This is my second Xmas without my husband.
Last year my son and family who live away came to stay and my local based son and family came for few hours in the morning.
This year I have been asked to go to my son’s as his wife wants Xmas at home with their 2 year old starting their own traditions. I understand that but I have a dog that I don’t want to leave alone for 3 days. Local son has been asked by other son to feed him but no walks or company. And I don’t expect him to stay over and not be there for his two children.
So I’m thinking of staying on my own . Has anyone else done this? Local son and family will probably drop in Xmas morning and I’m thinking dog walk in afternoon and tv evening.
I’m apprehensive but think I need to do this. Xmas is one day. I do this most Sundays is Xmas any different?
This will be my second Christmas also without my husband I’m absolutely dreading it I stop at my daughters a few doors away from me Christmas Eve and Christmas day then go to my sons Boxing day for a few days, as you say it’s just one day but the 2 week build up to Christmas ment such a lot too me lights outside the house beautiful Christmas tree inside watching Christmas films now I can’t even put a tree up or the lights outside can’t even look at Christmas decorations in the shop or watch the films my daughter said we’ll make new memories but it’s so hard and she does her best, so I do feel for you and what your going through it’s so hard I wish you well especially at this time of the year and everyone else who will be going through the same grief
this will be my first Christmas its only been 10wks and the thought of Christmas i dont know how im going to deal with it …its my grandchild first Christmas she was born the day after my partner past he would of loved and spoiled her i just wish there was a big hole and swoller me up …
I was so worried about the first Xmas without my husband and yet it came and went. Very few tears. We talked about him. He loved Xmas . This year is going to be different waking up alone with the dog. No family staying But I’m sure it will come and go like the last one.
Sorry for your loss all firsts are difficult but I think we sometimes overthink them so when they arrive they are not as bad as you think.
Keep it simple do what feels right for you. I’m sure he’d want you to enjoy it. X
My first Christmas without my other half this year…he died in August after being given weeks to live on August 1……such a huge shock……
I can’t bear the thought of being in this house over Christmas without him so I,m going over to stay with my son, his wife and my grandchildren for a week…
So looking forward to seeing them but scared to death of doing the trip on my own…it was stressful enough with my husband by my side! 
Hopefully once I have done it alone for the first time I will be ok….
My heart goes out to everyone who will struggle without their loved one this Christmas……,
Lisa x
I spend xmas on my own, and prefer it to mixing with relatives. I usually take the dogs for walkies somewhere nice and have a nice pint in a pub. I talk to my late wife all the time as I walk. This year will be the same, then home for an indian banquet (just to be different)
It’s my first Christmas alone, my daughter wants me to spend it with her and her family. I’m gonna spend the day alone in bed I don’t want to face the world at the best of times let alone at Christmas
If you can do xmas alone so can I I think- nice bit of steak but I’ll skip the pint for a g&t once I’ve walked my dog.
I can’t face it I’m at nearly 16 months I am off abroad again . Can’t stand it yet at all . Not same without him
always spent xmas at home, hate the thought of going to someone elses or having people round at xmas, like to do what i want to and was the same when hubby was here. its my 3rd one without him and i look forward to the lights everywhere, the xmas sliegh coming round, my turkey dinner, everything about it. only thing i wishis we had snow
This is going to be my first Christmas on my own. My husband died on 4th January this year, and our last Christmas was just awful. I need do Christmas my own way this year, and already have a few treats stashed away in the garage. If I dont bother to get dressed, and spend the day watching silly films on tv, then that will be my Christmas.
I just loved the look of horror on my friends face when I suggested that if the weather was nice i could go to the allotment!
I think whatever you choose to do, you have to do it your own way.
It will also be my first Christmas alone, Heartbroken27. I have no family for support.
My wife always made a big thing of Christmas and she would have started already.
I just want it to be over and done with. I am just going to try and pretend it’s not happening but it’s going to be really hard.
@Dave4 its very hard to avoid it . I had the same, my Andrew loved Xmas and he trimmed up the whole house and gardens . It remains too difficult to celebrate without him . I don’t know how I will ever again . I hope you cope ok
Thanks @Jol. I can’t see how I can do Christmas again without Lillian either. We always spent it together and it was just the two of us.
I miss her so much every minute of every day. I am really dreading Christmas.
I hope you get through it ok too.
Dave.
I’d be totally comfortable spending Christmas with my dog, she’s my absolute rock and gets me out every day, which in turn has a very positive effect. It’s my second Christmas without my husband too, I’m trying to find a new way forward that suits me. Try to do what makes you happy rather than feel pressured by others, that brings a whole heap of stress to Christmas! Hope you find a way x
i love xmas but i cant understand allthis hype for one day, its no different than any other day of the yr whether you have lost someone or not. we have never done families at xmas if they csnt be bothered with you during the yr why bother with them at xmas.
we did what we wanted at xmas and i will do thesame without hubby, my third without him
I’ve always found the run up to Christmas so much more enjoyable than the 25th. In the past I’ve done it all, the big family dinners, family to stay, dinner dances, parties, etc.
9 years ago my life changed when I decided to leave my partner after 26 years; it all kicked off between Christmas and New Year and was the most horrendous time. I subconsciously associate Christmas with that time now.
Since then I’ve done whatever I feel like doing, or not doing. Some Christmas’s have been fun, others were unmemorable. It really doesn’t matter. Last year I woke up with S but I had lunch at my daughter’s, just the two of us, then I went home to S again. It was fine.
This year I will go to all the church services. I’ve been invited to a house party with friends on 25th; I may not go, depends on how I feel.
I’m going to spend Xmas on my own, by choice, despite having lots of invitations. But I’ll still do my best to make it special and as happy as possible. I expect to decorate the dogs in tinsel (possibly flashing lights) and go walkies.
Then back home to an Indian banquet and a bottle of ouzo. Does anyone know an Indian dish with sprouts?
Lots of my favourite music and maybe an old film (Old Mother Riley? 
)
It’s taken a couple of years to be comfortable with this approach, but there is nothing to be feared. It’s just another day to be enjoyed as best we can.