Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So when I opened this I thought I would be reading about a single person alone for the holidays. You are far from alone.

Same here. It made me think about my very introverted divorced brother who moved for work to a remote town in the Midwest. He spends most holidays alone.

OP has her family around her. Sorry to hear it makes her "sad".

+1

… read between the lines and stop being so judgmental … it’s obviously About not having extended family around … those feelings are valid. Many people with dysfunctional broader families have to mourn not being able to experience societal expectations of down home holiday bliss with extended family. Obviously, that can never be for many people. It is OK to To Feel sad about that.

Then it is good to move on and reach out to others with even more isolation and create new fun traditions with nuclear family … eventually OP can be the grandparent she wishes her parents and in laws would have been.

We spend a lot of holidays alone. Just embrace it. We do special things as a family and have our own traditions. I think the key to not getting sad about not having extended family around is keeping busy not just sitting around doing nothing. Also plan a trip over the holidays some years. You don't have to travel to family so travel where you want!

Anonymous wrote:My little family (me, DH, two kids) spend every holiday alone due to family distance and dysfunctional family (lots of estrangement issues on DH's side).

I find this time of year (November and December) to be the hardest months of the year to get through. All the family holidays, everyone has amazing plans with family, and we always spend all three holidays just the 4 of us.

What can I do to make holidays feel more festive and special, when it's always just the four of us? We already go all out on decorating and the food (we order nice holiday meals from a restaurant and do take-out) since I don't like to cook.

We are new to the area and don't have close friends yet that we could celebrate with. Thanks!

I feel you, OP. We have spent a few holidays alone and it is hard on me. I actually don't think that the kids notice, however. They seem to have fun no matter what and it is their normal so they're fine. We go all out on decorating, make a HUGE meal, let them play with all the toys, and run amok playing outside. Maybe you have neighbors that you can invite?

I will also say that we do a drive for Xmas lights, go ice skating (weather permitting), and try to visit some of the Xmas markets. I am NOT religious and we never go to church. BUT on Xmas, I have gone to a service for the vibe and Xmas music. It reminds me of my childhood.

Also, for next year, you may want to look at really great travel deals overseas during Thanksgiving. We've gotten tickets to UK, Switz, Italy at 50% off what you get during the summer. It's low season in November and there are minimal crowds. Weather is not awesome but the overall savings is tremendous! Airfare, Airbnb, and sometimes museum entry are such a better deal. We've done that for the last 4 years over Thanksgiving. Maybe take a look for next year, if you don't mind the travel?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So when I opened this I thought I would be reading about a single person alone for the holidays. You are far from alone.

Same here. It made me think about my very introverted divorced brother who moved for work to a remote town in the Midwest. He spends most holidays alone.

OP has her family around her. Sorry to hear it makes her "sad".

+1