What Traditions Do You Do For the Holidays?
By Natalie Caine, M.A.
NABBW’s Empty Nest Expert

Empty Nesters, Boomers and those in life transitions, share their traditions:

1. Read a children\’s book Christmas Eve and then add it to the collection for your children when they will be parents
2. Make candy apples while playing favorite holiday sing along songs
3. Open one present Christmas Eve
4. Open the stocking in bed in the morning even when the children are older than 17 or they don\’t get the stocking. Cuddle time is good at any age
5. Take a hike
6. Go to the movies
7. Visit relatives
8. Make seasoned nuts and put them in jars for gifts with the recipe
9. Make music together using household utensils
10. Serve a meal at a soup kitchen or shelter
11. Donate books and clothes.
12. Call everyone Christmas day and sing a made up song of cheer
13. String popcorn garlands.
14. Look at photos and family videos
15. Make and decorate gingerbread houses
16. Serve latkes and sour cream with cinnamon and apple sauce
17. Get out the family Pictionary game and play a few rounds
18. Go outside for a family treasure hunt for each to find one present outside…bundle up
19. Write up a wishes list for next year, fold it up and put it in a drawer after you read it so the world can hear you
20. Make a toast of remembrance to those who died and aren\’t at the table this year
21. Rent videos and cook together while watching
22. Attend a musical event
23. Go ice-skating
24. Hold a cookie exchange party
25. Enjoy wine tasting at a restaurant
26. Take a day-long road trip
27. Stop by for holiday cheer at a friend\’s
28. Eat in bed and watch a movie
29. Attend holiday parades and drive around looking at holiday lights at night
30. Pick one new idea for next year at this time and write it down

Whatever you decide this year to celebrate, include the sweetness you are for others and they are for you. We forget smiles are sweet and lift the moment.

Celebrate life.

Natalie

Natalie Caine M.A.

Empty Nest Support Services

Los Angeles, CA

(800) 446-3310 or (818) 763-0188

On the web www.emptynestsupport.com

natalie@emptynestsupport.com

Featured in TIME MAGAZINE, NY TIMES, LIFETIME RADIO FOR WOMEN, LA TIMES, USA TODAY, WASHINGTON POST, BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS

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Natalie Caine Founder of Empty Nest Support Services

Natalie Caine is the founder of Empty Nest Support Services. When her daughter was a senior in high school, she realized that as a soon-to-be “empty nester,” she would be undergoing a major life shift. Not wanting to confront this transition alone nor have her many friends face this abyss without strong support, she created a support services group, which quickly grew into a new career and an exciting full-time business.