Being alone at Christmas can be devastating. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. I spent many years alone at Christmas and found ways to get through it without being lonely. There’s and old saying: “If you need a friend, be a friend.” I took it literally. I had a neighbor who was a single mom with two teen age daughters. I would often make blueberry pancakes and sausage on Saturday mornings then I would call her and tell her I was walking over with breakfast. The girls loved it and mom got some time off.
Below is a list of things you can do that really make you forget you’re alone. I have done them, and they made me feel blessed in so many ways.
- Invite a neighbor’s child over to help bake cut-out cookies.
- Place two cookies in small sandwich bags and hand them out. (The mailman, Bank Employees, Crossing Guard, Librarian, Neighbors, or anyone you know)
- Go to a Coffee Shop and Pay Forward. You can often find a college student, EMS person, Fireman, Police Officer, or Elderly person in line and you step up and pay for their beverage. Then simply say, Merry Christmas. (This blesses you and them both).
- Buy a $25 Walmart or Kroger Card. Then walk slowly through the store and God will tell you who needs it most. It’s often an elderly person with a bag of cat food and a loaf of bread in their cart. It could be a young mom with just diapers and milk. You will know when you see them. Just say Merry Christmas, hand them the card and disappear.
- Attend church services. It strengthens your faith and gets you in fellowship with others.
- Give to your local Giving Tree. (Most Christian Radio Stations will have one.
- Buy yourself a new pair of shoes and wrap them and put them under your tree.
- Put up a tree, even if it’s a table-top tree. It will bring you Joy.
- Visit a local Nursing Home and ask when their Holiday gatherings are. Join in and assist with the patients.
- Ask your single and widowed neighbors if they have plans for Christmas. Many are alone and would accept an invitation for dessert at your place.
I hope you will find one or two of these suggestions to fit your budget and lifestyle. It sure makes Christmas easier.
Merry Christmas
Li Cross
