Why being single at Christmas is pretty awesome, actually

From cosy adverts to Christmas card tweeness, the festive season can feel like couples' central. And, well, it kind of often is. The season is geared up for twos – from the ice skating to the cheesy cards.

And when you're single that can lead you down a slippery slope towards emotional doom. Whether this is your first outing as a Christmas single, or it's been a few years, it's worth remembering all the amazing things that are in your favour at this time of year.

Here's a rundown of the joys of a single Christmas...

There's none of the 'your parents or mine?' chat

We all know that social media only shows a certain side of life. So, when you see that Instagram picture of your mate with her boyfriend and his parents' dog on a misty morning Boxing Day walk, your first reaction is jealousy. Don't they look cute/in love/cosy/happy?

The reality is far more likely to be that she's dragged herself out of bed to avoid another long discussion about her gluten-free bread needs with his mother. And there's no Facebook post from your newlywed friends about the silent walk home from the cinema in November, when she said she didn't want to spend their first Christmas together because she couldn't bear to miss her mum's pigs in blankets.

And none of the extra travel, either...

Those cosy festive walks people are on come at a price – usually a long motorway drive on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. Or, worse, the long train journey to Upper Froggington (with three changes, and no buffet car) to meet his folks for the first time, laden with gifts you're not sure the family will like.

Single people, meanwhile, don't have to travel anywhere, and your mum understands your food needs. More stinky blue cheese anyone?

Or, you can escape to far-flung lands

If you don't mind a bit of travel, being single at Christmas means you can skip the country if you want to. Because who do you have to answer to? If you don't want to go away over the Christmas break, you can always book something for January – and sit back knowing that while couples will be arguing their way through the pressures of dry January and/or the credit card bill, you can be off skiing or on a retreat. Or even just to the local salon for a facial.

It's a time to reassess what you really want

Sometimes, Christmas with all the family faff can make you realise that actually, deep down, you don't really want what they've all got. It's a stressful time for couples and families, and you don't have to choose that if you don't want to. Setting yourself some kind of seasonal deadline – that you'll find someone to kiss at New Year, for example – only adds to the pressures you might be feeling as a single person. Step away from the self-imposed ultimatums!

It's a break from dating

Every single person wishes they could have a bit of time away from the swiping, but it rarely seems to happen. Christmas enforces a down-tools on dating apps as everyone returns home, which means suddenly your search parameters go from the city you live in to the fields surrounding Grandma's. That and Grandma's Wi-Fi isn't strong enough anyway. Throw in the added risk of swiping on John/Barry/Rupert from sixth form while you're back where you grew up, and it basically means you get a full-on dating detox.

Dressing up is optional

Oh, the drama of wondering what to wear for the Christmas Eve party at his parents' neighbour's house. Not so when you're single. Leggings or tracksuit bottoms, a cosy knit, no make-up... being single at Christmas means you can wear those cutesy pyjamas and not worry about bumping into his teenage brother on the landing and him then bribing you not to tell the whole family about your unicorn onesie.

No buying presents for partners.. their family.. their dog...

Christmas with a plus one means extra spends on your credit card – whereas being single means you can splash that hard-earned cash on yourself instead! Or save it up for that holiday. Either way, it's win-win.