Dreading Christmas visitors

[Anonymous]

I understand these people are immobile, but do their minds work and are they interested in engaging with the kids?

If yes, then do all of the activities suggested above. Cards, board games, crafts, baking, family movies, etc.

If their minds have gone to mush and they only want to watch the news and play on their phone all day, then take your kids out. They will probably welcome it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:May I introduce you to the time-honored entertainment for old people: Taking A Drive. You don't actually leave the house with a productive destination or even an agenda. Rather, this is a way to run out the clock until dinner and give the sandwich generation a break from actively entertaining.

Take A Drive through Middleburg and The Plains and marvel at the estates. Take A Drive to Sugarloaf Mountain or Skyline Drive and marvel at the foliage (or the open views created by lack thereof). Take A Drive around Georgetown or Annapolis and marvel at the historic architecture.

Make the trip as long or short as you want. Hell, you can Take A Drive to your kids' school or past that house three streets over with all the holiday inflatables in the yard. With the exception of a helpful potty/snack break for the very young and very old, you don't need to buy tickets, worry about crowds or even get out of the car. Think of it as a very long, scenic, and sedate amusement park ride.

My husband does this with his out of town family. I think it’s a snooze but I just take a nap in the car with my eyes open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did you invite so many people if you don't have room for them? Why haven't you taught your kids to share a room when guests are staying? Get a deck of cards and some board games, queue up the Netflix, get baking paraphernalia, fling some various magazines around the house and enjoy.

Why did I invite my sibling, my parents and in laws to Christmas ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cookie decorating.
Making bird treats.
Playing cards and board games.
Driving by at night to see the lights, do to all the big landmarks to take pictures.
Taking naps.
Watching Christmas movies and drinking mulled cider.
Stringing popcorn.

I am a-ok with my kids sleeping on air mattress in the master-bedroom. Or if cousins are coming, they all can sleep in the family room on air mattress and call it a sleepover.

Lazy Christmas, gifts for everyone, everyone's stocking up with cute gifts - snacks, lipbalm, gloves, earrings, perfume etc.

Lots of photos and keep sending it to everyone as you take them on a group text. Also, simplify the meals. Get it catered. Get lots of meals catered.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand these people are immobile, but do their minds work and are they interested in engaging with the kids?

If yes, then do all of the activities suggested above. Cards, board games, crafts, baking, family movies, etc.

If their minds have gone to mush and they only want to watch the news and play on their phone all day, then take your kids out. They will probably welcome it.

Their minds sort of work. They will definitely ask the same questions 4x an hour. They don’t really want to engage with the kids, but I’m going to make them. I think I will also take the kids out one morning to just give us all a break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Count your blessings. I’m spending 7 nights with my relatives

Thanks! You did make me feel better!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:May I introduce you to the time-honored entertainment for old people: Taking A Drive. You don't actually leave the house with a productive destination or even an agenda. Rather, this is a way to run out the clock until dinner and give the sandwich generation a break from actively entertaining.

Take A Drive through Middleburg and The Plains and marvel at the estates. Take A Drive to Sugarloaf Mountain or Skyline Drive and marvel at the foliage (or the open views created by lack thereof). Take A Drive around Georgetown or Annapolis and marvel at the historic architecture.

Make the trip as long or short as you want. Hell, you can Take A Drive to your kids' school or past that house three streets over with all the holiday inflatables in the yard. With the exception of a helpful potty/snack break for the very young and very old, you don't need to buy tickets, worry about crowds or even get out of the car. Think of it as a very long, scenic, and sedate amusement park ride.

Here’s a destination. Take a drive to the Red Truck Bakery in Marshall Virginia to buy a pie. It’s cute, it’s easy in and out, it’s a mission, and you will get pie to boot. Maybe order in advance so you get what you want.
https://redtruckbakery.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:May I introduce you to the time-honored entertainment for old people: Taking A Drive. You don't actually leave the house with a productive destination or even an agenda. Rather, this is a way to run out the clock until dinner and give the sandwich generation a break from actively entertaining.

Take A Drive through Middleburg and The Plains and marvel at the estates. Take A Drive to Sugarloaf Mountain or Skyline Drive and marvel at the foliage (or the open views created by lack thereof). Take A Drive around Georgetown or Annapolis and marvel at the historic architecture.

Make the trip as long or short as you want. Hell, you can Take A Drive to your kids' school or past that house three streets over with all the holiday inflatables in the yard. With the exception of a helpful potty/snack break for the very young and very old, you don't need to buy tickets, worry about crowds or even get out of the car. Think of it as a very long, scenic, and sedate amusement park ride.

Thanks. You are making me think of luray I’ve never been to middleburg or the plains. I think I’m going to do this. Maybe stop at that hoke decorator with the awesome photo pops I’ve always wanted to go to. Kids can bring their switches in the car and the elders will fall asleep. I get “alone” time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH takes a lot of formal pictures (groups and individuals) of relatives and family. That can easily take one whole evening of dressing and posing. Pictures taken by my DH are often used by family members for LinkedIn profile pics, memorials, social media profile pics etc.

This may be the most genius idea (not just to occupy folks) I have ever heard. Multiple benefits!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:May I introduce you to the time-honored entertainment for old people: Taking A Drive. You don't actually leave the house with a productive destination or even an agenda. Rather, this is a way to run out the clock until dinner and give the sandwich generation a break from actively entertaining.

Take A Drive through Middleburg and The Plains and marvel at the estates. Take A Drive to Sugarloaf Mountain or Skyline Drive and marvel at the foliage (or the open views created by lack thereof). Take A Drive around Georgetown or Annapolis and marvel at the historic architecture.

Make the trip as long or short as you want. Hell, you can Take A Drive to your kids' school or past that house three streets over with all the holiday inflatables in the yard. With the exception of a helpful potty/snack break for the very young and very old, you don't need to buy tickets, worry about crowds or even get out of the car. Think of it as a very long, scenic, and sedate amusement park ride.

Here’s a destination. Take a drive to the Red Truck Bakery in Marshall Virginia to buy a pie. It’s cute, it’s easy in and out, it’s a mission, and you will get pie to boot. Maybe order in advance so you get what you want.
https://redtruckbakery.com/

Thank you. Who doesn’t like pie?!

[Anonymous]

Classic movie matinee at AFI in silver spring?
Show at Kennedy Center (park in garage)?
You and spouse go out to brunch or dinner alone and leave the kids with them and a movie to watch at home?
Definitely get a lot of takeout!
Some dining out experience that would be novel to them, like Ethiopian food for example?
Drive around to look at holiday lights?
Can you ask them to bring photo albums and/or old slides? We had a fun time viewing old school slides at one family get together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did you invite so many people if you don't have room for them? Why haven't you taught your kids to share a room when guests are staying? Get a deck of cards and some board games, queue up the Netflix, get baking paraphernalia, fling some various magazines around the house and enjoy.

Because if she planned properly and executed well, what would she have to moan about on DCUM? Some people are perpetual whiners.

Some other people are perpetual bltches who really enjoy making other people feel bad even if they don't get the satisfaction of seeing that hurt look on their face.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did you invite so many people if you don't have room for them? Why haven't you taught your kids to share a room when guests are staying? Get a deck of cards and some board games, queue up the Netflix, get baking paraphernalia, fling some various magazines around the house and enjoy.

Because if she planned properly and executed well, what would she have to moan about on DCUM? Some people are perpetual whiners.

Some other people are perpetual bltches who really enjoy making other people feel bad even if they don't get the satisfaction of seeing that hurt look on their face.

Yes, like rude snots on DCUM who perpetually cast the OP of every thread in the villain role.

NP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:May I introduce you to the time-honored entertainment for old people: Taking A Drive. You don't actually leave the house with a productive destination or even an agenda. Rather, this is a way to run out the clock until dinner and give the sandwich generation a break from actively entertaining.

Take A Drive through Middleburg and The Plains and marvel at the estates. Take A Drive to Sugarloaf Mountain or Skyline Drive and marvel at the foliage (or the open views created by lack thereof). Take A Drive around Georgetown or Annapolis and marvel at the historic architecture.

Make the trip as long or short as you want. Hell, you can Take A Drive to your kids' school or past that house three streets over with all the holiday inflatables in the yard. With the exception of a helpful potty/snack break for the very young and very old, you don't need to buy tickets, worry about crowds or even get out of the car. Think of it as a very long, scenic, and sedate amusement park ride.

Here’s a destination. Take a drive to the Red Truck Bakery in Marshall Virginia to buy a pie. It’s cute, it’s easy in and out, it’s a mission, and you will get pie to boot. Maybe order in advance so you get what you want.
https://redtruckbakery.com/

Thank you. Who doesn’t like pie?!

Oh Lord. There was a multipage thread on DCUM not long ago that was Why Do Only Old People Like Pie?

[Anonymous]

Just let the older people stay home and do their thing. Try to get them to engage with the kids at home to do a craft or bake or even watch a TV show or movie.

In the afternoon, while the older people nap after lunch, go out with only the kids.