How to Enjoy Your Holiday Alone

Many holidays are centered around surrounding yourself with family members and gathering in large groups, so it can be tough to enjoy your holiday all by yourself. However, spending a holiday alone can actually be more enjoyable than hanging out with other people, and you might even find that you like it more. There are a few things you can do on your own to make your holiday season special this year.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Relaxing

1. Stay in your pajamas all day. If you’re planning to spend the day at home, you don’t need to bother with real pants. Put on your softest sweatpants or your coziest robe and lounge around the house while staying comfortable.^[1]
   
   • If staying in pajamas all day makes you feel a little gross, don’t be afraid to change into real clothes.
   • You could even treat yourself to a new pair of cozy pajamas.
2. Sleep in. It’s your holiday! Turn off your alarm and let your body wake up naturally. You can enjoy the extra rest and return to your normal life feeling refreshed and energized.^[2]
   
   • Holidays with other people often involve a long itinerary that you might have to wake up early for. Enjoy the time you get sleeping while you spend this holiday alone!
3. Take a nap in the middle of the day. Speaking of sleep, why not catch up on it in the afternoon? When the entire day is yours, you can use it how you please. If you’re feeling tired, take a quick siesta in your bed or on your couch.^[3]
   
   • If you’re worried about sleeping the day away, set an alarm to wake you up after 1 to 2 hours.
4. Have a spa day at home. Run yourself a bubble bath, put on a face mask, and paint your nails. Give yourself a deeply relaxing afternoon to enjoy your time alone without the distraction of anyone else’s company.^[4]
   
   • Throw on some soothing tunes and read a book while you soak in the tub for a truly relaxing experience.
   • You could also try doing simple yoga. Even 15 minutes can help you feel relaxed and centered. You can look up classes in your area, or try a class online.^[5]
5. Reach out to family and friends. If you want to see your loved ones but you can’t be there in person, a quick phone call or a video chat will probably help. Send them a text to see when they’re available and spend some time talking about your holiday traditions, even if you can’t be together in person.^[6]
   
   • They can also give you some emotional support if you’re feeling a little lonely or sad.
6. Limit your technology use. If you’re spending your holiday alone, it might be tempting to stay completely plugged in to your social media and email, but taking a break is good for your mental health. Try turning off your phone and computer to focus on yourself throughout the day instead of others.^[7]
   
   • Create a specific time in the day and amount of time to use technology during your holiday. This will help you keep your connection in check.
   • Focus on creating time for other things, like reading or drawing.^[8]

[Edit]Treating Yourself

1. Plan an outing to the movies, a museum, or a park. If you’re not the type of person who likes to spend all day at home, try going out somewhere instead. You could go shopping, see a movie or a play, take a crafting class, or go on a hike.^[9]
   
   • Some attractions might be closed for the holidays or have different hours. Check online to see what’s open before you head out for the day.
2. Eat your favorite foods. Whether you want to go out to your favorite restaurant or cook at home, splurge a little on food. It’s what the holidays are all about, right?^[10]
   
   • This could be as simple as stocking up your fridge before your holiday so you don’t have to worry about going to the grocery store.
   • Get a little fancy. Make a cheese plate, and buy a nice wine just for you. Or, just spend some time plating up your favorite junk foods instead of eating them straight from the bag.
   • Even though you’re on your own, clean up right after you eat to keep your holiday and space relaxing.
3. Give yourself a gift. Gifts don’t have to just be for other people! If there’s something you’ve been eyeing in the shops for a while, go out and buy it for yourself. It’s a holiday, and you deserve it.^[11]
   
   • If you want to get even fancier, you could wrap it up in gift wrap, too.
4. Create a new holiday tradition. While traditions are fun to uphold, they can be a little hard to do on your own. Instead, try making a new holiday tradition all on your own that you can do every year, whether you’re on your own or with other people. You could:^[12]
   
   • Be a tourist in your own town.
   • Walk around your neighborhood to see the Christmas lights.
   • Watch a new holiday movie.
   • Send holiday cards to your friends and family.
5. Get away for a few days. If your budget is flexible enough, try planning a weekend trip to a resort or a spa. This will get you out of the house and give you some nice activities to do during the holidays so you don’t spend them in your home by yourself.^[13]
   
   • Ski resorts, tropical destinations, and small towns are all fun to visit during the holidays.

[Edit]Being Productive

1. Volunteer somewhere. If you live near a shelter or a mission, reach out to see if they need help during the holidays. If you already volunteer somewhere, ask if you can come in on your day off. Giving back is what the holidays are all about, and it will probably make you feel good, too.^[14]
   
   • If you volunteer somewhere and you enjoy the experience, consider volunteering more often than just one day a year.
2. Dive into a creative project. If you have a creative outlet, dive in and make something really special. You could draw, paint, make a collage, embroider, or knit—whatever makes you feel accomplished at the end of the day.^[15]
   
   • If you need to get holiday gifts for people, you could use your crafting skills to make them ornaments or care packages.
3. Do some chores around your home. There’s nothing better than sitting down at the end of the day in a sparkling clean home. Give your area a deep clean so you can relax and enjoy the rest of your holiday in peace.^[16]
   
   • Make the chores more fun by throwing on your favorite TV show or some fun tunes in the background.
4. Tackle a few home projects. Is there a room in your home that needs to be painted? Or a closet that’s particularly messy? If you’d like to, you can knock out a few of these projects while you’re home by yourself.^[17]
   
   • If a home project sounds like too much right now, stick to simple chores instead.

[Edit]Tips

• Being alone for the holidays can actually be more relaxing than surrounding yourself with other people.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Enjoy a Holiday at Home

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/enjoy-the-holidays-at-home-9-things-to-do-around-the-house-just-for-fun-197273
2. ↑ https://www.seattletimes.com/life/alone-for-the-holidays-and-loving-it/
3. ↑ https://www.seattletimes.com/life/alone-for-the-holidays-and-loving-it/
4. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/enjoy-the-holidays-at-home-9-things-to-do-around-the-house-just-for-fun-197273
5. ↑ [v161075_b04]. 27 March 2020.
6. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/10-things-to-do-if-youre-alone-for-the-holidays/
7. ↑ [v161075_b04]. 27 March 2020.
8. ↑ https://www.unicef.org/romania/stories/how-spend-your-time-if-you-have-stay-home-because-novel-coronavirus
9. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/10-things-to-do-if-youre-alone-for-the-holidays/
10. ↑ https://www.seattletimes.com/life/alone-for-the-holidays-and-loving-it/
11. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/enjoy-the-holidays-at-home-9-things-to-do-around-the-house-just-for-fun-197273
12. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happiness-is-state-mind/201811/how-navigate-the-holiday-season-if-you-are-alone
13. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happiness-is-state-mind/201811/how-navigate-the-holiday-season-if-you-are-alone
14. ↑ https://www.mentalhelp.net/blogs/single-and-alone-for-the-holidays-6-strategies-for-surviving-and-even-thriving-the-holidays-alone/
15. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/enjoy-the-holidays-at-home-9-things-to-do-around-the-house-just-for-fun-197273
16. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/enjoy-the-holidays-at-home-9-things-to-do-around-the-house-just-for-fun-197273
17. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/enjoy-the-holidays-at-home-9-things-to-do-around-the-house-just-for-fun-197273