Introduction
Christmas can be the loneliest time if you don’t have the right circumstances. For instance if you are alone. But take heart it’s not bad at all if you plan to enjoy it as much as possible. So get planning, I have been alone for Xmas, especially since my parents passed! As a child I enjoyed the best Christmasses ever, I loved it and Xmas could never come quick enough! Then it was just five days to wait before my birthday, the 30th. After that New Year! With all that in childhood when I was faced with being alone for Xmas for the first time, it seemed like the worst thing ever! But it need’nt be.
In London there is the added problem of there being no transport on the big day! Which has always surprised me somehow. One of the most well known cities in the world and the most multi-cultural but no chane of a bus or a train on the day Jesus was born! London literally closes down on Christmas day.
Options
If you drive you could go to a center and help give a hearty Christmas meal to the poor and or homeless. Or they might arrange to pick you up, in a city like London this opportunity fills up quickly though. I have never done it due to transport issues but I remember one year the Salvation Army or another charity fed the homeless a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings at Wateloo station or one of the mainline stations in London. I remember thinking I wish I had helped make that happen! They were on the news for their good deed.
I think the key is to plan something you know you will enjoy. A traditional dinner for one, tailored to just you. That’s what I do if I find myself alone during the festive season. Lovely roast dinner but chicken instead of turkey, no brussel sprouts (although they are really healthy and good for you). However the point is you can have exactly what you want instead of having to have this that and the other you hate because others like it or expect it. How good is that to enjoy every part of the meal instead of just a bit of it. Because you don’t like hideously sweet and very rich Christmas pudding or traditional festive Xmas cake with marzipan and the sweetest icing ever! That’s me I prefer trifle and Italian Xmas cake, nice and simple, Panettone and Pandoro, I’ve got mine already but I won’t be alone this Christmas. Trifle will come soon perhaps from M&S since my Secret Santa at work gave me a Marks & Spencer voucher.
Christmas without music is a no, no for me! Everyone knows I’m an R&B fan but grew up listenning to my Mum’s cherised collection of records known as Handel’s Messiah at this time of year, so now I love it and it reminds me of her what better time to remember her, RIP! So plan to have on your fav music for the season to be jolly! I don’t drink much so no alcohol but if you do choose some you like to accompany your feast. Celebrate with a glass or two of wine or any thing else you fancy.
Decorate your flat or house if you fancy it or don’t or just have a tree at least anything to put you in a festive mood. The exciting thing is that you can do just what you want. How self satisfying is that? And I for one would rather be alone than with people who don’t rock my boat!
Midnight Mass at St Paul’s Cathedral on Christmas Eve used to be a regular event with me and my cousin. I enjoyed the fact that it is a special church and frequented by people, tourists from all over the world. Lift your spirits and enjoy a good start to Xmas day. Find a special well-known church where ever you are, St Peter’s in Rome we did one year!
