Any ideas how to make Christmas, really Christmassey with just 2 of us?

[makinglemonade]

Have had a stressful year and would really like to have a lovely Christmas (something to focus on) and hopefully this will bring us into new year in good form :-)

DH and I have always gone to relatives for Christmas Day and after a disastrous one last year at SIL where no one really relaxed and enjoyed themselves we have decided we are not moving from our cosy house this year!

We both only have Christmas Day & Boxing Day off work so I want to make it as nice as possible. We don't have DC. We have given an open invite to both sets of parents but neither jumped at the chance and I wouldn't push them into it so its probably just going to be both if us.

However the reaction of some people has made me wonder if it will feel like just any old day.

Any thoughts?

We don't do expensive gifts to each other as we are still trying to finish our house so all money goes to that.

Hoping MN is going to help me get excited about a normally quite depressing time of year (for me)

[shinybaubles]

What about making stockings for each other, I much prefer a stocking, and creating one is exciting, have a good think about what you really want to eat and if a traditional Christmas dinner isn't it indulge in something else. Have a good look at what is on in your area and take advantage of not having childcare problems to go out and enjoy yourselves.

[MySecretSelf]

Ooh, I think I would plan a really cosy day at home. Leisurely, luxurious Christmas breakfast, followed by presents. You could do an inexpensive stocking for each other with silly presents? I'd get dressed up to have a nice Christmas lunch (doesn't have to be turkey) then watch a Christmas movie/have a nap/go for a walk. Spend the evening watching christmassy stuff/listening to christmas music while tucking into a nice cheeseboard with a glass or two of fizzy wine.

Instead of doing a Christmas tree earlier, you could leave it to Christmas Eve to put up the tree and decorate while eating mince pies and listening to christmassy music?

[makinglemonade]

Thank you for the suggestions ladies.

Love the stocking idea! I always loved waking up on Christmas morning and finding my stocking at the end if my bed full if little nik naks. Will definetly mention that to DH.

Shiny - it will be a full traditional dinner or DH will decamp to his mums! I asked him what he would like as a special Christmas breakfast and his face lit up at the thought of a big plate of ............ White pudding!

Mysecret- I couldn't not put up my tree in Dec 1st!! Love sitting in with the lights twinkling! I will dress up a bit for lunch though (also now gave me the idea of buying some nice lingerie for underneath, that may be our exercise after dinner)

These threads have got me excited about Xmas now. Last years Xmas was the beginning of an awful bout of depression and do this year I'm determined to not let that happen :-)

[shinybaubles]

You could also make yourselves a Christmas Hamper of things to do over the two days, like dvd,wine,hot choc, nice blanket, game etcc... you could either do it together or indiviually buy bits wrap them and put them in basket, then open together and your day is sorted, you could also write things down, to go in, like go for a walk, ....

[starsandunicorns]

My dp and I are alone this xmas like last xmas its fab no intervering inlaws to go to that make us feel shit about ourseleves and dp siblings that make us feel worthless its very relaxed we wake up do stocking pressies have a bubbly bath each wear pjs i start xmas lunch do pressies watch tv catch up we have loads to catch up by xmas we only eat one meal a day anyway so eat around 2 have dinner at the table (mostly we dont due to shift patterns) get dressed take dog for a walk back into pjs eat choclate drink wine have a snooze snuggle on sofa xmas tree is made up mid nov and chill repeat for boxing day but no big lunch i make a load of nibbles and put out on table and help ourselfs no vistors just me and dp its fab

[FreeButtonBee]

Dh and I spent our first Christmas together ever the year after we got married at home with just the two of us. It was lovely.

Went to local pub on Christmas Eve, got nicely tiddley, fell into bed.

Opened presents, lounged about in PJs

I love cooking so went totally all out. Had champagne and oysters for starter. Then about 2 hours later, roast goose with all the trimmings. Very nice bottle of red wine. Goose is actually great for 2 as it's not totally, insanely huge. I confited one leg so we had that as a meal towards NY. Then we really only had enough meat for 3 meals out of the rest. Enough goose fat for centuries worth of roasties though!

Collapsed on sofa, watched Doctor Who, ate chocolate and then pudding at about 10.

It was really special and lovely and I can't wait to do it again some year.

[Ithinkitsjustme]

Christmas on your own, what bliss! If you are really worried that it will be a bit flat you could always volunteer to help out at a hostel or a soup kitchen, they are always glad of help and those who I kno do this say that it really makes their own Christmas more special (I have to admit that I have never done it myself)
I also like the stocking idea.

[girlywhirly]

We have Christmas day on our own, and it's fine.

We go to the pub on Christmas eve, and next day we have a small stocking each and a few presents. We usually have breakfast first while listening to Classic FM carols and classical Christmas music. Then the lunch gets started, we usually have a free range roast chicken and all the trimmings. If the weather is OK we have a brief walk around the neighbourhood, then go back to tackle the dishes and watch some TV.

Later we have a picnic tea in front of the TV, usually cheeses and pate on savoury biscuits, followed by trifle. Pick at dates, nuts and chocs during the evening with more drinks.

I think the thing is to do what you want, eat what you want, because you can be really self indulgent.

Re the stocking fillers, there don't have to be lots of them, and you can balance out the cost with a few cheaper items.

[plantsitter]

Wasn't there an mnetter once who did Christmas day with her partner naked? That sounds like fun. Sigh.

[OnTheBottomWithAWomansWeekly]

I know someone who does a sea swim every Christmas morning. Brrrr!

[makinglemonade]

I've spent all day googling Christmas idea. Really getting excited now to plan things. Going to talk to DH tonight and get him involved in the stocking idea :-)

Plantsitter - I remember that thread about naked Christmas! I plan to spend some of it naked but most of it will involve fleece pjs!