I am in a similar boat. My sister and brother-in-law will be here but we are not going to be spending Christmas with all of our extended family. The only other time I've done that was when my daughter was born right around Christmas. I have mixed emotions about it. I have been thinking of doing some of the things folks have suggested--having people over, doing fun activities, and, now that I know about it, seeing the water skiing Santa. While I'm sad not to be seeing my other extended family, especially my parents and elderly relatives, I am also looking forward to a less hectic and rushed holiday. I hope we all have a great Christmas making new traditions.

Anonymous wrote: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.

Ditto. I would love to have one year when it is just DH and the kids.

Don't be nasty to me. I have suggestion about something to do. There is a water skiing Santa on Christmas E ve on the Potomac. Did it one year when I was alone and wasn't flying to see family until late ion Christmas Day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

OP here. We have traditions, thank you very much. Part of them has always been extended family around. I'm not any less of a grown up for asking for alternatives to what we usually have. I'm also not wallowing or depressed. I'm disappointed with the expected absence of people who are usually around for the holidays. Geez.

Glad to see the grinches are already out in force.

This is why you are spending the holidays alone maybe?

Classic DCUM. I come on here with a sincere question and I get snark, not only for the original question but when I defend myself. Lesson learned. Screw you.

We do Christmas just the two of us all the time. Thanksgiving too. Just enjoy it.

I'm interested in these suggestions too. We'll be celebrating all the holidays just the 3 of us this year. We have no local family and are not traveling to see anyone, and no one is traveling to us. Friends in the area already have their friends and family to celebrate with. I wish someone would invite us to celebrate with them!

Volunteer somewhere
Make a gingerbread house
Plan a big baking or craft project
Watch a movie (or a movie marathon) in pajamas
Make a big dinner so you have lots of prep to do

Anonymous wrote:

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

OP here. We have traditions, thank you very much. Part of them has always been extended family around. I'm not any less of a grown up for asking for alternatives to what we usually have. I'm also not wallowing or depressed. I'm disappointed with the expected absence of people who are usually around for the holidays. Geez.

Glad to see the grinches are already out in force.

This is why you are spending the holidays alone maybe?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

OP here. We have traditions, thank you very much. Part of them has always been extended family around. I'm not any less of a grown up for asking for alternatives to what we usually have. I'm also not wallowing or depressed. I'm disappointed with the expected absence of people who are usually around for the holidays. Geez.

Glad to see the grinches are already out in force.

NP here. OP, in your initial post you said you're feeling a little down, so people are responding to that. I think they're also saying that it's good for a family of three to develop its own traditions that aren't dependent on others, so you come at this from a feeling of abundance rather than lack.

This.

Anonymous wrote:

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

OP here. We have traditions, thank you very much. Part of them has always been extended family around. I'm not any less of a grown up for asking for alternatives to what we usually have. I'm also not wallowing or depressed. I'm disappointed with the expected absence of people who are usually around for the holidays. Geez.

Glad to see the grinches are already out in force.

NP here. OP, in your initial post you said you're feeling a little down, so people are responding to that. I think they're also saying that it's good for a family of three to develop its own traditions that aren't dependent on others, so you come at this from a feeling of abundance rather than lack.

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

OP here. We have traditions, thank you very much. Part of them has always been extended family around. I'm not any less of a grown up for asking for alternatives to what we usually have. I'm also not wallowing or depressed. I'm disappointed with the expected absence of people who are usually around for the holidays. Geez.

Glad to see the grinches are already out in force.

How old are your kids?

Why not ask them for some input? Maybe they have an idea for Christmas, and if there was ever a day to say yes to your kids and do what they want, why not? What's their ideal Christmas dinner, for instance?

Is there something you've never made at home before that might be fun to try on Christmas Eve to have Christmas morning? See what they think.