Okay. “Quiet Christmas just us” tips PLEASE!

[InsufferableLKIA]

We have DD (7) and DS (4) who have been desperately missing and looking forward to seeing all their grandparents, and obvs that’s all shot to hell now. I’m trying to think how I can put a positive spin on this / how we can make the day good. (We’re all sick of each other already, which is a great starting point )

So, those of you who are good at quiet no-travel family Christmases, especially for my DCs’ age where they want excitement and relatives to fuss over them... tips please??? What has worked/not worked/what makes a quiet Christmas Day special and memorable?

[Titsywoo]

We are doing a zoom present opening with grandparents so everyone can see each others reactions as they open their gifts.

[frustrationcentral]

Our Christmas has ended up being busier, I shouldn't complain but I was looking forward to a Christmas Day at home!

My brother lives in a tier 4 area, we'd always planned he'd visit my parents as their bubble 24-26th with us coming along on the afternoon of the 26th. Obv now he can't go at all and we can only go Christmas Day. I didn't have the heart to say we wouldn't go at all either, so we're going for our lunch on CD.

Anyway, OP, I'd watch some lovely films, play games, have a bath (bath bombs?), eat chocolate. Enjoy yourself XX

[RosieLemonade]

Have a bath and go for a walk. You know really mix it up from what you’ve been doing for the last ten months!
Sorry OP. It’s really pants.

[InsufferableLKIA]

I will see what my DPs can do about the present. I can’t decide whether it’s worse making DS wait or taking away the pleasure my DPs will have in seeing him open it!

motherofawhirlwind thank you that’s really really helpful. Particularly relevant as DH is by far the better cook in our house too.

Mug cakes- brilliant yes thank you!- and baking with grandparents- brilliant yes thank you!! DD has been doing a bit of Zoom baking this year with Brownies, my DM would be well up for that.

We have Uno but haven’t been playing it yet- but DS is in the grip of a huge Numberblocks obsession so it might be time. We like Dobble, and board games in general- DMiL is giving them games and she wisely had them sent here rather than to herself!

I might raid Amazon for another last minute game or two, I can see that making a difference.

@HollyandIvyandallthingsYule yes that’s a good idea I can definitely ramp up Christmas Eve a bit, we don’t usually do a box or new pjs or anything but this might be the year to start (I have the new pjs already!).

This is all brilliant and helping me to feel it won’t be too flat a day, thank you

[KitKat1985]

Honestly keep it simple. Let them play with their presents. Try not to focus too much on any extra mess. No limit on screen time. Eat nice food and let the kids eat what they like for a couple of days. Try and get out for a walk for an hour so everyone burns off some energy. You and DH / DP take it turns to 'have a break' from the kids and go off and read a book or have a bath for an hour in a quiet corner. Put on a festive film in the evening with snacks for everyone to enjoy together.

[Atalune]

I used to get all their Christmas type story books and wrap them and put them in a sack and each bedtime they would get to unwrap one for their bedtime story.

Late (ish) night time walks with torches and a thermos of hot chocolate is always quite exciting and even better if it’s a starry night.

[AuntieStella]

Spread things out over the day

Just stockings first thing.

Timetable for opening other presents - big win if you can hold out until after the Queen's speech. Which you should watch even if you wouldn't usually, because it's a punctuation mark in the day.

Go for a walk - if you/they get any new outdoors toys, take them with you and find a space to try them out.

Ring up lots of people (ask around now what times of day people are most likely to want to speak)

Try board games by video call with wider family?

Get them cooking, setting the table (decorating it as well as usual weaponery)

Let them eat body weight in Quality Street in front of telly in the evening

We always have Christmas Day just us - we need replacements for Midnight Mass (just sleeping, I think) and parkrun (either a walk or possible 'running together apart' if plan comes off and is distanced enough)

[InsufferableLKIA]

@RosieLemonade 🤣 ah yes, haven’t been for a walk for aaaaaaages 🤣🤣😭

[InsufferableLKIA]

Atalune that’s a great idea. We went for a Halloween walk this year and they were unbelievably hyped to go out in the dark and didn’t care that there was no actual trick or treating. We could definitely replicate that!

[nosswith]

Walk somewhere that will be quiet on Christmas Day but is normally noisy.

[PerveenMistry]

@Plussizejumpsuit

Oddly passive aggressive line in your post
*@AliceMcK*

I wouldn’t dream of dragging the DCs anywhere Xmas day

OK good for you but op didn't ask for your judgement.

I didn't read it as passive-aggressive, merely forthright.

[PerveenMistry]

Space out the present-opening; one person at a time, no mad frenzy.

Write thank-you notes.

Have the kids help with meal prep, table setting. Make it fancy. Ask kids on Christmas Eve to create a centerpiece for the Christmas dinner table.

This is bucking a trend but instead of PJs, everyone shower and dress nicely for dinner - tell them it's their first grown-up Christmas. Candles on the table, etc. Make it about more than toys & pjs.

Then a nice walk after dinner. Have tgem help clean up.

Can they act out a Christmas story? If not A Christmas Carol, maybe Rudolph or the Grinch? All of you put on a little play for one another? Maybe video it with phone, or series of photos you can share with others later.

Holiday film or Mary Poppins type fare.

[AliceMcK]

@PerveenMistry thank you, certainly wasn’t being judgmental, most people I know go to other homes Christmas day, I just choose not to. Christmas Day as a child was always about staying home with my parents and enjoying what Santa brought us, I do the same with my children.

[Onceuponatimethen]

Love the idea of candles! We might even have some posh cutlery somewhere - wedding present

[AliceMcK]

@Plussizejumpsuit

Oddly passive aggressive line in your post
*@AliceMcK*

I wouldn’t dream of dragging the DCs anywhere Xmas day

OK good for you but op didn't ask for your judgement.

I wasn’t judging, unlike you judging me for my choice of not dragging my children out on Christmas Day 🤨

[ChristmasTreeFairy5000]

[quote AliceMcK]@PerveenMistry thank you, certainly wasn’t being judgmental, most people I know go to other homes Christmas day, I just choose not to. Christmas Day as a child was always about staying home with my parents and enjoying what Santa brought us, I do the same with my children.[/quote]
We're similar. We point blank refuse to leave the house on Christmas day every year.

Its nice, the kids get to open their presents, run riot, eat chocolate and go out in their PJs. DH and I drink baileys.

[Bin85]

Take photos with Photobooks in mind .

[WeeMadArthur]

MiL is coming to us this year, having always been the host before so I’m worried we won’t be able to keep her entertained as she is normally bustling about sorting food for everyone. She doesn’t normally sit down to watch any tv on Christmas Day, she is in the kitchen the whole day so it is going to be really different for her. We are aiming for filling the day with a dog walk, the Queens Speech, a good Christmassy movie, maybe something by David Attenborough, board games/UNO. Not so worried about DS who is getting Lego so will be kept busy by that most of the day

[motherofawhirlwind]

@insufferableLKIA no problem x For the dinner we've previously had an Italian feast when DD was off food (massive antipasti platter, warm ciabatta, a warm potato salad, rocket, balsamic and parmesan salad, lots of picky bits to tempt her with), beef wellington (Gordon Ramsey recipe) for us and chicken kiev (BBC Good Food) for DD, a gammon en croute (like a big sausage roll!). He does cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire puds, a Chambord trifle (even bakes a maderia cake to chop up for the bottom)... Basically whatever DD and I ask for and it takes him a couple of days to prep. It's lovely and feels very indulgent and special, as he doesn't cook at all otherwise.