A Danish woman chooses solitude over social expectations this holiday season. Her story challenges the idea that Christmas must always be celebrated with others.
Choosing Solitude on Christmas Eve
For most people in Denmark, December 24 means being surrounded by family. But for 47‑year‑old Ann Katrin Kaalund from Horsens, it will be quite the opposite. She has decided to spend Christmas Eve alone, and that choice makes her feel calm rather than lonely.
She believes many assume that anyone home alone during the holidays must be unhappy or isolated. That isn’t her case. For her, Christmas Eve is simply a date on the calendar, not an obligation to be with others.
A Life Changed by Chronic Illness
Ann Katrin lives with her dog Smilla and several chronic conditions such as fatigue, joint pain, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases. The health challenges forced her to leave her job as a company director years ago, and she has been a disability pensioner since 2023.
Her illnesses have reshaped her daily rhythm and how she sees comfort and celebration. “It takes mental strength to choose what’s right for yourself,” she often says. That mindset now shapes her decision to embrace a quiet Christmas.
From Decoration Enthusiast to Minimalist
Before her illness, Ann Katrin used to start decorating in October. Her home would glow with candles, ornaments, and a full table. The celebration was carefully planned, every moment accounted for. Over time, what mattered most shifted.
In recent years, she alternated between celebrating with her father one year and friends the next. But this time, even though she has standing invitations, she simply wants peace.
Her story mirrors a broader trend in Danish culture where individual choice during traditional holidays is slowly becoming more accepted. As the number of single households grows, more Danes are adapting celebrations to suit themselves. This change also broadens how people experience and celebrate Danish holidays in modern ways.
When Quiet Feels Right
This Christmas Eve, Ann Katrin will head to a small cottage near Skagen. She plans to walk along the beach with Smilla, depending on how her body feels that day. Later, she will eat roasted duck, rice pudding, and her beloved cheese puffs while watching TV and lighting candles.
She still decorates a bit, just enough to feel cozy. Even though the setting is simple, the day is hers entirely. There’s no pressure to perform traditions or meet expectations. For her, that feels freeing.
Interestingly, sociologist Rikke Sand Andersen from the University of Southern Denmark notes that holiday rituals are about community, but the way people approach them is changing. More people travel alone or dine alone, and that independence is becoming socially accepted. Because of that, spending Christmas solo may be less unusual in the future.
National Holiday Habits
According to a 2023 survey by YouGov for the real‑estate chain Home, about 3.4 percent of Danes celebrate Christmas alone. That’s roughly 164,000 people across the country. Most of them say they do it by choice.
Ann Katrin says she used to wonder how anyone could want to be alone for the holidays. Now she understands: it isn’t loneliness but freedom. Her story highlights that solitude during Christmas can be just as fulfilling as companionship if it’s chosen, not forced.
Acceptance Over Expectation
For Ann Katrin, her decision is not a rejection of tradition but a redefinition of it. Where others see emptiness, she sees rest. Her Christmas will include comfort food, warm lights, and the company of a loyal dog. And perhaps that is the essence of the holiday spirit in a modern Denmark that slowly learns to value well‑being above convention.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Celebrating Danish Holidays Guide for Expats
The Danish Dream: Best Psychologists in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: I år skal 47‑årig holde jul alene: Jeg nyder mit eget selskab
