| Christmas is one of those times when the social norm | | | | spend your day. You might even make some new |
| is to get together with our families even if you never | | | | friends. |
| see them during the year. For those people who are | | | | Talk to your local council, they will know where a |
| isolated from their families, or do not have a family, it | | | | community Christmas meal will be served. |
| can be a time of great loneliness and even depression. | | | | Travel agents and local councils will be able to put you |
| The day can remind us of what we do not have in our | | | | in touch with people organising tours on Christmas day. |
| lives. Even if this does not bother us at any other time | | | | There may be trips to the country where you will have |
| of the year, it can get to us at Christmas. The thought | | | | a nice meal. Or there may be tours of Christmas |
| that everyone else is with their families can really | | | | scenes and lights. |
| weigh upon us. | | | | 3) Help others |
| There are many people who will be alone on | | | | Help out at a homeless shelter for the day and spread |
| Christmas day, so don't think that you are the only one, | | | | Christmas cheer to others. The Salvation Army or |
| or that you are in any way a failure if you find yourself | | | | other church organisations or poverty groups will be |
| without company at this time. | | | | grateful for any help you can offer. Helping others is |
| There are a number of things that you can do to | | | | always a great way to cheer yourself up. |
| make the day more pleasant for yourself. | | | | 4) Invite others over for a Christmas meal. |
| 1) Plan a special day for yourself | | | | If you know of others who are going to be alone you |
| Plan to spoil yourself on Christmas Day. Plan a number | | | | can invite them over for a meal. You can delegate so |
| of things that you really enjoy doing. | | | | everyone brings something to eat and make sure |
| Hire your favourite video,read a good book,buy some | | | | everyone knows what time you are expecting them. |
| beautiful fresh flowers for your house,buy yourself a | | | | Make sure you decide before hand whether you want |
| present and wrap it and put it under the tree. | | | | to exchange gifts or not. That way no one will be |
| Even though it is just you make a special meal with all | | | | embarrassed by not having gifts for the others. |
| your favourite foods. | | | | This is only a small sample of ways to enjoy your |
| Take a picnic to your favourite spot. | | | | Christmas more. I am sure you can come up with |
| Listen to your favourite music. | | | | others. The idea is to plan your day and fill it with things |
| Go out and see a Christmas play. | | | | you enjoy. When you do this, you will have something |
| Go to Church | | | | to look forward to on the day, instead of a long day |
| 2) Go out to lunch or on an organised tour | | | | spent alone, thinking about all the things you are |
| Getting out and meeting others can be a great way to | | | | missing. |