Not everyone has a family to spend the holidays with. There are many people in this world who find the holiday season a bit dreary because their family isn’t close by or they no longer have close family members. Reality is that some people just don’t have anyone to spend the holidays with. Sometimes this is by choice and sometimes it’s due to a loss in the family. Whatever your reasons are for spending the holidays alone this year, here are 5 things to do that will ensure you enjoy the day regardless of your circumstances.

Let go of Expectations

There can be joy found in spending the holidays alone. Never mind those commercials and television shows that showcase a huge family gathering during the holidays, this year is your time to make celebrating alone popular. There’s no reason to let the expectations of having to gather with family for the holidays let you down. Accept and appreciate the calmness and reduced stress that comes from spending the holidays alone. When you let go of the expectations that were pushed into our minds from a young age, you are more apt to enjoy the holidays alone.

Create a Fabulous Buffet

Just because family isn’t going to be around for the holidays doesn’t mean you can’t go all out and create your own buffet. Rather than spending hours cooking up appetizers, main meals and desserts, create your own buffet-style holiday meal that only you get to enjoy. Have fun creating samples of various holiday recipes you find online.  Then set up your dining room table with a huge selection of options. Enjoy this fabulous buffet that you don’t have to share.

Binge Watch Holiday Movies

Now that you have your buffet-style meal set up and ready to devour, why not put on some holiday movies. Never mind having to please anyone else with their choice of movie, today is all about you. Sit down to enjoy a buffet style meal with continuous holiday movies playing on your television. Watching holiday movies will surely entertain you and soon you will forget that you are all alone this holiday season. There are so many holiday options, check out Netflix for some recent additions.

Volunteer your Time

If you find spending the holiday alone with a buffet style meal and holiday movies isn’t something you will enjoy, then get out and volunteer. There are many shelters and church’s that host holiday meals for anyone left alone this season. You can find a local community organization and create your own holiday tradition of volunteering your time. You can serve meals to those in need and sit to enjoy a meal with them. This is the perfect way to spend the holidays alone while giving back to others in need.

Get Dressed Up

Lastly, even though you are spending the holidays alone doesn’t mean that you can’t get dressed up. When you find yourself alone during the holiday season, your immediate thought may be to dress down and be in comfy clothing, but dressing up is actually a brilliant way to boost your mood. If you find spending the holiday season completely alone depresses you, dress up for the special day alone in your home and if you really feel that down, be sure to reach out to a therapist or close friend to talk about your sad feelings.

There you have it 5 ways to survive the holiday season alone. There are many ways in which you can celebrate the holiday season without your close friends and family. Having to spend the holidays alone may be a fantastic time for some and depressing for others, use these tips to help guide yourself forward in enjoying the holidays regardless of having any family or friends around.