Holiday Blues...Need inspiration

[Charmed7]

I have NEVER had the holiday blues, and this year is really testing me. I had wonderful plans to go see my mom's side of the family and bring my famous green bean casserole and introduce everyone to my daughter, and then my car broke.

So my husband and I decided to cut our losses, and enjoy a small T-Day dinner with our kids at home. But everyone is so busy, I can't even get someone to bring me to the grocery store to get a decent dinner prepared.

I've always dressed the kids nice, cooked my dish and invaded someone elses home and partied hard. Now I feel like it will be just another day in the house walking around in pj's.

I want to do something special with the kids to help brighten our holiday, does anyone have an suggestions. I'm thinking some type of arts and crafts time with them.

Does anyone have any small family traditions they could "donate" so I can enjoy this holiday with my 2 y/o and 8 y/o?

Thanks in advance,

Charmed

[Lee]

I have often felt this way since it has just been me and my two kids for the holiday meal. My best advice...do it the same! Cook the fancy meals, make every one dress up, and use the good china. My two help me cook, they each get to pick out something special to make, and they make place mats and table decorations.

Then at supper time, we feast! On a side note, last year my Boyfriend joined me and taught them how to shoot peas out of their noses...this year, needless to say, we are going to his family for desert only...and I AM NOT SERVING PEAS (but I do have to say, it was pretty funny watching them complain about buttery nostrils...)

[WestinsMom]

Thanksgiving weekend is the weekend we decorate the Christmas tree. That is our Thanksgiving tradition. This year we are staying home too. We were invited out but I thought I would rather have a peacefull dinner with just my family. I can fight with my husband at home, I don't need to hear my brother-in-law fight with his wife! :)

[allisa]

Well, I had to responds because I, too was car-less for a couple of months this summer......it sucked big time !

If I had to do it again......at Thanksgiving time.....hhmmmm.....

First off.....your attitude is what will dictate the whole day.

If you are VERY upset about the car and not dressing up, etc etc.....then nothing good will come of it. Let the kids stay in PJ's....who REALLY cares ? Lots of people do it on Christmas !! Dress up or don't....whatever will make you smile is what you should do.

Cook whatever is in the house....let the kids choose their own special meal....and serve it on good china.....they will NEVER forget this Thanksgiving.....it doesn't have to be turkey & stuffing.....it is whatever you want it to be.

Car breaking down stinks....but.....it is a bump in the road....you are not homeless, you are not stricken for a life without a car.....so don't stress too much about it !!

I'm not really very crafty.....but something fun and seasonal is pine cones.....you can do a couple of things with them. Slather them with peanut butter and roll them in bird seed. Tie a string around them and hang them in trees & bushes around your house and neigbors/ friends housees too.

I also spray paint them gold or silver ( or both) slather them with glue and roll in glitter. Tie a ribbon on end and voila Christmas decorations for all !!

Oh yeah.....and the pine cones will be easy to collect without a car....go for a walk and look around !

my kids liked this summer because we BIKED a lot of places with no car.....was a great way to 'force" exercie on me !

Good luck !! and HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!

[wendyc]

When we have spent Thanksgiving day sans family, we still make a big deal out of it. We cook the nice meal, set a pretty table and dress nice. Just because it's just us doesn't mean it can't be nice!

[rtread]

I Have to go to my inlaws *ugh* but my mom is driving over later that afternoon and i am cooking.

If dressing up is important to you, them dress everyone up :) make a nice table, use your good dishes.

Where do you live? You could go to my inlaws for me :D

rania

[frizzyrazzy]

truthfully, a day sitting around watching all the thanksgiving TV (parade from Macy's, football, any cheesy holiday movies) in your pj's eating Turkey sandwiches instead of a big meal sounds like it's got all the fixings of being a new award winning tradition to me!!!!

I'm actually feeling a bit jealous!!!!!

[3js]

I vote for yummy food (can even be order in pizza!), holiday tv, comfy pj`s, board games, play doh(you could make some together?).

I like the decorating the tree idea too.:) How about baking cookies?

Lastyear my husband was in the hospital during the holidays, and it wasn`t our best xmas. But we still enjoyed ourselves- I won`t lie and say it was great- but it was Ok. Take care:)