10 New Christmas Traditions for Empty-Nesters

Your kids are now grown and have moved out on their own. Perhaps they are off trekking around the world with college friends during the Christmas holidays. Maybe they have been invited to spend the holidays with their new spouse's family on the other side of the country. Or perhaps you have shared custody of your children and this is not your year to have them.

You are not quite sure how to celebrate Christmas without the hustle and bustle of making Christmas special for your kids. You may be having a difficult time mustering up the joyfulness of the season. You are not even sure if you feel much like decorating, let alone celebrating.

PsychologyToday.com tells us that you may be experiencing what is known as the "empty nest syndrome"-the general sense of loneliness, sadness or grief you feel when your children have left home or are not in need of your day-to-day care. The worst thing you can do if you are facing this life change is to allow yourself to fall into a pit of depression.

As an "empty nester" you now have an opportunity to explore other ways to celebrate the Christmas holidays. Think of things which might not have been practical when you had your children around. Or plan events with friends who are in the same situation as you are. Perhaps you can surround yourself with others who need for you to bring them some joy.

You are now free to start some new traditions, rekindling old friendships and making new ones. Use this time to find the joy, love, and spirit of the season within yourself, and spread that message to others. You will find a new sense of extended family, which will ensure that you never feel alone.

New Tradition #1: Volunteer to play Santa or Mrs. Claus. Go to your local Children's Hospital and dress up as the jolly elf or his sidekick, and visit the kids who are unable to go home for the holidays. Bring crayons and coloring books or stuffed animals as gifts. You can often get stores to donate some of these things, or stock up during sale times. Stuffed animals in nearly new or pristine condition can often be found at thrift stores, or perhaps you can arrange a toy drive for this purpose.

New Tradition #2: Make and deliver holiday food baskets. Organize a food drive with your friends to make and deliver food baskets to those who might have been laid off this year. If you do not know families in need, contact your church or other local organizations that run this type of program and offer your services.

New Tradition #3: Invite a military member to dinner. If you are close to a military installation, contact the public affairs office or family service center to find out about those single or displaced service members who are not going to be able to go home for the holidays. Have several over to your home for a home-cooked holiday meal. What a wonderful way to show our men and women in uniform that you care!

New Tradition #4: Go caroling. Get a group of friends together and get dressed up in your hats, coats, gloves and scarves. Print up the words to several of your favorite religious and secular holiday songs. Go out caroling in your neighborhoods, or at nursing homes. It doesn't matter if you cannot sing! People will appreciate your spirit and sing along with you!

New Tradition #5: Host a Christmas movie marathon. Invite your other empty-nester friends over for a day of holiday movies. Have everybody bring a DVD of their favorite holiday movie, old or new. Make sure you have plenty of popcorn, hot chocolate and cider and enjoy this new tradition!

New Tradition #6: Plan a cookie exchange. Invite 11 friends. Instruct each to make 12 dozen of a favorite cookie, packaging one dozen in each package along with the recipe. Each person will go home with 12 dozen cookies, and 11 new recipes!

New Tradition #7: Go to the symphony or the ballet. Your kids probably did not appreciate orchestral music or the Nutcracker as much as you do. Get dressed up in all your finery. Enjoy yourself without having to tolerate their displeasure!

New Tradition #8: Plan a ski trip. Find other empty-nesters and find a lovely chalet in the mountains to spend a few days. For those who don't ski, enjoy the time in front of the fireplace with the company of good friends.

New Tradition #9: Vacation abroad. Getting to see how Christmas is celebrated in other countries can be a wonderful treat. You could experience a "panto" in a Scottish theatre in Perth, or learn the tradition of the "Julbok" in Gävle, Sweden. Consider staying in a youth hostel instead of hotels; you will be surrounded by college-aged kids from around the world who are on holiday and will be fascinated by you and your experiences.

New Tradition #10: Host an open house/potluck. Instead of slaving away in the kitchen, get a group of friends together for a potluck dinner. Keep it simple so you enjoy the company of your friends.

Source

http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/empty-nest-syndrome