What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas?

Tis the season to be jolly
But how can I be when I have nobody
The yuletide carol doesn’t make it better
Knowing that we won’t be together

A silent night, I know it’s gonna be
Joy to the world but it’s gonna be sad for me

What do the lonely do at Christmas?
Oh, what do the lonely do at Christmas time?

The children can play with their new toys
While their little hearts burst open with joy
And lovers can kiss beneath the mistletoes
The choirs can sing those glorious songs of old

But what is left, oh, for me to do
Now that it’s Christmas and I don’t have you

What do the lonely do at Christmas?
Oh, what do the lonely do at Christmas time?

Oh, what do the lonely do at Christmas?
What do the lonely do at Christmas?
Oh, what do they do, what do they do at Christmas? Ooh, what do they do, what do they do at Christmas?

Oh, what do the lonely do at Christmas?
What do the lonely do at Christmas?
Oh, what do they do, what do they do at Christmas?

Songwriters
BANKS, HOMER / HAMPTON, CARL MITCHELL

Published by
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Are you once again singing, “What do the lonely do at Christmas?” This time of the year can be extremely difficult for individuals who are single and/or don’t have close family near them to spend the holidays with. The recent news story about a young lady near Sacramento California really touched my heart. She posted an ad on Craigslist for a family to spend Christmas day with. She offered to pay $8.00 an hour for their time. I was moved to tears listening to her story thinking that even though my family tree has a few nuts, that I am truly blessed to have family to spend the holidays with and can’t imagine not spending every holiday with my family of fruit cakes.

After posting her ad, this young lady was overwhelmed with responses from people offering to spend Christmas day with her – free of charge. Additionally, she received many responses from other young people who much like her did not have family to spend the holiday with. As a result, she organized a meet and greet event where she paired young people who had nowhere to go for Christmas with a family who offered to open their home and host a guest. She not only found someone for herself to spend Christmas with, but she also helped several other young people find families to spend Christmas with as well. I tell you, this is the Christmas spirit in its purest form – giving to those in need without getting anything in return.

Oftentimes, those of us who are fortunate to have family around tend to take for granted the importance of having family in our lives; and we forget about those who have no family to spend the holidays with. I encourage everyone who has family to spend Christmas day with to embrace a single person and invite them over for dinner. This could mean the world to that person who may not have anywhere to go on Christmas day.

If you are single and find that you have no one to share Christmas day with, but would like to, I suggest that you find other single individuals who may not have plans and do a potluck style meal then enjoy a movie as a group, or play games. Even if you only get together for dessert and games do something social with other people. You can also volunteer at a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen that is open on Christmas day to feed the less fortunate; whatever you choose to do, please choose to not spend the day alone feeling sorry for yourself.

Merry Christmas!

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• Lonely College Student Places Ad To ‘Rent A Family’ For Christmas (wycd.cbslocal.com)