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Paramount
Sweet!
Member since 7/12 4287 total posts
Name:
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Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
So my nephew is coming over for Xmas break weekend.
He will be sent from upstate on the train to me in NYC. I assume I will collect him on the 24th.
My brother (NOT nephews father) is married to someone who celebrates xmas. So we end up going to my brother house for Xmas day to celebrate with their kids. So my nephew WILL have xmas. That's the point. If he stayed with the family upstate there is no xmas because we are Jews.
He does not "expect" xmas eve. There hasn't really been an xmas eve for him for a very long time. WE don't do anything, obviously. We have the normal "Chinese food" and watch some TV.
So, can I DO anything to make him have SOME sort of xmas eve at all? Can we stay in the city? Is there something to DO in the Northport area?
I'm not opposed to having decoration or 2 in the house. But frankly its stupid to spend money on xmas decoration for a few hours at best, and I'm not sure he would REALLY care.
He is 16.
If anyone has ideas I would love to hear them. Otherwise its us hanging out with Chinese food.
Message edited 12/3/2015 12:04:31 PM.
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Posted 12/3/15 12:03 PM  |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
Honestly - we didn't do much as a Catholic on Xams eve other than church and dinner. And our dinner for years was Chinese.
We did get to open one gift (from and extended family member usually) when we got home from dinner.
Before church we usually ran last minute gift errands and wrapped gifts.
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| Posted 12/3/15 12:07 PM |
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Mags1227
Just a mommy ...
Member since 10/10 2665 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
Christmas Eve is a big deal to us, so we always do a family dinner after Mass. then DS (as the youngest) gets to give out the gifts and then we sit for hours and talk and eat.
Maybe still do your dinner, but watch a Christmas movie? Like Fred Claus? (my DS loves it) If he will be getting gifts, I'd let him open one on Christmas Eve. you can also do something together, like maybe make some cut out cookies? or popcorn chains that you can then eat during the movie?
Christmas is what you make of it, as long as you try to make it a bit more special, i'm sure he'll feel it.
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| Posted 12/3/15 1:08 PM |
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LiveandLearn
LIF Adult
Member since 4/10 1586 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
Christmas Eve is the big day in our family but not everyone is like that.
If you are meeting him in the city at the Train Station maybe take a walk up to the Tree and go to dinner in the city?
If he is coming directly out to you, then I like the idea of still ordering Chinese Food, watching a movie (ELF and A Christmas Story are popular around here with everyone) and maybe making cookies.
I know teenage boys can be quiet and think Christmas stuff is cheesey but doing a little something might be fun for both of you. This year for fun, I got all my nieces and nephews matching pjs -- from 16 years old down to 2 years old. Target has some fun Christmas/Holiday/Winter PJs that are inexpensive and could be funny to give him that night.
I wouldn't worry about decorations because he probably won't notice or appreciate them anyway.
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| Posted 12/3/15 1:28 PM |
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Paramount
Sweet!
Member since 7/12 4287 total posts
Name:
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Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
This is GREAT stuff.
He has probably never ever been to church. I would have no problem taking him..but I don't even know what religion he is. He wouldn't know either. He is Christian....(but I know his parents were NOT Catholic) I just have no idea what sect of Christianity he is. But I don't think he would want to go. As far as he know Christmas is about being together, but mostly about presents.
I like the idea of dinner and a holiday movie, or making xmas cookies, something like that. Those are REALLY good ideas.
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| Posted 12/3/15 3:14 PM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
Target has a gingerbread house kit that's less than $10. It might be fun and festive to put it together and decorate it, have dinner and watch a movie.
I think a lot of restaurants are open Christmas Eve. When we celebrated in the past with DH's side of the family, we went out to dinner.
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| Posted 12/3/15 3:23 PM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
I forget where but Northport had the leg lamp from the movie a Christmas Story. It's somewhere on main street. Maybe you could walk by, check out the decorations, and have dinner then go home to watch the movie.
You could do your normal Chinese and a movie and make Christmas cookies.
You could go to the movies to see something holiday related.
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| Posted 12/3/15 3:52 PM |
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Re: Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
alot of people like going to the movies on xmas eve... and at 16 that is what i would have liked to do probably. have some christmas cookies and i think he'd be perfectly happy.
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| Posted 12/3/15 4:07 PM |
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Katareen
5,000 Posts!
Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
Name:
Katherine
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Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
I'm gathering your nephew is also Jewish, correct? If so I'm sure he expects nothing. It's not a holiday he celebrates normally.
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| Posted 12/3/15 4:16 PM |
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Paramount
Sweet!
Member since 7/12 4287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
Posted by Katareen
I'm gathering your nephew is also Jewish, correct? If so I'm sure he expects nothing. It's not a holiday he celebrates normally.
No. He is Christian.
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| Posted 12/3/15 4:26 PM |
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HeyJude
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/07 820 total posts
Name:
p
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Re: Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
What does his family normally do on Christmas Eve? I would find that out and try to follow his family tradition, or since he is 16 just ask him what he would like to do.
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| Posted 12/3/15 4:34 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
Posted by MrsT809
I forget where but Northport had the leg lamp from the movie a Christmas Story. It's somewhere on main street. Maybe you could walk by, check out the decorations, and have dinner then go home to watch the movie.
You could do your normal Chinese and a movie and make Christmas cookies.
You could go to the movies to see something holiday related.
The leg lamp is in the window at the Hardware store.
You can also drive around and look at houses all lit up. Usually you can google lists of houses in your area.
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| Posted 12/3/15 4:37 PM |
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babydreams21
LIF Adult
Member since 12/12 3656 total posts
Name:
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Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
We go out to dinner on Christmas Eve. I'm sure he would like that. Maybe go see a local Christmas tree. I know my town has a Christmas Tree and a Menorah in the Town Square. I would suggest maybe a small Christmas gift that he can open on Christmas Eve. We open gifts with family members on Christmas Eve. Maybe ask him what he wants to do and how he wants to celebrate. Oh and if you are picking him up from NYC then go see the tree...he might like that.
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| Posted 12/3/15 9:17 PM |
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PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!
Member since 5/11 7619 total posts
Name:
Momma <3
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Re: Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
Growing up, we went to church, had baked ziti for dinner, and then went to the movies. My mom stayed home and wrapped gifts.
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| Posted 12/4/15 6:12 AM |
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Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
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Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
Not all Christians/Catholics celebrate Christmas Eve, I think it's an Italian thing. It was never anything more than a day for last minute Christmas prep, gift wrapping and midnight mass at my house. Growing up I never even realized that people really "celebrated" it but I also didn't grow up in LI. I swear its not as celebrated in other parts of the country but I could be wrong. I'm Catholic. He may not expect to celebrate at all, so I would find out what his tradition usually is. For me, dinner and a Christmas movie would be more than enough.
Message edited 12/4/2015 6:44:29 AM.
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| Posted 12/4/15 6:41 AM |
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Paramount
Sweet!
Member since 7/12 4287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
Posted by HeyJude
What does his family normally do on Christmas Eve? I would find that out and try to follow his family tradition, or since he is 16 just ask him what he would like to do.
He hasn't had a "family" since he is 12.
He lived with his dad and brother in PA. I would have NO idea if they did anything.
he has 4 half siblings but they don't even really call him.
My Aunt and Uncle (both Jewish) have custody. So no xmas tradition at all, nothing to go on at all.
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| Posted 12/4/15 12:14 PM |
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Paramount
Sweet!
Member since 7/12 4287 total posts
Name:
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Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
Ok. I think I will take him to the Tree in NYC, then we go home.
Ill see if any restaurants have xmas eve dinner. That might be nice.
Then home, maybe make some cookies, movie or just sleep.
And dinner, it may be nice to go into Northport and see the lights etc.
Thank you all so much.
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| Posted 12/4/15 12:16 PM |
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MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!
Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name:
Marisa
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Re: Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
Christmas Eve is a huge deal in my family b/c it's an 'Italian' thing .......but if he's not used to it, or expecting it - Why not include him in on your "Jewish" tradition of Chines on the couch and movie binge or something?
You're absolutely DOING something together - it's just not "Christmas" related - so what? You're his Aunt, you're hanging out w/ him having a good time KWIM?
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| Posted 12/4/15 12:32 PM |
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LiveandLearn
LIF Adult
Member since 4/10 1586 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
Posted by Paramount
Ok. I think I will take him to the Tree in NYC, then we go home.
Ill see if any restaurants have xmas eve dinner. That might be nice.
Then home, maybe make some cookies, movie or just sleep.
And dinner, it may be nice to go into Northport and see the lights etc.
Thank you all so much.
I am pretty sure all the restaurants are open on Christmas Eve. I would just make a reservation because I am sure some get crowded.
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| Posted 12/4/15 12:42 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
We keep it low key on Christmas Eve.
Never did anything big that day.
Usually make Christmas cookies and have pizza or something and relax
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| Posted 12/4/15 1:06 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: Need advice, help, activity? Xmas eve and I'm Jewish
Posted by Paramount
Ok. I think I will take him to the Tree in NYC, then we go home.
Ill see if any restaurants have xmas eve dinner. That might be nice.
Then home, maybe make some cookies, movie or just sleep.
And dinner, it may be nice to go into Northport and see the lights etc.
Thank you all so much.
I grew up in Northport and the last few years we lived there we would go to Crossroads in East Northport for Xmas eve.
They don't rush you and its nice but not super expensive super dressy.
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| Posted 12/4/15 1:40 PM |
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