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Original poster

Filling the dead zone between Christmas and New Year?

139 replies

Curlewwoohoo · 27/12/2023 08:42

How are you filling the dead zone between Christmas and New Year? We have no plans and no ideas... Weather forecast looks dire. Kids are 6 & 9. Today will be board games. I might book a swim later in the week if the pool is open. And then....?

OP posts:
Ginmonkeyagain · 27/12/2023 09:37

Not a lot really.

Today I'll sort out the clutter of the last few days, take out the rubbish anddecide what to do with the remainder of the Xmas food.

Seeing friends for an exhibition tomorrow and seeing family during the day on NYE.

The rest of it I plan lie ins, a bit of light tidying and DIY and a lot of reading.

Traditionally the darkest and shortest time of the year is a time to rest, recuperate and slow down.

Original poster
Curlewwoohoo · 27/12/2023 09:38

It's my 9yo that's hard. She always wants to be out. She doesn't read, which is my go to. She's already had a massive strop and giving me sad face. I'm fine with 'let her get bored' but she makes things hard for the rest of us.

OP posts:
HelpMeGetThrough · 27/12/2023 09:45

Just chilling. The advantage to teen kids is they don't need much from me..

It's great isn't it. The most ours want from us is a full fridge Oh and maybe the occasional lift somewhere. Apart from that, they do their own thing.

TattyBaubles · 27/12/2023 09:59

Nothing much planned here for the next week. Teen is writing their personal statement today (final polishing). I am pottering about the house, need to think about how to structure a presentation for uni in January.

I’m thinking of warping up my loom and making a shawl in the next week. I also need to shorten some curtains by hand. I love hand sewing in the evenings with something comforting on the TV.

I don’t relax much generally tbh, I know it isn’t good for me but I like to keep busy. I’m studying plus have a very full on full time job which means I am always reading something for research in the evenings and rarely switch off.

This week is different. I have every streaming service known to man and never watch anything so I’ll try to find something gentle and relax.

deplorabelle · 27/12/2023 10:01

Curlewwoohoo · 27/12/2023 09:38

It's my 9yo that's hard. She always wants to be out. She doesn't read, which is my go to. She's already had a massive strop and giving me sad face. I'm fine with 'let her get bored' but she makes things hard for the rest of us.

Are there places she could go on her own (ie little to no road crossing?) You could slowly build her independence by sending her on an errand to the post box or corner shop?

Would she be interested in learning to play chess or cards? If she has siblings she could make a treasure hunt round the house for them (or you if you can stand it). Or practical tasks. Brass polishing can be surprisingly fun for a nine year old, or even cleaning windows. She might find something like knitting or sewing too much sitting down but equally she might love it.

PamelaParis · 27/12/2023 10:02

I have this thing called a job, it's marvellous for filling time on those long, empty weekdays.

NoNameisGoodEnough · 27/12/2023 10:03

Chrimbo Limbo is just as important as Christmas Day. It is still part of the season. Today, I am not getting dressed and I will read, catch up on TV and eat cheese. Tomorrow, I may get twitchy and go out for a walk. It is the one time of the year when I don't feel guilty for not working (teacher). I will be back to it after New Year but, for now, I am lying on the sofa, surrounded by chaos.

TheCatfordCat · 27/12/2023 10:04

I'm working, so...

minipe · 27/12/2023 10:05

Museums and tourist attractions open and there are some Christmas shows still playing. Going to Science Museum today, Tate Modern tomorrow, tickets to a ballet on 29th and Bluey stage show at Southbank on Saturday. Might get out to some parks near the venues if weather improves. May go back to the Southbank on Sunday for their kids new year countdown.

roarrfeckingroar · 27/12/2023 10:07

I love gooch week.

I want to eat lots of cheese and Yule log. I've had no appetite all Christmas. A decent walk every day with kids regardless of the weather. Maybe a swim.

Sk8erboi · 27/12/2023 10:08

This week is still Christmas for us.
We had visitors come on 23rd and will be leaving today so I'm going to tidy up when they've gone and other than popping to pick up a click and collect my plans are to eat chocolate and watch TV today.

The next couple of days will just be chilled out festive fun.

AvengedQuince · 27/12/2023 10:08

Curlewwoohoo · 27/12/2023 09:38

It's my 9yo that's hard. She always wants to be out. She doesn't read, which is my go to. She's already had a massive strop and giving me sad face. I'm fine with 'let her get bored' but she makes things hard for the rest of us.

Would she just get out on her bike?

JamSandle · 27/12/2023 10:09

I'm working. I love working this time of year as its so quiet

AvengedQuince · 27/12/2023 10:11

PamelaParis · 27/12/2023 10:02

I have this thing called a job, it's marvellous for filling time on those long, empty weekdays.

Many workplaces shut for the three working days. Or parents need to take annual leave to care for young children.

NahHumBrag · 27/12/2023 10:12

This IS Christmas - it’s the absolute best bit.

Days are going to be filled with:

the gym
walks with new binoculars
going to best mates for Round 2
sleeping
food
telly
wine
the gym
a long run
more walks with new binoculars
more wine
more food

Heaven!

TeenDivided · 27/12/2023 10:15

Relaxing, seeing family.

TheGriffle · 27/12/2023 10:18

Yesterday we all mooched at home and had too much screen time. Today we’re off to the cinema and tomorrow we’re going to a big garden centre to choose half price decorations for next year. That’s all the plans we have so far. We do have some Lego to build so that will make an appearance at some point.

WinchSparkle80 · 27/12/2023 10:18

Watching Wonka this afternoon, chilling out beforehand. Lunch with friends tmrw and back to work Friday.

At some point quick tidy and clean of house and washing.
Kids broke up early so back to school on 2nd.

Northsideoftheriver · 27/12/2023 10:21

I love this little quiet period. I get to bake with them and they can play with their new toys. Took them for a bike ride in the park despite bad weather. DH sat with DS4 upstairs while I watched three films back to back, with teen DD. Bliss. I have some fat balls for them to hang in the garden for the birds. While they do that I will inspect the storm damage on the fence and go fetch the garden furniture that blew down the whole length of the garden.
I'd like to take them ice skating as well.

Whiskers4 · 27/12/2023 10:21

Having some 'me' time in town right now. Seeing family on Friday. Will probably play games, watch a film (rarely do), go for a local walk possibly with a pub visit, Car trip to countryside Village or walk in countryside with sandwich. I've got cineworld and pizza vouchers through Tescos so that's another option. I worked eight days in a row last week, so other than 31st Dec, am very lucky not to go back until 7th, so have lots of lovely time to fitu this all in

hellsBells246 · 27/12/2023 10:21

The dead zone? I love these days!

Family adventure days out with a picnic
Playing with new toys
Christmas film day
All pick a dish and make tapas together
Chilling with board games, naps, Christmas TV and selection boxes!

Tarantella6 · 27/12/2023 10:22

We are going swimming today. I'd like to go climbing on Friday but I'll see how tired the kids are.

They would be perfectly happy spending the next 3 days in their pyjamas playing with their new toys / doing craft kits. They never seem to have time or energy in term time.

Letterbix · 27/12/2023 10:22

DH is back to work and my kids are all teenagers who will sleep all day if left to it. I guess I'm on housework duty for the most part.

Mademetoxic · 27/12/2023 10:22

AvengedQuince · 27/12/2023 10:11

Many workplaces shut for the three working days. Or parents need to take annual leave to care for young children.

Show quote history

A very small number of work places shut.

Musiclover234 · 27/12/2023 10:22

Working since yesterday!