The festive season can feel a bit much if you’re not someone who goes big on celebrations, or if your usual plans have fallen through. Everyone else seems to have sorted their schedules weeks ago, and sometimes that can leave you wondering what to do with yourself if everything has shut down and the streets are quiet. It’s easy to end up sitting at home feeling like you’re missing out, but if you have the right mindset, having no fixed plans can be brilliant if you approach it right.
It’s quite freeing not being locked into family gatherings or expensive dinners you booked months ago. You can be spontaneous, do exactly what you prefer, and avoid all the stress that comes with trying to please everyone. We’d suggest the trick is to get out and do something, anything, because staying in and scrolling through your phone while everyone else posts about their festivities is going to make you feel rubbish.
Never fear, because we think we could help you enjoy a fantastic time if you get out and explore. Let’s discuss how to do that:
Visit A City You’ve Never Explored Properly
Cities can be quite nice during the festive period, as they’re often quieter because more people have gone away, which means you can wander around with less of the fighting through crowds. Some places will have decorations and lights up, which can be lovely to look at, and you might find Christmas markets or pop-up events happening that wouldn’t be there the rest of the year.
Pick somewhere you can get to easily, maybe somewhere you’ve passed through before but never really spent time in. You could spend the day just walking around, poking into shops that catch your eye, and finding a nice cafe or pub to sit in for a bit. There’s no pressure to see specific attractions or tick off tourist attractions, just enjoy exploring and seeing what you stumble across. If you fancy staying overnight, hotels are sometimes cheaper during this period because business travelers aren’t around.
Check Out Local Events & Markets
Many towns and cities put on special events over the festive period, and they’re often free or cheap to get into. For instance, ice skating rinks pop up in town squares, there might be carol concerts or light displays, and sometimes there are special film screenings or theater performances. It’s worth having a look online to see what’s happening near you, because you might be surprised at what’s going on.
Christmas markets are everywhere at this time of year (of course) and they’re quite fun to wander around for an hour or so. Even if you’re not buying anything, there’s usually a nice atmosphere, and it gets you out among people doing things. Some markets stay open right through the festive period too, so you’ve options about when to go.
Take Yourself On A Day Trip Somewhere Scenic
If you prefer being outdoors, this is a good time to go somewhere with nice walks or views, perhaps in national parks, coastal paths, forests, or anywhere you can get some fresh air and clear your head. The weather might be cold and biting, but that’s part of the appeal in a way.
Just be sure to pack a flask of something hot, wear decent shoes, and just go for a wander. You don’t need to hike for miles if that’s not your thing, but getting out in nature for a few hours can be really good for your mood. If you drive, you can explore places that are a bit further out. If you don’t, look for walks that are accessible by train or bus. Bring a friend if you want company, or go solo if you fancy some time to yourself.
Use Luggage Storage To Maximize Your Time
If you’re doing a day trip to a city or you’re heading somewhere for a night but arriving early or leaving late, you don’t want to be hauling bags around with you the whole time. Most cities have luggage storage options near train stations or in the center, and they’re really cheap for a few hours.
This means you can drop your stuff off, and then you’re unburned even if your hotel check in is later in the day. This way you can go into museums, sit in cafes, walk around markets, or whatever else you prefer, and never worry about your bags or trying to find somewhere secure to leave them. It’s also useful over the festive period because you might be carrying presents or extra layers.
Try Something You’ve Been Meaning To Do
They say that going somewhere alone, like eating or the cinema, is actually quite nerve-wracking, but then you do it three times and love it. Why not make this one of those times? Perhaps there’s museum with great reviews in the closest city you’ve wanted to explore very slowly and read everything in, or a restaurant you’ve heard good things about. With time off and nothing else demanding your attention, you can do it and be totally indulgent in it as well.
No matter what you pick, the point is you’re doing something intentional with your time, and if it feels like a choice you’ve made for yourself, that’s much better than just waiting out the days because you feel like you should be doing something more festive.
Meet Up With Other People Who Are Around
You’d be surprised how many people don’t have big festive plans, you’re absolutely not the only one. If you do catch wind that someone else is free, reach out to those friends who might be in the same boat and see if they fancy doing something together. Perhaps you could meet for drinks, or go for a walk, or just hang out at someone’s flat watching films and eating takeaway.
Festive cheer is nice, but it’s always lovely to have a low-key celebration with people who also aren’t fussed about the traditional process right now. You can do exactly what you want and enjoy it, but not worry about any of the pressure or expectation you may have had otherwise.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily enjoy festive plans even if you’re alone. Wishing you plenty of holiday cheer!
Further Reading
