The Holidays

21 years ago

Has retirement changed how you handle the holidays? Do you still do the big meal or do you travel to the other families now and let them take care of all the traditional things?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

gandbb
21 years ago
I gave my eldest my dining room table, the good china, & the silver. It was only after she accepted them that she realized that she was now the only one who had the means to do the entertaining. Pretty crafty eh?
lilod
21 years ago
Oh Dear! I did the same thing, gave DS and DIL all the traditional Thanksgiiving stuff, we all lived pretty close to each other - then they packed up and moved to Idaho and left the rest of us cope without all the accouterments - but we manage.
My oldest DD and I live on the same property - no travel time there, and we fix a feast, but not necessarily Turkey, and my other DD and her Family spend the day with her in Laws.
The older I get, the more I think there are blessings in having a small family
Related Discussions
Holiday, what holiday?
Q
Comments (4)
I hear you. The DIY scene is no picnic. It's about planning, sweat, and dealing with the unforseen "things" that invariably pop up. We each worked 2 jobs for several years and worked to "build our estate" in our free time. We'd bust our asses to get all the prep. work done so that we could spend our vacation getting the most inconvenient projects finished. It wasn't easy, and we squabbled with each other, too. You will learn a lot in the "doing"; a lot about how to plan, how to execute a plan, and a lot about each other. But from my own perspective it was time well spent. And there were several very meaningful holidays involved. Keep your noses to the grindstone and keep your eyes on the final goal. Our best discovery was that the most effective tools in the arsenal were good senses of humor. Know what? we're still using certain key phrases coined under the most adverse conditions and we're still laughing about them, nearly 17 yrs. later. "The "frosting" on the cake of your effort is seeing the finished product in situ. For us it was a beautiful woodstove atop a raised hearth and in front of a finished interior chimney (that had been cinderblock for 12 years). Or watching beautiful gardens arise from gravel and backfill. Or buying the perfect screen door for the main entry. It's worth every minute of your time. Trust me on this count.
...See More
Anyone heard of Holiday Kitchen cabinets ?
Q
Comments (42)
I purchased a home in Oct 25 with brand new Holiday Cabinetry kitchen cabinets I in my 60’s and luve alone After only 10 months the cabinets ate already showing wear snd are chipping I had KraftMaid cabinets in my old home for 20 yrs which never showed wear like this! And that was with 4 people living in the home I contacted the company fir touch up paint and spoke to a very rude woman who said they didnt ship paint and I would have to come to their warehouse in Flushing, Queens, NY and pay $20 Their address was in Hauppsuge, Long Island and agreed to send it there and notify me I told them we would discuss the $30 fee then After 2 weeks I called again and spoke to the same rude woman BTW I believe it was a private residence, not a company I was calling She said they eould send it then sent me an email with the i fo to pick it up Long story - I go to yhe address and its an sbandoned building- call the same woman and now a different address after driving teice padt the 2nd address which also looked abandoned the worket came out to meet me I told them I wasnt paying after driving around in circles wasting expensive gas I decided to give the eirker $10 and told the woman on the ohone to be happy I was in a good mood! DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT POOR QUALITY SND EVEN WORSE CUSTOM SERVICE
...See More
What's your Thanksgiving holiday horror story?
Q
Comments (100)
Shawlin, That happened to us, except it was on a 10 hour trip and we were about halfway there before it started, and it was during a Christmas holiday. We had to stop at a gas station after our toddler had thrown up yet again, but this time it was on her pillow... she was trying to keep the puke from dropping off the pillow, but then we hit a bump and SPLAT! Now she was covered in puke, it was dripping off her hair. Hubby asked the gas station attendants to bring out the hose and while he sprayed down her car seat, I took her into the bathroom and tried to wash her hair in a gas station bathroom sink... you know the kind where the faucet is really short and the sink is small? By the time I came out of the restroom the nice gas station employees had coned off the area with yellow caution tape. I felt SO BAD for the mess, I was apologizing profusely, and they were SO NICE. I can't even recall what state we were in by then... it was a nightmare. During the family reunion, there were about 20 of us, and only me and one of my sister in laws stayed healthy through the whole reunion (we weren't the only family who came in sick) and we spent the every day cleaning with bleach. LOL! We actually all have a lot of great memories from that trip though... we can all laugh about it now.
...See More
Show us your holiday wreath!
Q
Comments (7)
I have bronchitis, so am on 'light duty'. I'm sharing a pic from last year which shows the wreaths I made for my doors and windows from clearance wreaths from Joann Fabric, brass (real brass) clearance horns, ribbon that I ordered online, white pine cones from my yard, local grapevine that I wove in among the faux greenery, and I cut some faux white pine greenery from a garland and wired that in, to fill them out a bit more. Peeking out the door is Rooney on the left, and Ginger on the right; two of My3Dogs.
...See More
Jonesy
21 years ago
This will be our first year alone and most won't believe it, we don't mind. We do wish it could be different, but it doesn't upset us at all. Because of recent events regarding his children, our Christmases with them has ended....by our choice. They will be very shocked when their dad doesn't call with an invitation, maybe the shock treatment will teach them that there is a limit to what they can get away with and still be wanted. My sis or her daughter always asks us to come to their house, but my husband's memory is failing rapidly now and he had rather be at home.
minnie_tx
Original Author
21 years ago
Sometimes it's very difficult to make those family decisions. Maybe this is the time in your life to just concentrate on you (and DH) Let the others adjust to what is going on in your life. I miss making the big dinner etc with family around the table sisters and nephews but those times have changed. I'm glad everyone is doing their own thing now.

Many Turkey Hugs!!!

Related Stories

HOLIDAYS Holiday Decorating Ideas from the Atlanta Holiday House

By Becky Harris

Full Story

LIFE 10 Ways to Cope With Grief During the Holidays

By Shelly Miller Leer

If you are experiencing loss, take it from an experienced griever — life has changed forever, but it does get better

Full Story

250

By Alison Hodgson

This year get real about what you can and cannot handle, and remember the joys of spending time with the ones you love

Full Story

109

HOLIDAYS Houzz Call: Show Us Your Decorated Holiday Mantel

By Annie Thornton

Share your festive fireplace stylings with the Houzz community in the Comments!

Full Story

234

LIFE 10 Ways to Work Through Grief Triggers During the Holidays

By Shelly Miller Leer

A year after losing her sister, she was facing another holiday. Here’s how one woman learned to find joy again

Full Story

160

HOLIDAYS 25 Gorgeous Holiday Mantels by Houzzers

By Houzz

Laden with boughs, lights and even lemons, these decorated fireplace mantels show a festive Christmas spirit and a creative approach

Full Story

311

By Innovative Design Build

Hang a wreath or garland on brick, concrete, Sheetrock or wood the professional way — and avoid the potential pitfalls

Full Story

175

HOLIDAYS Spend Less Without Being a Grinch: 8 Holiday Ideas

By Laura Gaskill

Give meaningful gifts and use nature's decor to work holiday magic without blowing your budget

Full Story

HOLIDAYS Houzz Call: Share Your Personal Holiday Traditions

By Becky Harris

What winter rituals mean the most to you and yours? Post your stories and pictures

Full Story

SELLING YOUR HOUSE How to Decorate for the Holidays When Your Home Is for Sale

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

You can make your home appealing to potential buyers and still celebrate the season. Here are 7 tips to keep in mind

Full Story

The Holidays

Comments (4)

gandbb

lilod

Related Discussions

Jonesy

minnie_tx
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

The Holidays

Comments (4)

gandbb

lilod

Related Discussions

Jonesy

minnie_txOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

minnie_tx
Original Author