How a long-married couple can enjoy Christmas

Christmas is here in a flash♬

We had many warm days this year, so it didn't really feel like it,
but it suddenly got cold and started feeling like Christmas.

How will you all be spending Christmas?

Having a meal while looking at illuminations...
Going to a Christmas market...

It's also nice to spend it cozily at home eating chicken, stollen, and Bûche de Noël.

My children are adults now.
When they were little, I would prepare roast chicken and Bûche de Noël, and we would have a family Christmas party.

Now, they each spend Christmas with their friends or partners.
At the same time, our family Christmas parties have come to an end. Sigh.

Last year, we went to Shimokita, where the Christmas tree from the drama "Silent" was displayed, and then had dinner at a Spanish bar.
That was fun in its own way, but this year it's just the two of us again.

I've been thinking for myself about how to enjoy this year's Christmas.

I enjoyed family events, and I never thought the preparations were a hassle.
Of course, that includes Christmas parties.

I like cooking, and it was worth it because the children would say it was delicious.

But now that it's just the two of us, I've started to find the preparations a hassle.

Even if I spend time cooking a meal, it's eaten in an instant. And in silence, too.
My husband drinks alcohol, gets sleepy, and before I know it, he's fast asleep.

When it happens over and over, it gets annoying.
Because of that, I stopped enjoying meals at home.

Even if we eat out, the topics of conversation with my husband are mostly set.
Work, health, the clothes he likes...

It's what you call a rut.
It would be nice if we could talk happily about the future as a couple.

Especially when we talk about health, the conversation tends to get gloomy.
That said, it's not like I'm expecting trendy topics.

But my daughter and son tell me about new shops and information, or do impressions to entertain me.

I realized I shouldn't expect that from my husband, and I started thinking about how we could have fun as a couple.

Eating a Christmas dinner at a restaurant we don't usually go to

That's a classic way to spend Christmas.

Dressing up and going to a restaurant we don't usually visit to enjoy a special dinner.
It costs a bit of money, but it would probably be a fresh change of pace for a couple like us who are in a rut.

Enjoying illuminations and Christmas markets

It's perfect for fully enjoying the Christmas atmosphere.

Taking a stroll while looking at the illuminations or shopping at a Christmas market is a great way to spend some romantic time together.

Christmas markets have been very popular lately, and you'll be able to enjoy that feeling of being in love again.

Staying at a hotel or inn

Staying in a hotel room with a beautiful night view or relaxing at a hot spring inn is also a nice idea.

Changing your location and environment can lead to new topics of conversation, which might be a good way to combat a rut.

Maybe you can recapture that fresh feeling you had before you were married?

Watching movies or listening to music

Spending a relaxing time watching movies or listening to music is also wonderful.

While enjoying them at a movie theater or concert is great, you can also enjoy movies and music at home.

You can experience a happy mood.

Spending time at home + something extra

In addition to making and eating classic dishes like Christmas cake and chicken, you could plan things like a gift exchange or games.

If you give a surprise gift, your partner might be really happy.

I was thinking about all sorts of things, but apparently it's going to be very cold this weekend.

I'm not a fan of the cold, so I'll skip going out at night and go shopping at a Christmas market during the day.

After that, I'm thinking of soaking in the romantic atmosphere while looking at the illuminations, and then having a Christmas dinner at home.

It would be boring if the feeling of loneliness after the children have left the nest takes over.
You only live once, and time is limited.

I've spent 25 years raising children, but looking back, it went by in a flash.
The next 25 years might go by just as quickly.

That's why it would be a shame not to enjoy it.

I'm a mom with a fragile heart, but I'm trying to think positively.
If you have any recommended ways to spend the time, please let me know.

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I'm trying to live comfortably even with a fragile heart!

▼ I've published a parenting book for moms with a fragile heart! ▼