Spending Christmas alone can be a deeply nourishing experience when you approach it with intention and care. Think of it as an opportunity to honour yourself, reconnect with what feels good, and create a day that fills you with peace and joy.
Here’s a step-by-step plan to help you design your ideal Christmas Eve and Day.
Christmas Eve: A Gentle Wind-Down
Morning: Slow Start, Soft Focus
Begin your day in a way that feels easy and restorative.
- Brew your favourite coffee or tea and sip it slowly.
- Write a short reflection: What do I want from tomorrow? How can I honour myself today?
- Take a gentle walk if the weather allows. Notice the crispness of the air and how your body feels as you move.
This is about grounding yourself in the present moment and setting a tone of ease.
Afternoon: Creative Play
Spend time exploring your creative side.
- Try bilateral neuroart: let both hands create patterns or shapes without overthinking. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence.
- Make a simple festive craft, like decorating a candle, painting a bauble or making paper decorations that remind you of being a child.
Engaging in creativity connects you to yourself in a way that feels both calming and energising.
Evening: Reflective Comfort
As the evening sets in, turn inward.
- Light some candles, get into your snuggliest outfit , and put on music that soothes you or scratches an itch.
- Try a short somatic movement practice. Tune into your body and move in ways that feel good—swaying, stretching, dancing or practicing your favourite hobby.
- Journal about the year’s highlights, challenges, and lessons. Cheer your wins and celebrate your growth. Let go of anything that no longer serves you by saying Thank you, but, its time to say Goodbye
Finish your evening with a calming drink—like chamomile tea or a cosy mug of hot chocolate—and a feel-good movie or book.
Christmas Day: A Celebration of You
Morning: Nourishing and Grounding
Start Christmas Day with intention and self-care.
- Prepare a festive breakfast, like eggnog French toast or pancakes with seasonal toppings. Or, even just one you love, it doesn’t have to be ‘festive’
- Take a long, luxurious bath or shower with your favourite scents. Add a few drops of essential oils like lavender or orange for a spa-like feel.
- Practice a grounding exercise: stand barefoot on the floor, feel the connection to the ground, and take slow, steady breaths.
Take this time to savour stillness and honour your body’s needs.
Afternoon: Movement and Reflection
The middle of your day is a perfect time for light activity and reflective moments.
- Head outside for a walk in nature. If it’s cold, bundle up and let the fresh air invigorate you. Notice the textures and colours around you—the crunch of leaves, the shimmer of frost, the bare branches of trees.
- Try an act of triumph: Stand tall, stretch your arms wide, and take a power pose. This simple movement can be deeply empowering and energising.
When you return, cosy up warm and spend time journaling or drawing—whatever feels good.
Evening: Indulgence and Gratitude
As the day winds down, focus on comfort and gratitude.
- Prepare a festive dinner for yourself. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—choose foods you love that feel special to you.
- Set your table as though hosting a guest: light a candle, use your favourite plate, and savour the moment.
- Reflect on what you’re grateful for this year. Write down a few things that brought you joy, and consider how you might carry that energy into the new year.
End the evening with something indulgent—a dessert, a movie, or simply curling up with your dogs and a blanket.
Making the Day Yours
This plan is just a guide, a few ideas—you know what feels best for you and all that matters over these next dew days is that you focus on doing what feels good for you. Whether it’s staying in pyjamas all day, dancing around your living room, or watching a holiday classic for the third time, the key is to listen to what your body and mind need and using this enforced downtime a solo Christmas gives you.
Solo Christmas is a chance to honour yourself in a way that might not always be possible in the hustle of everyday life. It’s not about doing more but about being more present.
Your Turn
What will your solo Christmas look like this year?
💬 Share your plans or traditions with me—I’d love to hear how you’re celebrating!