Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

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:
HelpMeGetThrough · 27/12/2023 10:34

A very small number of work places shut.

Some people in my team are in today, but none of our UK clients are working, so they've stalled all on going system implementations until next week.

We've a few projects going in Europe and the US and all the project teams for those clients are on leave.

People in this week have been told, just respond to any emails/Teams calls that may come in, but do what you want. No need for them to put laptops on, as they can do all that through their phones. So basically they are "on leave".

Christmasconcerts · 27/12/2023 10:35

PamelaParis · 27/12/2023 10:02

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

What a nasty, needlessly acerbic response.

shivbo2014 · 27/12/2023 10:35

This is my favourite time! Just chilling my 4 and 9 year old have so many new toys to play with. We'll go for a few walks but otherwise stay in chill, eat, have too much screen time, and play with all the new toys.

Pussinskool · 27/12/2023 10:36

I feel you OP it's hard with young kids - there is no real relaxing. We had a 5.40am start this morning. My kids are 2 & 5 they're currently colouring a large cardboard box, then using it as a slide.

It passes some time, but not a lot. There's probably gonna be a bit too much TV time, but meh, it's the holidays. Weather is shit, we've exhausted the grandparents. A possible playdate at the end of the week may save my sanity.

Tiredandannoyed2023 · 27/12/2023 10:37

We’re usually working between Christmas and New Year but I worked from home on Christmas Day so have the rest of the week off. Dh is only in work on Friday so we’re making the most of not having to do much at all - we’re off to a garden centre today, pub lunch tomorrow. The children are enjoying their Christmas presents and having a chance to relax. It’s bliss!!

NearlyMonday · 27/12/2023 10:38

I’m not keen on this week, I call it Crimbo Limbo

AvengedQuince · 27/12/2023 10:39

A very small number of work places shut.

Must be the people I know then. Many factories around here are shut for three days, the community farms have volunteers to cover a Christmas break for the farm staff, the farmers market is off for a couple of weeks so those businesses would be quiet.

EsmeeMerlin · 27/12/2023 10:41

I took my children swimming this morning and now they are currently in a soft play centre while I Mumsnet and drink a hot chocolate. Tomorrow we have panto tickets, Friday lunch plans with friends. Saturday my two have a party to go to. We still have plenty of downtime indoors but we are generally used to a busy life so we all find it difficult to stay indoors for the whole 2 weeks we have off work/school.

HelpMeGetThrough · 27/12/2023 10:41

PamelaParis · 27/12/2023 10:02

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

I have this thing called annual leave. It's a simple concept, you book days off and then you don't have to work.

FluffyDiplodocus · 27/12/2023 10:44

Kids are lounging around in onesies playing with toys and building Lego, we’ve just had a game of Operation. DD did briefly roll around on the floor saying she had nothing to do and had to be reminded of all the many new toys she has 🤣 I think these unstructured days are hard with small ones sometimes when the weather is bad, ideally I think we could all do with a walk but it’s heavy rain all day here. We’ve told the kids it’s playing with toys this morning, some PlayStation time after lunch and then board games together.

If my kids were older I’d 100% be spending the day doing family tree research, reading a book and eating cheese! Give me five year or so…..

Jenry · 27/12/2023 10:44

Seeing family and friends. We have 2 days away seeing family, then back for a day, then off to stay with friends for New Year’s Eve

honeylulu · 27/12/2023 10:52

Still Christmas here! I love these more relaxed but still festive days.

Panto yesterday and also visited our local National Trust property to see it decorated for Christmas.
Light show today (wellies on as will be muddy!)
Need to go into town with youngest to swap a duplicate Lego Friends set.
Will probably visit 2 more NT properties this week (helps if you have membership!)
Day visit to grandparents at the seaside (their main gifts due to arrive today hence delay!)
Visit to friend to see new house.
Host sleepover for daughter's best friend.
On call for work one day so will need to check/respond to a few emails (solicitor).
Will be surprised to fit it all in!

vickylou78 · 27/12/2023 10:52

Dead zone? Blimey for us it's busy between Christmas and new year. Boxing day is another Christmas day to see family we didn't see on Christmas day (as we alternate between my family and in laws), the rest of week is filled with visioning cousins and aunties and uncles, visiting siblings etc, cinema trips, panto etc. Then any time in between is walks, Christmas movies, eating cheese, pate, chocolates etc. Playing board games. New year's parties etc. I love it. Only family time really where we both aren't at work and I'm always sad when we all have to go back to work on the 2nd.

hby9628 · 27/12/2023 10:54

Cinema today
Paperwork tomorrow. I really need to motivate myself to go for a run & declutter the house. Starting a new job on 2 Jan so want to be organised.

vickylou78 · 27/12/2023 10:57

My kids are same age (5 and 9) and they'll be happy just chilling and playing with their new toys for quite a few days. Baking cookies, doing some crafts, movies etc. When we aren't doing more Christmas celebrations with extended family. We keep all our Dec's up till 12th night so it's lovely and cosy inside.

Booboocars · 27/12/2023 10:57

I hate it - it’s so boring. Only so much lazing about you can do. We are off on holiday this evening - kids not back to the 8th so seemed like the perfect opportunity!

Tinkeytonkoldfruit · 27/12/2023 11:01

Boxing day is generally almost as big a deal for us as Christmas so today is our chill day, I'm not yet out of bed, my DD 7 only woke up an hour ago. I'm going to make some soup, read, have a nice bath, play exploding kittens with DD, we will watch a film, have nibbles, just generally relax. I'm back in work for a couple of days Thursday and Friday so taking advantage of today. My DH will take DD out tomorrow for a walk around local NT and to see the Christmas trees and she has put in a vote for rock climbing on Friday. I have no meetings scheduled at work so I am hoping to be able put on the fairy lights and some relaxing music and get my head down and get some work done without having to communicate with people too much!

TattyBaubles · 27/12/2023 11:01

HelpMeGetThrough · 27/12/2023 10:41

I have this thing called annual leave. It's a simple concept, you book days off and then you don't have to work.

Show quote history

It is a great time to use leave for me, my job is really busy all year round, but both weeks either side of Christmas and the days in between are prime leave days as people stop responding/requesting. A great opportunity to switch off.

Tinseltomato · 27/12/2023 11:07

It's been quite a stressful and busy year for me. We are both off with my dp on call as a senior person on Friday only so basically both off.

We relish this as it pretty much the only very relaxed time off we get. We're watching box sets and eating! We will play a game I got him and do some lego today.

Seeing extended family one day and will have my nieces over. I'll pop in to see my grandad too. I do think as we don't have children it's much easier to relax and do nothing.

bloatedbobby · 27/12/2023 11:09

This is my favourite time! Plan to get more bloated, see friends, go ice skating, swimming, cinema & panto.

bloatedbobby · 27/12/2023 11:10

and catching up on box sets

MrsFloof · 27/12/2023 11:19

If you are anywhere driveable to Horsey beach in Norfolk the seal and seal pups are wonderful, we went there yesterday, you park at the bottom of the beach.

Filling the dead zone between Christmas and New Year?
Filling the dead zone between Christmas and New Year?
NearlyMonday · 27/12/2023 11:22

PamelaParis · 27/12/2023 10:02

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

I also have a thing called a job, but my employer closes for 2 weeks over Christmas.

So please don’t fret, I’m not living off the tax payer.

LlynTegid · 27/12/2023 11:24

It won't be wet all week, even in Manchester. A winter walk somewhere I suggest.

dontforgetme · 27/12/2023 11:24

Today was supposed to be a walk around our local nature reserve but it's not stopped pissing down since last night. So we are heading for a pub lunch, every cloud Xmas Grin
Tomorrow we have family over.
Friday hopefully we can do our nature reserve walk!
Saturday football.
Sunday family do for NYE.
I will de-Christmas the house Friday I think. I like them down for New Year's Day and Friday is my only free day. Always keep the fairy lights in the kitchen up til feb though.