Holidays alone in DC with just the three of us

[Anonymous]

Well first of all, change your language. Don't frame it as "alone" or "just" the three of you. There's 3 of you! Your wonderful family! Focus-in on what's most important. And it's the 3 of you.

Stop with the pathetic talk

[Anonymous]

Maybe you can remind your toddler to go cheer up daddy because he's sad he isn't with her REAL family

[Anonymous]

His real family.
Depending on religion might bear in mind Old Testament says leave and cleave to new family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since your child is not yet 2 years old, I'd also keep in mind that they can be entertained with a fun new cardboard box. So while there are lots of kid centered "holiday fun!" type things around, most of those aren't really that fun for a toddler. However, if they are fun FOR YOU, that still counts. Just have reasonable expectations of your very young kid.

The simplest things are what my kids talk about year after year (like where we hang a certain decoration, or how we decorate sugar cookies at home).

If I were you, I'd plan a fun outing on Christmas Eve. Mainly because most things are closed on Christmas day, so that will keep you from being too cooped up. Cooking food that you and your DH associate with the holiday is fun too.

Thanks, very good point! My plan would be to try a few things from the amazing suggestions on this list and see how it goes. At this age we might do easy stuff.

[Anonymous]

Paper crafts! You can buy or cut out stars, have her scribble them, and make a garland. Or cut out (or buy) ornament shapes and have her draw on those. Put them on a tree or the windows. They don’t have to be heirlooms or even last until next year to be fun.

[Anonymous]

TJs has frozen croissants you put out to rise the night before and bake off in the morning. Or cinnamon rolls in a can. Baking doesn’t have to be laborious to make a fun memory and fill the house with holiday smell/feeling.

I also love a simmer pot and I think that would be fun for an 18month old to put stuff in and smell everything. Williams Sonoma has a lot of “recipes” online.

[Anonymous]

Christmas with the three nuclear family sounds like a dream. Better than traveling across country with a baby to spend nights crammed into an uncomfortable room

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Christmas with the three nuclear family sounds like a dream. Better than traveling across country with a baby to spend nights crammed into an uncomfortable room

I agree, we did 15 years on dreadful commuting and sleeping in bunk beds with no one making any efforts to host. Excited to be home but do feel bad for DH.