Christmas always feels magical when you have kids around, there’s the excitement of decorating, baking, and the joyful chaos of wrapping gifts. But once your children are grown and building lives of their own, Christmas starts to look a bit different. Without the bustling energy of a full house, it’s easy to feel like the season has lost some of its sparkle. However, an empty nest Christmas doesn’t have to mean a quiet, uneventful holiday.
This is your chance to reimagine Christmas on your terms, bringing in new traditions and finding fresh ways to celebrate. From festive parties to amazing getaways, there are plenty of ways to make an empty nest Christmas every bit as meaningful and fun. Embracing this new chapter allows you to create a holiday season that’s both relaxed and fulfilling, perfect for making new memories.
Skip the Gifts
Celebrating an empty nest Christmas is the perfect time to rethink the traditional gift-giving frenzy. Who really needs another coffee mug or a random ceramic cat collecting dust on the shelf? Instead, focus on giving experiences that create lasting memories. Consider gifting a spa day, tickets to a concert, ballroom dancing lessons, or even a mountain climbing excursion for adventure lovers. For me, an art class or a scenic train ride would be amazing. Experience-based presents are thoughtful, personal, and provide something to look forward to in the coming months.
Another way to make an empty nest Christmas meaningful is by directing that holiday spending toward helping those in need. Rather than filling up shopping carts with items you don’t need, consider using that budget to sponsor a family in need through Secret Santa. Many families struggle to make ends meet and can’t afford the holiday essentials, let alone gifts. Imagine the joy of shopping for toys, clothes, and treats for children who otherwise wouldn’t have a Christmas. It’s a heartwarming way to enjoy the holiday season while also making a significant impact.
Not only does this shift in focus away from gifts reduce clutter, but it also fills your empty nest with joy and purpose. Instead of feeling sad or lonely without a house full of kids, embracing these meaningful ways to celebrate can bring a new kind of happiness. By investing in experiences and sharing the holiday spirit with others, you’re creating a Christmas filled with gratitude, connection, and memories that bring true warmth to the season.
Go on Holiday
Having an empty nest Christmas, it’s the perfect time to skip the cold weather and treat yourself to a holiday somewhere warm. Imagine celebrating the season in a place where the pressure to host a big dinner or deck the halls doesn’t exist. Instead, you can enjoy a peaceful getaway, a nice road trip free from the usual holiday hustle. The best part? You can still enjoy all the festive spirit without the chaos of crowded airports and tourist-filled attractions.
One of my favorite ways to spend my empty nest Christmas is by visiting Myrtle Beach during the off-season. There are no tourists, the shops and restaurants are still open, and best of all, there are no long lines or crowded beaches. It’s a serene escape where you can take in the natural beauty of the coast, with the added bonus of having the beach almost entirely to yourself. And since the weather is cooler, you don’t have to worry about sunburn! Many of the hotels and resorts offer indoor pools, so you can still enjoy a swim even when it’s chilly outside.
Spending an empty nest Christmas at the beach offers a relaxing, quiet alternative to the usual holiday routine. Whether you’re walking along the shore, savoring the peacefulness, or enjoying the holiday spirit in a new place, it’s a refreshing way to celebrate. It’s the perfect opportunity to recharge and embrace a different kind of holiday season.  FYI in the off season, you can take your dogs to the beach.
Eat Out
An empty nest Christmas means you no longer have to spend days preparing a massive meal. In fact, this could be the perfect time to treat yourself and your loved ones to a meal at a restaurant. No shopping for ingredients, no hours of cooking, and best of all, no dishes to clean afterward! Imagine enjoying your Christmas meal without the stress of meal prep or cleanup, leaving you more time to relax and enjoy the day. It’s a simple yet luxurious way to mark the holiday season.
If you’ve always been the one in charge of the Christmas feast, an empty nest Christmas offers the chance to flip the script and make your holiday easier. Many restaurants offer special Christmas menus, whether it’s a traditional holiday dinner or something more unconventional. You can enjoy a delightful meal without having to worry about last-minute cooking disasters. Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to indulge in delicious food and maybe even try something new. So, why not leave the cooking to the professionals and savor a stress-free Christmas meal out?
For years, my family has enjoyed a Christmas tradition of going out for Chinese food, and it’s one I look forward to every year. It’s a casual, laid-back way to enjoy the holiday without all the fuss of cooking and cleaning. The best part? After the meal, there’s no mess to deal with, and you can enjoy a little wine, maybe a cozy walk, and simply unwind. For your empty nest Christmas, consider skipping the kitchen chaos and savoring the holiday in a new, stress-free way.
Have an Empty Nest Christmas Party
An empty nest gives you the freedom to celebrate Christmas Eve on your terms, without the pressure of being up early Christmas morning to tend to kids. No more rushing to get everything perfect before the little ones wake up, no more staying up all night trying to put dollhouses and bicycles together.No midnight run to the convenience store to get batteries. Instead, you can enjoy a relaxed, fun evening with friends with a little less traditional holiday stress. Hosting a Christmas Eve party with your empty nest friends or other childless friends can be a great way to kick off the holiday and make new memories.
Invite your closest friends over for a night filled with food, cocktails, and dancing. Since there’s no need to worry about preparing for a chaotic Christmas morning, you can go all out with the party, play holiday music, serve festive drinks, and indulge in delicious appetizers or tapas. If you’ve missed the excitement of hosting over the years, an empty nest Christmas is the perfect opportunity to embrace the freedom to do what you love without the pressure of managing a larger child friendly gathering. Enjoy the laughter, the food, and the company of your friends and family late into the night without stress.
A festive party for your friends can be a great way to create your own Christmas tradition. Without the need for gifts or elaborate meals, it becomes a simple and joyful gathering to celebrate the season in your own unique way. Whether you’re singing karaoke Christmas carols (even if you’re off-key) or dancing the night away, you’ll have the freedom to make the holiday your own. An empty nest Christmas doesn’t have to be lonely, it can be a night full of fun, love, and cherished friendships that are even more meaningful during this new phase of life.
Take the Day Off
Sometimes, the best way to embrace an empty nest Christmas is by simply taking a day off from the usual holiday hustle. Instead of rushing around or trying to fill the day with obligations, spend it with just the two of you. Stay cozy in bed, sipping hot chocolate and enjoying your favorite Christmas movies. There’s something incredibly soothing about a slow morning, uninterrupted by the usual holiday demands. You can also indulge in some homemade french toast or pancakes with fresh fruit.
Take advantage of the quieter season to reconnect with your partner. Go for a walk through the snowy woods or around your neighborhood, enjoying the winter wonderland and looking at the holiday lights. There’s something magical about how the lights twinkle against the winter night sky, and it’s a great way to get in the holiday spirit without any rush or pressure. If you want to take it up a notch, you can hop in the car and take a scenic drive through town to admire the best Christmas light displays.
A day like this doesn’t require a packed itinerary or big plans. It’s about slowing down, enjoying each other’s company, and making your empty nest Christmas feel just as special, peaceful, and joyful as you want it to be. It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect, recharge, and simply savor the beauty of the season together.
Volunteer
If you don’t want to spend Christmas alone, you can volunteer at a local shelter to serve Christmas dinner or go visit a nursing home on Christmas Day. You could make someone’s day and maybe make a new friend. There are lots of great charities right in your neighborhood who could use your help during and after the holidays. Giving your time to others can turn a quiet holiday into a fulfilling one. It’s a great way to meet people who may also be spending the holidays without family nearby, and it can be a perfect opportunity to make new memories while making a difference. Volunteering helps bring a sense of purpose and community, and it can even spark new holiday traditions that focus on giving back.
If you’re looking for a way to spend your time that brings joy and purpose, consider dedicating part of your holiday season to helping animals in need. Whether you foster a pet, volunteer at an animal shelter, or donate supplies, this is a perfect way to make a real difference. Shelters often have programs where animals can be placed in temporary homes for the holidays, and by fostering, you can provide a warm, loving environment for an animal that may otherwise spend Christmas in a cage.
You don’t have to foster to make an impact either, donating blankets and towels to your local shelter or offering to walk the dogs are great ways to contribute. Volunteering at animal organizations can be both fulfilling and therapeutic, bringing comfort to both you and the animals you help. After all, helping animals is a wonderful way to give love during the holidays, and it might just bring more love into your own home in return.
An empty nest Christmas doesn’t have to be a lonely or sad occasion. Instead of focusing on what’s missing, embrace the opportunity to create new traditions that bring you joy, connection, and fulfillment. Whether it’s spending the holiday on a warm beach, enjoying a quiet evening with your partner, or volunteering to help those in need, there are countless ways to celebrate the season that will leave you feeling fulfilled and connected. The key is shifting your mindset and focusing on what truly matters, experiences, memories, and giving back.
If you’re looking for more ideas on how to navigate the holiday season after the kids have left home, check out my Empty Nest Thanksgiving post for additional inspiration. In it, I share ways to bring new energy to Thanksgiving traditions, whether it’s cooking your favorite meal, helping out at a shelter, or creating meaningful moments with friends. Both Christmas and Thanksgiving are opportunities to celebrate life’s new chapters while holding onto the gratitude and love that make these holidays special. Let this be the season where you find new ways to make the holidays your own.
How Are You Spending the Holidays?
All great tips. Hubby and I are empty nesters, and we are loving it! We were in our late 20s when our youngest son was born (we have 3), so we missed out on going out and traveling when we were younger. We are making up for it now! 🙂 Our youngest cooked Thanksgiving dinner. All I had to do was make pies. It was a lot more fun than working in the kitchen all day! 🙂
Great ideas! My husband and I have discussed what to do – we always decide we’d travel somewhere. Only thing is our grown kids are still coming to ours over the whole festive period. I feel very lucky and think it’ll be the last year each time. Well, if it is we’ll be ready with a plan … xx
We will be having an empty nest Christmas starting next year and were what we would do with ourselves. I love all your ideas!
The possibilities are endless.
Those are some great ideas. We ate out for Thanksgiving a few times and it was really fun. It was nice to do something different.
Some times we travel just for us and other times we go and visit the kids. We have parties and always make sure other people that are empty nesters have some place to go. Found you on Blogger’s Pit Stop Link Party
I love the idea of having a place for other empty nesters to go during the holidays. We often forget that some people can not spend the holidays with family for various reasons. Great reminder!
Our kids come home for Christmas – every year it is a series of compromises to make it happen, but when we pull it off (even if it doesn’t happen until Boxing Day) I’m grateful for the time to spend with them – and with the extended family. We often talk about running away from it all, but for me, family will always win in the end – despite the hassles that come with it!
This is a feature on not a trophy wife for Inspire Me Monday. Thank you for linking up! laura
Thank you for featuring my post
A good subject to think around, some great ideas for the empty nesters. We will feature your post on the next Blogger’s Pit Stop.
Kathleen
Thank you for featuring this post.
I think, if I weren’t expecting any family at Christmas, I’d go on a cruise. I’ve always wanted to go and Christmas might be a great time to cruise the Holy Land region.
My husband and I have been empty nesters for quite a few years. Some days it’s really nice and some days it can be kinda lonely.
All great ideas! Sometimes, our holidays can be lonely, but your suggestions will be a big help to many! Thanks for sharing!