8x why you want to be single at Christmas

Maybe this year you are again, or for the first time, without a partner at the Christmas dinner. ‘How is it in love?’ Prepare yourself for that. About thirteen times. I always make a face as if I hear five people scratching their long nails on a chalkboard at the same time. Then my table companions know enough. If this topic brings out your inner Ciske de Rat (you know, the one from ‘I feel so damn alone’): read and calm down. There are very big bonuses to being a Christmas single.

1. Christmas Day is for family A (your mother's family) and Boxing Day is for family B (yes, your father's). No family C or D (or in the case of divorce, also E and F) where you would have to leave your own relatives behind.
2. You don't have to eat anything out of politeness. If there are very responsible (but inedible) forgotten vegetables or a very well-done veal steak on your plate, you can easily avoid it. You don't have to gnaw at it with long teeth just because your mother-in-law worked so hard on it.
3. You can just serve yourself four times. If you encounter a family-in-law that maintains a minimalist eating pattern, then you won't go for round two so easily. Let alone for three or four. And besides, you still want to present yourself elegantly Parisienne-ish and that obviously doesn't include an open fly.
4. Christmas comes with presents and the gifts for your lover often take the crown. Another little bonus then.
5. I associate Christmas with deeply rooted hangovers. Because during the birth of Jesus, you get the very best parties. So don't be afraid of ending up lonely on the couch with your parents.
6. How fun is it to stuff a mistletoe in your bag and take it to the pub? That can only happen if you're single.
7. There's a small chance you'll be traveling the world during the holidays if your polder prince or princess is in the Netherlands. Still, the Christmas you celebrate abroad with strangers is one you'll tell your grandchildren about.
8. If all of this hasn't relaxed you, then I am sure you will find comfort in the comforting song by Willem Wilmink. ‘Don't be so afraid of Christmas. It's just two days.’