For many people, Christmas is about spending time with family and friends.

So even for those who are used to being alone, it can be particularly difficult to spend the festive day by themselves.

But it's important to remember there are plenty of people who will also be spending Christmas alone.

Not everyone has a loving family, or lives near their family and friends or has living family members. Maybe it's just life.

Also, it is a lot better to be by yourself than to be with bad company.

Christmas alone does not have to be a pitiful experience. Here are some things you can do:

1. Christmas roast for one, booze, and your favourite movie

You can still have a traditional Christmas dinner by yourself - although a whole Turkey might be a bit too much for one person. Try cooking a small chicken, or roasting a turkey joint instead. Complete your dinner with all the trimmings - including roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, stuffing and Brussel sprouts (if you want), bread sauce and cranberry sauce.

If you're not feeling like having a roast, just have whatever you want. The best thing about being alone is doing whatever you want to do.

Then it's time to get the booze and mince pies out and play your favourite movie - it does not even have to be Christmas-related.

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You can cook a Christmas roast for one. Photo: Pixabay

2. Three-course dinner at a restaurant

Some pubs and restaurants will be open on Christmas day. So if you can't be bothered to cook, treat yourself to a dinner out.

3. Do nothing all day

With no appointments or dinners to make, you can wake up as late as you want and take the longest bath ever with Christmas carols in the background.

Or you can skip the bath/shower altogether and stay in bed watching your favourite Netflix show all day long.

Others might judge you for being lazy, but relaxing is good for you. There is no need to be constantly doing something.

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If only we could look this put together when having breakfast in bed. Photo: Pixabay

4. Attend a church service

Many churches will hold services on Christmas morning. Even if you are not religious, listening to carols and mingling with other people in the neighbourhood can be a good way to start the day.

5. Book into a luxury hotel

If you've got some cash saved up, why not book a spontaneous getaway at a luxury hotel? You might still have time to do so. 

And while you're there, you can enjoy relaxing spa treatments, jacuzzi baths and room service

6. Do something active

Other people may be putting on a few pounds over Christmas, but you will be doing the exact opposite. A few leisure centres and gyms are open throughout the Christmas period. So you can go for a run, go to the gym, go swimming or do some yoga. You will finish your day feeling like you've done something productive.

You might also want to join a Christmas Day 5km Parkrun. Details of Christmas and New Year events can be found here.

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You might want to consider joining a Christmas Day Parkrun. Photo: Pixabay

7. Watch some live football

It will be a sport-filled day on Boxing Day. There are nine Premier League games - all available to watch on Amazon Prime. There will also be three EFL Championship games. Details below:

Premier League

  • Tottenham vs. Brighton (12.30pm, Amazon Prime)
  • Bournemouth vs. Arsenal (3pm, Amazon Prime)
  • Aston Villa vs. Norwich (3pm, Amazon Prime)
  • Chelsea vs. Southampton (3pm, Amazon Prime)
  • Crystal Palace vs. West Ham (3pm, Amazon Prime)
  • Everton vs. Burnley (3pm, Amazon Prime)
  • Sheffield United vs. Watford (3pm, Amazon Prime)
  • Manchester United vs. Newcastle (5.30pm Amazon Prime)
  • Leicester City vs. Liverpool (8pm, Amazon Prime)

Championship

  • Brentford vs. Swansea City (3pm, Sky Sports Football)
  • Leeds United vs. Preston North End (5.15pm, Sky Sports Football)
  • Reading vs. Queens Park Rangers (7.30pm, Sky Sports Football)

This Is Local London:

There are nine Premier League games on Boxing Day. Photo: Pixabay

8. Visit a cinema or theatre

Not all cinemas or theatres will be open on Christmas day, but many are likely to be open on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day. Cinemas are made for people who want to be alone. You get to sit in a comfy chair and snack on popcorn without having to make conversation with anyone.

9. Volunteer or work

Since you have no special plans for Christmas, you might as well earn some extra cash by working. You will likely be paid more for working during the festive season.

You can also make use of your spare time by volunteering at a homeless shelter or care home. But it is likely that you would have had to arrange this with a charity ahead of time.

Alternatively, you can join a Christmas lunch yourself.

10. Forget it's Christmas day and get on with life

Just because everyone else is excited for Christmas does not mean you have to be. Instead of stressing about what to do, you could just treat it like any other day. Get on with some life admin, clean your home, do your laundry, cook a normal dinner - you get the idea.