Holidays alone in DC with just the three of us

[Anonymous]

We're seeking ideas on how to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas in DC without family from now on. Due to some disappointing in-law dynamics and no family nearby, it looks like we’ll be on our own for the holidays. Our little one will be 20 months old, and my husband is quite saddened about being alone, wishing we could be with family.

I'm eager to create new family traditions. Most of our friends will be with their families. Any fun activities or ways to make the holidays special for us in DC? So far, I'm thinking of riding our bikes to see the Christmas lights, baking a lot, and making our favorite holiday meals.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

I love DC around the holidays.

Going to see the National Christmas Tree and holiday decorations around the White House is fun. The hotels around there go all out so you can go see those sights and then get brunch at one of the hotels. (Willard, Hay Adams, Jefferson, W, etc.) They also do Caroline and holiday concerts, for free. Go ice skating at the sculpture garden. Go to the Capitol to see their tree. There’s a lot to do!

[Anonymous]

Oh and the Arboretum is open every day of the year except Christmas Day. We like to do hikes there around the holidays because it’s quieter.

[Anonymous]

Yes to new traditions!

Look up special holiday light shows. Meadowlark Gardens has one that's really lovely. Brookside Gardens also has one though I've not been personally.

I like to take my kids to City Center around the holidays to see the decorations. We always end up at the holiday market that had been held in front the Portrait Gallery, though this year I hear they're moving it to Dupont Circle. In any event, it's worth checking out. It will have live music and mini donuts that are worth a trek for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes to new traditions!

Look up special holiday light shows. Meadowlark Gardens has one that's really lovely. Brookside Gardens also has one though I've not been personally.

I like to take my kids to City Center around the holidays to see the decorations. We always end up at the holiday market that had been held in front the Portrait Gallery, though this year I hear they're moving it to Dupont Circle. In any event, it's worth checking out. It will have live music and mini donuts that are worth a trek for.

This is wonderful thanks so much! I will look for them..live music and donuts sounds heavily 😍

[Anonymous]

Trains at the Botanical Gardens!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh and the Arboretum is open every day of the year except Christmas Day. We like to do hikes there around the holidays because it’s quieter.

Yes love that place. Thanks how did I forget it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love DC around the holidays.

Going to see the National Christmas Tree and holiday decorations around the White House is fun. The hotels around there go all out so you can go see those sights and then get brunch at one of the hotels. (Willard, Hay Adams, Jefferson, W, etc.) They also do Caroline and holiday concerts, for free. Go ice skating at the sculpture garden. Go to the Capitol to see their tree. There’s a lot to do!

Ice skating sounds great, thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trains at the Botanical Gardens!

Added to the list. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Zoo Lights
Trains at the arboretum
There's a really nice thing at the wharf every year where the boats are decked out in lights and there's an outdoor smores station and caroling
I always find the National tree underwhelming but it's something to do!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Zoo Lights
Trains at the arboretum
There's a really nice thing at the wharf every year where the boats are decked out in lights and there's an outdoor smores station and caroling
I always find the National tree underwhelming but it's something to do!

Thanks! I have great ideas to try for and see what sticks 😁. Much appreciated.

I am thrilled to be in DC I create out own traditions. Away from the inlaws drama. Hope to create some wonderful memories my child would love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Saddened by being alone, just with spuse and baby? What a dork. Time to adult.

THIS IS YOUR NUCLEAR FAMILY.

And spouse is sad because he will not be around his own nuclear family (no matter how justifiable that decision is). See how that works?

Don't be a jackass.

[Anonymous]

Is this still happening? My kids loved this.

https://patch.com/virginia/oldtownalexandria/waterskiing-santa-34-year-tradition-returns-alexandria

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Saddened by being alone, just with spuse and baby? What a dork. Time to adult.

THIS IS YOUR NUCLEAR FAMILY.

And spouse is sad because he will not be around his own nuclear family (no matter how justifiable that decision is). See how that works?

Don't be a jackass.

Thanks, I didn't want to comment on that post. I would hate for my only child to not be with us for holidays and can understand my DH pain. It's so sad when parents remarry and abandon their own family for the women they marry. I

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Zoo Lights
Trains at the arboretum
There's a really nice thing at the wharf every year where the boats are decked out in lights and there's an outdoor smores station and caroling
I always find the National tree underwhelming but it's something to do!

Thanks! I have great ideas to try for and see what sticks 😁. Much appreciated.

I am thrilled to be in DC I create out own traditions. Away from the inlaws drama. Hope to create some wonderful memories my child would love.

Don't forget that traditions evolve. Maybe you always have warm and cozy holidays with just the 3 of you; maybe in 5 years you will have found a group of friends in similar circumstances who you celebrate annually with. I think the trick is to establish some things you love doing every year, but also embrace the idea of trying new things.

Also, don't forget the possibility of Friendsgiving. Travel at Thanksgiving is hard and so we always spent it here in DC with just my (lovely but boring) MIL and FIL, and I sorely missed my own extended family's large gatherings back in New England. My mother was one of 7, and so there was always a big crowd of people gathered around the table, with an overflow table in the kitchen for kids. Warm, loving, happy, just the best. After the dinner dishes were done, the adults played penny poker while eating dessert and the kids watched The Wizard of Oz (always being aired on network TV on Thanksgiving evening for some reason). I've always regretted that my kids don't have memories like those.

But ANYWAY, I felt sad about this every year until we started doing Friendsgiving on the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving. We had a small meal with the ILs on Thanksgiving and then had a giant feast with friends the next day. After my ILs passed, we moved the Friendsgiving to Thanksgiving day for friends who didn't have other plans, and now we have 7 people who always come to our house on Thanksgiving. It makes me very happy.

Best wishes OP.