First of all, thanks for doing this! I appreciate anyone taking this whole thing seriously in an effort to protect the rest of us - thank you - I mean it.

I actually do this every now and again - I'll "take a holiday for myself" - most often I like to have a nice medium (sometimes big!) holiday at my house - I like doing all the cooking and prep and silly stuff that goes along with having over a decent amount of people for a special event.

But last year was one I spent alone - sort of decompress and take a day to wander, ponder and appreciate. I usually spend them outdoors - hiking with my boys (dogs ;) ). Last year I went to three different beach spots that I don't often go to, and drove through a couple random little towns on the way. I like getting all bundled up and enjoying the chill air.

I *was* going to do a more significant drive and check out a trio of lighthouses on the coast of Maine but last minute work schedule caused me to save that one for another day...

I also indulge my bad habits - so last year I smoked one of my good cigars on Christmas day. I only have one left right now ;) The original box held eight and I'll decline to mention what they cost but it was enough that I don't smoke them often LOL.

Me and my SO just do whatever we like doing, same as on every other stay-at-home-non-working day. Maybe get some nice snacks that are only available around this time of the year...

Assuming you are of legal age in Australia, drink heavily?

(If you are not legal drinking age, do not do that).

Don't be so sure, I'm quite surprised how seemingly tolerant these assholes are over forum comments. I'm sure China will teach them some new moderation techniques

I got rid of the bad surroundings. I have no one to spend time with at the moment the way I want to.

I have been somewhat in your shoes before, and I would mainly pray and contemplate. If you are a Christian like me (I'm Catholic, converted from Atheism some five years ago) meditating on the Silent Night is extremely cozy (I like to ponder on the meaning of that tradition that holds that nature became silent that night. Also, what seemed like a moment of failure was actually a great triumph for mankind). Hiking and enjoying nature is always good too (good thing you may combine both things, it feels great). I would end the day playing something relaxing and uplifting (something like Stardew Valley or a solo board game) and/or listening a classy audiobook (there are really good ones for free on YouTube and elsewhere nowadays. A few days ago I came across an entire Sherlock Holmes book read by the great Peter Cushing; and just the other day I listened to one by Christopher Lee).

thats dark... lol .. cmon ... its only a game

1. Buy lots of 7% Christmas Ale
2. Pour into a novelty 2 pint tankard
3. Replay Deus Ex

dont be alone

So, not to derail the thread or sound cheesy or something, but do you know of any Xmas- or winter-themed games one could play to get in the mood on your own, provided the goal actually is to get into it instead of distracting yourself from it? Anything centered around or taking place around Xmas, anything with a snow setting etc.?

Well I have great memories of last year Christmas because I was playing The Original Strife: Veteran Edition.

And you know what ? I guess I'll do the same thing this year but this time I'm going to have a blast playing the Heretic + Hexen Collection that I just bought :D

I don't celeberate. Anything. Ever.

frostpunk clearly brings christmas feeling

As a side activity, revising x-mas songs to be rather terrible.


RUDOLPH THE COVID-NOSED REINDEER

You know Dasher and Dancer
And Prancer and Vixen,
Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen.
But do you recall
The most infamous reindeer of all?

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Now has a very slimy nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it blows

All of the other reindeer
Used to have Rudolph
Over to join in reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa zoomed to say
Rudolph with your nose so blighted
I Won't let you guide my sleigh this night

Then all the reindeer loathed him
And they screamed as they flee
Rudolph the covid-nosed reindeer
You'll be remembered as an atrocity!

+1 to the song for the effort.

Answer to the OP:

I was going to write: Give yourself a treat. Something good for you. But there is something that will be better for you: Do something good for someone if you can. Even a small thing. Then enjoy your treat, and take care of yourself as if you were taking care of someone else. Do not forget to be thankful for all the good things that you enjoy (even a roof and warmness is good to have) and to send love to the ones that you see fit.