The perfect guide to celebrate a magical Christmas if you can't celebrate with your loved ones.

Christmas can be very tough if your family is on the other side of the world. Maybe you've just moved to London or Paris or Lisbon and your loved ones are far away, this time of year can be very painful. But don't worry, as always, I'm here to share with you my tips for a Great Christmas away from your family.

1. Don't celebrate if you are not in the mood

If you’re feeling lonely or sad, you're not forced to celebrate or feel happy because of all the Christmas lights and Michael Bublè merry jingles. It's fine. Trust me, it is absolutely fine to pretend that it's like any other day and go on with your normal life. So maybe watch some thriller movies or pick a great book to read. Just play it cool and it will be over before you know it!

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2. Do something kind in London

If you live in London and are feeling to live the true, genuine Christmas mood, you can head to one of the many night shelters in town. They offer a bed and a hot meal to the homeless people who live in the city. So be generous and  would otherwise be sleeping rough.

I met Michael in a Boston subway station. I told him I liked his sign. “What matters is what it means to you,” he told me. I asked what it meant to him. “Doing a deed or expressing kindness to another person without expecting anything in return,” Michael said. I love approaching strangers wherever I go. Listening and talking to them teaches you about people and how similar we all are to one another. Just like Michael, we’re all seeking human kindness.
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3. Visit the elderly

There are thousands of older people in London (and anywhere else in the world). So, if you are feeling lonely, why don't invest your time by keeping company to the the many elderly people? There are several initiatives such as North London Cares, which matches old people with younger neighbours so they can spend some time together. Can you imagine the stories an old granny could share with you?

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4. Volunteer in a charity shop

Most of the shops in London struggle during the Christmas holidays, but while the giant corporation can afford to hire temporary shops, charity shops often don't have that kind of budget. This is why you should consider spending your free time volunteering in one of the many Oxfam shops in town.

Photo by Blake Wisz / Unsplash

6. Invite friends over for dinner

You might be far from the family you were born in, remember that family is also the one you build around you day after day, year after year. They might not share the same blood as you, but your friends often share a lot of things. So why don't invite them over for a Christmas dinner together? Plus, if you are on an Erasmus or internship in London, I am sure several of your friends won't be returning home for the holidays and feel lonely as you. Be the one to make them merry!

Diner, Feast, Celebration Thanksgiving 2028 Desert time… We are having pumpkin pie and tiramisu
Photo by Zera Li / Unsplash

So, I am sure you found something great to do on Christmas day after reading this list. Make sure to share it on your social media so that other lonely people can feel happy too this Christmas!

Read more about Christmas in London:
Top 10 Best Christmas Getaways from London
Magical Things You Can Do in London During Christmas
The Best Christmas Lights in London
11 Christmassy Things to do in London