ArcaMax

I have been offered Christmas dinner with the family of a colleague, but spending the day with strangers sounds somehow worse than being alone. I am resigned to a day of movies and cocoa on my own and I think it will be fine. What I don't want is to spend the day feeling sorry for myself or crying because I am alone and far from loved ones.

Any advice for making the most of my circumstances?

-- Santa Claused

Dear Claused: My first suggestion is that you look for a way to be of service on Christmas Day, whether through helping to serve dinner at the Salvation Army, walking (or petting) the dogs at your local animal shelter, taking a plate of goodies to an elderly neighbor, or working as a "shovel Santa" (I just made that up!), shoveling a few sidewalks in your neighborhood.

Check meetup.org for ideas in your area.

I also think you should take your colleague up on the offer, but only for dessert. After that, a movie and Chinese takeout sounds like a perfect day.

Dear Amy: Regarding the conversation prompted by "Stumped in Alabama," I'd like to vote for retiring the label "housewife" and embracing "homemaker." That's what I was, for many years, and I treasure the experience.

-- Homemaker

Dear Homemaker: "Homemaker" is nicely descriptive of the domestic experience. Thank you.

(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)