While I am not alone this year, I did once experience this for several years. I was not only alone but I was isolated too. Living remotely, I didn't spend much time around people in the first place. Holidays were the worse and really took their toll emotionally. After the first agonizing year I realized I had to take the bull by the horns.

I made an effort to start my own traditions.

This meant purposely doing things differently in order to try and stave off memories of what I was missing. i roasted a goose instead of a turkey, drove into the town for a movie, bought myself a treat of something I didn't need. I even chose different coloured lights and decorations. I volunteered a few times. And, I made a celebration of Boxing Day. Some of these things I still do today.