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A different Christmas for us

carilyne

carilyne

It's only impossible if you think it is
Joined
Dec 30, 2014
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This place if full of ideas and people who have been through similar situations. So I'm hoping you can help me solve our Christmas issue.

This Christmas will be the first in 12 years without our daughter in law. They were married 6 years and dated 6. My son is still recovering and hurt. Then my youngest won't be with us as he works at a grocery store and wants to be available to help keep making a good impression. We will probably celebrate early with him and then need to do something Christmas day.

On the happy side it will be the first Christmas I feel like decorating and doing something in quite a few years. So I have time to do some planning.

Any ideas? I told my oldest maybe we should make it a 4th of July party. Maybe an early New Years party with goodbye "rituals" and new dreams would be good (just came to me). I'd appreciate your ideas.
 
I have been talking about the same thing as we have several family members that will not be here AND we are basically empty-nesters "waiting on the kids to show up" (sigh). PLUS, we are downsizing, so many things just won't make the trip in their current form, haha!

I started a Pinterest board of "New Traditions". I am thinking that if we mix some of the old with the new, it will make it feel "fresh" and lighter...does that make sense?

Here are my Christmas specific two boards:

https://www.pinterest.com/etcbydanyale/is-coming-to-town/

https://www.pinterest.com/etcbydanyale/new-traditions/
 
Thank you! I just started following your words to live by board and didn't look for others. Seeing you are "Feathering your Empty Nest" I should have thought of asking you. Having a place to start looking is so helpful. Thanks!
 
If you don't already, my suggestion for a new tradition is making ornaments. I've been doing one each year for 6 years (this year will be 6).the craft project is therapeutic for me, at least. As for family involvement, maybe this is the year you start with a small donation of your time (if you don't already). Maybe there's a homeless shelter or a food bank near by you might be able to volunteer. Maybe invite another family over a different night, rather than actual Christmas.

If you don't already, plan one night where you specifically plan to go look at Christmas lights.
 
Great ideas. I found a scavenger hunt for Christmas lights on Pinterest. Even if family isn't involved that's something I can do.
Thanks for the ideas. A Christmas ornament is a good idea too.
 
Oooh, the Christmas light scavenger hunt sounds fun.... i think I may plan that for December date night! Lol
 
I thought it was a fun idea. Oh I just looked up Christmas Light Scavenger -- there are too many to pin. Have to let you sort through. Even a date night idea.
 
if i was able to do christmas, i think i would love to recreate childhood memory's, in my decor, baking etc
 
I thought about looking at past Christmas's as a family -- unfortunately I have to find pictures and a good scanner. Good idea though.
 
Thanks for starting this board. I'm interested in these ideas, too. Thanks Danielle for sharing your pinterest boards.
 
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