OP - There is a Single Parents of Alexandria Meet-up Group that plans meetups around the holidays - sometimes just for parents and sometimes for parents w/ their kids. You may want to check it out if you're feeling alone being single this year.

I think doing something sort of out of the box, like a picnic or something, sounds great. Sometimes when you're trying to cope with a big transition, it helps to create a new tradition that is completely unlike what you used to do, or at least it helps me. The novelty makes it fun and gives you something else to focus on. I like the idea of getting the kids to help with prep/cooking, if they and you enjoy that, and with hors d'oeuvres, it would be easy to involve everyone. I also think the fondue is a swell idea. Take care and just do whatever sounds fun to you.

Keep it simple -- I can't imagine kids that young thinking tenderloin was something they'd want to eat.

Good luck and I hope you have a wonderful holiday and sorry to hear it's your 1st holiday where you're newly separated...hope that doesn't loom large over the holiday.

How about fondue? Fun and festive!

Do what the kids want. Maybe they even want to prepare the food for or with you. Maybe even sit on the floor.

One of my stocking/ornament is a cocoa mix, so we will open that and have hot cocoa.

What you had planned sounds great. Try to make it special whatever you do and it sounds like it will be. I hope you all have a wonderful time.

Anonymous wrote:Do what your kids like to do. Their response will make it special!

Definitely. BTW, a picnic sounds fun as long as you don't have a dog.

Cheers to new traditions.

agree with above poster. also, you could make a new tradition for the 3 of you - like a great brunch and hot cocoa after the kids open gifts!

My husband did "Christmas Picnic" as a child and it was, as you say, apps on the floor. Stuff like crudite, fruit, cheese, chips and crackers, dips, pigs in a blanket, quiches, chicken bites or wings, little hot dogs, mini meatballs, and tons and tons of little sweets and cookies and hot chocolate to top it all off. Sounds fun.

Do what your kids like to do. Their response will make it special!

I want to make it special, kids are 8 and 6. I'm thinking a small tenderloin w/ mushrooms, roasted brussels sprouts (kids love) and rice or something.

However, part of me is tempted to have a bunch of hors d'oeuvres to eat on the floor while playing with new toys/putting together legos.

Suggestions?