Christmas is a holiday of hope and light. People gather with their families and rejoice in their blessings. However, what to do on Christmas day with no family? If you are asking yourself this question, then I am the right person to answer it. For many years now, I have been celebrating Christmas alone or with friends, as my family is in Japan (virtual connections rule). In today’s post, I would like to share some solo Christmas activities because, most often, I still spend this holiday by myself.
So, keep your chin up, I’ll tell you lots of ways to enjoy this one without getting upset because of solitude but with benefits and self-care on Christmas.
Creative Ideas for a Memorable Christmas Alone: How We Do It In Japan
To begin with and give you some interesting insights, I would like to tell you a little bit about how we celebrate Christmas in Japan. If you read my article about how to celebrate the New Year with friends, I also slightly opened the curtain on how this event is marked outside the United States, in my home country. There’s a whole bunch of interesting info there. I advise you to check it out, too 😉
So, Christmas in Japan. First of all, I’d like to point out that there are very few Christians there. To be precise, about 1% of the total population. But despite this, we love this holiday. All cities and towns are glowing with festive illuminations and ever-green Christmas trees. Christmas markets are also quite popular. The Japanese usually give gifts to each other. But that’s probably where all the similarities end…
What to do on Christmas day with no family in Japan? Go to the Party!
In the land of the rising sun, we see this holiday as an opportunity to have a good time with friends. That’s right, we organize loud parties rather than gather with our families. Christmas is also perceived more as another Valentine’s Day, with lovebirds walking everywhere. People consider this day to be extremely romantic. Furthermore, we don’t bake a turkey or cook eggnog. We have lunch at the KFC. Yes, the Japanese book tables a few weeks in advance to enjoy the world-famous chicken. Even the company mascot, Colonel Sanders, dresses up as Santa for the occasion. In terms of food, perhaps the only thing I can compare to a Christmas table in the United States is the holiday pie “kurisumasu keki.” It’s a true hit, and you can buy it literally on almost every street corner in the country. The dessert is a round sponge cake topped with Christmas decorations.
It is not common to spend Christmas in solitude in Japan. However, just as there are exceptions to every rule, it is quite normal to enjoy this holiday on your own.
What to Do on Christmas Day with No Family: Opt for Self-Care Rituals to Brighten Your Celebration
What to do on Christmas Day with no family? The first thing you should do is not get depressed and ruin the holiday for yourself. Yes, you’ll be celebrating alone, but is that necessarily a bad thing? Dedicate this time to self-care on Christmas and doing something nice for yourself or others by festive volunteering.
Here are a few solo Christmas activities to embrace solitude and make the most of the occasion.
Solo Christmas activities idea #1: Craft a personalized Christmas feast
If you love to cook and have been wanting to try making some cool dishes for a long time, then this is the time. Because why not? First off, you won’t be distracted by anybody (no family or friends at Christmas), and you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the process. Plus, you’ll end up with a delicious dinner prepared just for you. Enjoy the process of cooking for one to the fullest: Go to the market (although a supermarket is fine, too) and pick up the necessary ingredients and a nice bottle of wine. While cooking, turn on your favorite music and have the best time with yourself.
Source – Giphy
Solo Christmas activities idea #2: Get yourself a break with a digital detox on Christmas
What to do on Christmas Day with no family? In my opinion, a whole day without gadgets and toxic social media is one of the best opportunities for self-care. Turn everything off and enjoy a paper book. You can wrap yourself in the softest blanket and make yourself a cup of the most delicious drink of your choice. Believe me, you will feel incomparably better, and solitude on Christmas will not seem like a burden. Leave for now your virtual connections to the real world.
Solo Christmas activities idea #3: Goal setting for the upcoming New Year
December is the last month of the year. It’s a time to realize what you’ve managed to do, what’s been good, and what you’d like to achieve in the year ahead. Why not do it as part of your self-care on Christmas? You can get creative and make a whole display of your achievements and goals with photos and notes, or a simple piece of paper at home, or just sit and devote some time to personal reflection over a cup of coffee in a nice place.
What to Do on Christmas Day with No Family: Connect Virtually with Your Loved Ones
Virtual connections are my everything, not only at Christmas but every day. Studying away from home is not easy, and I often feel lonely. However, FaceTime always saves the day. Therefore, I advise you not to be discouraged by the fact that you celebrate Christmas alone for one reason or another but to use the fruits of digitalization and make a video call to your loved ones.
Getting yourself a break with a digital detox on Christmas, practicing gratitude for your blessings, and spending some quality time outdoors can help with personal reflection and goal setting for the New Year.
Embrace the Solitude: Activities for Personal Reflection and Relaxation
What to do on Christmas day with no family? As I have already mentioned, do not dwell on the fact that you are spending Christmas in solitude, but focus on self-care. Here are a few more effective ways that I personally find helpful.
How to spend Christmas alone: Practice gratitude for your blessings
I’m sure you have a lot to be thankful for in the past year, even if it doesn’t seem like it. Sometimes, it might be useful to be alone on Christmas day. You’ll have the opportunity to think about important things. Yes, Christmas is an essential milestone, but it’s just one day. After that, life will go back to normal. Take Christmas time for reflection and gratitude for your blessings. You can have a few virtual connections though, if feel like it, or opt for festive volunteering.
What to do on Christmas day with no family: Watch feel-good movies or read books
I don’t know about you, but for me, festive films and books are those proven therapeutic hobbies that can enlighten even the worst holidays. This is one of my favorite solo Christmas activities. Choose a movie or book that you love and relax. Everything will be fine! It just has to be 🙂
Source – Giphy
No family or friends at Christmas? Take a pleasant walk in the fresh air!
A good walk outdoors is always a great way to clear your head of unnecessary thoughts and just enjoy life. Put on warm clothes and go somewhere closer to nature. Breathe in the fresh air and let the beauty of your surroundings fill you with its depth. Solitude on Christmas can be a great opportunity for self-care and getting some much-needed peace of mind during nature walks.
How to Spend Christmas Alone: Spread the Festive Spirit by Volunteering and Giving Back
I like the American concept of Christmas, which states that it is a holiday of eternal hope. As they say, it dies last. This world is far from perfect. There is a lot of evil and injustice in it. However, if there are at least a few people who are willing to do something good for others, I think it still has a chance to become better. If you ask yourself, “What to do on Christmas day with no family to enrich my solo experience?” My suggestion is to dedicate Christmas Day to festive volunteering and giving back. There are many people living next to us who are much less fortunate in life. Try to make their Christmas a little bit better and more joyful this year.
What to Do on Christmas Day with No Family: Top 3 FAQs
1. What are some creative ways to spend Christmas day alone?
There are many creative ways to spend the holiday if you’re alone on Christmas day. You can go to the countryside and spend the day in nature, or devote the day to your favorite festive films and books, or go around the neighborhood Christmas markets and hit the hot drinks.
2. How can I practice relaxation and self-care on Christmas day?
Spending Christmas alone is a great opportunity for personal reflection and self-care. Have a dinner for one with your favorite dish, spend the day on beauty treatments or nature walks, or just let yourself sleep to your heart’s content.
3. What are the benefits of a digital detox during the festive season?
A digital detox by turning off all gadgets and leaving your email for good will help you be yourself, clear your mind, and reduce stress.
Source – Giphy
I hope you have found a worthy way to spend Christmas in solitude. Remember, even if you are alone on Christmas Day, it is not a reason to be sad. It’s just a great opportunity for personal reflection and self-care or care for others through volunteering.
