I have a feeling that this Christmas is gonna be a bummer for my wife because all her family, such as they are, have moved to east Texas. Now she feels all alone. If I were loaded with tons of money, I’d take her on trip to Europe or something crazy like that to get this whole thing off her mind - but I’m not. What can I do to make this a good/great holiday for her? Neither of us will ever see fifty again, so no silly answers please...
2007-11-26 11:04:35 · 16 answers · asked by bruce d 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
Just want to say that these answers are absolutely amazing! Seriously! Been beatin’ the ol’ noggin for an eternity trying to come up with something good, and I’m overwhelmed by your responses. You guys don’t know how much I’d like to give everybody a great big ol’ handful of stars. And you’ve made it really, really difficult to pick the best answer when this is over... :-)
2007-11-26 13:12:27 · update #1
12/1 - Is this question ready for a vote? And how do I let the group make the decision instead of me; from where I stand, they're ALL best answers!
2007-12-01 06:03:03 · update #2
Ask her to tell you about her favorite Christmas memory. Listen carefully to the story she tells and remember it. Although you can't possibly recreate that memory, show her how much you care by giving some of that memory back to her. Maybe it's about a time when she was young and baked cookies with her mom. Surprise her one morning by having everything you need to make cookies on the table, crank up the Christmas music and bake away. Maybe it's about her family driving through town looking at Christmas lights when the kids were young. Surprise her one night while you're watching tv & tell her to get her coat on...take a leisurely ride to look at the Christmas lights in the neighborhood and have a bootle of wine or some cocoa waiting for when you get home.
The idea is to create new memories based on how much you cared about her past memories. The holidays can be bittersweet...but sometimes the most simple gesture is something you'll cerish for many years to come.
2007-11-26 11:25:06 · answer #1 · answered by icy_tempest 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I thought what I was going to add would not be duplicated.
But it was several times. So just listen to everyone, and start
a new tradition for the two of you. A sleigh ride would be so
romantic, and fun also. Being with your love interest makes it a special time. And you can do something romantic later, like an evening with candlelight and a fireplace and a decorated tree with something soothing to drink by the fire, plus a little light Christmas music, well that's a good atmosphere to cozy up together, no matter what your age. So here's to a very
happy Christmas to you both (clink).
2007-11-26 18:09:22 · answer #2 · answered by Lynn 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know how she feels, all my family lives in different areas. When we first moved away many yrs ago, the holidays were very lonely. If you can afford it, maybe you could take a small 2-3 day vacation somewhere nice. It wouldn't have to be to far away, just something fun, you know she would enjoy. Buy her an empty photo album and you all take lots of pictures. Have her fix the album up to send to her family, so they can share in the holiday you had.
Talking on the phone to loved ones helps a great deal too, when you can't be together. You might want to talk to her family and each of you get a web cam, you can surprise your wife with it and she can see her family and be part of all their Christmas activities. Hope you both enjoy the holidays!
2007-11-26 11:42:36 · answer #3 · answered by luvspbr2 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Buy her a romantic gift, jewellry - doesnt have to be real costly, to give her on xmas eve.
Also plan something special for Xmas eve, the theatre, a sleigh ride, I dont know where you live so its hard to be specific. Its time to break with tradition and make some new ones.
If you usually decorate the tree with relatives invite some close friends over for a tree trimming "party". Maybe do xmas dinner with some other "empty nesters" who will be on their own.
Dont make a big and drastic change from past Christmas's just fill in the gaps with new things for her - invite people over, but dont make it too busy.
Address the issue, dont avoid it, dont tell her to stop whining and get on with it - be understanding - and emphasize thats it nice to be together, just the two of you.
Maybe a get away to some great little B&B overnight during the holidays?
2007-11-26 11:36:59 · answer #4 · answered by isotope2007 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
So many good answers here. I would take her on a romantic getaway. Rent a cabin on the lake. Buy her long stem roses. Get her favorite wine. Play her favorite album that brings back memories. Massage her feet. Prepare her a bubble bath with candle light. Get her Godiva chocolates. And most important, tell her how much you love her. Now combine that all into a weekend, and she won't feel so alone. Merry Christmas to the both of you!
2007-11-26 13:52:50 · answer #5 · answered by Gladys 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I understand her completely this is the first year that my whole family will not be with us for christmas but as long as my husband is around im happy. make a nice dinner 2gether, decorate the house together and watch its a wonderful life under a blanket while drinking some hot chocolate. christmas doesnt have to be about your whole family being there it's about the spirit of it all its a season to me so enjoy it.
2007-11-26 12:45:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You don't say where you live-but isn't there some way you can both go to Texas? If it were me I would choose to forgo all presents to be with my family. If not even a possibility find a way to do something or be with people less fortunate than you-good for them and good for you. Best of wishes. Maybe if we all sent you a dollar?
2007-11-26 11:25:34 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You two have each other and that is more than a lot of people have. Go spend time with the less fortunate in a nursing home or homeless shelter and you will feel blessed with what you have and might even have a good time.
2007-11-26 11:19:29 · answer #8 · answered by Aloha_Ann 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Ask her oldest dearest friends over for Dinner.Make it a late meal(7 or so)That way they can spend time with their family and then come over.I hope Santa gives you two tickets to Texas on Dec. 23rd......She will be fine.
2007-11-27 05:11:41 · answer #9 · answered by Maw-Maw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good food,good beer and good friends.stay home and invite your old friends from school over and make it a week end party.than after its over give your wife the credit card and tell her to have some fun in the malls with her friends.
2007-11-26 11:17:40 · answer #10 · answered by alcaholicdemon 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋