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    Major increase in young people spending Christmas Day alone in UK | Christmas
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    Major increase in young people spending Christmas Day alone in UK | Christmas

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    1. AnotherKTa on

      Which is interesting, given the number of young people still living with their parents has been increasing for years.

    2. NuPNua on

      I’ve done it once as my sister was a nurse at the time and had to work on the day so we did Christmas a few days earlier and I got to spend the day doing bugger all at home. Kind of enjoyed it.

    3. bobblebob100 on

      If you dont have kids and/or religious, what does Christmas Day really mean anyway.

      I like Christmas as its time off work and an excuse to eat and drink what you want just because its Christmas, but ultimately its just another day.

      Christmas starts around October these days, by the time it actually comes around alot are burnt out with it. I know more and more people that spend it abroad or dont get the excitement from it they did as kids

    4. cornishpirate32 on

      Probably because young people don’t have any actual space to entertain these days, they rent rooms in shared houses with shared facilities

      But only 1 in 11? And how are people 30+ young?

    5. ConsistentOcelot2851 on

      There are a lot of lonely elderly people around, sad when you think their generation was all about communicating and being face-to-face

      I wonder what we’ll be like when we’re elderly

    6. Penguin1707 on

      Iv spent some Christmas days alone when I was away for working, and honestly… it’s quite nice.

    7. Ill-Pomegranate9016 on

      Interesting. I’m in the 45-54 bracket and have spent Christmas for the last 5 years alone. Most people I know seem really surprised.

      I book somewhere nice to stay, well away from anyone I know, and just chill out. No pressure, fake jollity / festivity or people forcing me to go to theirs on the day for ‘reasons’.

      I AM alone, but def not lonely 🙂.

    8. heppyheppykat on

      I know some people my age who have estranged themselves from their families due to toxicity. It sucks.

    9. eruditezero on

      Think its important to distinguish between ‘alone’ and ‘lonely’ here. I know a few people (myself included) who go away over the christmas holiday (either fully alone or with partner) usually because its less stressful than family nonsense. That said, there are some people who are very much alone *and* lonely, and we need to be really careful to look out for these people.

    10. Gdawwwwggy on

      Obviously if it’s by choice then fair play, but it’s depressing that a lot of people don’t feel they have friends they can turn to and ask if they can join them for Christmas Day.

    11. Chief_of_Flames on

      These figures are always somewhat skewed and don’t really go into granular detail. Could a lot of these young people be students? I remember at university, a lot of students from the far east stayed in accommodation and didn’t go back over Christmas Day. They were to be offered Christmas lunch and grouped together on the day, then would take the time to call family.

      I doubt way more young people are shunning family and choosing to go Christmas alone compared to 1969. Unless that figure also takes into account differing religions who wouldn’t typically celebrate Christmas and just see it as another day – but however, the samples don’t pick that up. Obviously, since 1969, there has been a lot of migration into the UK – and demographic figures have largely changed.

      Why else would people choose to spend Christmas alone? I would imagine, death or estrangement from parents, or family members – say, a parent has died or divorced and they don’t feel welcome spending it with them; familial abuse, or siblings have grew older and moved away.

      Or, could they just be young adults who live alone, but ‘come round for a bit on Christmas’? So, really, the figures could be largely misrepresentative.

    12. movetotherhythm on

      Third Christmas Day in a row where I’ll be at least partly alone. Parents are visiting grandparents for dinner and dropping in afterwards to me. Last two Christmas days I spent them completely alone. I know a good few people who are spending the day alone, so this doesn’t shock me at all

    13. everyonesayhitoellie on

      Last year I decided last minute to have Christmas alone, my sister was at her partner’s and my parents only had a sofa to offer me after I would have driven 3 hours to theirs. I just really could not be bothered, and did not fancy spending several days with my parents in their space where I would have no autonomy. 

      Honestly the best, so nice and peaceful. This year I’ve got a van and driven it down to Southern Spain for some sun – if I had to pick between family time where it gets dark at 4, and this? Definitely this. 

    14. suffolkbobby65 on

      In my younger days aged 20 onwards it was expected to attend family gatherings on both my family and the wife’s, always felt uncomfortable and so I chose to work. Now at 70 with diminished relatives, I choose to ignore the festivities altogether.

    15. Unlikely-Ad3659 on

      I am spending Christmas alone, it is perfect imo. Zero stress.

      Genuinely I wouldn’t swop it for any other option.

      I’ll be up at 6 as always,no booze as I gave up alcohol last year.

      No presents to open, food is ready to go and preprepared.

      And I will be wallpapering the ensuite WC.

    16. Jay_6125 on

      If this is true then this is quite sad and shocking. It seems since the late 1990’s the entire community spirit and fabric has been torn to shreds by successive so called ‘Liberal’ governments. There’s nothing ‘Liberal ‘about it at all watching your historic community cohesion up and down the UK being destroyed.

      And they wonder why likes of Farage are gaining traction…especially with the young.

    17. Ok_Hunt4267 on

      As someone mentioned, there is a big difference between alone and lonely. I think by the time the actual day comes around, people are just so jaded as Christmas has been shoved down our throats since October and perhaps just appreciate the opportunity to keep it low key without any forced jollity. However the thought of people feeling ‘lonely’ makes me very sad and my heart does go out to people who experience this.

    20. ajslov on

      I was about to be one in this statistic this year as it’s been a tough year with family drama. I’m now getting the train to family for a couple of days. I actually would just prefer to be alone and do nothing and not have to deal with all the fuss and overconsumption but I will say I am still grateful and aware I have this option that many people do not. 

    21. Yezzik on

      That’ll be me tomorrow, as I’m currently nursing a food coma from Christmas dinner at my dad’s house, and my housemates are travelling.

    22. glytxh on

      Not alone. Got my cat.

      We’re gonna have a proper chilled day. She’s gonna have a nice chicken dinner with me, watch some cosy movies, long warm bath with a glass of bubbly. Pyjamas all day.

      Also got some edibles packed away, so tomorrow is gonna be real chill.

      I’m willing to bet my day ‘alone’ is going to be far less stressful than the average baseline over the next few days.

    24. DennisAFiveStarMan on

      I live alone and don’t have a girlfriend. Feel almost embarrassed going round to my sisters.

    25. asjonesy99 on

      Not alone. Would rather be alone but can’t afford to move out which is great.

      Don’t really see the point in Christmas when there’s not excited kids running around, just seems a bit pointless and a load of stress for no reason.

    26. ConnectPreference166 on

      I spent last Christmas alone and away from family due to work. I never had such peace and quiet!

    27. CryptographerThin705 on

      Can confirm; 32 and alone. Not fun but hey something I’ve learnt to deal with. I don’t exactly feel young or old and I’m going through some stuff so it’s a bit of a bummer this year but it’s something I can manage I’m sure. Happy Christmas everyone

    28. 06354 on

      I had to self-isolate on two successive Xmas days during the lockdown period, I enjoyed having the day to myself and have continued to do Xmas day alone ever since! I do have another day that my family get together for a Xmas meal but it doesn’t need to be ‘Xmas’ day for me.

    30. Dr_Tobogan_ on

      Love to everyone who feels lonely this Christmas. Hopefully this comment can be a small conversation pit for those who need it x

    31. HighlandCoyote on

      I like spending Christmas day alone, it’s peaceful, quiet, and I can take the day at my pace without the stress and tension of family looming over me. I wake up, go for a walk, prep the food for my lunch, sit down and read a book or watch a film. It’s peaceful, and much needed. 

      Rather that than stress over the many issues of a family gathering

    32. Tildatots on

      31 and spending it alone this year. Xmas was fun when I was young – my parents divorced in my twenties and hate each other so every year it’s been a bitter battle of who to spend it with and brings up a lot of awkward dynamics with my siblings. They also both live abroad so it’s 250+ for a flight that costs me £30 at any other time of year to essentially sit on their sofa for 4 days – which I can do at home.

      I put my foot down this year and said I wasn’t seeing either of them, my siblings invited me to theirs but I don’t want to as they have their own families and traditions and my partner is really close with his family so he still wants to spend Xmas with them but again I have no interest in sitting on the sofa in a tiny village for days on end.

      I’m spending Christmas alone this year in my London flat. I’m sat on the sofa in peace eating what I want when I want. Tomorrow I’ll probably go for a walk in the morning and then cook some food in the afternoon and chill. It’s exactly how I’d spend every other Xmas with family – just without the huge outgoing. I’m buzzing!

    33. ambiguousboner on

      I find this very strange. Surely there’s family, and failing that, friends? 1 in 11 is insanely high

    34. adultangstisreal on

      I’m alone this year (27) because I have to work and only have Christmas day off itself. My other family members are visiting relatives. We’re just doing our Christmas when we can all be together.
      So tomorrow I’ll just chill with the dogs and eat nice food.