I am in the same boat. I used to be married, but now I’m divorced… and I was starting to feel glum about the holidays alone when I realized — I love Christmas, and I can still do all the stuff I really enjoy without all the stress. I don’t have to buy gifts for all of his relatives, so that removes stress.

I went to a classical Christmas concert with one friend and went to see Christmas lights with other friends.

Christmas Eve I’ll go to church. Christmas Day I’ll spend painting and listening to Handel. In the evening, I am making mulled wine and cookies and I’ve invited a couple of friends who may stop by. If they don’t, more wine and cookies for me. The day after Christmas other friends have invited me to play games.

I am really very content!

The thing is, as a single person without children, the holiday season made me realize two things. I do enjoy my own company and I do have family — it’s just family by choice. I have close friends who I’ve chosen to think of as family.

Thank you for writing your article. It made me remember the good things in my life instead of whining about what I don’t have…