Anonymous wrote: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

Lucky you! Keep it simple. I would order the besl from Whole foods but make deserts at home. Watch a football game if you like or watch a good movie. I love "Home for the Holidays" with Charles Durning, Anne Bancroft, Holly Hunter. It's a Rom-Com with more emphasis on the comedy.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas early.

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.

I’m sorry your family situation is not great. We are in a similar boat and have done holidays here for a few years. It is honestly lovely. No travel pressure. You can enjoy the holiday cheer in DC without crowds. I love it.

Consider an advent calendar. My mother's aunt made her one when she got married (it's a Christmas tree wall hanging with pockets for little felt ornaments, and you hang an ornament every day), and it was a big Christmas tradition from my childhood. My mom made one when my first DC was born, and I plan to make one for each of my kids. It's similar to this:



Of course, there are all kinds of advent calendars! Ones with chocolate never disappoint.

OP sending you a hug. We went through this a little bit when my kids were toddlers. Now that they are in elementary school, we LOVE our cozy holidays and have great traditions:

* we make cookies on Christmas Eve
* we go to church and out to dinner somewhere special - we have done Mt. Vernon and also some nicer Italian places for Feast of the Seven Fishes
* drive around and check out lights
* checking out the Willard lobby
* there are kid-friendly nutcrackers around depending on where you live

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Yes, incredibly painful and beyond comprehension for some of us. Yet it happens so often. I'm sorry for your DH and hope he finds peace.

Hope to break that cycle and create our own happy family.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Different lives, folks.
Wikipedia: A nuclear family (also known as an elementary family, atomic family, or conjugal family) is a family group consisting of parents and their children (one or more), typically living in one home residence.

Look forward, not back.Your child will remember YOUR traditions.

Love that, our child is our tradition ❤️. Going to remember this when I feel like lonely with out my family here. Thanks

Sorry about the typos, oops

I am alone for most holidays. On Thanksgiving I order in Chinese food, and then go for a walk in the evening to see who's put up Christmas lights already. I think this year I'll be dog-sitting so the dog will get to see the lights also. On Christmas I will get dim sum and maybe see a movie. Generally I get a couple of books from the library right before the holiday in case there's nothing good on Netflix.

Anonymous wrote:Different lives, folks.
Wikipedia: A nuclear family (also known as an elementary family, atomic family, or conjugal family) is a family group consisting of parents and their children (one or more), typically living in one home residence.

Look forward, not back.Your child will remember YOUR traditions.

Love that, our child is our tradition ❤️. Going to remember this when I feel like lonely with out my family here. Thanks

Anonymous wrote:Different lives, folks.
Wikipedia: A nuclear family (also known as an elementary family, atomic family, or conjugal family) is a family group consisting of parents and their children (one or more), typically living in one home residence.

Look forward, not back.Your child will remember YOUR traditions.

I'm sorry you've never had the warmth of a loving extended family surrounding you and so can't appreciate that not having this might be a loss.

Anonymous wrote:Ask partner what their favorite memories or traditions are, think of yours, and go from there

Started with that! He told me about things his Grandma would make and all that is on the menu. Thanks

DH seems more attached to parents than wide and kid. Think on that. More attached to past carefree days of pampering and being the center than centering on own family.

Ask partner what their favorite memories or traditions are, think of yours, and go from there

Different lives, folks.
Wikipedia: A nuclear family (also known as an elementary family, atomic family, or conjugal family) is a family group consisting of parents and their children (one or more), typically living in one home residence.

Look forward, not back.Your child will remember YOUR traditions.

Anonymous wrote:

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

Yes, incredibly painful and beyond comprehension for some of us. Yet it happens so often. I'm sorry for your DH and hope he finds peace.