Yes create your own party. Rent like 20 movies. none of them holiday specific. Eat food that is not holiday specific ( I am planning on sushi) and celebrate you... take care of yourself.

Buy yourself a gift.... try to be good to you.

I did that last year.. saw blooddiamonds at the theatre.. made me change my perspective... write a list of your blessings..... plan for 2008.

God bless you

I don't know if you have kids but I plan on just enjoying my Christmas with my son.

I don't know...how long ago were you the "third wheel" in college...I'm an optimist and a social gal...I believe that you could be a part of friends celebration...jump right in! What about volunteering somewhere for the day...Maybe go out for Chinese!!!

I would take an offer from your friends that is what I will be doing this year.

Well I will also be alone, I lost my parents last year and I have two adult children that won't be coming home. I am finding this time of year and being alone more than I can stand. I am ashamed that I am not a strong person and that I did not try harder to make my own friends. I know this is not helpful as I really don't have an answer for either one of us, I just wanted you to know I hear you and I sure do understand. To be honest I don't feel very jolly and I don't want to bring others down so maybe it is best I am alone. Hope you figure out a plan.

Go and be with your friends for part of the day.
Have a movie marathon at home.
or go to a couple of movies.

Resolve to not feel sorry for yourself.

make a nice meal for one.

I feel really blessed to have my kids home for Christmas eve and Christmas morning. I have to work the next day. I think that will help. I am more worried about what will happen emotionally after everyone leaves. New Years Eve then finalization of the divorce on Jan 9th. But together we can do what we may not be able to do alone
take care

A couple of years ago, when I was alone for Christmas, my AA Sponser recommended I hep out at a shelter on Christmas.

I did in fact do it and came away with a deep feeling of gratitude for what I still had in my life.

Everyone here has posted some great suggestions to consider, but let me also suggest that you go ahead and accept your friends' offer to spend Christmas with them. I'm sure they wouldn't have offered if it wasn't meant sincerely and from the heart. Family is not always the people we share DNA with. It is so easy to give into the urge to isolate yourself, but don't! Push yourself a little -- you may be surprised to find that you have a great time and enjoy some laughs. And I'm sure your friends, who are certainly concerned and have watched you suffer, would be so happy to feel they could do SOMETHING in the midst of this difficult time to help you out. They want to give -- can you open your heart to receive it? After all, isn't that what Christmas is all about?

I am with you on this one. This will be my first ever Christmas alone. I have had friends and even customers invite me over but I feel like you do. That I am out of place and intruding. Someone told me to volunteer Christmas eve and day at a local homeless shelter. Something I have never even thought of before but there is a large church in town that opens it's doors Christmas eve and feeds everyone and they may stay there through Chirstmas day just to be around folks who also don't have anyone. May be something to look into.

volunteer at a local shelter or hospital for a day---there are lots of people that would love to have someone on the holidays!!! or if you just feel like relaxing---HIT THE MOVIES...relax, enjoy! :)

The other alternative is to invite the family to your place. Or find a half way point that everybody could make it too. I'm 550 miles from any family. I'm lucky someone is comming out to spend it with me.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I have plenty of options to consider. I wish I could spend it with my stepson but he has Christmas with his mother and with his bio dad so I'll see him afterwards. Thanks again!