Because you are worth celebrating, even when it’s just you.

The holidays are supposed to be filled with family, friends, laughter, and tables crowded with people we love. At least, that’s what every Christmas movie, commercial, and social media post would have us believe! But the truth is, not everyone has a house full of people gathering around the table.

Maybe your children are grown and spending the holiday somewhere else. Maybe you live far from family. Maybe you’ve lost someone you love, or perhaps life has simply landed you in a season where the holidays look a little different than they once did.

Recently, a reader mentioned that she would be spending the holidays alone, and I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I wondered how many other women were facing the same thing, perhaps dreading the holidays because they weren’t quite sure what to do with themselves. And I understood that feeling more than she might realize.

When the Holidays Suddenly Look Different

Not that long ago, change came crashing into my world on Thanksgiving Day. That was the day my husband of 20 years walked out. Just like that, everything was different.

One of our family traditions had always been to go out the day after Thanksgiving and pick out our Christmas tree. We’d head to a local tree lot, choose one, bring it home, and begin the Christmas season. But that year, with four lives reeling from his abrupt absence, the thought of carrying on as though nothing had changed was almost unbearable.

There was going to be an empty chair. A missing piece of our family puzzle. A dramatically different feeling in our home. I wasn’t technically alone because I had my children, but I was facing a kind of loneliness I had never known before.

And I was determined not to let what had happened define their Christmas. Looking back, I think I was trying to protect my own heart, too. So instead of leaning into our old traditions, I decided we were going to make some new ones. Immediately. Here we are – that first day alone…

That year, rather than heading to our usual tree lot, I loaded up the kids and we made a whole adventure out of visiting a Christmas tree farm. Not just a quick errand to pick up a tree, but an entire day of Christmas fun. It was intentional. It was different. And that was exactly the point.

I wasn’t trying to pretend nothing had happened. I was trying to show my children, and maybe myself, that even though life had changed, there was still joy to be found.

Over the years, I’ve continued to try new things and let some old traditions go. Some traditions simply hold too many memories, and that’s okay. Others have found their way back into our celebrations. It’s a delicate balance, isn’t it?

But here’s what I can tell you from experience. It gets better. And things seldom stay the same.

The way your holiday looks this year doesn’t mean that’s how it will look next year, or the year after that. Families change. Circumstances change. New people enter our lives. New traditions take shape. Sometimes the things we thought we couldn’t live without become memories we can finally look back on with a smile. And sometimes we discover wonderful things we never would have experienced if life had gone exactly as we’d planned.

I won’t tell you it’s always easy. So much of it is what you make of it, and that can be both the beauty and the hard part, all at once. But I do believe we have a choice in how we approach the days in front of us.

And that brings me back to my reader and the thought of spending the holidays alone.

Friend, I want to remind you of something. You are worth showing up for. You are worth the good dishes, the delicious dinner, the Christmas decorations, the pretty outfit, and the effort it takes to make a day special.

You don’t need a house full of people to make a beautiful memory. And you certainly don’t need someone sitting across the table to deserve a wonderful holiday.

Now, I know that doesn’t magically erase loneliness. Sometimes the holidays are hard, and it’s okay to acknowledge that. But we have more opportunities to make a day meaningful than we sometimes realize.

So, whether you’re spending Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or another special occasion on your own, I’ve gathered some ideas to help you make the most of it. Some involve other people. Some are all about enjoying your own company. And some are simple ways to spend a little extra time with the Lord. Pick a few that sound fun, and make a plan!

Open Your Door (and Your Heart)

1. Invite someone over. You might be surprised how many people are spending the holidays alone, too! Invite a neighbor, a friend from church, a coworker, or someone you know who lives far from family. Don’t worry about creating the perfect holiday meal. The invitation is what matters.

2. Host a holiday happy hour. Who says you have to prepare an entire Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner? Invite a few friends over for light appetizers, festive drinks, or desserts. Make it easy, keep it casual, and enjoy a little holiday cheer without spending the whole day in the kitchen.

3. Organize an “everyone is welcome” potluck. You provide the place and maybe the main dish, and everyone else brings something to share. Mismatched chairs and paper plates are perfectly acceptable!

4. Have a FaceTime holiday dinner. Set up your phone or computer at the table and share a meal with family or friends who live far away. You can even plan to eat at the same time and share what everyone is having. Different houses, same table, at least virtually! ( I photoshopped the kids into this tree grabbing adventure because they were away at school…things change! Sometimes being there in spirit is all you can do. LOL)

5. Reach out to someone you haven’t talked to in a while. The holidays are a wonderful excuse to reconnect. Call an old friend, a cousin, or someone who has been on your mind. Don’t just send a quick text. Take the time to really visit.

6. Plan a holiday breakfast instead of dinner. Sometimes the evening hours are the hardest. Invite someone for pancakes, coffee, and conversation in the morning. Then you can spend the rest of the day however you please.

7. Find a community holiday gathering. Check your church, local community center, library, or neighborhood group. There may be a holiday meal, concert, gathering, or activity you didn’t even know was happening.

Do Something for Someone Else

I think one of the best ways to move our minds away from what we might be missing is to focus on what we can give. There is something wonderful about being a blessing to someone else, especially when we aren’t feeling particularly blessed ourselves.

8. Volunteer to serve a holiday meal. Look for opportunities at shelters, community kitchens, churches, or local charities. You may find that serving others fills your heart in ways you never expected.

9. Visit a nursing home or assisted living community. There are so many people who would love a visitor during the holidays. Contact the facility ahead of time and ask about visiting opportunities or organized activities.

10. Bake something for your neighbors. Make a batch of cookies, brownies, or your favorite holiday treat. Wrap them up in little packages and deliver them with a cheerful holiday greeting.

11. Make a handmade gift for someone. A bookmark, an ornament, a little journal, a handmade card, or a small piece of art can mean so much. Especially when it’s unexpected!

12. Write a few encouraging letters. Think of people who might need a little extra love. Someone grieving, a young mom, a widow, a friend facing a difficult season. A handwritten note can become a treasured gift.

13. Put together a care package. Fill a small bag or box with snacks, tea, a cozy pair of socks, a devotional, or a favorite treat. Deliver it to someone who could use a little encouragement.

14. Help someone who has to work on the holiday. Nurses, first responders, restaurant workers, and many others don’t get the day off. Consider dropping off a treat where it’s permitted, writing a thank-you note, or simply offering a kind word.

15. Make a donation in someone’s honor. Choose a ministry, charity, or cause that means something to you. Even a small gift can make a difference.

16. Be someone’s holiday invitation. If you know someone who is alone, don’t assume they already have plans or prefer to be by themselves. Ask! Sometimes one simple invitation changes someone’s entire day.

Make Your Own Holiday Traditions

Here’s where I want to encourage you to do something that might feel a little strange at first. Make the effort for yourself. Don’t save the special things for when company comes over. Don’t wait for someone else to give you a reason to celebrate. You are reason enough.

17. Cook your favorite holiday meal. Yes, even if it’s just for one! Make the dish you look forward to every year. Or forget the traditional menu altogether and cook something you’ve always wanted to try.

18. Set the pretty table. Get out the good china, cloth napkins, candles, and your favorite serving pieces. Put flowers on the table. Make it beautiful! You don’t need guests to enjoy a lovely table.

19. Get dressed up! Wear the pretty sweater, the sparkly earrings, or the dress you love. Fix your hair. Put on your favorite lipstick. Sometimes getting ready for the day helps us approach it with an entirely different attitude.

20. Decorate your home anyway. Put up the Christmas tree, hang the wreath, display your favorite decorations, and turn on the twinkle lights. You deserve to enjoy a festive home, whether anyone else sees it or not.

21. Start a brand-new tradition. Maybe it’s cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning, a special walk after Thanksgiving dinner, or reading the Christmas story by candlelight. Traditions don’t have to be inherited. You can create your own!

22. Treat yourself to a special breakfast. Make French toast, bake homemade muffins, or pick up something delicious from your favorite bakery the day before. Serve it on a pretty plate with a wonderful cup of coffee.

23. Buy yourself flowers. Pick up a bouquet while you’re grocery shopping, arrange it in your favorite vase, and enjoy having something beautiful in the house.

24. Create a holiday playlist. Fill it with your favorite Christmas hymns, old classics, worship music, or songs that make you smile. Turn it up while you cook, decorate, or create.

25. Make a holiday memory book. Gather favorite photos, recipes, old cards, and little bits of memorabilia. Record stories from holidays past, people you love, and traditions you want to remember. You might even discover a new creative project you want to work on every year.

Get Out of the House and Have Some Fun

Sometimes a change of scenery is just what we need!

26. Go to the movies. There’s something fun about a movie theater, a big bucket of popcorn, and a couple of hours enjoying a good story. Check holiday hours ahead of time.

27. Take a long walk. Visit a favorite park, nature trail, or neighborhood. Breathe in the fresh air, enjoy God’s creation, and spend a little time noticing the beauty around you.

28. Take yourself on a holiday date. Visit a coffee shop, browse a bookstore, enjoy a nice lunch, or find a little shop you’ve been wanting to explore. Depending on the holiday, you may want to plan your outing for the day before or after.

29. Go look at Christmas lights. Make a cup of hot chocolate, put on your favorite Christmas music, and drive through neighborhoods filled with decorations. You can even make a list of your favorites!

30. Attend a church service. Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, Easter, or a special Thanksgiving service can be a beautiful way to celebrate. And don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to someone new.

31. Visit a museum, garden, or holiday exhibit. Look for special events in your area. A Christmas market, botanical garden light display, concert, or local art exhibit can become a wonderful new tradition.

32. Take a little day trip. Explore a nearby town, visit a scenic overlook, or drive somewhere you’ve never been. Pack a picnic and make an adventure out of it.

Enjoy the Gift of Time to Yourself

There’s something to be said for a holiday without a packed schedule, a sink full of dishes, or a dozen places you’re expected to be. You get to decide what the day looks like!

33. Have a holiday movie marathon. Pick three or four favorite movies, make popcorn, grab a cozy blanket, and settle in. Christmas classics, old musicals, funny movies, or something you’ve never seen before. Your choice!

34. Spend the afternoon creating. Pull out your art journal, paints, paper scraps, stamps, or favorite supplies. Put on some music and create simply for the joy of creating. No deadlines, no expectations, and no pressure to make anything perfect. Make a MESS!

35. Work on a project you’ve been saving. You know that class you signed up for months ago? Or the craft kit still sitting in the closet? This might be the perfect day to finally enjoy it.

36. Have a pajama day. Yes, I know I suggested getting dressed up earlier, but the beauty of spending the holiday on your own is that YOU get to decide! If cozy pajamas, fuzzy socks, and a good book sound wonderful, go for it.

37. Read an entire book. Choose something you’ve been wanting to read, make a pot of tea, and give yourself permission to do absolutely nothing else for a few hours.

38. Make a list of things you’d love to do in the coming year. Not resolutions or things you think you SHOULD do, but things that sound genuinely fun! Places to visit, classes to take, books to read, people to see, or new experiences to try. Give yourself something wonderful to look forward to.

39. Put together a puzzle or play a favorite game. Set up a puzzle on the dining room table, work on a crossword, or play an online game with a friend. Sometimes simple pleasures are the very best ones.

40. Spend some unhurried time with the Lord. Read the Christmas story, spend time in prayer, listen to worship music, or journal about the blessings of the past year. Thank Him for the ways He has carried you, even through the difficult seasons.

Save a Seat for the Lord

There’s one more thing I hope you’ll remember, especially if this holiday is looking a little different than you expected. You may be sitting at a table for one, but you are never forgotten by the One who created you.

Psalm 139 reminds us just how intimately God knows us. He sees us when we sit and when we rise. He knows our thoughts, our circumstances, and even the things we haven’t found the words to pray about. What a wonderful thing to remember during the holidays! We can sit at our tables, enjoy the blessings in front of us, and marvel at the Creator who loves us beyond anything we could ever comprehend.

And if this year is particularly difficult, I hope you’ll remember my Christmas tree story. That Thanksgiving, I couldn’t have imagined what the years ahead would look like. I only knew that the life I had expected was suddenly gone, and I had to figure out how to move forward.

But life didn’t stop there. New memories were made. New traditions began. And with time, the holidays became something I could look forward to again.

Your circumstances today are not necessarily your circumstances tomorrow. This holiday doesn’t have to define the next one. So give yourself permission to make this year different. Try something new, let go of something that no longer brings you joy, or hold on to a tradition that still makes you smile. And if all you manage is a quiet day at home, that’s okay, too.

You are worth showing up for, and God is right there with you.

I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever spent a holiday on your own, or had to navigate a holiday that looked completely different than you expected? What did you do to make it special? Share your ideas in the comments. You never know who might need to hear them this year.