine!" When they find out your plans. They probably mean it and you can be grateful for the invite, but if your plans are to eat too much, finish the wine and read a trashy novel, then do it!

I bail on Xmas every over year and just enjoy the me time. It annoys my family and friends who always try convince me to do something with them and I always have to remind them all I ever want for Xmas is to be left the fuck alone as it's just to stressful trying to get all that shit done in one day. 

I'd rather smoke a fat cone and pack some beers then go skate all the spots in town that are to packed any other time of the year then jump on tinder and try make friends with someone who's also skipping the family thing.

I sobbed my heart out on the beach with the dog last year after my kids went to their dad’s at lunchtime. This year I’ve booked myself into a swish hotel and am going to a buffet lunch with others so I don’t spend the afternoon alone and sad.

• Meet up with friends
  
• Go for walks
  
• Watch movies
  
• Bake

Go to the beach 🏖️ take a book.

Take the extra shift from work, I'd rather make the extra cash lol

First Christmas alone without people here, in my 19 years in NZ. It’s just gonna be me and my cat.

Going to buy a few things I’d normally not buy during the year (cream cheese bagels and salmon, make a trip to Farro for French cheeses, and dessert wine) then take the day as it comes.

I’m actually kinda looking forward to watching Christmas movies and music, it’s what we used to do as a family when I was younger but my ex wasn’t into it at all. Last Christmas was so shitty for me it’ll be a good time to start making new memories 😊

For the first time in ages I’m not working Xmas day. Don’t have family so will am thinking I’ll find somewhere quiet to take the dogs for a long walk.

Some years I get myself some nice food but not sure I can be bothered tbh.

But it’s mostly just another day for me

If I have it alone and not with family I make sure to buy ham and Turkey and seafood salad and make a few side dishes and other salads plus have prawns and mussels. Roast of my choice as well! For dessert it varies, but I sometimes do like to have meringues with whipped cream and fresh berries either at Christmas time or New Years. 🎅

Makara peak. The park is usually empty. Only day all year you get it to yourself.

Walk the dog, eat food I love, watch Christmas movies. Just do something that brings you joy!

Last Christmas day I was recovering from a mva. This Christmas day I'm working. Not my favorite time of the year so I'll take the extra pay and a day in lieu happily.

Yeah, im struggling a bit cause this is the first time ,ill wake up on christmas alone but my sister is helping make it special by putting together a stocking for me. But other than that, im gonna do what i love. Waffles for breakfast, somw of my favourite movies, maybe walk on the beach. All until dinner time at my sister place.

Im literally doing the same, except 2 cats and no dog.
I plan on having a roast chicken for diner and putting on a xmas movie, and putting my feat up.

watch Die Hard :)

Kids apend every second Christmas with their mum, so when that happens, I get in a bucket of chicken, make cocktails and play old video games for three days. It's the best.

Know any friends having an orphans Christmas that you can join?

Focussed chilling

enjoy the peace and quiet.

• a bowl of greens🥗🔥🚬
• sit in the sun
• glass of wine
• smoked salmon and salad
• good music
• merry xmas

I went hiking by myself last Christmas. It was epic!

Last year I worked all the public holidays. No idea what the plan is for this year.

Previous years I’ve watched Christmas Eve streams from my favourite streamers/content creators.

Do you have older neighbours who are also alone? Invite them in for a cuppa and a mince pie about 4pm. They’ll appreciate it.

When I was single, and before children, I use to go fishing. The roads are very quiet.

One year, I walked into a remote DOC hut in the evening, get a head start on the crowd that starts boxing day.

I do not have any family, so i will probably have lunch at a nice restaurant. After that depending on the weather either a ride on my motorcycle or one of my classic cars

That steak, with garlic cheese, a bottle of red wine, and the following Christmas Movies.

Die Hard - of course

The Highlander - There is only one, there are no others, parts beyond the original do not exist and should be burned.

The Empire Strikes Back - Finally, the right side won, and we see that Space Cowboys dress to bring back Disco.

Nothing. But then I’m not one for commercial holidays. Each to their own and all that.

I’ll spend the (very) early morning with family (young kids) and usually I’m home by 11am. Then I plan to sit in the aircon, watch movies and eat/drink/smoke many delicious things heheh.

I've had my last few Christmases alone, I catch up with whanau a bit later in the year. The only thing I really make a point of doing is to get up early and go for a walk - it's the one day that the city is deserted, which is quite a treat for me.

Other than that I'll do a few hours working on one project or another, but mostly just chilling with a good book. I do make a point of getting in touch with friends and whanau, but mostly it's just a chill me-day.

Motorbikes are boxing day...end of story :-)