What to do on Xmas day

[Snadger]

You did that before Snadge - i remember the topless photo
You're a braver man (or woman) than I'll ever be. Good luck 'cos I know you'll do it

4th year on the trot Veggie! You'd think I would have learned/grown up by now!
Haven't hit a full on blizzard yet but suppose that's summat to look forward to this year (or a heart attack)!

[Snadger]

Just realized I've tangoed this thread..........sorry folks!

[arpoet]

I've got an invite to the beach on Boxing day by my Daughter in law! Problem is I've got to jump into the bladdy North Sea at Whitley Bay clothed only in my Bermuda shorts as part of the deal!

Cant wait for the video on rude tube..... sorry, youtube

[Alison]

There was a great story on the radio the other day about a lady on her own who had booked up her entire local pub for similar singles - Pensioner hires whole pub to hold Christmas lunch for lonely strangers - Telegraph. Quite a lot of money to spend out but from what they were saying people had already pledged her more than she'd spent! Not one for everybody though but I like the idea of hanging out with friends. Both me and OH have mum's fairly locally so tend to see at least one of them on the day but if we didn't have family that we wanted to share the day with then I'd either volunteer somewhere or spend it with friends but certainly not go somewhere where I though I was being suffered - that said, my mum has been known to refuse invitations in the past as she thinks they're out of pity whereas I know with a good deal of certainty that the people inviting her were genuinely wanting her company so things aren't always what they seem.

[Kirk]

I tend to wander off to an RSPB reserve or similar that is of a reasonable size - nothing too big. Amazing how many others are out there wandering around as well. You half expect people to be at home but there are more wandering round then you think.

Oxfordshire is I suspect too far from the coast - the original post implies you drive. One placed I worked is just over an hour away but there is the "sea wall" there that is an an hour and a half walk round. No use to you I am afraid, just throwing out ideas.

Oxfordshire is a bit general but are you within reach of say the reservours West of Oxford - there will be paths around them. I see there are others to the South. Grab a set of binoculars and simply go for a wander.

There is an RSPB place at Otmoor N/E of Oxford. Looks a nice size for a walk.
There is another at Church Wood near Gerards Cross Bucks if you are that direction. Looks a bit less easy to get to however.

Any canal towpaths to take a wander along? I suppose the series of locks at Devizes is a bit too far? If not and if you decide then take a camera.

What I suspect you will find is that there will be a lot of people out there doing things as well, and that is from experience of finding places I expected to be quiet actually busier then normal.

[Bigmallly]

Before my fishing buddy past away, we spent many a Xmas day freezing our nuts off.................

[veggiechicken]

You've reminded me Kirk, that another thing I did over Christmas as an Only, was to go walking with the local Ramblers Group. They have a Festival of Winter Walks.
There are lots of walks on Dec 25th Find a walk or route - Ramblers and its a great way of meeting people and blowing away the cobwebs.

[Jeanied]

Well hopefully it will be cold and crisp so I can walk up the canal towpath to Cowley Lock with my brother and one dog on the lead with him, and another with me - to the pub, which I hope will be open, for a glass or two before walk back home for the Xmas meal. So that will be a 3 mile walk to earn the dinner and the dogs will love it! (Unless one or the other fancies a swim )

[Lumpy]

I think doing what you want to do is the only way to give you some peace.
Christmas as shown on the tele etc is a fantasy for most people/families that I used to think I had to try and emulate.
As Mr Lump has bipolar disorder (manic depression) we havn't been invited anywhere for years because of his unpredictability and I soon learned that unless every person who attends a family gathering attempts to re create the fantasy day you are very quickly excluded.
Unfortunately there are many people who do not fit in with the strived for image (including us) so I hope that like us they find their own way to get through this event.
Good Luck with whatever you decide to do - and a virtual hug is winging it's way to you right now.

[Noosner]

Some great ideas here, Janie, and I do hope something fits the bill for you.

Another idea is to go a carol service on Christmas morning in a local church, if there is one. People are friendly and there's often a lot of goodwill and community spirit.

Even though my own spiritual leanings aren't Christian, I find these services really peaceful and meaningful (in my own way). The simple community of people coming together to sing and pray always touches me.

Of course, this may not be your thing - but one more idea to add to the pot. I really hope you find something that makes the day pass enjoyably for you. xx

[Kristen]

My advice is probably not relevant but just in case:

Christmases were somewhat of a battle when I was young. Mum did The Full Works so I have happy memories, but some relations that had to be included were a strain ... Mother, Aunt and I had a car crash on Christmas Eve one year, Aunt had a broken leg, there were lots of black eyes and bruises, but it was our turn to host for a part of the extended family on Boxing Day and they turned up regardless ... so my memories are more of that type of behaviour.

Anyway, once I got to my late teens my Mother encouraged me buzz off on holiday at Christmas to avoid the shenanigans - I used to go skiing, not a great deal special was done for Christmas day - the place was decorated with tinsel and I suppose chef cooked a Turkey or somesuch (English punters, English chalet staff etc.) but other than that it was like any other day on holiday.

So ... next year perhaps just hack off on holiday somewhere where the actual Christmas Day won't be one of people congregating around other peoples houses and folk just get on with enjoying a break?

[JanieB]

I will be doing the rounds of the family in the morning (yes, I do drive). My brother, my daughter and my eldest son. Then to my local for a pre dinner drinkie.

I have 2 reasons for not asking people back to mine for dinner. There are several friends in the pub who are also on their own on Christmas Day and I have considered asking them to join me but was warned off that idea by a very good friend. Unsurprisingly they are all men and I've been warned that the invitations could be misconstrued.

The second reason is that my house is a building site and has been that way for 5 years. My youngest son was the project manager for the refurb but has spent the last 3 1/2 years at Her Majesties Pleasure and I can't afford to employ anyone else to complete the job so I have to wait until he's out next year.

Since Brian died 9 years ago I have spent 2 Christmases on holiday. One was an unmitigatingly awful miserable experience on a widows Xmas in Spain, the other was a fantastic holiday on a cruise. I was still working at the time so could afford it. I'm not so willing to part with my cash nowadays as I can't replace it with earnings and I need to keep for the building works.

Last year I went to some friends near by who Brian and I used to alternate Xmas dinners with, also Sunday lunches. Nowadays they usually go abroad for the holiday. This year they are going to their son's.

Really it's only Christmas lunch itself that I'm going to spend on my own with my dogs. I might take up the walking idea though. The Thames is only a mile or so away and the dogs would love a stroll along the Thames Path.

As I can't invite anyone back here and I've been feeling sorry for myself, I didn't even write out my cards until last night. I have fished out the decorations and tested the lights but that is as far as it goes. I've haven't even bought any presents yet.

I won't be going to church. Much as I love singing carols I prefer the original versions not the unusual tunes the vicar has chosen to use. I'm not religiously inclined. Added to that I don't like our vicar. He keeps doing awful things to our beautiful ancient church without asking for listed buildings consent and getting away with it.

I might do some therapeutic sewing (I've had the material for new curtains for 4 years now, and cushions that need covers.

Having got all that off my chest, I'm off to the GR to see what mayhem is going on there.

[Noosner]

That sounds like a plan, JanieB!

[Nicos]

New cushion covers and curtains!..that'll help lift your spirits when they're done ...take a piccie will you if you do decide to make them?
Wish I had the skill to make things like that! ..good on you!

[Alison]

I have 2 reasons for not asking people back to mine for dinner. There are several friends in the pub who are also on their own on Christmas Day and I have considered asking them to join me but was warned off that idea by a very good friend. Unsurprisingly they are all men and I've been warned that the invitations could be misconstrued.

Fully understand your reasons (especially the building site one!) but if people have nothing better to talk about then people seeking companionship then the world is a sad place. Wouldn't have thought that inviting somebody to share a meal is anything that should be misconstrued, especially if you're inviting a few people, what sort of person do they think you are!!!!!! Reminds me of when my nan was in hospital, her sister wouldn't visit my granddad in case people thought she was moving in on her brother in law - for goodness sake they were all their 80s and had know each other since my nan was 16.....

I might do some therapeutic sewing (I've had the material for new curtains for 4 years now, and cushions that need covers.

I find both sEwing and sOwing are always therapeutic