[ptangptang]

Well that time of year is coming round again as the commercials are quick to tell us. I normally don't have a Christmas dinner as i can't be bothered to do it just for myself and Christmas day is usually me in front of the tv with a pizza. This year i joined the camers club and we are going out for a Christams dinner YAY!!!. I was thinking maybe for those of us who live in or near big towns/cities maybe we could meet up for a meal/drink ( not expensive) before Christmas for a festive chat and to share experiences. There's safety in numbers and you know we are all in the same boat so no need to be shy. Anyone that fancies a meetup in London pm me and if there are enough i will put a message on here that it's on. Then it's up to you to do the same where you live. Just a thought.

[ptangptang]

Ok, judging by the response , No.

[unaluna]

Maybe meeting people from here is like trying to date people from your group therapy? Or your therapist? We love each other and try to show unconditional positive regard, but it just doesnt translate to showing up IRL. Of course I say this right after I ask a fellow member here to marry me again. It's like the joke about the optimistic birthday kid - with all this manure, there's gotta be a pony in here somewhere.

[ptangptang]

Haha,i like your thinking, but come on guys without a little effort we get nowhere.

[lizardlady]

Ptangptang, I live in the States. I don't think our getting together is doable. As for the folks here that I would be willing to invite to dinner, we all live in different states. Again, not very doable.

You've got me thinking about what I'd like to do for the holidays though. Last two Christmases I was home by myself. Two years ago I was sick as a dog. I spent the day sleeping or barfing. Last year my plans got cancelled at the last minute. I actually enjoyed getting to stay home and not run around like a maniac.

I'm not sure what I'd like to do this year. I'm not a Christian, so it's not a religious holiday for me. The media and society scream at us that we are supposed to get together with family and friends. When I still had family living, it was so depressing that our Christmas was nothing like the media's portrayal. We were more like the Addams family than the Waltons. Now that I just have myself and the critters to think about I'm going to do what suits me. Problem is I don't know what that is just yet.

just had an afterthought..... how about if those of us who don't have someone in 3D to meet with agree3 to meet here at PC at a certain time? We could even arrange to have our dinners at the same time and tell one another what we are having.

[ptangptang]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

Ptangptang, I live in the States. I don't think our getting together is doable. As for the folks here that I would be willing to invite to dinner, we all live in different states. Again, not very doable.

You've got me thinking about what I'd like to do for the holidays though. Last two Christmases I was home by myself. Two years ago I was sick as a dog. I spent the day sleeping or barfing. Last year my plans got cancelled at the last minute. I actually enjoyed getting to stay home and not run around like a maniac.

I'm not sure what I'd like to do this year. I'm not a Christian, so it's not a religious holiday for me. The media and society scream at us that we are supposed to get together with family and friends. When I still had family living, it was so depressing that our Christmas was nothing like the media's portrayal. We were more like the Addams family than the Waltons. Now that I just have myself and the critters to think about I'm going to do what suits me. Problem is I don't know what that is just yet.

just had an afterthought..... how about if those of us who don't have someone in 3D to meet with agree3 to meet here at PC at a certain time? We could even arrange to have our dinners at the same time and tell one another what we are having.

Haha tell me about it. I have diverticulitis and the last 2 years it flared up during the first 2 weeks of december and for about 4 days i was in bed without food or water, as if it's telling me 'dont think you're going to enjoy Chreistmas , cos u ain't,' haha. Ok would be kind of interesting to know what people are eating, watching etc .

[unaluna]

We do usually "meet" here on the holidays. The people who are alone console those who "have to" visit family and vice versa! We may be alone but it seems less lonely, with each other, than it would have been with the crazy er I mean the relatives! Less indigestion too Plus you dont have to go all out, but I've learned how nice it is to do a little something special for myself. It's not something I usually do, and it's not how I was raised, to treat myself nicely. A bribe to distract you is not really the same thing?

[tinyrabbit]

Originally Posted by hankster

Maybe meeting people from here is like trying to date people from your group therapy? Or your therapist? We love each other and try to show unconditional positive regard, but it just doesnt translate to showing up IRL.

Very well put!

Nope.

Sorry.

Not for me.

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by tinyrabbit

Very well put!

Darn! I guess I can forget about my invitation to yours for Boxing Day then!

[NWgirl2013]

In the states there is a commercial for something, a case of the message of the ad losing the product importance I think.
But Anyway, they show a fancy dinner table with several people sitting around it, and some of the places have a laptop computer where the plate should be, and a persons face on the screen interacting with the group at the table.

Wouldn't we all make a colorful group at such a table?!

[tinyrabbit]

Originally Posted by hankster

Darn! I guess I can forget about my invitation to yours for Boxing Day then!

Virtual lemon curd, Hankster, virtual lemon curd.

[jan16th]

I love your idea. A room full of people like us could be quite interesting. Where I am is not quite walking distance (Los Angeles, California United States). Guess we'll have to do our harrahs over the computer. Hope your Halloween was a fun one.

[jan16th]

Replying again. Love your idea. It would be quite interesting having a room full of people like us. I am not quite walking distance to you (Los Angeles, California United States). Another person suggested we coordinate our time and meet here on PC. It could be fun. This is my new family. Hope your Halloween was fun.

cool idea, I'd actually be up for it but I live across the Atlantic in Canada, my small town doesn't really have much for ways of getting together on holidays. Probably either treat it like any other day, or have a pizza night.

[RoseInterrupted]

I dread Christmas with a passion. All that hoo-har, all the commercialism, those terrible Christmas carols. It really freaks me out and sends my SAD sky-rocketing, however I wouldn't mind participating in something here.

[manwithnofriends]

no. ...

[MuseumGhost]

I'd happily attend if I only lived closer, and knew there was going to be a few other people showing up.

It takes courage to extend an invitation like this---to a group full of people who have social anxiety disorders. Thank you, ptang!!

Don't give up too early, though---keep those invitations open, and keep the chance there for last-minuters. So often during the holidays, we might just need that drinkypoo to keep us from doing something rash and regrettable.

Like I said, I'd be there with bells on. I like this crowd.

[possum220]

If you lived in Australia Ptang I would invite to join my family...

In previous years when family way not an option I seriously thought about going to a place that provided free Christmas Lunch for those who had no-one to be with. Or to put another twist on it so you arent alone... maybe you could volunteer at a place that does provide meals Christmas day or any other day if you have a mind to.

I dont know who the charity bases are where you live Ptang but it might be something to do.... And you've got time to check things out.

Gladis hunny

[jasonH]

I never had a Christmas, tbh. The movies make it look really nice though.

[ptangptang]

Originally Posted by possum220

If you lived in Australia Ptang I would invite to join my family...

In previous years when family way not an option I seriously thought about going to a place that provided free Christmas Lunch for those who had no-one to be with. Or to put another twist on it so you arent alone... maybe you could volunteer at a place that does provide meals Christmas day or any other day if you have a mind to.

I dont know who the charity bases are where you live Ptang but it might be something to do.... And you've got time to check things out.

Gladis hunny

Aw Possum darling, you are such a sweet lady. And i'd be round like a shot with a bunch of gladis and a bottle of cheap Aussie plonk. I would have probably drunken it first though -in that heat my throat would be as dry as a nun's nasty, haha. And you wouldn't get rid of me till Easter at the earliest haha. I've joined a dating site Possum and i'm on a mission called Cuddles for Christmas. If i'm not cuddling by Christmas in front of the tv with a big box of chocolates and a botle of sherry then i will have failed. You never know there'e still time. Meanwhile the idea is still open for a meetup in London with others on here.

[Perna]

Originally Posted by ptangptang

If i'm not cuddling by Christmas in front of the tv with a big box of chocolates and a bottle of sherry then i will have failed.

Oh, ptangptang, watch your diverticulitis! You can have your Brit sherry, I tried that once or twice but did not care for it. Maybe I'll do some sparkling wine.

I won't be alone but it will be a different Christmas this year I think; last year I got uninvited from the family's usual get-together (my stepsister's house) and I don't see that being reinstated, the family dynamics are changing faster as we all get older but I have my husband and a friend and I imagine somewhere in there there might be a get together with my husband's family. They all live further away though and I am sometimes not in the mood.

The biggest part about getting older that I don't like around Christmas is not being able to think of very good presents for my husband; we don't need more "stuff" but I like giving/getting/opening presents and that whole scene, but we haven't had a tree at all in this house, it's too small and our cats would not behave I'm sure.

[NWgirl2013]

Hey Perna ~ we have a new rule in our house for gifts: it has to be consumable. That makes it a lot easier to think about somehow. There is no 'storing a thing' issue. And the price tag is usually much more manageable.
And~ it opens up a world of food and drink to be given...and shared around. The best gifts don't even make it home.

[possum220]

Cuddles for Christmas sounds like a very worthwhile project. I wish you all the best in your mission. We all need a little caring and sharing. Being alone at christmas time is very hard. Hope you have heaps of fun just chatting. Plus always make the first meeting in public.... cafe etc. Sorry just wanting to make sure you stay safe ptang. (I had a cat called cuddles ).

I went shopping today for christmas. Came home with nothing. Its hard working out what to get as presents. Its all such a lot of work for one day............. The family I will be with do a Kris Kringle thing where you only buy one present for one person. But on top of that there are two families and friends.

Yes it is a social day. Exhausting and Expensive.

The funny thing in Australia is singing.........I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.... lols. They should change it to I'm dreaming of a hot Christmas...