Christmas Eve without the kids

[DtPeabodysLoosePants]

My two eldest are going to their dads this Christmas Eve. They'll be gone most of Christmas Eve (from the morning) and back mid afternoon on Christmas Day. It will be the first year that ds and I have been on our own both on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning and it's making me very sad.

For years now we've done a Christmas Eve box with new pjs, popcorn, hot chocolate, sweets and chocolate. I can still do it for ds and could still give the girls theirs but they wouldn't be able to enjoy them then.

What could I do instead? Christmas Day box to open after dinner? Or earlier in December maybe?

Any other tips for when it's just you and a four year old too please 🎄

[Rainbowx2]

Why dont you do 1st dec box. New pjs, advent calanders, books, DVDs, Christmas jumpers, all the usual stuff you buy around christmas.
Start a new tradition when you're all together then they can enjoy for the month. I wouldn't bother on Christmas day. Maybe just get a Christmas craft activity for ds and Santa plate, watch a xmas film or a new xmas book

[Thatnovembernight]

Yep I was just going to say pretty much what @Rainbowx2 said. Do it on December 1st instead. As for what to do on Christmas Eve, are there any Christmas lights near you? We go to the closest town and have a little walk around and then have hot chocolate. Earlier in the day we make shortbread stars. Would he like anything like that? And maybe a Christmas movie before bed?

[Dinosauratemydaffodils]

One of our Christmas traditions from my childhood is a Christmas Eve picnic next to our Christmas tree. My little boy (nearly 5) absolutely loves it as did my cousins and I as children.

It came about because we lived in a different country to my Grandmother growing up and would always arrive at hers with the rest of our extended family on Christmas Eve. She'd have the picnic rug out next to the tree and a hamper. We'd get a tiny little present (wooden animals or people that sort of thing) and then have a picnic on the floor. She'd have lots of greenery in, especially holly to make it look more outside than in and it was really special (even though it was mostly a plan to back us off to bed early so the adults could "party".

Something like that might be nice for the pair of you.

[Charley50]

I think you need to hide your sadness, and be positive that your older DC are at their dads this year, and plan a nice few things with DS. The kids will only be as upset as you are.
If their dad isn't abusive, be happy for them, and enjoy the special time with you and DS.
Presumably next Xmas you will have all 3 children?

[DtPeabodysLoosePants]

Thank you for the replies.
ExH is very abusive unfortunately but the court has said they have to go. Next year they'll be with me until mid afternoon on Christmas Day. It's hard splitting the day but I'd rather that than not see them at all.

I'll have a think on the December 1st idea for the Christmas boxes. It's DDs birthday on the 16th December so we don't do anything Christmassy until after then usually.

Ds loves baking and it's a Christmas eve tradition to bake cookies so we can do that and he can make some for his sisters.

I won't even see my mum this year as she's away and no other family. It will be strange but lovely.

[valentinoandme]

You could move your Christmas Day. So have Christmas Eve when they get back to you on Christmas Day, then have Christmas Day on Boxing Day. That way they'll get 2 Christmases as well!

We're used to moving Christmas due to shift work and I love the fact that our Christmas hasn't even started yet when everyone else's is drawing to a close!

[Alicenwonderland]

I am in the same position this year, mine are 5 and 8 so it's heartbreaking. It was also DV so I've been very worried about it. There are some lovely ideas on this thread so thank you for posting/responding. Christmas Eve boxes and stockings are a big thing for us and as mine will be going in the afternoon on Christmas Eve I was thinking we wouldn't be able to do it but I think we'll just shift forward a day ❤️

[ysmaem]

I alternate christmas with my ex. They are with their Dad this year leaving just me and DP on our own. I do a 1st of December box every year so they get to open something. My step mother does my kids Christmas eve boxes and they still get them regardless of who they're with on Christmas eve, I'm sure your daughters will still love a christmas eve box. I was really sad during my first Christmas eve without the children but I now try and fill my day with as much things to do as possible. With your 4 year old maybe go out to lunch/dinner? Cinema? Walk around your local town to see the lights? You could still have a movie night and popcorn. Board games maybe?

[DtPeabodysLoosePants]

Thank you for all the ideas and for those in the same boat. I think I'll do the Christmas eve boxes for all of them on a day before Christmas. We are going away the weekend before so maybe then.