Alone on Christmas? You might be tempted to feel sorry for yourself. After all, Christmas is a loaded holiday.

There are so many expectations, meanings and emotions attached to Christmas.

Some people may think that spending Christmas by yourself is sad. I disagree!

There are plenty of ways to make the day feel special even if you spend it blissfully solo.

Here are eight delightful ways to spend Christmas alone—and actually enjoy it.

Plan ahead

Often, we get as much satisfaction out of anticipating an activity as we do experiencing it.

With this in mind, it’s definitely a good idea to plan your Christmas day (and eve!) activities ahead of time.

Have fun researching and envisioning what you’ll do.

You may also want to ask friends for their thoughts and advice because this will increase the delicious sense of anticipation.

Make it yours

Who says Christmas is all about togetherness? It can also be about eating your favourite foods and binging a Netflix series.

The great thing about spending Christmas day alone is that you can do whatever YOU want to do.

Maybe you want to pretend it’s not Christmas at all and do something fun, but Saint Nick-free.

Or maybe you want to pick and choose your favourite traditions to indulge in, such as putting up decorations and making homemade eggnog.

Be a kid again

Christmas is a great time to set your inner child free and be a kid again for a day. Buy yourself that discounted advent calendar and eat all the chocolates at once.

Or spend the whole day in your PJs making messes and leaving them for the fairies to clean up.

Enjoy a quiet activity

Often it’s the quiet activities that are most satisfying during the holidays.

Curl up with a good book and escape into another world. Or do a puzzle as you listen to music and sip your favourite aperitif.

Whatever quiet activity you choose, give yourself permission to really sink into the solitude and enjoy it!

Eat, drink and eat some more

In case you haven’t noticed, indulgence is a major theme here. After all, calories don’t count on Christmas, right?

Go ahead and make or order your favourite foods. If you love cooking, make a recipe that’s as fun to prepare as it is to eat.

If you’re not an expert chef, you could order in or try a meal kit from a local restaurant.

For example, a lot of Italian restaurants offer pizza kits that allow you to make gourmet pies at home.

Sometimes the best meal isn’t a meal at all.

Personally, I get very excited about holiday hors d’oeuvres. Why not make a charcuterie board and veggie plate and graze on it all afternoon?

Also be sure to stock up on your favourite holiday snacks and treats, like Lindor chocolates or those chocolates that look like an orange that everyone got in their stocking as a kid.

Hygge it up

Hygge is a Danish word for a sense of comfort and coziness with feelings of warmth and contentment.

What better time to enjoy Hygge than on Christmas day?

Light some candles, surround yourself with cozy blankets and pillows, bake a loaf of sourdough bread and wrap yourself in all the creature comforts the season has to offer!

Self-care the shiz out of it

Christmas is a wonderful time to give yourself the gift of self-care. I recommend doubling down—or heck, even quadrupling down—on your self-care activities on this day.

Take an extra bubbly bubble bath. Or do a face mask and pedicure if that’s your thing.

You can also practice some gentle yoga and meditation. Take the extra time to add essential oils to your vaporizer, light a candle or two and put on beautiful music.

It’s the little things that will make all the difference.

Go for a long walk

If it’s not snow-storming outside, why not get some fresh air and enjoy Mother Nature?

I know it can be hard to motivate yourself to go outside in the winter, but it’s usually worth it.

A change of scenery instantly changes your mood. It will also make the day more memorable and special.

As you walk, make a conscious effort to spot 10 beautiful things and take a moment to appreciate each one.

Enjoy!

And there you have it—eight ways to enjoy Christmas alone.

No matter how you choose to spend the day, I hope you remember that the day is yours to craft.

There’s no right or wrong way to do it!

Merry solo Christmas, love.

Xo, 

Michaela

If you’re new to the blog, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Michaela Chung, author of The Irresistible Introvert and The Year of The Introvert, and creator of this amazing innie community we have here. For several years, I’ve been building up a labyrinth of introvert resources that will take you on a magical journey toward more confidence, connection, and self-love. Start with this free Introvert Connection Guide.