How is Christmas with older kids?

[Piccalino3]

Just wondering?

I love Christmas. I love the prep, planning and the magic of it all. I also have 3 young kids (1,4,6) and although it is really quite magical at times I also find it so draining. Obviously it's very busy before Christmas with things to do, Christmas Day there's cooking and excitement off the charts and today I was looking forward to doing nothing but all they've done is pester me to open more presents (we still have some under the tree), for chocolate and to play games and sort toys out. I just want to be left alone to slob about, go back to bed, watch what I want on tv without anyone climbing on me and moaning to watch Paw Patroll or Cocomelon.

So, my question is, I'm already dreading the day the magic goes and the last believer doesn't believe, days out to see Santa are gone and they don't all want to do family days out but there must be positives? Can you still find the magic with older kids? Do you still enjoy Christmas as much? Do you mourn the days for when they were little and waiting for Santa? I know it's a while away for me but I always feel a bit sad when Christmas Day is over and I'm aware these years are short. Just pondering it all really.

@Piccalino3 - thank you. I'm sure you'll get a bit more peace as the excitement of Christmas wears off.

DS is 16 and for the first time in years we've been just the family, him, DH and me.

Firstly no early starts, we trundled out of bed at a very respectable 8.30am.

Secondly he was helpful in choosing presents for DM, and later deciding which to keep and which to post to her.

Thirdly we've had fun times but also our own space. We did a family walk this morning but then only saw him at meal times until he arrived to watch Dunkirk with us. No pestering or whining!

Fourthly, he cooked dinner on Christmas Day, the first time I haven't done it for 20 years. Was excellent too

I've found it easier to have clear expectations but also acknowledge that he simply doesn't want to be with us all the time.

We have been fortunate with our Christmases with DCs. Each year is different as they grow and their personalities develop.

DCs are now in their 20s with lives of their own and only DS (21) still lives with us. Youngest DD and her husband (both students) have been staying with us and oldest was able to visit with her partner in the evening.

Different from last year and next year will be different again. That's the thing, it constantly evolves as the people change.

Mine are 12 and 14. They love prepping the veg on Christmas Eve, making mince pies, decorating the cake.

We still talk about Father Christmas! I know they don't believe but stockings still come out!!

They love their traditions and are keeping them going

My youngest 2 are 7 and 8. They believe. They also still need help setting up toys/ games constantly.
DD is 13 and hasn’t believed since 8. She loves Christmas, helps me shop for and wrap stocking fillers for her younger and older brothers, chooses where to put the elf some nights and loves seeing where I’ve put him when I move him. She loves decorating for Christmas/ making decorations/ going to see lights/ Christmas films etc and enjoys keeping the magic alive. She still gets stocking/ Santa presents too.
DS is 15, still helps decorate (tree only for him!), takes the younger 2 shopping for me with his sister, buys his siblings presents, enjoys lots of Christmas food and will come downstairs for board games/ Christmas films. He still enjoys a stocking/ Santa presents too, and is mildly amused by the elf (as much as ever!) He’s laid out all his gifts in a kind of grotto in his room now they’re open as it “makes him smile”.
Christmas is magical whatever their age!

We had traditions like ice skating, they now go with friends.
We also did Panto every year and this year they have arranged to go with friends.
We cook Christmas Eve and they invited their friends to join us this year and last year. We had a few drinks and played card games.

I’m sad that I didn’t get to do these things but I think I need to encourage my own friends to come with me instead.

Got ds (7) and dd (16) here. Dd is as excited, if not moreso than ds, she always wants to get up at stupid o'clock but ds stays in bed til 8am if left so we banned her from waking anyone until 8am!

But she opens her presents and takes them upstairs, this year she had a new.phone so set that up, played with her make up, organised her clothes and room etc. Ds keeps his downstairs until unboxed then takes them upstairs once opened.

We normally go away the week before Christmas but obviously not this year so by the time Christmas rolls around we are quite happy to have a fortnight at home, pottering, eating, drinking and with occasional visits to family and friends. Obviously this year is different but they both still get excited, it's still a lovely time of the year and the only real time we all spend at home together, dh is a builder so off for the duration as well.