Best Ways for Couples to Spend Holidays Alone

by Genna Cockerham


There are many reasons why couples may be spending the holidays alone. Whether newlyweds are establishing their own traditions, financial constraints are changing annual travel plans or the couple is home with an empty nest, the winter holidays do not have to be dreary. The best ways for married couples to celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve or Easter without their extended families or kids include choosing what matters the most, creating new traditions and seeking out others in a similar situation.
Plan a Traditional Christmas or Winter Holiday

Although married couples may not be looking forward to spending the holidays alone, there is a certain freedom to pick and choose what is important to each partner when they are the only ones to consider. If previous years have been spent rushing around to make both sets of parents happy, the couple may be happy to have a low-key holiday.

To plan a traditional Christmas or Thanksgiving, each partner should consider what he or she loves most about the holiday. Is it watching football all day on Thanksgiving? Is it having a traditional Thanksgiving feast or sharing sentimental stories? Each partner can choose what means the most to him or her and incorporate it into the day. For example, if a large Thanksgiving meal is important the couple can take time to select the holiday menu and prepare the meal together. If the holiday is more about sharing stories and dessert, the couple can pull out photo albums or home movies and spend the day reminiscing. When it is just the couple celebrating, the husband and wife can focus on what matters most to them.
New Traditions and Unique Christmas Ideas

Sometimes couples who are spending the winter holidays alone may feel as though a traditional celebration with just the two of them would be lonely or depressing. This may be especially true for couples celebrating the holidays alone due to loss or distance. If that is the case, then shake things up by trying unique ideas to create new traditions.

Think about new ways to spend the day or new places to eat dinner. For example, a couple whose family has always prepared a formal dinner for Thanksgiving may want to try going out to dinner at a restaurant. The couple may also try volunteering at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving or Christmas to spread holiday cheer with others. Go to a parade, participate in a turkey trot race together (or cheer on the competitors), or try a different religious holiday service each year.