Tildes “orphans”, what do you do for Christmas?

Context: I'm Jewish on my mom's side but not my dad's, I've always considered myself Jewish (though not particularly observant) , but we also celebrated Christmas with family on my dad's side and during childhood it was a very important day for me (cousins, presents, decoration, cookies, etc).

I haven't celebrated Christmas since undergrad (and even then I was always on campus for it). Honestly it's always a bit sad, less so over time. I try to spend the day chatting with online friends, who span many time zones and so I always have some people "around" who are in their wind-down-from-being-social period. Christmas cards can be nice, I used to have a tradition of hanging up all of the cards I got on the wall behind my desk. Write to people and request cards! (Potentially even from Tildes people, though obviously be careful giving out your address)

Most important thing though I think, is have a (fun) plan for the day and stick to it. My plan is usually audiobooks and jigsaw puzzles (this is usually my plan any day I have free though). Find something hobby-related you can spend the day doing thatll be fun, if that's a soldering project or a yarn project or etc. Schedule phone calls for a specific time of day, don't just say "oh yeah we'll call sometime that day." And be cozy! Warm PJs all day, hot chocolate, tea, etc. Being physically warm and cozy does a lot, especially in the middle of the winter.

Second Jew chiming in: It's always kind of awkward because of how the world basically stops. I could technically work the week between it and New Years, but nobody else will be there, so I'm basically forced to take vacation days at work or be sitting around getting nothing done because there is noone to answer questions or code review.

A few times, I've gone visit a orthodox Jewish friend of mine that week just to avoid sitting at home doing nothing. She home schools her son, and they actually make a point to do ordinary schoolwork that day.

Context: Retired, no kids, no family close by.

Christmas has become an insignificant holiday for me. It's just another day. What family I have left sends me a gift or two, and I always send my brother one, but we've not spent Christmas together in many years. I tend to visit them on Thanksgiving instead.

Last year, I think I spent most of the Christmas holiday season writing. That novel is still unfinished, and it pokes at me from time to time to get off my butt and finish. I've finally got another section forming in my head, so maybe I'll get back to work.

Videogames!

Last year I was dating someone and they had massive family drama around Christmas, I was happy to be on my own, lol

Most years I'm at the pc, enjoying a game or reading. A few years ago family visited, it was nice but I was also relieved when I had another week on my own after they left before work started again.

Context: I'm just someone that lives alone and doesn't have access to a family to spend christmas with.

I love to pretend that 'it's just another day, so don't worry about it'; but truthfully spending christmas alone doesn't always feel great. The best thing I've learned to do is to make a plan for the day. It doesn't need to be complicated, just something structured to pass the time.

Usually I'll do some cooking. A roast dinner keeps me busy and the result is well worth it. I'll typically plan in time to read and then watch a movie in the evening. I usually make an old fashioned and have some snacks.

Ultimately I want to give myself a good honest response for when people ask; 'How was your christmas?' 'Oh it was good, I cooked a roast dinner, had a whiskey, enjoyed watching some movies. It was a nice day.' feels better than a vague 'it was fine' and everyone feeling awkward because it doesn't feel true.

So I'm queer and don't have a relationship with my family. I live with a lady whose birthday is near Christmas and another who's a witch who observes the solstice so I try to plan out a combined celebration. There's not usually gift giving but we try to invite friends over, I make a nice big holiday meal with sides and desserts and stuff; we grow our own little pine tree and bring it indoors for the holidays; we drink (mead) and burn some incense. And as a Lutheran I always go to the Christmas Eve service at my church. So we have our own little traditions that are really fun -- Part of being an adult is realizing that if you want to have celebrations and traditions you have to be the one doing the work to uphold them, like the boring ass scheduling and inviting and meal planning and budgeting work. For me at least it's worth it

I love alone, which suits me quite well. My closest family has been travelling around the country for the past nearly 4 years, so it's pretty seldom that we're together at this point. In past years I have travelled to meet them if they're settling in a place for a while or other family, but I usually use Christmas day as a travelling day since the flights are cheaper and the roads are clear.

The social group in my apartment building gathers in the lobby with food and drinks on Christmas day. Last year I baked cookies and they were received well, so I'll be doing those again over the days leading up to it (I simply can't bear doing the baking and the decorating on the same day). Beyond that, I'm sure there will be lots of time to just relax or get out and walk.