What To Do If You're Spending Christmas Day Alone

Spending the festive period alone doesn't have to be a bad thing—it can be an exciting and enjoyable experience.

A solo Christmas might involve watching all your favorite films or cooking up a storm.

"The best company you can have is with yourself: we are always looking at external sources to provide our happiness, but looking inward and learning to be comfortable with our own company is the key to happiness all year round," Chris Freer, a cognitive behavioral therapist, told Newsweek.

In 2021, a YouGov survey of 3,986 U.S. adults found that 11 percent had spent the 2020 festive season on their own—many because of the Covid pandemic—and 16 percent of those described the experience as "good."

Newsweek has reached out to two mental health expers to find out how you can avoid feelings of dread, along with a chef who has shared festive suggestions for one person.

How To Celebrate Christmas Day Alone

December is the busiest month of the year for most people, but it is essential to keep time for yourself too.

"Taking care of yourself is very important as seasonal pressures can leave you feeling stressed, overwhelmed and exhausted," said Mark Debus.

Debus, the manager of a behavioral health team, offers the following tips:

• Prioritize the amount of sleep you're getting
• Exercise regularly
• Find activities you enjoy
• Give yourself permission to limit obligations.

He added: "When you say 'yes' to too much, it could leave you feeling overextended. This combination will allow you to not only enjoy your holiday season but also give you a clear and positive mental state."

1. Schedule a Phone Call

If a loved one is a phone call away, Freer suggests planning ahead and organizing a time to speak. If you have a smartphone, make a video call.

There are also apps available that allow you to keep in touch by playing a game.

Freer told Newsweek: "Modern tech allows us to speak to people on the other side of the world. I highly recommend forward planning. Set aside a time to have a call and aim to organize something festive and familiar you can do over a video chat with your loved ones: a classic game of Christmas charades, for example."

2. Connect With Your Community

It is important to remember you are not alone, even if it feels like you are. The United States Census Bureau reported that 37 million adults aged 18 and over lived independently at the start of 2021.

So, there is a good chance someone close by is spending Christmas alone too.

Both Freer and Debus suggested reaching out to a neighbor or another person or group during the holidays.

Freer also recommended doing things that will give you a "huge sense of accomplishment" during the festive season:

• Do something for the community such as volunteering at a soup kitchen or taking part in a charity run
• Help out those less fortunate than you by donating food or toys for children.

Debus said: "Find activities you enjoy, prioritize what you say 'yes' to and, most importantly, offer your time. Whether shoveling an elderly neighbor's driveway, raking leaves for your parents or buying a coffee for your postman, find kindness and do it unprompted. These acts will help you step outside your own worries and put you, and potentially someone else, in a better headspace."

Do you have a Christmas dilemma? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money, and work, and your story could be featured on Newsweek's "What Should I Do? section.

How To Prevent Feeling Lonely When Spending the Holidays Alone

Newsweek also spoke to Cathy Michalec, executive director of the non-profit Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly, about relieving isolation and loneliness among older adults.

Michalec said: "Generally speaking, if you are experiencing isolation and loneliness, it is very unlikely you would be proactive and reach out. I would like to suggest a way to turn this focus around to ask people in cities and villages what they can do to discover, engage and support older neighbors and/or family members.

"The most effective way to do this is to reach out, engage and repeat. Look around and see who is always alone and never gets visitors. Leave a holiday card with a sweet treat, share your phone number, and help, such as getting items for the older adult at a grocery store, or taking them to a holiday event or church service.

"Consider an in-person visit to introduce yourself and have a nice conversation. Even though the first visit may feel uncomfortable, please do it again, as repeated visits will establish trust and encourage ongoing friendship. If you have a canine friend, bring them along as many older adults miss contact with animals. Inquire if they would like to meet your children as many older adults may not have grandchildren leaving nearby."

How To Cook Christmas Dinner for One

Newsweek reached out to Vincenzo Della Polla, an executive chef and cooking school instructor at Pritikin Longevity Center in Miami, for advice on Christmas dinner for one.

"One of the best things about cooking for just yourself is that you know what you like. There is no trying to please someone else. This should be taken as a benefit as it'll give you a chance to experiment without trying to feel like you need to satisfy everyone's taste buds at the dinner table.

"If you have never tried something like grilling a buffalo filet mignon or pan-searing jumbo scallops, get out of your comfort zone and try it! You'll be impressed to see just how fun and enjoyable cooking for just one can really be!"

Della Polla recommends cooking fish with an easy side dish such as sautéed asparagus and broccolini, followed by a simple crispy apple turnover dessert.

He has provided the following recipes:

Lemon Braised Salmon Recipe

Ingredients

• 4ea 4oz fish
• 1 tsp all-purpose seasoning
• 1 tsp Mrs Dash (ground spice blend)
• 2 lemons, juiced and zested
• 3 TB white wine

Method

• Season fish with seasoning.
• In a medium-hot skillet, sear one side until brown.
• Combine the lemon juice, zest and wine in a bowl then pour over the fish and cover.
• Cook for two minutes, you do not need to flip the fish.

Try using another citrus. Also try other proteins, such as seabass, chicken and even tofu.

Roasted Pepper Dip Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 red pepper, roasted, seeds removed and peeled
• 1 Poblano pepper, roasted, seeds removed and peeled
• 1 yellow pepper, roasted, seeds removed and peeled
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 TB green grotto
• ½ cup red wine vinegar
• ½ cup apple juice concentrate
• ½ cup fresh basil, chopped fine
• ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped fine
• 1 cup red onion, half julienne
• 1 cup low-fat cream cheese

Method

• Roast fresh peppers under the broiler until skin blisters and burns.
• Pull from oven and allow to cool.
• Remove burnt skin and seeds.
• Sauté red onion in hot skillet until caramelized, add garlic and cook until golden brown.
• Add oregano vinegar and apple juice; bring to a boil for five minutes.
• Set aside and cool down.
• Mix all ingredients in food processor and blend until smooth.

Della Polla told Newsweek: "If you want an easy side dish, try just sautéing some asparagus or broccolini with a bit of cooking spray. Add minced garlic, lemon juice, a dash of low-sodium chicken or veggie broth and cover it. You're in business within five minutes."

"A simple dessert that would be a healthy take on a classic is our crispy apple turnover. You can try substituting peaches, mango, or even bananas," he said.

Crispy Apple Turnover Recipe

Ingredients

• 6 cups peeled, sliced apples (frozen are OK to use)
• 1tsp cinnamon
• 1tsp vanilla
• 1TB lemon juice
• ½ cup apple juice concentrate
• 3 whole wheat wraps (cut into quarters)
• corn starch to thicken at the end

Method

• Add apples, concentrate, lemon, cinnamon, and vanilla to skillet and turn on high.
• Cook until the apples are soft but not breaking apart.
• Add the cornstarch until looks like apple pie filling.
• Cool apples and roll in a tortilla.
• Bake until crispy at 350F, about 10 minutes.