Lonely no more

When the shops are filling with Christmas fare, gift ideas and images of love and togetherness, it can highlight feelings of loneliness and isolation for those who aren’t near their families, or who feel isolated for one reason or another.

Christmas should not only be about gifts – it should be about people and connection. There are many people who will be alone for Christmas.

That being the case, we thought it might be a good idea to put together a list of things that you can do if you feel a bit lonely and encourage those who may have spare time or resources to share it with those for whom Christmas is not such a merry time.

If you are likely to be alone, reach out ahead of time to friends – don’t always wait to be invited – people may mistakenly assume you have plans. Even if friends will be spending some of the day with others, they may be delighted to include you – or very happy to join you for part of the day.

Suggest a glass of bubbles after breakfast, or a quick cuppa on their way home from lunch. You could even volunteer to be a designated driver for friends and join them after pickup.

Think about friends who live far from their families or whose circumstances may have changed since last year. Never feel shy inviting someone to be part of your Christmas – you may just make their day!

Click here to join the Christmas Connections discussion.

Ideas on how to spend Christmas Day alone:

• Compose your own Christmas carol or poem
• Find someone else spending the day alone and pool resources for a pot luck Christmas
• Volunteer to visit people in hospital, rest homes or at the Mission
• Spend the day planting a Christmas garden
• Create a piece of art using recyclable items in your home, or buy a canvas beforehand
• Stock up on books at the library and get lost in a great story
• Cook yourself your absolutely favourite meal and savour it
• Call a friend on Skype and share a glass of wine and a chat
• If you have a pet, give them a special present. Treat your companion like royalty
• See a movie
• Open a map of your town, close your eyes, and point to a place on the map. Drive or walk there, and see what you find.
• Think about what you loved to do as a kid that you don’t do anymore, and do it. e.g. if it was taking bubble baths, whip out your bath crystals!
• If you’re religious, go to a church and daydream about your best loved saints sitting next to you and talking to you. What would they say to you?
• Dress up and book lunch at a fancy hotel
• Bake treats for your neighbours and leave them as a surprise on their doorsteps
• Go fishing at the nearest wharf or beach