A recent national survey indicates that 117,768 Maryland residents are projected to spend Christmas Day 2025 alone, placing the state fifth among those with the highest numbers of solitary holiday observances when adjusted for adults living alone. The findings come from A Mission for Michael, a mental health treatment organization, which polled over 3,000 adults who live alone to assess holiday solitude expectations.
Conducted in December 2025, the study combined survey responses with state-level data on individuals living alone to estimate figures. Nationally, researchers project about 14 million Americans will spend the day without company. The top five states include Wisconsin with 45,424 people, Tennessee with 56,286, Louisiana with 56,743, Minnesota with 72,213, and Maryland at 117,768. This ranking reflects weighting by the proportion of adults living alone in each state.
Respondents cited varied reasons for solo holidays. Twenty-nine percent live too far from family or friends to travel, 17 percent find travel costs prohibitive, 20 percent avoid gatherings due to family conflict, 11 percent have work commitments, 16 percent prefer solitude, and 7 percent do not celebrate Christmas.
Emotional responses vary. Twenty-five percent report feeling lonely, 22 percent feel sad, 9 percent feel overwhelmed, 7 percent anxious, and 37 percent remain indifferent. Coping strategies include watching holiday movies or TV for 28 percent, self-treating with food, gifts, or care for 19 percent, virtual connections for 15 percent, working for 8 percent, volunteering for 5 percent, solo travel for 3 percent, and no plan for 22 percent.
Perceptions highlight broader concerns. Forty-seven percent see a stigma around spending Christmas alone, 27 percent anticipate this as their loneliest yet, 59 percent agree the holiday magnifies loneliness more than any other time, 56 percent view it as a silent epidemic of isolation, and 38 percent would skip the day if possible. Fears include depression for 16 percent, feeling forgotten for 14 percent, no plans for 13 percent, no one to talk to for 11 percent, embarrassment for 6 percent, and no fears for 40 percent.
Anand Meta LMFT, executive director of AMFM, stated, “We often think of Christmas as a time of joy, but for many people, it becomes a mirror for everything they feel they’re missing”. He added, “Loneliness doesn’t take a holiday, but neither does hope – and the more we normalize these feelings, the easier it becomes to reach out, speak up, or simply take the pressure off a ‘perfect’ Christmas.”
The organization, founded after a family’s loss to mental illness, focuses on treatment and awareness of isolation issues.
In Maryland, resources address holiday-related mental health challenges. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 support via call, text, or chat, with trained counselors providing immediate help. From January to October 2025, it assisted over 126,000 Marylanders. First Lady Dawn Moore launched a statewide awareness campaign from November 26, 2025, to January 10, 2026, emphasizing connection during the season.
Additional options include the Mental Health Association of Maryland for informational resources on behavioral health, and local services in Southern Maryland such as those from the Southern Maryland Center for Family Advocacy, which supports families across St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles counties. Community groups and volunteer opportunities can foster connections, including holiday events or outreach programs.
The study underscores how societal emphasis on togetherness during December can intensify feelings of isolation for those unable to participate. While some embrace solitude positively, the data highlights opportunities for outreach, such as inviting others to gatherings or checking in with neighbors, to mitigate impacts.
This aligns with broader recognition of loneliness as a public health concern, amplified by holidays. Maryland’s position in the rankings serves as a reminder for residents to prioritize mental well-being and support networks in the final days before Christmas.