How do you celebrate Christmas if you are alone? For many people, particularly expats, it can be a difficult time of year if you can't make it back home for whatever reason.
Sometimes it's logistics or the cost of travelling, which can be prohibitive around now, or for others it's a lack of annual leave or work commitments.
One Luxembourg resident had a creative idea to transform the holidays into something to be enjoyed rather than simply endured.
Severina Losch, who lives in Greiveldange, began organising a Christmas Eve get together back in 2010 for people like herself who found themselves alone during the festive period.
In the spirit of Christmas, Severina graciously decided to throw an open-invitation party, the venue being her home.
Proving to be a welcome antidote to the feeling of loneliness that can surface at this time of year, Severina's event helped her to embrace Christmas instead of dreading it, she says.
"I had spent some time living in Seville for studies with Erasmus and at Christmas there were other people there who were alone too. We all got together and celebrated it together and I really enjoyed that.
"When I came back to Luxembourg I decided to try and replicate what we had in Spain because there are also people who are alone in Luxembourg at Christmas. I thought 'I don't have to hate Christmas because I don't have family'. It doesn't have to be a negative thing."
After putting the open invite out on social media, Severina said the interest was encouraging and she saw there are also others who are in a similar situation at this time of year.
Since she started hosting the event, her guests have been a "completely random" mix of nationalities from a variety of places including Brazil, India, Ukraine, Germany, Britian and Afghanistan.
"Often the reason they are alone is because they can't travel back home or the cost of flying home is too much or even because they can't get time off. Others may be from a culture that doesn't celebrate Christmas and they want to experience a traditional Christmas," explains Severina.
As hostess of the event, Severina says she strives to accommodate as many as she can cater for in her home. "I have moved around so it's depending on where I live and the space and capacity I have. I will fill up as much as possible."
With a helping hand from her best friend, together they anticipate every detail to create a warm, inviting Christmas atmosphere for guests. From the three-course dinner to the drinks, music, games as well as small gifts for each person, the planning is exhaustive.
A delectable menu by any standards, the traditional Christmas feast usually consists of a platter of anti-pasta then salmon or shrimp and foie gras for starters, Severina adds.
The main course will be turkey stuffed with chestnut and spices, served with either fried or 'volcano' potatoes, which are loaded with cream cheese, cheddar and bacon, with green beans with almonds and cranberries.
No effort is spared on dessert, which is generally a choice of two or three delicacies.
With the utmost attention to detail, vegetarian preferences, Halah and any other dietary restrictions of her guests are all noted in the pre-planning. Carpooling is also arranged by Severina where it is feasible.
"Last year we almost had the Nightrider service to bring everyone home [night shuttle service available on demand in Luxembourg] but we were too late in booking it."
Severina, who loves cooking, admits she has often spent three days in the kitchen preparing the spread, such is the mammoth task of serving up to 12 people around her table.
The cost is shared among everyone who attends and generally comes in between €50- €70 per person, she estimates.
No stranger to organising gatherings and events, the communications and events director at ADEM says the positive feedback she receives following her celebration is heartwarming. Her idea even inspired a similar end of year get together last year, she adds with delight.
"Some people liked my idea so much that they arranged their own New Year's Eve party for people who are on their own."
Severina admits that she has faced questions on the idea of opening her home to strangers and possible security issues but she believes that anyone willing to stump up €70 to come and participate are going to be genuine.
After an impressive 12 years hosting her event, Severina decided that this year she would take the opportunity to wind-down and take a well-earned rest from the cooking and organising in favour of a quieter run up to Christmas.
Given the popularity of her big-hearted gesture to those alone at Christmas, it will certainly be making a return she envisages. Afterall, it has transformed what can be a daunting time into a happy, joyful occasion.
