I usually go back to the UK for c'mas but this year due to various reasons it looks like I'll be staying in Zurich.
I've been here a while but most of the people I know also go back to their home lands for c'mas or have families ...
I've only found one previous thread on this topic (I know the EF motto of 'check existing threads first before posting') ...
it was precovid and the responses were along the lines of to just get a cheap flight and go some place else .... which doesn't really apply for this year ...
Swissies have told me that unlike the UK the 24th is family up until 11pm ... then they go out party. ... The 25th is also a party night (unlike the UK which is stay in and watch Dr Who) ....
I suspect that with covid restrictions that might not be the same this year ....
So I'm wondering what do single people do for c'mas here?
I'm yet to book flights, but I amongst my foreign friends there are already a few of them organising a christmas dinners here.
Have you hinted at it to a few friends here? I know a lot of people just assume you'll be gone home, if they know you're staying they might extend an invitation.
Back in the day (circa 2009), I hosted all EF stragglers two christmasses in a row at my apartment. Eventually 30-40 people turned up on both occasions.
It was a fun day of drinking, everyone brought food and everyone enjoyed themselves - I still have a number of friends from it today.
If you're brave, you could do something similar on here and see if you can get any interest?
It might be too late to book something, but I suggest going up to the mountains for the occasion and staying in a nice hotel. Being home alone on Xmas isn’t easy & it will feel like a nice break.
Are there many of you left alone here for Christmas (or c'mas)? I am flying out on the 27th and have no plans until then. I found some nice hotel deals over Christmas, maybe some of us here could get together?
Britney i mean BritS's idea is the best, if you organise a meet up there may be other people who will attend. Someone organised a walk last year i recall. Maybe a christmas market meet up for some gluhwein - the markets started last night.
When I visited Switzerland over Christmas a few years ago, I took a train journey from Zurich to Lugano and back. Another year, I took a train into Bern and did manage to find an Italian restaurant that was open.
If you go out on 24th or 25th, I recommend taking a packed lunch as very little is likely to be open. You may find a McDonalds or Pizza
In the few days since I opened this thread things have gotten quite iffy ... I was still 50:50 about going away ... that's looking even less likely now.
Probably best see how things are closer to the time ... and just see who's around and what's possible ... !!
Perhaps try and pick up a cheap hotel in the mountains somewhere and ski/board over those days? You could find some people in a similar position and tag along on the slopes, apres ski etc.
Even perhaps some of the hostels in Interlaken. Could find a few people to celebrate with.
That was myself & my partner (now wife in 2021). We were just discussing that last night given the changes over the last 48 hrs we’ll need to do this again on Xmas morning. More info nearer the time but likely a 10am start for 90 mins or so lakeside walk on 25th Dec.
My husband and I are now used to spending Xmas alone ... (well with each other and our 2 cats). Most of our friends go to their home countries or the local ones are busy with their own families. In the past, it felt very lonely, but we are used to it now and enjoy cooking exactly what we want to eat and not having to deal with family stress.
Last year, we invited a couple from my work who had just moved here and were unable to go home. They just wrote to me to ask if they can come again since it looks like it will be the same covid situation this year.
That’s a bit cheeky if you ask me. If I were in their position I would be writing to invite you to spend it with us since you’d so kindly invited us the previous year.
hehe they know I love to host and I do put on a good party ... I'd prefer it that way. We are dear friends now and we were recently at their wedding abroad ...