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Woman Shares List Of Tips For People Now Facing Christmas Alone

Woman Shares List Of Tips For People Now Facing Christmas Alone

More people than ever face a lonely Christmas, but her pointers could help make it as painless as possible

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

Following Boris Johnson's last-minute announcement that Christmas lockdown rules would be severely tightened, millions of people across the country now face the prospect of Christmas alone.

Indeed, people all over the world will have to celebrate the holiday alone because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

For many, this is a deeply unfamiliar and saddening situation, but not for Martha Mills, who actually loves nothing more than Christmas on her tod.

Keen to help the uninitiated make the most of the day, she shared a series of top tips on Twitter.

The thread has subsequently gone viral, receiving more than 66,000 likes and 14,000 retweets.

Martha Christmas shared her top tips on Twitter.
Martha Mills

Her first bit of advice was to not feel pressured to have a traditional Christmas dinner.

She said: "What would you ideally like to eat if no-one could limit you or judge you? Nothing but pigs in blankets? Just cake? Pot Noodle? Get that! I'm having cheese and crackers."

Moving onto the subject of beverages - alcoholic or otherwise - Martha said: "What would be a decadent treat? Endless cups of strong tea? Babycham? A robust red? Get it, you're worth it.

"If you know booze makes you cry either limit it or buy extra tissues. No judgment."

She also recommended a rough plan of what you intend to do on Christmas Day so you 'don't leave it to the day and find yourself lost', and also suggested you 'arrange to call one or two people, just to say Merry Christmas and hear about how they dropped the turkey or what they're watching on TV'.

To add the finishing touches to your solo Christmas, Martha also recommends decorating the house and arranging to unwrap presents on a video call with a friend.

Pexels

She added: "If you don't have gifts please consider a spot of self-gifting and YES, wrap them up so you can open them on the day.

"Hard recommend on this one."

Concluding the thread, she said: "Hold on to the fact it is just 24hrs and doesn't have to *be* anything. Even if you spend it sobbing it will not last forever, it ends.

"Be gentle to yourself, make your own rules, turn it into your ideal lazy selfish Sunday. I learnt to lean into it and love it."

Basically chaps, spend the day doing whatever you want and you should be on to a winner.

For anyone struggling at Christmas, the Samaritans helpline is available 24/7, 365 days a year, including Christmas Day. You can phone 116 123 or find out more here.

Older people suffering from loneliness at Christmas can also contact the Age UK advice line on 0800 678 1602 from 8am to 7pm, which offers help and reassurance for those who may have no one else to turn to. You can find out more here.

Featured Image Credit: Martha Mills

Topics: Viral, Christmas, Community