Pseudo empty nest Christmas ideas

[Sunny]

This year we are not going to celebrate Christmas until 2nd week in January since our granddaughter is going on a trip, our son has to work (firefighter), and the rest are OK waiting to travel back until everyone can be together.

That will be great when it happens, but now on the 25th I’m not sure what my wife and I will do. We don’t really want to do a mini-Christmas at home just for us. Seems the typical suggestion is to eat Chinese food and go to a movie, but that doesn’t quite seem like us.

I though about going to KC, Chicago, or Minneapolis (biggest cities we can easily drive to, we don’t want to fly) but not really finding any events happening on the 25th or 26th that is festive in those locations for a mini-2-4 day trip.

Any thoughts?

 

[Telly]

A simple solution... do nothing!

If you are shifting the holiday date so everyone can be together, then the shifted day(s) are your holiday. We do this all the time with our kids and grand kids unavailable due to other side of family commitments, or long distance travel. We shifted the Thanksgiving get-together and big family meal to the Sunday before Thanksgiving week. On Thanksgiving day itself, DW and I did... nothing. To us, it's the get-together that is important, the number date on the calendar is just an approximate guide.

 

[audreyh1]

I suppose there aren’t going to be events on what is generally family get together days - those occur before. But if you enjoy travel getaways - why not?

 

[GenXguy]

Seems the typical suggestion is to eat Chinese food and go to a movie, but that doesn’t quite seem like us.

I would rather just watch Christmas movies at home if not participating in family events.

 

[iloveyoga]

For the first time, my DH and I will have celebrate just the two of us on Christmas Eve.

 

[gattara]

My husband and I don't have any family nearby, so on Christmas Eve we go to one of Atlanta's museums and then go out for a Thai dinner. We look forward to that evening each year. On Christmas Day, not much at all is open, so we go for a walk in one of nearby parks/forests and eat leftovers from our restaurant dinner the night before. Lots of phone calls to family. Perhaps a movie if there is a good one in the theaters.

 

[Jerry1]

Not much to do on Christmas Day. I’m sure you’ll find a way to enjoy each other’s company even if it’s just staying home and watching a movie or three. From time to time, I’ve thought how much it would suck to be alone on Christmas because there is so little to do.

 

[Chuckanut]

This year we are not going to celebrate Christmas until 2nd week in January since our granddaughter is going on a trip, our son has to work (firefighter), and the rest are OK waiting to travel back until everyone can be together.
<snip>

That will be great when it happens, but now on the 25th I’m not sure what my wife and I will do.
Any thoughts?

Sunny, take advantage of your Savoir-Faire and adopt an International view of Christmas. The 12 days of the Christmas season start on December25 and end on January 6. In many countries, gift giving waits until January 6. The Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas on January 7. That gets you into the 2nd week of January.

The merchandisers like to flip a switch on December 26 and just turn off Christmas. But, it has 11 more days to go! Christmas is about Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards All. It's the Spirit of Christmas that counts, not the calendar, and definitely not the material excess promoted by people whose only interest is making more money.

 

[Rianne]

Pop some popcorn, pour yourself a glass of champagne find that great movie you've never seen, light the fireplace, get under a cozy blanket and be happy you're healthy, safe and sound. And your kids are healthy, safe and sound.
As far as a mini trip, downtown Chicago always warms my heart at Christmas. Spend the dough at a first class hotel, bundle up and walk the Magnificent Mile.

 

[Gumby]

Excellent suggestions, Rianne. I would add: When you get that champagne, raise a glass to all the young men and women serving our nation in the military who will spend this day far from their families.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Chicago is beautiful at Xmas. When we have to celebrate on a different day we go to a movie and out for a good meal. Then we go to a piano bar to dance and listen to the music. Because of all the casinos always something to do.

 

[pacergal]

Many years we have our family celebrations on days other than December 25, due to other commitments (DH worked in a 24/7 job)
I usually sit by the tree, listen to Christmas music or watch a Christmas movie (Not A Christmas Story--don't like that one!). We will fix one of our favorite meals: lots of little appetizers--crackers and cheese, fresh crab dip, fresh fruit plate with goat cheese, etc. along with an adult beverage of choice.
Its a nice time to reflect on how blessed I am, and look forward to spending time with family.

 

[MBAustin]

If volunteering is something you enjoy, perhaps you can find a place that could use some extra help when they are probably short-staffed on Christmas Day. Walk the dogs at a shelter, help at a hospital or nursing home, etc.

 

[EastWest Gal]

A nice meal and rent some movies. Eating out is a good idea. Jewish families often eat Chinese food at Christmas-yes, it's a thing.

Or go see The Rise of Skywalker. The theaters should be emptier.

 

[Harrald]

If there's a comedy club near you, try going to see the show. I did that when I was a young man (with my room-mate at the time) and it was funny as heck (even after they discovered I was the only gentile in the audience).

 

[texasdiver]

When the kids are all out of the house my wife and I plan to spend a Christmas traveling in Europe. See all the European cities during the Christmas season, the Christmas markets, the lights and decorations and music and festivities.

 

[Momcpa]

Last year was an "empty-nester" Christmas for us, as we celebrated at a later date with daughter/son-in-law/grandchildren. We planned to go out to eat at a reasonably nice place. Nothing too fancy as we aren't really that kind of diners. Problem was, a lot of restaurants aren't open on the actual day of Christmas. I totally support that idea, so that workers can be with their families. Just took us some driving around, calling around to find someplace. Ended up at a restaurant connected to a casino. We thought maybe the buffet as it was advertised as being special.........but when we saw the line outside it, we decided on the 'regular' casino restaurant. Nothing special about the food, or maybe we just didn't order their best dish. Haven't been back. Point being: not every place is open (or should it be!) on Christmas Day.

Hope you find a new tradition that works for you.

 

[Sunny]

Thank you all for the excellent suggestions. I like that thought Christmas starts on the 25th!

We may save Chicago or KC for another mini-trip, but stay in with snacks and found out today a local restaurant we like has dinner for 2 or 4 take and bake type situation. Combine this will some movies and we may be good to go.

Though Rise of Skywalker early showing (if not swamped, we can reserve seats) is in the running too.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Badger]

If volunteering is something you enjoy, perhaps you can find a place that could use some extra help when they are probably short-staffed on Christmas Day. Walk the dogs at a shelter, help at a hospital or nursing home, etc.

+1


Cheers!

 

[COcheesehead]

We’ve never had kids and getting together with family on the holidays isn’t always possible.
We still enjoy the holiday though. We go to a nice dinner on Christmas Eve and return home to open small gifts and enjoy the peace the evening brings. Maybe even a game of aggressive, no holds barred Scrabble breaks out.

 

[albireo13]

I like to go to a quiet Christmas Eve service ...
and on Christmas Day, find some quiet space to reflect ...

and then enjoy dinner and awesome cocktails!!!

 

[Live And Learn]

I've been busy and haven't seen this until today but how about have a small gathering with others who would be alone on Christmas. Everyone brings finger foods which are so much fun to eat compared to a sit down dinner.

 

[tmm99]

I've been busy and haven't seen this until today but how about have a small gathering with others who would be alone on Christmas. Everyone brings finger foods which are so much fun to eat compared to a sit down dinner.

How do you find out who will be alone? Personally, I don't know anyone who will be alone.

 

[statsman]

My DW was just commenting on how it didn't feel like Christmas this year, and that's probably been the case for us for a few years now. We did move to Texas last year, so we're near our only (adult) child. The three of us will be together for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but other than that, it doesn't feel like any other day of the year.

I am not sure whether that is sad or just the nature of getting older. Growing up, there was much more family around (four cousins, then the in-laws), but over time family has either moved or passed away. None of our parents are still living, and the only close family (my BIL, his wife and our nephew) are back in California.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

In real life most people probably don't have Walton family type family gatherings where everybody gets along and is filled with the Christmas spirit. Just like they don't live in New York in Friend's style apartments on waitress or part-time acting jobs. I think we kind of get set up by the media to be disappointed if we don't have a Hallmark holiday. The restaurants that are open and the movie theaters are packed on Christmas Day so that is more of what a lot of people really do.