Ideas of Christmas things to do with 13yr old

[LazySusan11]

Dsd will be 13 soon, she's permanently attached to her iPhone and doesn't get that excited about Christmas. However after I've had her phone surgically removed I'd really like to do some things with her that have a Christmas feel.

I have no idea what, her concentration levels are about 5 mins so I need to really capture her imagination. Any ideas?

[attheendoftheday]

We used to go to the cinema as a family on boxing day as teenagers. It was nice.

[Wellywife]

We went ice skating at a temporary outdoor rink, followed by hot chocolate. It was at Chester Zoo and they had bits of snow from snow makers everywhere too. Friends went to one in Spinningfields in Manchester then went to the Christmas markets after. We also went snow tubing / luge at the Chill Factore one year. These are in Manchester but there are other places all over the country.

I've found that any activity followed by a bit of tat shopping usually works.

[CalmYaTits]

Christmas markets
Buying and filling Christmas shoeboxes for less fortunate children
Theatre
Cinema
Ice skating
Making mince pies

Make sure to check your local paper to see what's on every week!

[LazySusan11]

Great ideas thank you, especially like the shoe box idea however isn't there some dispute about this appeal?

[smellylittleorange]

I think the dispute is certain appeals ..not all - so be careful about the charity you do it for.

[happsymum]

winter wonderland in london

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Where d;you take DD for the iPhone-ectomy

If you're in London the Duck tours are excellant (yes I know there were a few issues but there's always a risk)

We went one year in December for DS birthday, it was freezing so we wrapped up and didn't eat before .
The drive round London in the Duck was brilliant, past The Palce, Trafalgar Square and the Savoy Hotel, looking at all the trees.

Then onto the water , pootling along .

We went to Pizza Express after then walked round looking at the lights.

[smellylittleorange]

Am taking DD12 to the ideal home Christmas show with me she will be free..lots of insta photo opps! Christmas outfit shopping if you can stand it and if they have event to go to with a nice got choc break. At home activities will be making hot choc stirring sticks to give away, making those trendy tissue paper tassel chains for our New Years Eve Party ( after Christmas activity) and stamping wrapping paper. I do sometimes find that the run up to Christmas is awfully busy for Dd especially as she in choir so choose your timings carefully . My DD gets exhausted by it all.

With regards to the shoebox thing my local radio station does something similar but for local children if you are worried.I think it was about some charities insisting on a religious conversion but if you choose someone like red cross you should be ok