One Christmas alone doesn’t mean all Christmases will be alone. This year may be a quiet moment—that’s okay.
Spending Christmas alone is a lot more common than people realize.
A Mission for Michael (AMFM) conducted a survey in December 2025, combining the results with US census data to estimate how many people will spend Christmas alone this year: 16.3 million.
But spending the holidays alone isn’t just an American phenomenon.
A study by the Policy Institute at King’s College London found that one in nine people in the UK will spend Christmas alone this year—that’s double the number of solitary Christmas celebrations from 1969.
No, this isn’t just more fodder about the loneliness epidemic that everyone’s going on about. According to AMFM’s survey, 16% actually say they prefer to spend Christmas alone.
Unsurprisingly, however, they’re in the minority. Twenty-five percent say they feel lonely about spending Christmas alone; 22% say it makes them feel sad.
This is not a post to encourage you to spend the holidays alone (unless you want to). But against our own wishes, there are sometimes factors at play that prevent us from being with loved ones on the holidays.
Your friends and family may live far away, and the cost of travel just isn’t feasible this year. Maybe you have to work during Christmas and can’t make it to your family’s festivities. Or perhaps you moved to a new city alone or you’re otherwise going through a phase in your life where your social circle is small. It happens.
If you’re spending the holidays alone this year, know that this is not your fate. Life will continue, and you will celebrate with loved ones again.
In the meantime, though, you can still bring some holiday cheer to your own loner Christmas.
As I like to call it, here’s a guide to A Merry Loner’s Christmas:
Table of Contents
The shortlist: 11 things to do on Christmas alone
Don’t treat it like a regular day (because it’s not)
Get dressed up (even if you’re staying at home)
Stay off social media (it’ll make you feel better, I promise)
Leave the house at least once (even if it’s just for a walk)
Treat yourself to a special meal—homecooked or in a restaurant
Bake something festive: gingerbread cookies, bread, cake
Watch a Christmas movie—but don’t spend the whole day in front of the screen
Volunteer—it’s a great way to remember you’re not the only one spending the holidays alone
Write Christmas or New Year’s letters to put in the mail tomorrow
Go to a local event (markets, festivals, light displays)
Consider going to church (even if you’re not religious, you might enjoy the sense of community)
More popular articles on the Loner Mindset:
How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone
Moving to a New City in Your 30s—Feeling Lonely in Your “Prime”
How to spend Christmas alone: a plan for spending the holidays alone and enjoying it
How to cope with spending holidays alone? Know that this is not your forever fate. The tides will change, and you will be merry under the mistletoe again.
For this year, see the day as an opportunity to spend time with yourself and celebrate the forgotten joys of solitude.
1. Don’t treat it like a regular day
Because it isn’t. And just because you’re spending Christmas alone this year, it doesn’t mean you can’t make it feel special.
Actually, the more you sit around feeling glum and sorry for yourself, the worse you’ll feel.
Instead, think about your solo Christmas as a blissfully free day to spend entirely by yourself and for yourself doing what you please, when you please, how you please.
For all my people-pleasers out there, all this “me time” can often be quite challenging, especially if you’re used to deferring to others for weekend plans, restaurant reservations, and travel itineraries.
Try this: Forget it’s Christmas and all ideas of activities you’re “supposed” to do. If you had a free day off to do whatever you wanted, what would you do? Can you plan your solo Christmas Day around that?
If spending the holidays alone has got you feeling down…
Consider this your opportunity to learn how to enjoy your company. (I promise you, it’s worth the effort.)
See why learning to enjoy your own company is important—and how to start.
2. Get dressed up
As tempting as it may be, don’t spend the whole day in your pajamas. This is generally a good rule, even when you’re not at home alone for Christmas.
While it might seem cozy to spend the whole day snuggled up in your softest pants and sweaters, it’s not the best move for your mental health:
A study published in The Medical Journal of Australia showed that wearing pajamas during the day “was significantly associated with more frequent reporting of poorer mental health than non-p[a]jama wearers.”
This wasn’t part of the study, but I would also posit that dressing up in slightly fancier clothes will make you feel even better than just throwing on a casual tee shirt and jeans.
I refuse to believe it’s a coincidence that I feel better leaving the house when I’m wearing a fabulous pair of shoes and that I generally feel like crap if I spend the whole day in a sweatshirt with unbrushed hair (but that’s just me).
TLDR: This is your invitation to don your favorite Christmas sweater, your holiday party dress, your high heels, your suit, or your red lipstick—even if no one will see you and you never leave the house.
3. Stay off social media
Again, another good rule of thumb in life.
I don’t think I need to tell you that obsessively scrolling social media is probably the worst habit we’ve collectively picked up as a society. I won’t get into it all here, but Stanford Law School has compiled a systematic review summarizing the cataclysmic effects of social media on both our mental and physical health, including but not limited to:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychological distress
- Suicide
- Attention deficits
- Increased aggression
- Low self-esteem
Why bring any of this energy into your holiday (or any day, for that matter)?
Still, I know it’s easy to reach for the phone, especially when you’re spending the whole day alone and are looking for connection or at least entertainment.
But you have other options. Check out 30+ ideas for what to do instead of social media—on Christmas day or any day.
Does it feel impossible to put the phone down?
We’ve all been there. Social media companies literally spend millions of dollars and employ hundreds of people to keep us hooked on the scroll.
But you only need a few simple tricks to retrain your brain and kick your doomscrolling habit.
Learn how to quit social media (without deleting your accounts or going cold turkey).
4. Leave the house at least once
There’s nothing wrong with dressing in your Christmas finery just to dance around your kitchen to Mariah Carey and eat gingerbread cookies. But for your physical health and your sanity, I strongly encourage you to leave the house at least once when you’re spending Christmas alone.
Depending on where you live, there might be some places open on Christmas, like coffee shops, movie theaters, or restaurants. These are all great options to get out of the house and see the world instead of holing up alone and wondering what to do on holidays alone.
But if you don’t have the courage to eat alone at a restaurant on Christmas day, simply heading out for a walk will work. In fact, it’s probably the best thing you can do for yourself:
A mindful walk decreases anxiety and stress, per a study from the International Journal of exercise science.
Taking 1,000 steps per day could reduce depression by 10%, per a peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Medical Association.
The rhythm of a walk produces a specific brainwave linked to improved mood, explains NewScientist.
Not supported by science, but I bet listening to Christmas music—or at least walking past a few decorated houses—during your walk ups the ante.
5. Treat yourself to a special meal
Either at a restaurant or at home.
I personally love taking myself out to dinner because I don’t really like cooking; instead of experimenting in the kitchen, I’d much rather spend a few hours luxuriating over something tasty, a wonderful book, and a glass(es) of wine.
But if this isn’t in your budget or comfort zone, a home-cooked meal can be equally luxurious. And I say, why not pull out all the stops? Like a three-course meal for one:
Appetizer: Soup or salad (or both)
Entrée: A sheet pan dinner is an easy, hands-free way to cook a full (delicious) meal without spending hours in the kitchen
Dessert: Ice cream, cake, or Christmas cookies
Does the idea of eating alone in a restaurant freak you out?
That’s okay, most people get nervous about this, too. And then they realize how freeing it feels.
Sign up for A Merry Loner’s 7-Day Do Things Alone Challenge to learn how to get more comfortable doing things alone.
6. Bake something festive
The obvious choice is Christmas cookies (I’m partial to gingerbread), but you go with whatever your heart desires, whether that’s simple chocolate chip cookies, sourdough bread, or a three-layer cake with fresh cream.
In addition to gingerbread cookies, my family always keeps a Christmas tea bread on hand to have in the morning with coffee and tea while we wait for the whole house to wake up.
Even if you’re not a big baker (I’m not), I still encourage you to put yourself in the kitchen and challenge yourself. If you’re spending Christmas alone at home, it’s a quick, slippery slope to the poor-me blues, but one of the best ways to keep your mood up is to stay active and busy.
Remember the Spending Christmas Alone Protocol: Get dressed. Put on some Christmas music. And get moving.
The perfect match for your Christmas cookies? Say it with me: Christmas tea.
In my book, every day is an occasion for a tea party, but I’m particularly fond of the Christmas brews: cloves, cinnamon, orange peel, and nutmeg.
If coffee is more your thing but you don’t want to give yourself the jitters all day long, check out my Guide to Finding the Best Tea for Non Tea Drinkers.
Before you start brewing, peruse this list of ethical tea companies to double-check the tea you buy doesn’t contribute to environmental desolation or capitalist exploitation.
7. Watch a Christmas movie (but don't spend the whole day in front of the screen)
I’m a sucker for a classic Christmas movie. Before streaming days, I used to make my own viewing schedule to make sure I caught all my favorites on cable before Christmas Day.
But like limiting your social media use, the key here is to not overdue it.
Instead of a full-on binge-fest in your pajamas, stick to one or two films max. (I’m partial to “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Elf,” or any of the old-school claymation movies like “The Year Without a Santa Claus” or “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.”)
Is analog living more your vibe? Good on you.
If so, then this is the season to curl up with The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
What if you just can’t get into the holiday spirit alone?
Don’t despair. Things will turn out alright in the end, even if it doesn’t feel that way today.
When I’m spiraling and the world seems big and scary, these books help calm my existential dread.
8. Volunteer your time
You’re not the only one spending holidays alone this year. Unfortunately, no matter the month or where we are in the world, there are always lonely people, sick people, hungry people.
So maybe this year, as you try to figure out how to celebrate holidays alone, you could dedicate a bit of your holiday time to those in need.
It’s not only an act of kindness for someone else; it’s an act of love for yourself, too. I find when I’m feeling lonely, depressed, or just down in the blues, doing something nice for someone else is the quickest way to turn my mood around.
HOW TO FIND OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER ON CHRISTMAS:
Help out at your local foodbank. The USDA reported “47.4 million people lived in food insecure households in 2023” (though this longstanding annual food insecurity is now terminated).
Go to Feeding America to find a foodbank near you.
Visit a nursing home in your area. My mom worked in the Alzheimer’s unit at a nursing home when I was growing up, so I was a regular visitor to those residents who didn’t have nearby friends or family.
An hour playing cards, drinking tea together, or just chatting is a low lift for you but could be the highlight of someone else’s day.
Volunteer with Salvation Army. They always need help at shelters and food drives—or you can ring the bell to help raise donations.
Find a Salvation Army near you where you can donate some of your time.
9. Write Christmas or New Year’s letters to mail to loved ones
Another do-good-feel-good activity to help you figure out how to spend holidays alone at home.
Is there anything more delightful than receiving an unexpected letter in the mail? With just a few minutes of your time and less than a dollar, you can create that special moment for someone else.
Plus, if you’re unable to travel for the holidays and are missing your loved ones, letter-writing can be a very intimate, thoughtful way to stay connected despite the distance. So get creative:
Buy store-bought Christmas postcards in advance.
Get crafty and decorate your own Christmas cards.
Plain, unadorned paper works too. (It’s the message that counts most).
Writing letters sends love to someone else—but it can also be an act of self care.
Lately, I’ve been spending more time getting crafty at home, like making my own candles and bath salts. And it feels damn good.
If letter writing isn’t your thing, look to 13+ other creative self-care ideas to help you celebrate the holidays alone at home.
10. Attend a local holiday event
Concerts, movie theaters, restaurants, light displays—there are usually more places open on Christmas Day than you think.
If you’re solo this holiday season and looking for things to do on Christmas alone, it usually just takes a little research to find a holiday event near you:
Search on Facebook. Not the most glamorous option, but still one of the easiest ways to find events in your area.
Try looking on Meetup. This is really handy if you don’t have Facebook. I’ve even used this website while traveling to find events in new communities.
Browse attractions on Booking.com or Viator. Depending where you live, you might be able to find Christmas attractions here, too—like Ghosts of Christmas Charles Dickens Experience in Savannah or a Christmas lights walking tour in NYC.
11. Consider going to church
This isn’t everyone’s jam—it’s not even mine.
When I was growing up, my family went to church every Sunday; then just on holidays; now not at all.
Not everyone is religious. Some people are religious and don’t go to church. Some people aren’t religious but still go to church. In fact, one of the main reasons US adults go to church isn’t even to practice religion; it’s to find “comfort in times of trouble or sorrow,” per a survey by the Pew Research Center.
All options are fine.
But if you’re feeling lonely during the holidays, attending a Christmas mass could be an interesting option: There’s music; there’s community; there sure is that Christmas vibe.
(And remember: Simply attending an event, reading a book, or listening to something new doesn’t mean you endorse it or agree with it; you’re just exposing yourself to different ideas and seeing what’s out there. That’s healthy for the mind.)
How to spend the holidays alone (beyond just Christmas day)
Christmas may be one of the loudest and most celebrated holidays, but it’s not the only time people find themselves sitting alone while others celebrate.
Valentine’s Day is a particularly woeful occasion for those unattached. And New Year’s Eve brings a lot of pressure to kiss a certain someone at midnight.
Beyond the Christmas season, these strategies can help you learn how to enjoy holidays alone, all year round:
1. Start traditions for yourself
Shared traditions are beautiful—but secret, sacred traditions you honor just with yourself can carry special meaning, too. That might be:
Responding to the same journal prompt on the same day every year to see how you and your ideas grow.
Taking a picture of yourself in the same spot year after year to create a flipbook that captures your life.
Writing a letter to your future self and reading last year’s letter to think about where you’ve been and where you’re going.
2. Stay off social media
It’s always a good idea. Especially when we’re feeling lonely, left out, or otherwise a little vulnerable, flashing through other people’s highlight reels (which may or may not even be real) is almost guaranteed to make you feel worse.
Plus, why stare at other people’s lives when you can be living your own?
Whether you’re alone for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or New Year’s Eve, keep your social media notifications on mute. Better yet, delete the apps altogether for a day of mental peace and quiet.
I know—quitting social media is really hard. But you don’t have to go cold turkey.
Check out my in-depth guide on how to limit your social media use (without deleting your accounts). You’ll learn:
3. Prepare things to do alone in advance
If you know a holiday is coming up and you’re going to be spending the day alone, don’t wallow. Plan for it like it’s an exciting vacation.
Do you want to travel? You don’t have to go far. Even just a solo day trip to a neighboring town gives you a change of scenery—and often, a mood shift.
If you’re not convinced about the benefits of solo travel, take inspiration from some of the greats. Read 21 quotes on traveling alone from writers, poets, teachers, and professional wanderers.
What about a cozy day of reading? Prepare your reading list now. If you want to feel accomplished, pick up one of these short books you can read in a day.
If spending holidays alone has you feeling now, may I direct you towards my favorite, soul-lifting books for existential dread?
Out of ideas? Roll the dice. Browse my mega list of 100+ self-care ideas for some stay-at-home indulgence.
4. Practice spending time alone beforehand
Eating at restaurants alone or traveling solo can feel really daunting at first.
Maybe you just moved to a new city or you’re living alone for the first time or you just ended a long relationship. After a major milestone, those first few steps on your own can feel like walking on shaky ground.
Practice helps you get stronger.
I created a 7-Day Do Things Alone Challenge to help you learn how to enjoy doing things alone—easy steps (and a nonjudgmental space) to help you build confidence, reduce social anxiety, and stop waiting on others to enjoy life.
How to get through the holidays alone if you're feeling lonely
Even the most independent, confident, and self-possessed of us probably don’t want to spend Christmas alone. I’m not advocating for a solitary holiday season—but sometimes, it happens and you need to make the most of it.
Use these six strategies to help make a lonely Christmas a little merrier:
1. Schedule at least one connection for yourself
Just because you’re alone for Christmas, it doesn’t mean you have to stay silent the whole day.
To avoid getting caught up in the lonely holiday blues, plan ahead to bake some social interaction into your day. That could be a:
Phone call with a friend: If you feel awkward about calling someone out of the blue and “interrupting” their Christmas, ask yourself—have you ever been annoyed that a friend wants to express their love and appreciation for you?
Of course not. Stop stressing, and spread the love.
Visit to a coffee shop: Maybe no one is free this year or different time zones aren’t syncing up. Friendly faces don’t have to be known faces.
A trip to a beloved or new coffee shop with a few kind smiles and holiday greetings exchanged with strangers can often remind us that the world can be a warm, friendly place—if we have the courage to go and face it.
Volunteering work: You’re not the only one spending Christmas alone. An estimated 16.3 million Americans (at least) are in the same boat—so why not congregate? Volunteering your time on Christmas gets you out into the world and rubbing shoulders with new faces.
2. Acknowledge your feelings—but don't let them take over
It’s okay to feel sad. It’s part of life, and there’s no point pretending everything is perfect every second of every day. So let it out—and then let it go.
Journaling, meditating, or just plain talking out loud to yourself can help you name the troubles within and keep them from swallowing you whole.
A conversation between the American Psychological Association and James Pennebaker, PhD, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, gets into the act of expressive writing and how it can help us tackle challenging periods in our life.
But don’t stay here too long; you don’t want your casual journaling session to turn into a daylong emotional spiral.
Try this: Acknowledge your feelings—and then recognize that the way you feel today isn’t the way you’ll feel forever.
If you think you’re starting to spiral, cut the rumination.
Turn on a Christmas movie. Go for a walk. Or find inspiration in someone else’s stories; these 6 books for existential dread can guide you.
3. Step into a crowd, even if you don't interact with anyone
Sometimes, just the physical presence of others makes us feel better—even if they’re strangers.
It reminds us that the world isn’t all about us; that other people are in similar or even worse situations; and that we do, in fact, have a lot to be thankful for, no matter how bleak the day seems.
To get out of your house (and your head) for a bit, try this:
Go for a walk downtown. Head for the most crowded place you can find.
Take yourself to a restaurant. Talk to the bartender. Smile at strangers. You’re not trying to make them your friends; you’re just engaging with the world and making it a warmer place.
See a movie. Even in a streaming world, movie theaters still see a lot of foot traffic on Christmas. You’re probably not going to talk to anyone, but you’ll be out in a crowd, rubbing shoulders with strangers, and maybe even laughing together at a few shared moments.
Does going to the movies alone (especially on Christmas) seem weird to you?
Let’s normalize not being scared of doing things alone.
A Merry Loner’s 7-Day Do Things Alone Challenge helps you own the power of being alone so you can build confidence, reduce social anxiety, and stop waiting on others to enjoy your life.
4. Do something with your hands
Staring at the screen gives us FOMO, pulls us into the comparison games, and generally makes us sad. I’m not the only one saying it—the US Department of Health and Human Services agrees.
If you’re trying to figure out how to handle the holidays alone, burning your eyes (and your soul) staring at romanticized versions of other people’s lives isn’t going to make you feel any better.
Stop that. Instead of numbingly consuming content, put down your phone and use your hands to create something. (I promise you’ll feel better.) You could:
- Bake something
- Play an instrument
- Exercise
- Play cards (Is it too on brand to say I actually love Solitaire?)
- Make a collage
- Knit
- Paint (even if you’re bad at it)
- Rearrange a shelf to make your space feel new
Feeling uninspired by these ideas? That’s no excuse to return to the phone.
5. Come up with a plan for next year
If you don’t want to spend Christmas alone next year, see what’s in your power to change.
I’m not talking about overhauling your entire life or setting stressful goals for yourself. But a few deliberate steps now can shape an entirely different world for future you.
Can you save a little each month to travel and visit a loved one next Christmas? Even setting aside a small chunk of every paycheck can create a sizeable nest egg for next year’s celebrations.
Can you swap days off at work or request holiday time earlier so you’re not stuck working on Christmas? Put a reminder in your calendar now to talk to your manager and/or co-workers next fall.
Can you sign up in advance for volunteering, a retreat, or another solo-friendly experience? This way, you’re not scrambling at the last minute to come up with ideas. Mark a date in your calendar now to start booking plans next September.
Making and tracking goals is one of the best habits you can pick up.
Without conscious goals and check-in points, it’s easy to let time slip away—and then one day you wake up, take stock of your life, and realize you didn’t choose any of it.
Goal-setting helps you steer your own ship.
Learn more life-changing habits to start now for long-term mental and physical well-being.
6. Change the way you talk to yourself
Words have meaning. That includes the words we use to talk to ourselves.
Our thoughts and inner dialogue create our mood, our perspective, and the way we interact with the day. So pay attention to what you say to yourself—and how.
Instead of thinking, “I’m alone on Christmas. How pathetic. This is how it’s probably going to be forever,” try being a little gentler on yourself:
“I’m spending the day catering to no one’s needs but my own.”
“I really needed this time to slow down and relax a little bit.”
“This is a great chance to watch a favorite movie and read that book I haven’t had time to finish.”
“I’m going to plan ahead so I don’t have to spend Christmas alone next year. But for now, I’m going to enjoy a quiet day all to myself.”
We grow up being told we’re super lame if we don’t have a partner or lots of friends constantly at our side—but there’s no shame in doing things alone.
Actually, learning to enjoy your own company helps us build the confidence and inner peace to be better partners and friends.
Remind yourself why it’s important to enjoy your own company.
Where to spend Xmas alone
You may be spending Christmas alone this year, but that doesn’t mean you need to coop up at home.
Especially if you’re feeling a bit down and are worried about how to get through holidays alone, a change of scenery can be a cure-all.
If you want to travel far...
Maybe you have the time and means to travel for Christmas. In that case, there’s no need to wait for an invitation to see the world.
So how about checking out those European Christmas markets you’ve heard so much about?
My personal favorites are in Paris and Wrocław, but there are dozens of options to choose from. The BBC has a new round-up on what they deem the best Christmas markets of 2025—or you can be a totally wild card and just pick one at random.
Psst! Not interested in Christmas markets, specifically? Paris is still always a good idea.
My 7-Day Solo Paris Itinerary is your cheatsheet on where to eat, walk, shop, and be in Paris, any time of the year.
If you want to stay close to home...
I think we as a society tend to forget that traveling doesn’t necessarily mean journeying to the other side of the world. There’s still plenty to explore close to home.
If you’re spending this Christmas alone and you want to make it memorable (in a fun way), why not plan yourself a little Christmas staycation?
Go to the spa. When in doubt, self-care your worries away.
Retreat to a cozy cabin. For quiet, un-bustling mornings, lots of hot chocolate, and nature to soothe the soul.
Spend the night in a fancy hotel. A giant bubble bath, room service, and a bed you don’t have to make. It’s not Christmas-y, but it is luxurious. (And that might be just what the doctor ordered.)
If you want to travel alone but not feel alone...
Traveling alone can cause anxiety, but you can break out of that mindset.
If you want to get out of town for Christmas but feel uneasy doing it alone, you’re not out of options. There are actually a lot of ways to solo travel without being alone.
Eatwith connects you with locals for hosted meals, supper clubs, or cooking classes—like tasting wine and cheese with a Parisian or learning how to make pierogi from Poles. It’s an easy way to share a table and meet new people without putting the pressure on you to make plans.
GetYourGuide helps you find guided tours, day trips, classes, and other activities—pretty much anywhere in the world. You may sign up alone, but you’ll spend the experience in a group setting so you can travel alone without feeling lonely.
Hostelworld makes it easy to find hostels that give loners the best of both worlds: private rooms AND common spaces and group activities. It’s a great option if you need your own space but still want help meeting new people.
Think traveling alone for Christmas seems… Sad? Lonely? A little depressing?
It can be if you’re not used to solo travel. But think about it—should you feel sad just being with yourself? Or is that a sign you need to learn how to enjoy your own company?
Read guest writer Alyssa Wiens’ piece on why she doesn’t like traveling alone—and why she keeps doing it anyway.
Conclusion: Spending the holidays alone doesn't have to feel lonely
Spending Christmas alone can feel disappointing or just strange. Almost all the carols sing to us about joining with loved ones, celebrating family time, or meeting a certain someone under the mistletoe.
Some years, that’s just not the reality. It’s okay. Being alone for Christmas this year has no bearing on the next year, the next holiday, or the rest of your life.
You will be among friends and family again—and no, despite what the little voice sometimes whispers in the back of your head, you won’t be alone forever.
In the meantime, take advantage of this Merry Loner Christmas to look after yourself—because self compassion is the best gift you can give yourself, any time of year.
Next Steps:
Practice doing things alone before the next holiday rolls around. This way, you’ll be ready to go out and face the day alone, come New Year’s Eve or Valentine’s Day. Sign up for A Merry Loner’s 7-Day Do Things Alone Challenge to learn how to own the power of being alone.
Understand what makes you nervous about doing things alone in public. (It’s a totally normal feeling.) Learn 5 simple ways to get better at doing things alone.
Arm yourself to stay away from social media. I know the scroll is tempting, especially when we’re alone. But ask yourself: Does scrolling ever really make you feel better? Instead, try one of these 30+ ideas of what to do instead of social media.
Use the image below to save this post to Pinterest so this list is there when you need it.
How to Spend Xmas Alone: FAQs
Is it OK to spend Xmas alone?
Of course. Spending Christmas alone doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you.
Sometimes, meeting with family and friends just isn’t logistically possible. Other times, we may be going through a season in life where our friendship circle is feeling a little thin, like if you just moved somewhere alone or ended a relationship. That’s okay.
One Christmas alone doesn’t mean all Christmases will be alone. So this year, instead of lamenting how to get through the holidays alone, just take the time to focus on yourself and learn how to enjoy your own company.
What to do if you’re spending Christmas alone?
Don’t treat it like a regular day—because it isn’t! Get dressed (up); leave the house at least once; treat yourself to a special meal; and plan at least one festive activity to celebrate the day, like going for a walk to see the Christmas lights, attending a local event, or volunteering.
If venturing out alone on Christmas makes you feel a little depressed or awkward, don’t let yourself stay in that energy. Start A Merry Loner’s 7-Day Do Things Alone Challenge now to help you build confidence doing things alone.
Where to spend Christmas alone?
Anywhere, really. If you want to cozy up at home, how about a change of scenery? Book a day at a nearby spa, cabin retreat, or hotel to enjoy some pampering and a little escape.
But nobody says you have to spend Christmas alone at home. You could travel across the world for your dream vacation (a Paris solo trip, perhaps?). If you have solo travel anxiety, know you’ve got options, like hostels or guided trips, that help you travel alone without feeling alone.
What to do for someone spending Christmas alone?
By all means, invite them over! If that’s not logistically possible, you can still lend a little bit of emotional support to help them get through the holidays alone.
Call them—not just for a quick, two-minute hello, but for an actual conversation. Just 20 minutes could turn their whole day around.
If you know in advance that someone is spending the holidays alone, consider sending them a gift they can open on Christmas Day. Something small is still something significant, like a box of cookies or a handwritten card.
Is it wrong to want to spend Christmas alone?
If spending Christmas alone is the peace and quiet you need this year, don’t let anyone else judge you—it’s actually more common than you think. According to a December 2025 survey by A Mission for Michael, 16% of respondents say they prefer to spend Christmas alone.
And when you’re alone on Christmas, why not make it a full-on self-care day? Check out my Ultimate Guide to Self-Care for ideas to make a day home alone whimsical and relaxing.
How many people spend Xmas alone?
A lot more people than you think. This year, an estimated 16.3 million Americans will spend Christmas alone, per survey from A Mission for Michael. In the UK, a study by the Policy Institute at King’s College London says one in nine people will be alone for Christmas—a figure that’s doubled since 1969.
If you’re going to be on your own for Christmas this year, I know it’s not always ideal, but try to see this as an opportunity to rest and relax. If you want a hot (hot!) take on learning to enjoy life, read my motto.
Merry
Merry is the blogger behind A Merry Loner, a full-time freelance writer, and a lifelong bookworm. Since kindergarten, it was her dream to become a novelist. (She likes to think she's headed in the right direction.) Born and raised in Rhode Island, where she earned a triple-major BA in writing, communication, and French from the University of Rhode Island, she moved to Toulouse, France after the pandemic to complete a master's in creative writing at Univeristé Toulouse Jean — Jaurès. She now lives in Paris with husband.
Discover how the merry loner lifestyle makes life more enjoyable:
LONER MINDSET: fresh perspectives on learning to genuinely enjoy your own company
BOOKS: reading lists for people who love being alone with a good story
ANALOG LIVING: inspiration to step back from the screen and live a life offline
SOLO TRAVEL: guides on where to go and how to enjoy it alone
MINDFUL CONSUMPTION: vetted recommendations for a simpler, less wasteful life
LONER Q&As: interviews from global voices on how to live a meaningful, enjoyable life
