Hi Bailey, I am probably going to be the odd ball out on this topic.My husband worked a crazy rotating shift for well over 30 years and only got a holiday off if it fell on his day off. So very seldom did we have time together on the"day". Four years ago we finally got together after my mom's funeral. It was a bummer. When my husband retired due to failing health it was still hard to get together due to my kids schedules. Last Christmas was to be mine. Didn't happen, my husband spend 13 days in the hospital and then went for three weeks to a nursing home. We really didn't have any traditions, we just tried to make the best of what ever time we could together. This year we won't be able to get together until the 2nd and I am good with that. We didn't drink and I hate the cold, so New Years eve was never a big deal either. So I will probably be here on ds/ww on Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Years eve. I am good with that too. Everyday is just so hard without him, doesn't have to be a holiday etc. I just want to dote on my kids and beautiful grands, they are what it's all about. Hugs, Love and Peace to all,Michele

For many years everyone came to our house for the Christmas dinner. Then the family grew so big and no one pitched in to help me besides my husband. I got upset and decided that other family had to take their turn hosting the dinner for a few years. Since my husband passed away, my daughter and the in-laws would take turn doing a pot luck dinner for the holidays. This year one daughter hosted the potluck Thanksgiving dinner and the other will host the Christmas dinner so that her young children will be nice and warm at home. We hated to go to the in-laws house because they don't turn on the heat and we are cold as can be.

have not decided what I can, or want to, handle..

For many years we travelled to see our families and alternated Christmas and Thanksgiving between her mom's place and my parents'. My family always celebrated Christmas with a huge, home cooked Mexican dinner, a tradition passed down by my grandparents. About 20 years ago Capri became a church pastor so she worked on Christmas Eve and we spent Christmas Day at our house. We continued the Mexican food tradition. We do most things differently now. I go to my daughter's now and we start things off on Christmas Day with a Philipino breakfast with my SIL's grandparents then later, a big Mexican dinner. I'm making my grandmother's chicken enchiladas this year! Capri will always be missed but as in the past, mixing the old with the new does make it easier.
~John

We used to have Christmas Eve at our house, but my daughter has continued the tradition at her home. Christmas day has been at my brother's home for many years. This year we will visit Art's daughter and her family for brunch and then go to my brother's for dinner.

My husband, Don, and I used to spend New Year's Eve at house parties. That ended when he passed. Art and I will be home watching the ball drop, having a drink and enjoy being together.

Much has changed in the years since Don passed. Out of necessity. I have changed too. The first years were hard, very hard. Now I find happiness in my new, different life. Sharon

We always did Christmas eve at our house and Christmas day at my parents. Well last couple years *its been 3 years* ive stayed with my parents for about a week before and after Christmas. I am there now even though i live just 3 miles away. Christmas eve lunch we are doing a ham, Christmas eve night one gift each and a snack/supper of things like ham and herring and sausage with cheese and crackers and homemade cookies and candies i make and buy. Normally i make everything but this year due to pain dad offered to buy some of it for me. I made the cookies *sugar and gingerbead men* and made the fudge. Christmas day we will open gifts in the morning just the 3 of us and i hate how much they spoil me since my husband died gifts dont make me feel better....... And in the after noon my nephew and brother will come my brothers verballly abuseive but he has his 7 year old so mom and dad are letting him come as long as he can behave or hes out and having a beef roast for dinner. I just want it over im already having breakdowns over it.......

We had Christmas here. Roger made prime rib dinner. With his kids were did it the weekend before as they always went to their spouse. We had breakfast at his younger sons than headed to finish dinner here for my family. Now with son in Boise our weather is very rough I just do not want to drive 6 hrs alone and my daughter is not quite moved into new house so I am gonna have a steak read a good mystery, have some eggnog with a little something in it and veg with my dogs and cats

To sad to think of how it used to be, I will be having Xmas dinner out with a single friend. I'm just going to try to get through the day.

New Year's Eve is going to be tough for me too. We had reservations to stay at the ocean with friends. I knew there was no way I could go without him, so I cancelled. The person who answered the phone at the hotel asked why I was cancelling. I wasn't expecting to have to tell a total stranger that my husband had passed away. Nothing is the way it is supposed to be!!!!!

Christmas eve I will be going to my mom's, just me and her. Christmas day I am going to my aunts where my sisters and their families, mom, uncle and grandma will be. I will be miserable without my wife. I don't think I will ever be happy again.

Hi Bailey,,,,I am going full force,,,same as every yearOur children and grandchildren Christmas Eve,,,they make it special. They will feel the empty chair on Christmas Eve,,,I won't,,,that chair has been empty for me for 8.5 monthsI am numb and desensitized to itHowever, New Years eve will be harder for me,,as that was our time as a couple to celebrate with each otherAlways made it special for the two of usI wish I can wake up Jan. 2,,,:(

New years eve our tradition was becoming that I would make crab leg dinner for us, start a fire and fall asleep on the couch together by 1030. Got tears in eyes just thinking about it.

Gotcha Garry,,,that may be the worse night of my year alsoIt was our special time to reflect how happy and lucky we were to have each other. We never never took for granted what we had..Best friends and Lovers we wereOh well,,,it sucks...

Bailey, I am almost five years in at this point and my holiday season is different and yet the same. Here is what I am doing this year. I am spending a quiet Xmas eve at home with my boyfriend and the dogs. We will open presents for the girls (dogs), Christmas joy! and have a nice dinner. Christmas we will be up early, pick up my mother, and go to Christmas brunch at my nephews. I will get to play with babies! and watch my mother open her presents. Then later that day, Pat and I will go to a friends house for Christmas dinner. After that I think I will collapse in a nice little exhausted heap. Sunday, I will drive up north to celebrate with my bestie. I am also having dinner with a close friend tomorrow for a little pre Xmas celebration. (I love my girlfriends and we are tight!)
Wednesday, I will distribute my presents to my co-workers at the office. I have made them little tins of cookies and brownies and bought some little goodies for those that are close friends.
New Years has turned into a special day for Pat and I. It is the day three years ago that we admitted that we were in love with each other. It will always hold magic for us. We are going out to a romantic dinner and then a New Years party at a local hangout and dance the night away. All in all a good couple weeks of celebration.

It took me years to build a new norm, and holidays are always bittersweet, but there it is for you, busy, and full of people I love. I hope everyone has a peaceful and calm holiday season.
Hugs,
Val

I'm spending the holidays with my dog Horton. I'll watch "It's a Wonderful Life" [Morey's favorite movie] and fall asleep in his chair!

Have a wonderful holiday everyone,

Love,
Roz & Horton