Christmas Without the Kids: Survival Guide for Empty Nesters

When most of us think about Christmas, we think of huge family celebrations complete with laughter, love, presents and happiness. So if you have been planning these holiday gatherings for years and years, what do you do when find out you will not have any of your children home for Christmas? You might decide to skip the holiday all together, but more than likely that isn't feasible. So instead of spending the most wonderful time of the year miserable and lonely, here are some ideas to help you deal with your Christmas for two.

Celebrate the holiday earlier...or later! Are your children spending the holiday with their in-laws? Then plan to celebrate a couple weeks earlier or a couple weeks later. You can put the same time and effort into the celebration, complete with all of your family traditions. Just because you cannot celebrate on December 25, it does not mean you should forgo the holiday entirely.

Visit your children at their home. Perhaps your children decided to celebrate the holiday at their homes this year, and try to begin their own family traditions. Find out if you would be able to join them for this celebration. You can bring your cookie recipes and bake with your grandchildren, help them purchase gifts for their Mom and Dad and more. Don't feel like it isn't Christmas unless it is at your house with your traditions. Enjoy the break, and let your children take over the holiday. You just might find out you will love the break. And certainly, you will be able to host many more Christmases in your own home.

Spend Christmas with extended family or friends. If you simply will not be able to spend the holiday with your children this year, consider spending it with other family or friends. You can visit your parents, siblings, close family friends or anyone else who would enjoy the extra company. Don't feel like you have to invite yourself either. Find out what their plans are, and see if you can fit into them.

Have a Christmas tree decorating party for two. Go to the tree lot and pick out a tree with your significant other. When it is time to decorate, turn up the Christmas music, order a pizza and get decorating. You will have a blast reminiscing as you look at all the ornaments and are flooded with memories. Most importantly, you two can enjoy one another's company for an evening.

Get involved at a local church or school. Christmas is the best time to volunteer, because there are so many events going on and so few people with the free time to lend a hand. Join the choir to sing at Christmas Mass. If your Church puts on a Christmas pageant every year, volunteer to help behind the scenes. You can also check with grade schools in your area to find out if you can be of any assistance during the school year. Being around so many new people will definitely help get you in the Christmas spirit!

Spend an evening looking at the twinkling lights! Grab your favorite Christmas CDs and take a drive through all the neighborhoods. Look at all the beautiful Christmas lights with your significant other, while singing along to your favorite tunes. Also, be sure to check if anyone in your area has free light displays to drive through.

Have a cookie swap with your girlfriends! Are you getting tired of baking ten different types of cookies every year? This year, invite some of your close girlfriends over for a cookie swap. Everyone can choose two or three types of cookies to bake, and then at the party, everyone can exchange cookies. You get a huge variety of yummy treats without all of the time and expense. Make an afternoon of it by serving a light lunch and hot chocolate!

Invite the kids over. If you have great nieces and nephews, neighborhood kids or kids of close friends, invite them over for a couple hours of crafts and hot chocolate! Invite some little ones over, and help them make an ornament or picture frame to give their mom and dad for Christmas. The parents will appreciate an afternoon off, the kids will be thrilled to be making something special for their parents, and you will get in the Christmas spirit just watching those little ones! It will surely remind you of when you still had your own running around the house. Most craft stores sell Christmas-themed ornament and picture frame making kits. It couldn't be easier, and everyone will benefit!

Care packages for the troops. Think about all of the American men and women who will not be spending Christmas with their families this year. Email friends and family and let them know you are putting together care packages for troops. Ask them to donate items or cash to go towards filling these care packages. Don't forget to include some of those cookies from your swap in the package, too! You can also send Christmas cards thanking them for their service. Your generosity and thoughtfulness would certainly be appreciated by all those men and women who are missing Christmas this year.

Host a neighborhood holiday party! If you still crave the big celebration, and everything that goes with it, invite friends and neighbors to a holiday bash at your place. It could be held the weekend before Christmas or even on Christmas Eve. You will be so caught up in planning, decorating, and cooking that you won't have time to sulk about your absent children. Who knows? It may even become a neighborhood tradition, hosted by a new couple each year.

Get out of the house! If you still find yourself lonely on Christmas day, then get out and do something! Granted, most businesses are closed on Christmas, but you will still have a few options. Catch a movie and get dinner. Take a walk in the park if it isn't too chilly.

The most important thing to keep in mind when you are facing Christmas without your children for the first time is to PLAN AHEAD. No one is going to make plans for you, so get out there and do it yourself! You can still have a beautiful holiday full of love and happiness, as long as you think outside the box!