The day can remind us of what we do not have in our lives. Even if this does not bother us at any other time of year, it can get to us at Christmas. The thought that everyone else is with their families can really weigh upon us.

There are many people who will be alone on Christmas day, so don't think that you are only one, or that you are in any way a failure if you find yourself without company at this time.

There are a number of things that you can do to make day more pleasant for yourself.

1) Plan a special day for yourself

Plan to spoil yourself on Christmas Day. Plan a number of things that you really enjoy doing. Hire your favourite video, read a good book, buy some beautiful fresh flowers for your house, buy yourself a present and wrap it and put it under tree. Even though it is just you make a special meal with all your favourite foods. Take a picnic to your favourite spot. Listen to your favourite music. Go out and see a Christmas play. Go to Church

2) Go out to lunch or on an organised tour

By Pauline Wallin, Ph.D Author of "Taming Your Inner Brat: A Guide for Transforming Self-defeating Behavior"

Shopping is a pain, malls are crammed, and there are no parking places. Cookies, candies, eggnog and other goodies are making you fat. You have to buy a gift for someone you don't particularly like and grumble all way. You need to buy another useless gift for your "so-called" friend. Your "inner brat" will tell you to go ahead and eat everything you want - after all, it's holidays, and you deserve it!

TAMING YOUR INNER BRAT

What is inner brat? It's seemingly irresistible, impulsive force inside every one of us, that makes us say and do things we later regret. Bad habits, problem tempers and other self-defeating behaviors and thoughts are products of inner brat.

A voice inside you screams, "I want it!" or "I can't stand it!" or "Why me?!" Sound familiar? That's your inner brat. The bad news is that you can never completely get rid of your inner brat. It not only makes you miserable, but it also sets a poor example for your children.

The good news, however, is that you can learn to tame your inner brat.

IT STARTS WITH YOU

The holidays present a gold mine of opportunities for your inner brat to make a pest of itself. Because of hectic nature of season, there are more situations that make you edgy and irritated - malls are crowded, and parking lots are full. Your inner brat insists that you should be able to park wherever you want, buy whatever you want and never have to wait more than 30 seconds. Shopping is a pain, even on Internet, where connections are slow at popular merchandise sites. If you pay too much attention to this voice in back of your mind, you'll end up frustrated and angry.

Another set of inner brat opportunities is in endless temptation of food and drink during this month. All around you are cookies, candies, wine, eggnog and other seasonal goodies. Your inner brat tells you to go ahead and eat and drink everything you want. After all, it's holidays, and you deserve it.