Love & Sex

How to survive your first Christmas as a fresh single

By Sophie Rietmulder | #!31Sat, 23 Dec 2023 15:15:18 +0100+01:001831#31Sat, 23 Dec 2023 15:15:18 +0100+01:00-3Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam202331 23pm31pm-31Sat, 23 Dec 2023 15:15:18 +0100+01:003Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam2023312023Sat, 23 Dec 2023 15:15:18 +01001531512pmSaturday=9#!31Sat, 23 Dec 2023 15:15:18 +0100+01:00Europe\/Amsterdam12#12-23-2023#!31Sat, 23 Dec 2023 15:15:18 +0100+01:001831#\/31Sat, 23 Dec 2023 15:15:18 +0100+01:00-3Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam202331#!31Sat, 23 Dec 2023 15:15:18 +0100+01:00Europe\/Amsterdam12#

“Are you dreading it?” I asked a friend who is single again after a long relationship and is celebrating Christmas as a single for the first time in years. “It actually wasn’t that bad,” she replied, followed by the remark that everyone has asked her this. Ouch, I thought. How insensitive, really, to assume right away that it’s a drama to be single during the holidays. I can still remember my single Christmas days quite well. I loved them. We always celebrate Christmas on the evening of December 24th, and the days after I spent in a Christmas onesie on my parents' couch with snacks, wine, All You Need Is Love, and Home Alone. And it was nice. Still, that first single Christmas can sting a bit, and that’s perfectly normal. The good news is that it will naturally be December 27th again, and the better news is that I’m going to tell you how to survive your first Christmas as a single. Single all the way!

1. Embrace the freedom
Take a deep breath and think about the following: no in-laws, no extra gifts, and no dinners you’re not looking forward to. These days are for you, and you can fill them however you want. How nice is that? Snuggle up on the couch with snacks and your favorite movies (preferably movies that your ex absolutely hated) or dance in your lounge suit in front of the mirror to your favorite songs. There’s no one to judge you, as they are most likely all busy with things they don’t want to do.

2. Create new traditions
Christmas is all about traditions, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add some new ones. Think of something you enjoy and make it an annual habit. Just something for yourself. For example, buy some beautiful Christmas ornaments or a luxury Christmas gift for yourself. You deserve it, really.

3. Organize ‘Friendsmas’
Invite your (single) friends over and celebrate Christmas together. It’s a great way to make Christmas something special. Cooking together, playing games, or just enjoying each other’s company will really make you forget that you weren’t looking forward to the holidays at all. Just watch, before you know it, you’ll be rolling on the floor laughing and making memories for life.

4. Give to others
I once collected (beauty) products to put together Christmas packages with a friend for women who couldn’t afford to buy these items for themselves. You can imagine that it gives a mega nice feeling. Christmas is also about giving, so consider doing something good for others. It really gives satisfaction and can help you experience the holidays in a positive way.

5. Focus on self-love
Self-love, baby. That’s your new slogan for the holidays. These days are the perfect time to pay extra attention to self-love and self-care. Treat yourself to a relaxing bath, buy that one gift you’ve always wanted (price tags don’t exist this Christmas), or plan a mini spa day for yourself. It’s all about you now, how nice is that?

Image: @kendalljenner