Empty Nesters: What Traditions Do You Do For the Holidays?
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:
- Read a children\’s book Christmas Eve and then add it to the collection for your children when they will be parents
- Make candy apples while playing favorite holiday sing along songs
- Open one present Christmas Eve
- 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
- Take a hike
- Go to the movies
- Visit relatives
- Make seasoned nuts and put them in jars for gifts with the recipe
- Make music together using household utensils
- Serve a meal at a soup kitchen or shelter
- Donate books and clothes.
- Call everyone Christmas day and sing a made up song of cheer
- String popcorn garlands.
- Look at photos and family videos
- Make and decorate gingerbread houses
- Serve latkes and sour cream with cinnamon and apple sauce
- Get out the family Pictionary game and play a few rounds
- Go outside for a family treasure hunt for each to find one present outside…bundle up
- 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
- Make a toast of remembrance to those who died and aren\’t at the table this year
- Rent videos and cook together while watching
- Attend a musical event
- Go ice-skating
- Hold a cookie exchange party
- Enjoy wine tasting at a restaurant
- Take a day-long road trip
- Stop by for holiday cheer at a friend\’s
- Eat in bed and watch a movie
- Attend holiday parades and drive around looking at holiday lights at night
- 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) 763-0188On the web www.emptynestsupport.com
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