It was hard for me. This was my first year as a single dad, and I was glad that I got to spend some time with the kids, but nothing at all was the same. I spent a lot of time alone, and it was really just depressing.
Oh - that is sad. I hope that you were able to spend some time with your family (parents, siblings, etc.). I bet each year it will get easier and easier. I'm not in your boat but I can imagine it really stinks.
I'm sorry to hear this, SingleDadNow. I can only imagine how you must be feeling without the kids there with you. My brother is a divorced father of three and I know the holidays are hard for him, too. They'd be a lot easier if his ex-wife would work with him, so I hope your ex is more amicable than his. Hopefully things will get better with time.
SingleDadNow, I know it sucks but try to find some positive things in all. At least you and your kids are healthy and you have each other. Nothing beats that!
Oh, there is definitely a lot to be thankful for. Things just hit me harder than I expected. I think that next year, I will work harder to find things to do when I don't have the kids with me, so I don't have as much time to focus on it.
I know others who have went through similar holidays before. One close friend spent his first holiday as a father without his child because they had literally split the week of Christmas. Hopefully things work out better in the future so the holidays are not as bland for you.