I hope this post doesn't strike people as too self indulgent or whiney, but I'm sitting here at the computer on Christmas day, and feel a bit like spilling out my thoughts.

 

The family and friends went away for the holidays. I could have gone with them, but no, I did the old "I'll catch up on some things I've been meaning to do, so go have a good time, and I'll hold down the Home Front" routine. So what this basically amounted to was me sitting around last night and today with a TV Dinner, getting bored as hell, and then surfing the internet (places like Avsim!). No Christmas carols, or boughs of holly, just an empty house. I had some plans, such as maybe I'll fly the NGX or something, but ultimately I didn't do any of that and there was no "Christmas Spirit" to be found at all. I saw that the neighbors had people over and I could hear their revelling late into the night. I started to feel a little Poor-me-ish. Could it be that I actually was missing all the meaningless chatter, forced pleasantries, superficial small talk, and yes, even the bickering that typically accompanies this holiday?

 

So this morning I woke up feeling kind of malcontent. It is easy to remember all the wonderful Xmasses past, especially the ones as a selfish little kid where you were the first person up in the morning and greedily tore open all the presents, the idea that it is better to give than receive being absolutely lost on you! Remember all the Chrismassy ambience of cooking, pine candles, and the inevitable plastic smell that brand new electronic gadgets have the first time they are plugged in? I played the part of a Humbug bravely, but inside, I'm less than enthusiastic.

 

Well, so I'm sitting here, reminding myself that all is well. There are people out there far less fortunate than I who have more important things to worry about than whether flight simulator addonX is going to be released soon. I have a roof over my head, loved ones who will soon be returning home, wonderful pets, plenty of food, and a warm bed. There is a lot to be unhappy about in the world, but for me, right here today, there is absolutely nothing to complain about personally. If I start to feel sorry for myself for any reason, or got to thnking that I'm somehow entitled to some Hallmark Christmas at the Waltons, than I'm just being a jerk! It is ashame that I have to remind myself of that, much less put it online if for no other reason than to reinforce the obvious to myself, but that is that.

 

So, although I didn't get to tear open a big box with a brand new toy, I think that a boring, rather sedate and uneventful Christmas is probably a pretty good one.

 

Sorry for the plattitudes, thank you for indulging me with a healthy "Hey, you don't say!" and to everyone have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

 

I for one commend you for recognizing the fact that you were being self indulgent, wallowing and feeling sorry for yourself and were able to rationalize it. Most get the wallowing, the feeling sorry for themselves and he self indulgence but don't have the ability to recognize it or rationalize it.

 

So I actually say to you we are all entitled to have our moments but I commend you for recognizing it!

 

BTW, I am sitting here alone in sweats eating Chinese food and loving it!!! It is one of the few days everyone else has plans and I know I can get a full flight in HAHA!!

It sounds to me like your Christmas Gift this year is some healthy down-time. I know a lot of people who would have loved that (me included). B)

 

Mine wasn't so bad, just have the in-laws over for three days. It was stinking hot here though, It was 92 degrees Fahrenheit (or 33 degrees Celsius) when I served Christmas Dinner so I had to drag the dining room table outside this year. After dinner we went to the beach to cool off and watch the sunset.

 

Christmas in the southern hemisphere is different then my family back home in USA/Canada. I am used to driving around in winter conditions trying to catch up with family. This is my second one in New Zealand now, both spent on the beach, still feels kind of weird.

Mm yea for me this Christmas was mostly like any other day, just better food, we didn't bother getting Christmas tree this year as leaving to Thailand tomorrow onboard AY1969 from Helsinki to Krabi, will come back 11th of January onboard AY1970.

 

So yeah happy holidays to you all anyway, for me it's now 2 weeks in Thailand. :smile:

If I ever found myself totally alone and at loose ends at Christmas, with no intention of celebrating it personally, I'd call the local Salvation Army and ask if there was anything I could do to help brighten up other people's Christmas.

 

Something as simple as visiting a nursing home or working a serving line, then enjoying a Christmas feast with strangers will do wonders for your sense of Christmas spirit.

 

It doesn't matter that what you're doing is totally secular either. You may be the only visitors some people in the nursing homes will get. My wife would take our 6 year old son to the nursing homes, and people loved it. He didn't seem to mind being the center of attention either.

 

The Christmas spirit isn't about what you get, it's about what you give. And if all you have to give is some time and a kind word, that's enough.

 

As for me this year, with the rest of the family busy, I spent time with friends on the Avsim forum and in IRC chat with people from The Sims community. Life is good.

 

Hook

Good post. I too was alone at xmas . I took mom ,and dad , and brother out and treated them to dinner on the weekend. so xmas eve and xmas I was all alone...... but I loved it. I have had my xmas lights up since the day after Halloween, but no tree or piney smells, I guess I do miss that in hindsight.I too had the neighbors all around me reveling also.. went for a lovely walk by the ocean on xmas morning early before most were up. I highly recommend every one spend a xmas alone .... It is good for you !

Since my brother died back in 1999, I've lived alone here in my home. Holiday meals consist of driving to Boston Market the evening before and buying a "Meal for Three" of turkey, cornbread and three large sides of creamed spinach, sweet potatoes, stuffing and gravy...

 

...which typically will sit in the refrigerator* and provide at least three or four dinners over the next week.

 

Since I'm retired, I arrange to fill in for one of the local parish priests for several masses giving him some "down time," then spend the rest of the day visiting the local hospitals, rest homes, and homeless shelters. I collect small things throughout the year that I can wrap up and present to those I visit hoping that it will bring a little cheer into their lives.

 

Christmas of 1999 though was the one and only time I did not do this, as I was still wallowing in self-pity about being "alone" for the first time in my life. That was without question my most miserable Christmas ever, and I vowed then to never repeat the experience!

 

* Every year but one I've been invited to share in some family's Christmas dinner, which is why my Boston Market dinner becomes "leftovers..." :Peace:

I spent pretty much all day studying since 7:00 AM yesterday. That was about it. I kind of got used to spending the holidays by myself.

For me, life is good. No, GRAND. I have two beautiful daughters (one 7 months old and the other 4 years old) and a beautiful wife of nearly 10 years. Her family have taken me in like their own. I have my own side of a divorced set of parents, which presents us with additional Christmas visits. At age 37, I decided yesterday that it might be good to slow down next Christmas and not try to force so many different visits into one day. The 4 year old had fun going everywhere, but I think she would have enjoyed staying at home a bit longer too. I know that my wife and I would have too. But then you have the question of missing out on being with the entire family (even if it entails multiple stops all day long). I've never spent Christmas alone, and if I can avoid it I surely will. But I have to say that sometimes we are just entirely too busy. In this age of mobile-everything (PCs, phones, games, etc.) it's like we are super-connected to the world, but rarely to the person sitting next to us on the couch sometimes. I miss the days when I was a kid that we would just randomly stop by a friend's house to say hello and that person would be totally okay with having us visit for a while and might even fix a meal while there. Now, you must call and make arrangements before hand because it's almost considered rude to just drop in. For us with two kids, our house is almost always a wreck. Stopping by unannounced will yield a very embarrassed response from myself and I might not even invite you in. I feel like we as a society have become so engrossed by self and stuff that we miss out on some of the best parts of life. Christmas is about the only time of the year that I feel connected to those outside of my immediate circle, but as I age I find it growing harder to relax and enjoy the day(s) and not be thinking about what *I* normally am consumed with.

 

I appreciate the original poster's post and the replies here. Sometimes you just need to sit down and put your thoughts and feelings into words and as strange as it is, a reply from a total stranger half a world away can bring comfort and insight. How odd it is.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone

BTW, I am sitting here alone in sweats eating Chinese food and loving it!!! It is one of the few days everyone else has plans and I know I can get a full flight in HAHA!!

 

Sounds like me on any given day off.

Christmas in the southern hemisphere is different then my family back home in USA/Canada. I am used to driving around in winter conditions trying to catch up with family. This is my second one in New Zealand now, both spent on the beach, still feels kind of weird.

 

I'll second that, Matthew. Fourth Christmas here since emigrating from UK, and I still just don't feel "in the spirit". TBH, just looked forward to the days off work more than anything else

Shopping in Lambton Quay/Cuba St last Saturday, what really struck me was how quiet it was - so, so different to the hectic, hellish experiences of last weekend before Xmas shopping that I remember back in Blighty.

 

It's definitely a Northern Hemisphere thing IMO - the cold outside, warm log fires, pubs, big roast dinners... that I do miss. Swims on the Kapiti Coast just feel a bit strange on the 25th. And I think this year it was just a bit too humid here as well.

 

Final thought, perhaps Christmas really just about kids...

 

Season's greetings to anyone who cares for them nonetheless!

...It was stinking hot here though, It was 92 degrees Fahrenheit (or 33 degrees Celsius) when I served Christmas Dinner so I had to drag the dining room table outside this year. After dinner we went to the beach to cool off and watch the sunset....

 

 

Hi Mathew..

 

Oh, poor you !

 

Ha !

 

Having spent Christmas & New Year in New Plymouth/Auckland/Sydney/Newcastle/Cairns and other 'Hot' places some 50 years ago, I still recall that 'discomfort'....actually being in the surf on Christmas Morning is a strange feeling.

 

What with the UK weather this year, and the webbed feet beginning to sprout, I'd love that chance again. :(

 

However watching 'Bondi Rescue' is about the nearest I'll get to surfing on Bondi again...or in the warmth of Oz or NZ at this time of year...

 

Best wishes to our southern hemisphere sufferers !

 

..and Fr Bill, you are welcome next year here for Christmas dinner ! I'll bet you are really busy this time of year.

 

Regards

Bill

Having spent Christmas & New Year in New Plymouth/Auckland/Sydney/Newcastle/Cairns and other 'Hot' places some 50 years ago, I still recall that 'discomfort'....actually being in the surf on Christmas Morning is a strange feeling.

 

Well my friend. I am Nova Scotian (only lived in NZ for 23 months), so for me this is what Surfing is like in the months following Christmas....BRUTAL :lol:

 

 

Swims on the Kapiti Coast just feel a bit strange on the 25th. And I think this year it was just a bit too humid here as well.

 

I bet you live somewhere near me.....I live in Whitby, if you are nearby, we should hang out and exchange some FSX time together....Cheers mate

Well my friend. I am Nova Scotian (only lived in NZ for 23 months), so for me this is what Surfing is like in the months following Christmas....BRUTAL

 

Wow- HARDCORE! I used to surf all the time and even here in South Ga/NE Florida the winter surfing is very cold (to me it was anyhow) and I cannot fathom doing this in Nova Scotia. What made it so bad was 1) the extra amount of energy exerted just to paddle in the suit, 2) the flushing of the suit on nearly every duckdive or at the end of the ride and 3) having to take the darn thing off and losing that layer of super warm water! Of course Matthew, you know all this all too well. Enjoy mate!

To the OP, @KongGedorah:

 

I have nothing but respect for you, for sharing your feelings and considerations on the matter. I think we all connect a little more when we read the honest and candid feelings of people. That in itself helps us to realize that we as humans, as different as we are in views, manners and appearance; are really very similar in many ways, especially how we feel on subjects like this.

 

Although I have a young family now, I have spent Christmas alone in previous years and felt similarly reflective; not depressed or down necessarily, but reflective. Thinking about life, my situation and of course as you reflected; the situations of others.

 

Years later, during 'busy' Christmases surround by a lot of family & friends, I have mysteriously found myself thinking of those Christmases spent alone in reflection; and although it is hard to describe, I feel sentimental, warm and positive about them. It feels a little like I was very alive at that time, being alone, at the time that society tells us we have to be jolly and surrounded by happy families.

 

I wish you the very best for 2013 my friend!

 

@ Larry Hooking:

 

What a brilliant post. Just so inspiring and true. Although I have moved to PNW US for 1 year, until 2 months ago I lived in the UK for 10 years, and spent 2 years of that time, as a listening volunteer for The Samaritans.

 

For those that have not heard of this fantastic UK charity (who are non-religious, despite the name), they support anyone who is desperate, depressed, suicidal or in any type of crisis and needs someone to listen to them, by phone or email. They do not just support people in Britain either, at the point where I left, almost 30% of the emails they received were from North America, where no charity on the scale of The Samaritan exists. At least not nationally and centrally. Amazing work and the 1 Christmas Day that I spent taking calls for 2 hours was indeed one of the most rewarding and fulfilling I have ever had.

 

Merry Christmas to you all, fellow Flight Sim addicts :smile: ..... and the absolute best of health and happiness for 2013.