11 Alternative Ways to Spend Christmas

Many of us will find ourselves engulfed in the attention and adoration of loving family members and close friends during the holiday season. However, there are many others who won't have a loving family to embrace and will find themselves alone or simply tired of pretending they want to spend an entire day with these people.

For those who loathe the idea of spending all of Christmas Day listening to stories they've heard a million times; or answering dreaded, irritating questions about they're future; I've created a list of alternative activities to consider to fill Christmas Day. You can create your own reasons to be jolly this season.

1. Go to the movies.
Since the day after Thanksgiving, you've been mesmerized (or lassoed) by Christmas lights. Enough already - you might say - because no one needs to spend the entire day watching football and parades on TV or sitting around the tree. Put on something warm and head out to see the latest flick. This year, I hear Rocky will be back in the ring and in theaters on Christmas Day.

2. Volunteer at a shelter or mission.
Nothing says Christmas like the spirit of giving, and what better way to demonstrate this spirit than with your time for some of the people who need it most. If your Christmas is a sad and lonely one, you should definitely be donating yourself to the shelter on this day. Sharing this gift with someone worse off than you will definitely open your eyes and heart to the meaning of the holiday. Forget picking up the $29.00 cashmere sweaters at Walmart. There are more important things for you to do.

3. Volunteer at a hospital.
This is another alternative with a great and lasting purpose. Just think about how dismal the holidays would seem if you had to be confined to a hospital bed on Christmas. You may not be able to lift their bodies out of their beds but you can surly lift their spirits. You may not be Santa Clause, but you can speak to them, hand them a candy cane and wish them a 'Merry Christmas' can't you? Be sure to arrange this ahead of time with the hospital you have your sights on.

4. Create a game or movie marathon.
Invite people over to your place so that they have a place of refuge from the Christmas family trap they might find themselves in. Rent a bunch of Twilight Zone movies or television episodes or a bunch of Jim Carey, Johnny Depp or Sally Field movies and play them all day. You can even use this day to play your latest games on Xbox or PlayStation2 and challenge your guests. And don't worry about food, you can require your guests to bring something. All that you need to supply is a bowl of popcorn with crushed peppermint sprinkled over it.

5. House hop.
If you do break down and decide that spending time with family is a necessary action, don't feel obligated to stay longer than you want. You might decide this year, that you want to make five different stops instead of the traditional one or two. If you spend 30 minutes at each house, that is two and a half-hours of quality time with family, friends and associates. Be sure to calculate driving time though, so as not to over extend yourself.

6. Work on your hobby.
Perhaps you're not feeling as social this year as you have in years past. Or maybe you're just not social at all. Take the free time set aside for this holiday and dive into your hobby. If you're a photographer, go out and grab some interesting holiday shots. If you're an artist, create new work. If you build models, break out the glue and paint and get cracking! A finished product will give you a great sense of accomplishment, leaving less time to wallow in your grinchy attitude.

7. Go to the beach or lake.
I understand that, depending upon your location, you might not be able to do this because of freezing winter climate, but keep in mind that Christmas doesn't look the same for everyone. If they choose too, my Southern Californian neighbors are able to watch the crashing waves while wrapped in a blanket and sitting in the sand. They don't have to spend the day there, but an hour or two of Christmas reflection would be a nice change of pace. If you're trapped in frozen tundra, you can try flying out to a warmer spot and participate in the Christmas beach experience yourself.

8. Take a drive.
Scoop up some of your favorite Christmas music and hop in the car for your own Christmas adventure. You don't have to have a set destination, just a credit card in your wallet to fill your tank with gas. Once your tank becomes half empty (or half full - depending upon your outlook) start heading back towards home. Also, be on the lookout for intoxicated drivers; also be sure that you're not one yourself.

9. Plan your future.
So you didn't do everything you wanted this year. It's okay. You did have some great moments though. Take this opportunity to create a detailed, well-mapped out plan on how you are going to obtain your goals next year or the next few years. Be sure it's done neatly and seriously and kept in a place you will always have quick access to, like in an envelope tacked to your bulletin board.

10. Read or sing at your local orphanage or group home.
This is more giving of your time and energy, but this time, more specifically, for the children. If you have a band or just you and your guitar even, you can make arrangements to sing or teach holiday songs to the children. If you're not a singer, you can read (or act out with them) your favorite holiday story. You will have to make arrangements in advance to allow for a background check, if necessary.

11. Clean up!
If you insist on being a hermit, cutting yourself off from the rest of the Christmas world, the least you can do is prepare a squeaky clean house to bring in the new year.

Though some of us will be with family, some of us will be working; but for those of us who have the chance, be not afraid of exploring new paths for celebration. Enjoy every moment this Christmas, no matter what plans you make.