A mini project like a Lego Chrismas tree, only cheaper

[Thrilley]

DS2 and I are going to run away this Christmas.

Christmas has been hard since DH died, with everyone trying hard to "have fun" but no one really knowing what a quiet but enjoyable Chrstmas looks like. DS2 has really struggled with the whole thing.

This year I'm going to leave my old and increasingly grumpy parents to my sister (I live closer to them so do the bulk if it throughout the year and had them last year) and let DS1 spend it with his GF's family guilt free.

Ds2 (young adult) and I are going to go the the back of beyond and aim to spend Christmas Day on top of a mountain.

We're going away for a week and will spend it hiking, eating, reading, playing cards, on his devices in beautiful surroundings.

Well cook something lovely together for Christmas Dinner, possibly not on Christmas Day, have a few presents, but it won't be very "Christmassy" which is kind of the point.

I'd did have the brainwave that we could build the lego tree together, then we'd have a project and a small decoration, but it's £££, especially if you add the lights.

Any ideas for a similar kind of project?

A Christmas jigsaw?

Or gingerbread house?

or there are fantastic instructions on line for all sorts of builds - if you already have blocks it works out cheaply.

I remember the numbness of Christmas when recently bereaved (as a teen) it did fade but Christmas had to be reinvented entirely as the missing piece was too painful otherwise. I hope your reinvention goes well 💐💐💐

Yes, I did think of a jigsaw, but that means the table won't be available for meals?

Fairy lights always look pretty. We like an escape room in a box for a family activity...although we sometimes have to start again sober 😂

I was going to suggest a jigsaw. You can get a jigsaw board/mat so you can pack it out of the way when you need to use the table.

The roll away mat things actually work really well (I was sceptical for a very long time!!)

Or we do jigsaws on our coffee table so you might be lucky with that too

Look up Christmas advent calendar The golden book from Thames and Konos or something similar.

An escape room in a box. Not what you asked for but very enjoyable as you do a puzzle every night.

We're doing a family Christmas jigsaw this year. We have a foldaway jigsaw board so you can lift it off the table when needed. That upsets the cat though as the jigsaw board appears to be her current choice of cat bed.

A couple of years ago we had a Christmas colouring in paper tablecloth. That was quite good fun. It stayed on the table and everyone just coloured in a little bit whenever they felt like it.

I hope you have a lovely, restful time.