While many people in Germany eat together with their family at Christmas, sit around the fireplace or television and unpack gifts, there are also some who sit alone in front of the screen - because the relationship with the family is not good, their family members have other plans or because they run out.
They can find a way out of the Christmas stress on the Internet, for example by passing the time with video games or getting to know people who are alone at Christmas on social networks. Or they turn on the camera themselves and stream for others who feel lonely.
Four people tell how they will celebrate digital Christmas - on the Internet, but still not lonely.
Ina *, 27 years:
"My mother is a nurse. Up until now she could always arrange that she didn't have to work on Christmas Eve - or that she had an early shift and that we could traditionally celebrate together in the evenings. This year my mother is on late shift. That means for me that I go on Christmas Eve I'm alone - but I don't plan to be lonely because I'm going to start a livestream. I want to play something relaxing, for example "Civilization 6", and chat with people in the process.
I have a Twitch channel that I occasionally stream on. On Christmas Eve I hope to be able to offer a distraction to those who are alone at home. Just as I distract myself from being alone. At first I thought about going to my local pub, where some friends of mine meet. This is a typical village pub that has not changed since the 90s. But since it will surely be overcrowded, I will not give it to myself. This volume is not for me. Then rather talk to people in peace while I play something. "
Andreas, 22 years:
"I haven't seen my father since I was 15. The relationship with my mother is good, but she now lives far away from me in northern Germany. We have contact every few weeks. Christmas was never a very peaceful time for me. We always kept it very small: ate something, exchanged a few gifts, that's it.
I don't think I will go to my mother's house this Christmas, and if so, only for two days. And even then I tend to spend the days with my internet family. These are some long-time friends. I mainly talk to them about Discord. At Christmas some of them will be alone and we want to meet to chat. This is the time when many have the peace to talk about God and the world for many hours.
I will probably also look into the "VR Chat" again. There was a Christmas event last year: The community built its own map based on Times Square. Everything was decorated and there was Christmas music. Then I stood in my apartment with VR glasses and spoke to people in a virtual environment - people who also spend Christmas alone. You can find like-minded people there. "
Susanne *, 25 years:
"My parents are divorced - but Christmas Eve is pretty nice with both of them. We are such a flagship divorce family, we get along well. On the first and second Christmas day, I then spend the party with one part of the family each time. That is less nice.
There are a lot of self-portrayals, people who love themselves above all. I sit in between and think that it is so far from my life that I am not one of these people, even though they are actually my family: aunts, uncles, cousins.
In order not to go crazy, I spend these days mainly on Twitter. Before the meetings, I make sure that my cell phone is fully charged and then I tweet about this part of my family. About the sayings they bring, how condescending they are. "You seem to have a very boring life" is a saying I can listen to when I try to tell about myself.
There are many on Twitter who are experiencing something like this. For others, it may be the mother or the brother, but it becomes clear that one cannot choose a family. And so it gives me some comfort that I have a channel where I can express my feelings and find people who understand me. "
Lorena, 18 years:
"I hate Christmas. Since my father left, it's just not the same anymore. My mother and my two brothers, we are really just arguing: who didn't tidy up properly? Who doesn't do his job? Everyone lives this way with us there is no cohesion anymore. And it comes out particularly strongly at Christmas. That's why I have withdrawn and isolated. I have to escape this toxic environment. Therefore, at Christmas I will play a lot of computer games. "GTA 5" or "Skyrim" For example, in these worlds I feel more belonging than in my family.
Later in the evening I meet up with a few friends in TeamSpeak or on a Discord server. Then we play together or just talk trivial stuff. They could actually sit with their families, but they don't want me to be all alone. They are like a family to me. We have the same interests, play the same games, are on the same servers. I have known this chosen family for five years now. Back then we played Minecraft together. If they weren't, I wouldn't have any reason to look forward to Christmas. "
* Name changed