Making Christmas with a teen special?

[Ilovevacations]

DS is 17, nearly 18 and he’s an only child. Up until now he’s always wanted presents, and getting up in the morning to a pile of gifts has been the main event on Christmas Day. He’s not much of a Christmas dinner fan and sort of tolerates that part of the day, probably waiting to get back on his computer.

This year he wants money. He doesn’t want me to buy him any extra gifts, he’d rather just have the cash. But that does not sound very ‘festive’ does it…although if that’s what he wants, that we’ll gift him.

So Christmas Day sounds like it’ll be DH and I (who don’t do gifts for each other ), handing over cash to DS when he gets up, followed by dinner that no one really wants to be at and then DS disappearing back to his room.

Is this what Christmas with teens is like? What can I do to make this year a bit more special?

Thank you

Would it be possible to go to family or friends for lunch? Or go to a restaurant? Just thinking that it will hopefully seem more "special," just by being out of the house, and DS won't be able to abandon you!
Otherwise, I would ask DH and DS what they wanted for Christmas lunch, find something you all agree on and have that. Preferably pre made by M&S!! You don't have to have a turkey dinner, could have curry or fajitas if you prefer!

Is there a film you could all watch with a buffet/snacky dinner?

I would 100% wrap the cash creatively - notes under the cardboard flap in the bottom of an empty box, inside the wrapper of a chocolate bar, in a balloon inside a wrapped box etc. Eyerolls and groans are to be treasured too!

Another thought might be to introduce a new tradition of Christmas stockings where you each spend £10/£5 on small gifts and have to find an opportunity to put them into each other’s stockings without being caught.

We got £100 on 23rd December which was Dads pay day, then a stocking with the usual sweets etc.

Just shake it up somehow - take a flask of hot toddy to the beach, have a bbq, walk to a pub (if there's one open) anything? ??

Thank you for the creative ideas! You’ve really helped actually. I feel a bit less bummed out.
I like the idea of ditching the turkey this year and opting for an alternative and I like the idea of getting out of the house and going somewhere a bit random. I’ll definitely steal an idea about finding an interesting way to hand over the money. Perhaps I could put different notes in a range of balloons and DS has to pop them? Or if that sounds a bit much, I could perhaps do a festive treasure hunt with chocolate surprises along the way…a bit childish, but I think it could be a laugh too. Feeling inspired. Thank you soooooo much ☺️

Oh good idea re the treasure hunt….. this will be a trip down memory lane for us as we used to do them when they were small…. Thanks for the idea…. I have the same issue….. 2 teens…. Who go to different rooms🤦‍♀️ Thinking a film classic with popcorn and snacks and Xmas cocktail in the eve x