2006-12-21 14:35:23 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
"If it feels good - do it!" (At least at Christmas!)
If you're alone - do what you want, not what others 'tell' you to do.
I live alone and put up no lights or decorations - as I have few guests and there's no point wasting power! But I love Christmas and believe in the Christian message it holds, underlying the advertising and "Spend, spend, spend!" hype.
It's not up to my neighbours to tell me 'how to celebrate Christmas'! And, if you think you 'have to' make some sign of conformity - that just shows how well-conditioned you have become.
Enjoy it! If you didn't make the kids clean up their rooms before they left - clean them up and shut the doors. Ignore the neighbour's pulsing lights by closing the curtains, if they get on your nerves. Curl up with a good book/movie/drink/snack and enjoy the peace. Go shopping and enjoy spending time, if not money, 'on yourself'.
If you're going to be alone Christmas Day - plan to have what YOU like to eat (I DON'T LIKE turkey!). Cook a roast, boil up some pasta - whatever suits YOU!
Enjoy Christmas as Christmas, not a series of 'requirements'!
2006-12-21 14:55:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The holidays are hard to face alone. Just because you're not going to be surrounded by family this year is no reason not to have a great Christmas. With a little planning, it can be a wonderful time of year.
Decorate the house. Even if you're the only one who's going to see it, take the time to decorate your home. Put up a Christmas tree, hang some lights. Send out cards. Make Christmas cookies. One of the hardest things about spending Christmas alone is the feeling that everyone else is having a great time and you've been excluded. Make sure you're not excluding yourself.
Christmas is supposed to be 'the most wonderful time of the year'. All too often, it isn't. As the cards and carols like to remind us, Christmas is supposed to be a time for families and togetherness, peace and well being for all. If only the problems in life paid more attention to the songs on the radio and it really was that easy.
2006-12-21 22:56:28 · answer #2 · answered by Bombshell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What are you decorating that would make the neighbors happy? The outdoors? Put a wreath on the door and call it done. Or don't and call it done.
Unless you have some sort of a contract with the neighbors that requires you to decorate, decorating is optional.
2006-12-21 22:45:00 · answer #3 · answered by istitch2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you & your neighbors always decorate, then why not continue. There is a lot to be said for tradition and being a good neighbor. Lots of people seem to think that you have a responsibility only to yourself and making sure you are happy...I just don't choose to do life like that.
2006-12-21 22:48:35 · answer #4 · answered by planb 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, Christmas is not about the decorations. Put up whatever helps you to feel happy and in the Christmas spirit. The neighbors need to put up whatever they want at their own place. Maybe give them a Christmas card.
2006-12-21 22:41:28 · answer #5 · answered by Angie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Decorate only if you want to. You aren't obligated to do anything just for the neighbors!
It is always nice to be on good terms with your neighbors though, so if a tasteful decoration would bring a smile to their faces, consider it.
Happy Holidays!
2006-12-21 22:37:46 · answer #6 · answered by Dave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know when I first separated I didn't know what to do, with my kids away it took almost all the sparkle out of my holiday. But I love the reason for Christmas and like to remind myself, so I have a "Little" tree that I use and add a few of my favorite decorations to bring some cheer to my house.. I also might put a wreath on the door and just put lights around the door itself...
Then I decided to follow one of my mothers traditions... I ask around at work, call my friends and find out who they know who won't be going "home" for Christmas, or someone who knows no one in town, or even has no family ties.. Then I invite them to a special Christmas Eve or Christmas Day get together, I ask everyone to bring a unique ornament or small item with a set spending limit and number all the gifts as they arrive and place them under the tree (I usually find a few gifts some for men some for women and have them wrapped under the tree, Never know when an extra visitor will show up who didn't know about the exchange and add those as necessary) and after we've eaten I place numbers in a Santa Hat and everyone draws and starting with number 1 they choose a package and it's so cool to watch their face light up as they find out their surprise. This is not a White Elephant , it's just about the delight of having something to remember the special night they had and the new friends they make that night..
I always find I get more out of it than anybody else, I enjoy baking and cooking knowing I will be able to bring a little bit of Joy to someone and it's amazing to watch your little circle of friends grow from year to year as they help with the preparations and find their own visitors to bring. One year we had over 30 people and now many of them have started it at their own homes since I only do it every other year and we don't want it to be such a large gathering no one will really get to know each other.
And when my kids get back with all their exciting stories they ask about mine and now they help me with cookies every year before they leave so they feel like they are a part of it...
Whatever you decide to do, keep you heart open to why we do it... Hopefully it's never to satisfy anyone else...
Merry Christmas
2006-12-21 23:13:18 · answer #7 · answered by swtnlow44 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, decorate even thought your kids are gone. Decorate so you will get in the holiday spirit but if you don't want to do it then don't. The neighbors don't matter.
2006-12-21 22:38:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Decorate for you and the kids and if the neighbors dont like it tell them to kiss you red behind.
2006-12-21 22:37:38 · answer #9 · answered by karen v 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only one you have to make happy is you. And if you don't feel like decorating don't.
2006-12-21 22:39:54 · answer #10 · answered by thmsnbrgll 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋