We do Xmas just our immediate family every year. I love it. Totally lazy Xmas day, no rush to be anywhere. We go out to dinner Xmas Eve and to a movie Xmas day plus a walk outside. It's perfection. Honestly if you wallow in the perceived loneliness of no extended family you're going to make yourself miserable. Create a fun tradition with your children. Enjoy the time!

Go out for a nice meal on Christmas Eve. Depending on the age of your child, go see a movie on Christmas Day once breakfast and presents are over.

Sounds like a dream to me. I'd stay home, eat xmas treats, watch xmas movies, and enjoy my family.

Anonymous wrote:Do what grown-up people do: create your own traditions.

In fairness for some, traditions are about extended family and the family relishes that- you aren't less grown because you enjoy being with your siblings and parents and cousins at holidays along with your spouse and kids.

We were actually just the 2 of us last xmas because I was due with 1st baby shortly after. Dinner and movie. We live in VA so we went someplace we wanted to go in Bethesda but never get around to because we don't want to fight traffic most weekend nights and get lazy. We also drove to see the white house from the south lawn/ xmas tree.

OP here - we plan to do an open house type of event Christmas eve but, honestly, everyone has their family around (I know people say DC is transient but that is not my reality where I live in Virginia). We will see what happens. Hoping some folks can come.

Don't get me wrong. I love my immediate family but we are just used to lots of festivities and making merry on Christmas.

As for some of the suggestions, we are not religious so there is no church. We already adopt a family for Christmas, as well as other giving and Toys for Tots. Do you think anywhere will be open for ice skating on Christmas?

Do what grown-up people do: create your own traditions.

We are doing Christmas just the 3 of us + MIL. I CANNOT WAIT. Lots of lazy meals with good food, walks around town, museums...

But I agree with PPs - If you have friends or neighbors who will be in town, why not host an open house on the 26th? People who *do* have family in town will be anxious for a change of pace.

Why don't you invite someone who is truly alone for the holiday? Or someone who's never celebrated before?

My aunt is very caustic and mean when she's talking, but each year at Hanukah there's always some random person at the table - a woman whose husband died last year, or a random coworker who's single, a vague elderly aunt, etc.

Ha--you are living my dream OP! I wish we could have a year to just do Christmas on our own and do everything the way we want to without having to cater to other people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Host a Christmas Open house the day after and invite friends and neighbors over. Ask around and see if there is another family that will also be alone and would like to come over to your house for Christmas Eve.

We're in the same boat. Look around your friends for who might want to join forces. We've hosted Christmas Day dinner in the past, which gives us a social way to share the day after Christmas Eve traditions and Christmas morning festivities.

+1. Also, think beyond other families. Is there a single person in your neighborhood or office or church that you think might be alone for the holidays? Invite them for Christmas dinner. You never know, you might make their day. A few years ago one of our neighbors was going through a nasty divorce and she was going to be alone on Christmas. She was so happy to join us for dinner and dessert that evening!

How old are your kids? Think of some additional fun, homey things that you can all do together. Maybe this is the year you go to church as a family on the 24th or 25th. Maybe you get new pajamas and a Christmas movie and popcorn on Christmas Eve and all snuggle in as a family. If the weather is good, take a long family walk after presents are open and before Christmas dinner. You can always go the community service route if the kids are old enough and spend part of one of those days at a soup kitchen.

Anonymous wrote:Host a Christmas Open house the day after and invite friends and neighbors over. Ask around and see if there is another family that will also be alone and would like to come over to your house for Christmas Eve.

We're in the same boat. Look around your friends for who might want to join forces. We've hosted Christmas Day dinner in the past, which gives us a social way to share the day after Christmas Eve traditions and Christmas morning festivities.

Go on vacation if you can afford it.

Host a Christmas Open house the day after and invite friends and neighbors over. Ask around and see if there is another family that will also be alone and would like to come over to your house for Christmas Eve.

The Botanic Gardens Christmas Display.

For a variety of reasons, we will be alone for Christmas this year. We are very used to having at least my DH's sister and her family (and one of DH's parents in town; mine are completely dysfunctional so are never here).

Feeling a little down that no one will be around and it just being the three of us. Love my family but have always had big Eve party and visits with family/friends on Christmas day. Any way to make it special? Any ideas for things to do once the breakfast and presents are over?