From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
CHRISTMAS STRATEGIES FOR SINGLES
Hugh McKay in his book 'Reinventing Australia' suggests that loneliness is endemic in our society. Of course, you don't have to be single or away from your family and friends to be lonely. But the majority of single people living away from family and friends can find Christmas a terrible time.
Not to mention non custody parents of children - suicides are always high at this 'love and good tidings'. So , what to do if you fit into either of these categories? Start planning now! Make sure you have a great time.
Perhaps you could plan to travel over the break - go to Bali or Fiji or New Zealand - you may find special deals on air fares for Christmas day and not only does it fill the day, flight attendants are always extra cheerful! Anyway some of them are probably working to ward off loneliness as well! Or plan a backpacking trip where you stay with lots of international travellers who are looking for company.
In the past, I have worked as a physiotherapist on Christmas day - and I had a wonderful time! I would joke and sing with patients and join in with their families when they came to visit - I was even given a present or two! Between staff and patients and the mistletoe I used to carry around it was good fun!
Could you work on Christmas day? If not at your normal workplace, what about volunteer work. A friend of mine would go with his children to a respite for old people and they would spend a couple of hours helping those less fortunate. What about visiting an orphanage or a nursing home( before Christmas so they can make sure you are genuine and will let you in on the day) and make someone else's day less lonely? Or take a meal up to your old neighbor who hasn't family or any way of easily getting out.
You could spend days planning and enjoying a series of rituals aimed at pampering yourself for the Christmas break! List five things that make you feel fantastic. Bet you almost never have time to do them! So work out how you can do all of those over Christmas. Book into a luxury - or even ordinary- hotel and give yourself gifts of great food and wine , a massage, a gym work out, a spa bath and sauna, watch a funny video or just lie quietly and read a book - uninterrupted.
Fishing and bushwalking and rollerblading and cycling through a park and swimming or sitting on a beach are other options - it's really how you perceive the day. See it as a whole day or two where you can be totally selfish and do whatever you want! Whenever you want. If you want ice cream for breakfast (YUCK - not a good wellness idea - but hey, it's Christmas) then do it and feel no guilt - this is your Christmas pressie to yourself. A whole day with no guilt, remorse, feelings of obligation or no one to irritate you!
How about organizing an 'orphan's ' party? Find all the other singles or people away from their families and have them to your house for a long lunch 'barbie'; or make a restaurant booking now to avoid disappointment or plan to meet at the park for a picnic by the beach/ lake or dam.
Whatever you choose, there are lots of ways of making your own fun and if nostalgia attacks you because it's Christmas forget that it's Christmas Day and pretend it's the 4th of August! Search now for interesting Christmas activity ideas!
