Since my DH passed away, most holidays are sad. This past year was the first time in my life I spent Thanksgiving and Christmas by myself. I survived. I would rather be alone than with strangers or family of an acquaintance (that was an option.)
What hurt was not getting NO invitation anywhere, I probably wouldn't have gone, middle of winter and over 100 miles from family. What hurt was no one cared enough to say "What are you doing for the holidays, are you going to be OK?"
It seems the only holiday without sad memories is Halloween. Even though I only got 4 kids trick or treating last year.