Author: Maria Alfano
Being empty-nesters we needed some new Christmas traditions for couples. When my children were little, we had our own family traditions that we created together. We incorporated some of the activities from my childhood and built on those to have traditions dedicated specifically for ourselves. Growing up in a Southern Italian household, Christmas Eve was a big deal in our home. Christmas Eve was a time for large gatherings, a huge fish dinner, midnight mass, and opening gifts after midnight.
After I had my own babies, our traditions evolved. Of course, we left cookies for Santa. And, my two little angels would fall asleep under the Christmas tree waiting for Santa to deliver his gifts to them. They had already opened the presents at Nonna and Nonno’s house but Santa had not yet arrived at our place. Fast forward 20+ years and both my son and daughter are living their own lives. We get together one day over the holidays be it Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. That leaves a lot of time for us to create our own Christmas traditions for couples.
Christmas truly is a magical time of year. Whether you celebrate it or not, you cannot help but get swept up in the joy of the season. Everyone seems a little more lighthearted. The city is decorated with twinkling lights. And, the message that the Messiah was born rings through the air. It is a time of giving, a time for family, and a time for reflection. Empty-nesters have a lot more time on their hands and can do some wonderful things with that extra time for each other and for others.
This post is all about making new Christmas traditions for couples that can be romantic, fun, and fulfilling.
15+ New Empty Nester’s Christmas Traditions For Couples
The last thing you want to do on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day is sit in front of the TV and fall asleep on the couch. You can do that any old day of the year. Make this one special for you and your partner. BUild new Christmas traditions for couples that are suitable to your lifestyle and situation.
Romantic Christmas Traditions for Couples
Away
Christmas Vacation – Christmas gift-giving is a long-standing tradition, especially in North America. Buying gifts becomes a chore if you are always shopping in the same places. Plan a vacation to someplace new and wonderful. Experience the traditions of a different city, state, or country. And, while you’re at it pick up some unique gifts for family and friends.
San Fernando, Philippines celebrates the Giant Lantern Festival every year in mid-December. Beautifully lit, colorful lanterns line the streets in honor of Christmas. It is held for 9 days prior to Christmas (from Dec 16-24 each year).
Gavle Goat, Sweden where a huge goat, standing more than 42 feet tall is erected in the castle square every Christmas, This tradition was born in 1966 and copied a small straw goat in hopes of attracting shoppers to this area of the city. It was so popular that it has gone up in the same spot every year since.
St Nicholas Day in Germany – on December 5th each year, children around Germany polish their boots and leave them outside the door in hopes of getting candies and gifts. Their boots are filled by St Nicholas while they sleep.
12 Dates of Christmas – pick a new place to go or do a new thing to do for 12 days starting on Dec 25. Dates don’t need to cost you anything. They can be as simple as making snow angels or holding hands as you go for a walk or a fancy meal at an expensive restaurant. Or, be creative and make the dates relate to the song “The 12 Days of Christmas”
At Home
Hot Cocoa Date – personally I could use this one any time of the year, but it is especially comforting during Christmas. My favorite hot cocoa is one my husband makes from scratch. The recipe is simple yet delicious. He boils one cup of water and one cup of almond milk (use any milk you prefer) with 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, whisking until everything is smooth. Then he adds 1 teaspoon of honey to each mug or 1 teaspoon of sugar-free sweeteners like monk fruit sugar or xylitol. He tops it with a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. Simple delectable. You can add whipped cream and marshmallows if you like!
Sip on the hot cocoa while you listen to your Spotify Christmas playlist in front of a roaring fire or while you string popcorn for your tree.
Matching PJs – love feeling comfy and cozy around the house? Do it with flair! Both of you can wear matching PJs or onesies while you sip your hot chocolate and decorate the Christmas tree.
Christmas movie marathon – my personal guilty pleasure. I could watch them over and over. My husband is also hooked after on them all these years. He looks forward to chilling on the weekend watching these cheesy, yet inspirational Christmas movies with me.
Christmas Baking
Cookies are the thing to bake at Christmas, but there are so many more things you can do. Have you tried Trinidadian black cake? It is a fruit cake like none you have ever tasted before. Take dried fruits like raisins, apricots, prunes, and currants and soak them in rum, vodka, or wine for at least 3 weeks. The fruits become saturated in the booze and become the base for your black cake. Many recipes call for maraschino cherries but I think the cake is much better without them. It is so easy to make. Even a novice baker can’t mess this one up. Note this recipe calls for a lot of alcohol…Check out this recipe: Trinidad Black Cake
Christmas Light Shows
There are parks all around the world, Christmas festivals, and individual homeowners that love to decorate their places with sparkling lights. Many of these light shows are set to music. Tune in on the car radio as you drive through the park or your own neighborhood. The most popular in my area is the Niagara Festival of Lights.
In The Spirit of the Season
Volunteer together to give others some of what you have. Give your time, your comfort, or talents to help someone in need. Take the money you would spend on each other and use it to do good for someone who could use a helping hand.
Random acts of kindness go a long way to lift the spirits of someone who could really use a friend. Buy someone a coffee. Feed some homeless folks on the street. Think about how much money you spend a week on things like coffees, smokes, or gas. Dinner at McDonald’s is less than $10. Be kind. You never know how you could be changing a life. Buy a coffee for the person behind you in line at the local donut shop. $1 won’t break your bank but it could keep someone else warm during the dark days of winter.
Support a woman’s shelter by buying gifts for the women and children who live there. Many escaped with nothing but the clothes on their backs. You would be shocked by the things on their wish lists. Mothers wish for diapers for their babies and socks for their own feet. Ask for a list and fill it for a needy family.
Surprise food hampers – ask your pastor or city councilor if they know someone who is struggling financially that could use some help putting food on the table. Shop online for them and have the groceries delivered anonymously to their door. You will make their day!
New Unique Christmas Traditions for Couples
Curtains – anyone can decorate but did you know there is a West Indian tradition that has families changing the curtains around the house to have a fresh new look for Christmas? Take this one for a spin. Perhaps you only change the curtains in the living room to a special set just for the occasion. You can find these festive curtains on Amazon.
Treasure hunt – hide little trinkets around the house and leave clues for your partner to find them. Each gift they find holds a new clue. Each clue takes them to a slightly more valuable gift until they find the main gift you bought especially for them. Make the clues into a riddle or a poem, but keep them guessing. For example, the first gift is a high-end bar of soap. Next, they will discover luxurious lotions and creams. After that, they will find a soft, thick bathrobe. Finally, they uncover the ultimate gift of a spa weekend getaway for two. You get the idea.
Christmas giving jar – every Christmas Day start depositing all your change into a jar for the whole year to come. Keep the funds growing until the following Christmas. Leave the jar on someone’s doorstep that you know could use a helping hand. Ring the doorbell and walk away before they answer. Hide until you are certain the jar ended up in the right hands.
Let’s chat! Now that you have read about these fantastic Christmas traditions for couples, which will you implement? Do you have one of your own you would like to share? Tell us about it.