Well it is that time of year that Singles are going to be "doing the Holidays". It can be a great time to develop new social groups and traditions or a real grind. So how are you going to handle being single at the holidays? Andy suggestions or "I won't do that again" ideas?

I intend to enjoy myself.

I am looking forward to the holidays. Being single is not so bad kind of going by your own rules has its own rewards :)

op ... not sure... all a matter of the weather ... I can see family for the Holidays ... either side of them and do try and get together if not always on the day with them ... or i am ok with being alone if that happens but I do not cook like I use to so ...just do what ever I might be craving around the time ... makes no difference to me ... I am good ... not hard to please ...

UGH

Me and a friend planned a holiday for next month. We're going to put on fake american accents. Just for laughs. I'll be trying to keep a straight face.

Hmm... runs down the checklist..
three pairs of clean underwear/
three pairs of clean socks/
one pair of dress slacks/
to freshly pressed dress shirts/
One condom/Just in case.
one pair of jeans/.
travel book . containing information of destination and a readable map../
$800 American Express travelers checks in secret compartment in suitcase.. just in case/..
Wait a minute you're not talking about this type of planning for a holiday are you
.

What holiday's do you mean, the biblical Feast of Tabernacles or the pagan Christmas? Or, is there another one?

LOL some good posts.

I was generally thinking the whole local series Halloween, Thanksgiving , Christmas and even New Years.

I think I am going to do mine locally this year and skip the whole being stranded in and airport trying to go cross continent in the winter to see the Grandsons and other family. Granted I have met some interesting people that way the long distance romances are harder to keep going. Sleeping in an airport chair is just getting harder than it used to be too.

I am kind of getting into the whole single routine doing some of the community party with a purpose events, but have been working on getting my place fixed up so I may have a Christmas party Open house this year. Least a reason to make the effort to seasonally decorate. Much easier hosting a Patio BBQ when the weather is cooler is a lot more fun.

I have found that having "alcohol free" parties is way smarter than having to deal with at least one idiot that is cantankerous or weepy. The surprise to that is at least in my age bracket it does decrease the usual no show percentage so you have to plan accordingly. Doesn't mean we don't dance and have a little "silly" fun so it pays to have the Neighbors included and or at least supportive but it really cuts down on the headaches. With no impairment to driving the usual "romantic" disappearing acts usually don't end up in you home.

Do think I am going to go "play" in the mess as part of the clean up volunteers for the fire recovery one or two times in October. By then the "churches" will be taking in crews with all the supplies to get some "work" done. That is actually fun way to meet quality people and do some "service" in a controlled environment. Those kind of events are about everywhere with so many various communities sometimes taking years to recover. If the airfare was not so expensive I would go to New Orleans with my church they have been going with our sister church for years. Like spending holidays with friends. I know at least one is going in at Halloween in costumes to have a buffet party for the families and pass out coats and so on.

Friend should be moved into her place finally and she said she wanted to have Thanksgiving for everyone who is helping her make the "big move". Stashing cookie dough to take a goodie box for her party.

Hoping Sacramento will do the big Winter wonderland display they did last year because that was a lot of fun and I had several interesting "meets" there when I went out with some friends. Having fun is always going to up your "date-ability" and attract people to you.

Well since you have Asked..lol..
Halloween is big here I decorate my house actuallyI have the best decorated Halloween house within blocks and blocks.. I just picked up 4 new animatronic Halloween characters for the yard.. okay I just didn't pick them up this year I got them when they went on sale last year at the store the spirit of Halloween.. but trust me my yard is.. spooktacular.. .. I used to do it for the boys decorate the yard that is but now I do it for me..
Thanksgiving and Christmas is always spent with family and friends.. the ex and I used to hold it at our house most years... now either her mother or my sister take turns hosting..
which is good.. because hosting these dinners is always a big big chore.. you know the cleaning of the house and preparing the meal.. so on and so forth.... what saddens me is my single lady friends.. that do not have family in the city... I would invite them for dinner but I think that would be complicated.. myself and my ex and three of my girlfriends sitting around the same table I just can't see that going well.. For me that is

Sounds like Wicked fun guy. Are you on the local TV station list for places to see. Great way to get some new meet and greets.

Yea I know what you mean about hosting holidays can be a lot of work. I have found being single it is easier to say this is a Pot luck party so do not show up empty handed. Usually it is a challenge to my foodie friends to try and "out do" each other so it is rarely a problem beyond cooking a bird or a nice ham. Luckily seems to be more and more common for people to bring their own table ware picnic style so less disposables to buy. And like your holiday shopping I tend to stash stuff from after holiday sales or my favorite lunch counter that has the washable covered plates so I generally send everyone home with left overs.

LOL I don't know I would risk all three lady friends at the same party that could get you in hot water for sure. But my Ex is actually one of my best references. And it is not even to get out of alimony. hahahahaha I do remember my teenage sons "vetting" a couple of my dates with the usual "You hurt my Mom I know where you live" type comments. lol Ahhh the dynamics of dating as a single parent.

Great thread topic, I remember back when the kids were young and still at home holiday times were a bustle of activity all the way through.

When I moved to Sitka and didn't know a soul that is when it hit me. The first year was a bit rough no actually really rough. I did extra shifts so others with families could celebrate.
Halloween was a busy time of year someone had a party every year so I would just go there. Last year I went to a costume ball.

Thanksgivings well the 2nd year there I and 2 friends decided we were going to get together make a traditional thanksgiving meal and watch football all day. The day before Thanksgiving I found myself in the grocer again buying enough food to feed 14 more people.. That day was so much fun because they were friends of friends etc.. The friendships were wonderful.

We started a tradition that year for this holiday..alternate homes, but each had to bring at least 1 person or couple to the meal to welcome them to Sitka. I am honoured to say still goes on.

Christmas Eve always found me working at the local Native Hall getting ready for Christmas community dinner.

I am more laid back for Christmas always have been I like to stay home that day and laze around in jammies etc.. Dinner is usually a more simple fare of prime rib.. Usually close friends that day..

The other holidays I usually hung with friends or played with new ones. Here on the mainland I have family once again and I do the family thing.

But to be honest I miss the Sitka Get togethers meant so much more to me. NO family drama to deal with.. Just love laughter and life celebrations...

Don't forget your decorative pocketbook/purse.

These upcoming holidays, I hope to have/make a few beautiful and funny memories with my family... Especially my dad...

I was thinking holidays (as in what you call vacation) too

I haven't thought about Christmas yet, bit early still.
Halloween isn't big in my village (it's not really a Dutch tradition) and Thanksgivings isn't Dutch either.

Christmas depends on what my son is doing, whether he has to work or not.
So far I haven't spent a Christmas on my own, but I don't think I'd mind too much if it'd happen (not every year of course). As long as I got my tree and decorations :)
And usually there's plenty of stuff going on for singles, dinners and get-togethers. So far I've not felt inclined to go there.

Halloween will be normal, me sitting outside passing out candy to the little kids. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be tough, due to just being divorced. But I figure, cook a bunch of food (yes guys can cook too) and see who shows up.

i thought it was aboout "holidays" too rather than what i class as commercialised american rubbish

i don't do halloween or christmas so i'll be saving money and spending it on a real holiday

I plan on spending Thanksgiving/xmas/ New years eve completely alone. The same as the last 3 years. I used to love those holidays as a kid, not anymore.

after my divorce in 2007. now iam an expert on making a ham sand witch between the downs. hay Catinidaho why dont you come to Wichita and we can be alone together. LOL i have a big house and all ill need to do is get an extra bed in the guest bed room. at the other end of the house. i promise i wont make you cook. but you might have to eat my breakfast cooking. LOL LOL