Just because we are parents it doesn’t necessarily follow that we’ll be spending Christmas with our children. Custody arrangements, work and various family commitments and ties can prevent us from doing just that.
In my case, the children will be spending Christmas, and 2 weeks following, with their father abroad. It will be my first Christmas without them and to be honest, I’ve pretty much forgotten what the point of Christmas without children is. What do people do all day?
Childless Christmas survival guide
Have a pre-Christmas Christmas
We made last weekend our Christmas. On Friday night we sprinkled reindeer dust on the driveway and left a mince pie and some wine out for Santa and the next morning, low, ‘twas Christmas. We had the full deal: presents, turkey dinner, crackers, games and silliness. The only problem with this is you’re left feeling a bit Christmas jaded by the next weekend wondering why the shops are still trying to flog presents and the TV is full of Christmas films a full week after Christmas.
Choose your friends wisely
Nothing is going to make you more depressed and maudlin than spending Christmas surrounded by other people’s children. Make plans to spend time with your childless friends .
Remember what childless Christmases were all about
There was really fun to be had, I’m sure. I seem to remember it involved plenty of drinking, lie-ins, yummy food that’s not been dumbed down for a toddlers palate and films not suitable for the small people in your life.
Get Outside
Not only does exercise and fresh air lift the spirits, but seriously, how often do you get the chance to be practically the only person outdoors? Go and visit your favourite outdoor attraction or park, take a walk or a bike ride and revel in the peace and quiet.
Pretend it’s not happening
If all else fails, get yourself a large bottle of wine and DVD box set and spend the day in bed with the curtains shut pretending the rest of the world doesn’t exist.
Tis only another day, after all. But a day off work, nonetheless.
Great advice!! But I don’t think I even have any childless friends except maybe a few adorable grannies who live nearby. Since I love to crochet i’ll invite them over for a sweet sherry, crochet circle and a sing song around the piano from the old days!