Frugal Christmas alone vs. ???

**peanut** · 10-24-2009, 07:02 PM

Okay, so DH and I just got back from visiting the kids. No one is going back and forth at Christmas time. It'll be just DH and I for Christmas. Christmas presents have already been exchanged.

This may seem like a weird question, but after 25 years of kids in the house, just how does one celebrate Christmas alone? We are not likely to travel to see family or for a holiday as DH only has a couple days off around Christmas. Plus we don't want to spend the money on travel. Any ideas how to keep from getting bored and lonely?

**mauimagic** · 10-24-2009, 07:14 PM

Interesting question Peanut and one that will reflect personal choices. If DH and I were in the same situation, we'd probably sleep in, at least until 7 or so. then he would make breakfast. After breakfast, we would call family and friends to wish them joy. Then our day would probably be quiet - perhaps watching Christmas movies and listening to holiday music. Dinner would be something he would again cook - since he is the man in the kitchen!! We treasure our quiet days.

I am sure that you will get a lot of responses and you may be surprised at those who will envy you the luxury of a peaceful holiday!!

Make sure you tell us what you choose to do!!

**savvy_sniper** · 10-24-2009, 07:40 PM

Do you have any friends, coworkers, neighbors, etc. that don't have family to celebrate with? If so, have a little get together, pot luck, drinks and snacks, or something like that.

Or how about volunteering at a soup kitchen, nursing home, etc. on Christmas day?!

**Contrary Housewife** · 10-24-2009, 07:46 PM

DH and I have spent several Christmases alone since we have no living family in the area.

We sleep late. I make a tray of cinnamon rolls for breakfast. We open our gifts to each other. There are usually books involved, we are both big readers. After that we will read, or play computer games together for a while, or sit and share one of our crafting hobbies.

Later in the day we make a nice meal. I like to do a ham and the traditional sides. I make enough food for 6-8 people, even though there are only two of us, because we like holiday leftovers. Part of my celebration is that I don't cook for the next 4 days, we just eat out of the fridge whenever we feel like it and take the last leftovers for lunch Monday.

We stay up late watching a movie or playing on the computer, eating Christmas cookies and drinking egg nog. This year I got a DVD set of a tv show for DH so we will probably watch some of that together.

We've only been married 10 years so we're not bored when we are together, and even when we are at opposite ends of the house, we have enough hobbies and interests to keep occupied.

Perhaps you could start a new tradition of your own.

**MaryCarney** · 10-24-2009, 07:52 PM

If it was me, the volunteer thing would be most appealing. I'd rather keep busy and keep my mind off not having family around.

**Libby** · 10-24-2009, 08:53 PM

Frankly, my dad and I usually sit at home like any other day. Nothing special. We watch tv or movies on our own, I read or go for a walk and enjoy the snow covered houses or shovel lol. Generally I try to relax, tv/movies, book and huge mug of tea.

You should ask DH what he'd like to do with 'just the two of you' and know that you don't have to be anywhere or do anything.

Maybe you can start a new tradition for just the two of you where you can celebrate time alone with one another. Cook something together, bake together - splurge on a decadent treat that you don't have to share with anyone except each other

Play boardgames, have QT together - both curl up and read your own books?

Can't wait to see what others suggest.

**pollypurebred39** · 10-24-2009, 08:56 PM

Oh I like savvy_sniper's ideas. I'd do both! I think that would be lots of fun. Most soup kitchens do their thing early in the day so I'd do that first, then have a bunch of people over for a pot luck, maybe sing Christmas carols, watch Christmas movies.

Or

Many colleges have students that can not travel home for the holidays it would wonderful to open yor home to them, and if you have a military base near by you can invite them too. My first husband was in the service and we invited several guys from base whom my then husband didn't even know, but were alone for the holiday. It was a blast. They enjoyed a home cooked meal and company on the holiday.

And I would go to Christmas eve service at Church. That would be a definate.

**2ndGenGranola** · 10-24-2009, 09:29 PM

We still have kids at home but we just kind of hang out. It is usually a sweat pant day, we take a nap, watch the kids play, take a nap, watch the kids play, take a nap...

**MaryCarney** · 10-24-2009, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by pollypurebred39

Oh I like savvy_sniper's ideas. I'd do both! I think that would be lots of fun. Most soup kitchens do their thing early in the day so I'd do that first, then have a bunch of people over for a pot luck, maybe sing Christmas carols, watch Christmas movies.

Or

Many colleges have students that can not travel home for the holidays it would wonderful to open yor home to them, and if you have a military base near by you can invite them too. My first husband was in the service and we invited several guys from base whom my then husband didn't even know, but were alone for the holiday. It was a blast. They enjoyed a home cooked meal and company on the holiday.

And I would go to Christmas eve service at Church. That would be a definate.

I totally forgot about this option. When we lived in Chicago, we had sailors who were in basic from Great Lakes Naval Training Center over on holidays. One year, they were all 'spoken for' so we high-tailed it downtown to Moody Bible Institute and invited a bunch of students over for a meal and fellowship. Thanks for reminding me of a terrific memory!!

**Daisygirl** · 10-24-2009, 11:28 PM

My kids leave around 2 oclock on Christmas day to go have Christmas with their dad's side. The first couple of years it was horrible. I accepted sympathy invites from friends and that was even worse.

Now, I plan ahead. I get some oven hors dourves (sp?) that the kids would hate. I get myself a book I have been DYING to read and the day before I have rented a few movies. Now I send the kiddies on their way and I am really happy to have the rest of the day to read, snack and watch movies. People find it strange but I find this really enjoyable.

**Rebookie** · 10-24-2009, 11:38 PM

I would want to snuggle and watch sappy Hallmark channel movies.. My hubby would be playing WOW.

**peanut** · 10-24-2009, 11:41 PM

Rebookie: that's a typical night here. Except DH doesn't do WOW. He plays on the Internet.

**frugalfranny** · 10-25-2009, 01:21 AM

Some great ideas posted peanut. Be sure to let us know what you decide to do. Think of it as a crossroads......

if you like to cook......cook and invite other people in to share it with you.
If you don't care to cook......then volunteer.....or you and your DH decide what the 'new tradition' is going to be.

It will be DIFFERENT......but think of it as just another day.

Since I quit going to my sister's a few years ago someone usually has sympathy for me and invites me to dinner.

I don't have any family close.

**mrsfoamy** · 10-25-2009, 09:39 AM

I work so hard right now, I'd just be glad for the quiet day off!!! But really, if I felt lonely, I'd probably volunteer at a nursing home.

**peanut** · 10-25-2009, 10:29 AM

Thanks everyone. I brooched the subject with DH last night. He wanted to think about the idea of inviting people in for Christmas.

I suspect he and I may have different goals. He only has a few days off, so he may be looking for a lazy break. But I'm home all the time and my groups will all stop mid-December. So by Christmas I'll be going stir crazy.

Volunteering is an issue simply because we have one car and DH takes it to work in winter...meaning I either rely on transit (which is an iffy thing with my back - local bus drivers are not very considerate of their riders), walk, or stay home. The City doesn't shovel/plow the sidewalks, so walking is treacherous.

I brooched the subject of a champagne breakfast and DH still wanted to think about it. So it's too early to talk to him yet.

I informed him the tree was going up Dec. 1st, as always. I'll get my friend to help me, as before. DH likes to decorate the day before Christmas. I always find that I miss the season that way. His family never really celebrated Christmas. Very few gifts and a very small artificial tree. They did have turkey though. Not sure if I will this year. I could cook one up and fill my freezer with leftovers.

Not sure what to do about our Christmas Eve dinner. Normally we'd have rice pudding with an almond hidden in it. The person to get the almond opens the first present. But my lactose intolerance is making the dairy products in the rice pudding hard to handle. So I may have to switch to something else.

I am building up a list of things DH needs. As per usual, probably all my shopping for December will end up under the tree.

I do know he likes puzzles. So maybe I'll keep my eye open for a nice affordable one to work on while he's off work. And he loves TV/movies. So I'll look for something in that vein too.

Thanks for all the ideas everyone. I'll see what transpires as we move forward here.