photo by Lisa Sanderson

Spending the holidays without family can be lonely. Festivities tend to focus on families being together. Maybe you’re alone for the holidays or are divorced and divide time with your ex-spouse. If you know you’ll be alone or with just your spouse and no other family, start planning now. If you’ve been alone for the holidays, what have you done to celebrate?
Here are a few ideas.

SLEEP IN: You don’t have the mad rush to go anywhere or last-minute preparations for company, so take advantage of that quiet time and rest.

EAT AT HOME: Plan a nice breakfast at home. It’s not an expensive meal to make. You can have standard meals, such as eggs or pancakes, or try making homemade cinnamon rolls or a breakfast casserole.

Creme Brulee French Toast

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 homestyle-loaf bread, sliced into thick slices
5 large eggs
1-1/2 cups half-and-half
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon Grand Marnier
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a small, heavy saucepan, melt butter with butter with brown sugar and corn syrup over moderate heat, stirring until smooth, and pour into a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish. Cut 6 (1-inch) thick slices of bread. I use the crusts too. Arrange bread slices in 1 layer in baking dish, squeezing them slightly to fit. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, vanilla, Grand Marnier and salt until combined well, and pour evenly over bread. Chill bread mixture, covered, at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.
Preheat oven to 350 F and bring bread mixture, to room temperature. Bake uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed and edges are pale golden, 35 to 40 minutes. Cook’s note: This comes out best in a glass or stone baking dish, and you can cut the slices in half or smaller for serving. — Erika, Florida
Baking can help the time pass quickly, too. Try a new sugar cookie-cutout or quick-bread recipe.

HOLIDAY CHEER: Watch a couple of classic holiday movies and listen to seasonal music. Start a new tradition. It can be anything you enjoy, such as reading a favorite book or putting together a puzzle.

INTERNET: When you can’t see family in person for the holidays, stay in touch online. Another reader, T.M. from Ohio, shares: “Treat yourself and your far-off loved ones to an inexpensive Web cam, then you can use Skype (www.skype.com) with them for a short time. At least you would be able to see them on Christmas, even though it’s electronically. Skype is free!”

VOLUNTEER: Contact your local food pantry or nursing home and see if they would like any help. Polly from Pennsylvania suggests: “Most soup kitchens do their thing early in the day, so I’d do that first. Many colleges have students that can not travel home for the holidays. It would be wonderful to open your home to them, and if you have a military base near by, you can invite them, too. My first husband was in the service, and we invited several guys from base whom my then-husband didn’t even know but were alone for the holiday. It was a blast. They enjoyed a home-cooked meal and company on the holiday.”

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