Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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

Christmas day on Christmas eve

31 replies

I4gotmyname · 16/12/2024 09:09

My 2 youngest are going to their dad's early on boxing day moring they will stay with him for 4 night. Time they come back Christmas is over.

Christmas day is always a bit hectic and gos fast . I feel like they will open their gifts but won't get much time to really play with them and enjoy them . So I'm debating doing Christmas day on Christmas eve.

I had decided to do Xmas dinner on Xmas eve instead of Xmas day to take pressure of. But im wondering if I should swap it round .

It does not feel right though . Also not sure if it works for others

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 16/12/2024 09:12

Go for it !
If you aren't working then Christmas can start on the Monday. Then you have 3 days (the 3rd being actual Christmas Day) and then 4 with their dad.

beezlebubnicky · 16/12/2024 09:13

If you want to do it, do it. A lot of Europe opens presents etc on Xmas Eve. We always used to do this when I was a child as my mum didn't like getting up at 5 & whacking a turkey into the oven, and we all loved it.

Thinhair88 · 16/12/2024 09:14

Sounds like a great idea.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Christmas Events & celebrations
MaltipooMama · 16/12/2024 09:16

Oh I think that's such a good idea! It will feel weird for you as you know it's a different day, but the children won't care! It means Christmas can start earlier for them, you get more days to enjoy it and it elongates their entire Christmas period. I would definitely do this if I were you!

Allthehorsesintheworld · 16/12/2024 09:23

Have done this. Much more relaxed Christmas Day and you can maybe have presents opened Christmas Eve and leave stockings until Christmas Day.

Tiredalwaystired · 16/12/2024 09:35

How young are your youngest? Do they believe in Santa? Could they have an afternoon nap and then Santa delivers early to “get ahead”?

Original poster
I4gotmyname · 16/12/2024 09:38

Tiredalwaystired · 16/12/2024 09:35

How young are your youngest? Do they believe in Santa? Could they have an afternoon nap and then Santa delivers early to “get ahead”?

They are 8 and 9. They don't believe in santa.

OP posts:
AnyoneSomeone · 16/12/2024 09:43

i wouldn't do it at their age. Do they get presents at their dads?

Original poster
I4gotmyname · 16/12/2024 09:47

AnyoneSomeone · 16/12/2024 09:43

i wouldn't do it at their age. Do they get presents at their dads?

Yes they do get presents at their dad's. But they would still want to enjoy their gifts from home which they don't get much time to do

OP posts:
Original poster
I4gotmyname · 16/12/2024 09:49

I'm not sure it will work ds does not finish work till 4pm.

OP posts:
Tiredalwaystired · 16/12/2024 10:24

I4gotmyname · 16/12/2024 09:47

Yes they do get presents at their dad's. But they would still want to enjoy their gifts from home which they don't get much time to do

Show quote history

My parents both worked in a care home when I was little and would often both be on shift of an evening on Xmas night which meant we stayed there with them. We used to take one or two preferred new toys with us. It was fine.

Original poster
I4gotmyname · 16/12/2024 10:37

Tiredalwaystired · 16/12/2024 10:24

My parents both worked in a care home when I was little and would often both be on shift of an evening on Xmas night which meant we stayed there with them. We used to take one or two preferred new toys with us. It was fine.

Show quote history

Your situation is different though. My younger ones will be away for 4 nights /5 days. The Christmas with me is rushed time they get back from their dad's the Christmas feeling has gone.

OP posts:
Original poster
I4gotmyname · 16/12/2024 10:43

I'm not sure it can work . Adult ds finishes work at 4pm on Christmas eve .. so gift opening wouldn't happen till at least 5pm.

Then Christmas day he starts work at 2pm so dinner would have to be early

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 16/12/2024 10:51

@I4gotmyname what about the weekend before?
Is your older son working then?
You could do Christmas Dinner on the Sunday maybe?
Or are your younger 2 that fussed about Christmas Dinner? You could do it Boxing Day for you and your older son?

NotVeryFunny · 16/12/2024 10:58

I would definitely not do this. Just do some nice things on Christmas Eve, maybe go ice skating or to a lights show or something to make it a special day, have a takeaway in the evening and watch a Christmas film, or play a game, whatever you all enjoy,

Then have Christmas Day on Christmas Day. Enjoy it! You have them for Christmas Day this year!! It's not the same if you do it on another day.

There is always plenty of time for paying with toys on the day ime. And they'll have them when they get back.

Original poster
I4gotmyname · 16/12/2024 11:00

Needmorelego · 16/12/2024 10:51

@I4gotmyname what about the weekend before?
Is your older son working then?
You could do Christmas Dinner on the Sunday maybe?
Or are your younger 2 that fussed about Christmas Dinner? You could do it Boxing Day for you and your older son?

Edited

No definitely not the eerl before. And definitely not for just me and my son. As there would be mo pointvas it's about enjoying Christmas as a family.

Adult ds said the timing is crap and having Xmas dinner early is an arse . He's not impressed. But I also think the world's not going to end if he has Xmas dinner 12 ish

OP posts:
Original poster
I4gotmyname · 16/12/2024 11:04

NotVeryFunny · 16/12/2024 10:58

I would definitely not do this. Just do some nice things on Christmas Eve, maybe go ice skating or to a lights show or something to make it a special day, have a takeaway in the evening and watch a Christmas film, or play a game, whatever you all enjoy,

Then have Christmas Day on Christmas Day. Enjoy it! You have them for Christmas Day this year!! It's not the same if you do it on another day.

There is always plenty of time for paying with toys on the day ime. And they'll have them when they get back.

None of that works for us. There's not a hope in hell of us going out on Christmas eve.

And yes they are here actual Christmas day . But that's not much time with how busy Xmas day can be. Then their dad has them for 4 night/5 days. Time they come back Xmas is done .

OP posts:
MinnieMountain · 16/12/2024 11:17

What time does adult DS start work on Christmas Eve? Could you do present opening over a nice breakfast?

It sounds sensible telling him to lump it re Christmas dinner at 12. He should be able to empathise with his siblings.

Bjorkdidit · 16/12/2024 11:17

I really believe in doing what suits you best, rather than sticking to fixed dates that might not suit you. So definitely do it on Christmas Eve. You could have the meal and open some presents.

On the day itself have Christmas brunch (fried up leftover pigs in blankets and roast potatoes, perhaps with eggs is amazing) and open more presents/have a relaxing morning without the stress of trying to cram in too much before older DS goes to work and DC have to prepare to go to their dads.

Call it 'Swedish Christmas' if it makes you feel better - Christmas Eve is the main day there.

Original poster
I4gotmyname · 16/12/2024 11:23

MinnieMountain · 16/12/2024 11:17

What time does adult DS start work on Christmas Eve? Could you do present opening over a nice breakfast?

It sounds sensible telling him to lump it re Christmas dinner at 12. He should be able to empathise with his siblings.

He starts work at 7am.

Yeah I'm thinking about telling him to lump it. I would like it to work for everyone. But that's not always easy .

OP posts:
caringcarer · 16/12/2024 11:52

Needmorelego · 16/12/2024 09:12

Go for it !
If you aren't working then Christmas can start on the Monday. Then you have 3 days (the 3rd being actual Christmas Day) and then 4 with their dad.

This. Young DC won't realise. They will be happily playing with their new toys and you'll get to see them enjoy them for longer.

caringcarer · 16/12/2024 11:55

OP when my kids were little they opened about 6 presents each day for 4 days over Xmas. All in one day, was too overwhelming for them when they were very little.

onwardsup4 · 16/12/2024 13:58

If they don't believe in Santa I'd just do two Christmassy days with presents on both. I don't think I could change the day for Xmas day it just wouldn't feel the same !

NoahsTortoise · 16/12/2024 14:09

Personally, I have never been a fan of 'Christmas' on Christmas Eve. I have had to do it several times with my SCs and I feel like it really takes away from the magic of Christmas Eve - even as an adult. To me, Christmas Eve is the best part - all the rushing around is done, gifts already bought and wrapped, it's so lovely to just sit down and watch a Christmas film etc and just have a nice chilled evening, knowing Christmas is the next day.

Due to the timings of your adult DS, I'd do the proper Christmas dinner when he gets home on Christmas Eve, then you could always have a slightly watered down version/leftovers tomorrow, either with or without him if he prefers not to eat so early.

I wouldn't make the children wait until he's home from work to open their gifts if you do go ahead and do Christmas Eve though, surely he can just open his when he gets home? He's an adult.

I also wouldn't say Christmas is over when your children return on 30th, you still have New Year's Eve and New Years day, plus likely a few more days before they go back to school for them to play with their gifts?

Original poster
I4gotmyname · 16/12/2024 14:20

NoahsTortoise · 16/12/2024 14:09

Personally, I have never been a fan of 'Christmas' on Christmas Eve. I have had to do it several times with my SCs and I feel like it really takes away from the magic of Christmas Eve - even as an adult. To me, Christmas Eve is the best part - all the rushing around is done, gifts already bought and wrapped, it's so lovely to just sit down and watch a Christmas film etc and just have a nice chilled evening, knowing Christmas is the next day.

Due to the timings of your adult DS, I'd do the proper Christmas dinner when he gets home on Christmas Eve, then you could always have a slightly watered down version/leftovers tomorrow, either with or without him if he prefers not to eat so early.

I wouldn't make the children wait until he's home from work to open their gifts if you do go ahead and do Christmas Eve though, surely he can just open his when he gets home? He's an adult.

I also wouldn't say Christmas is over when your children return on 30th, you still have New Year's Eve and New Years day, plus likely a few more days before they go back to school for them to play with their gifts?

I would not be making them wait as such. As I'm.notvgoing to tell them till hes actually at my house so the won't know any difference.

With the youngest coming back on the 30th . Its simlar that you said about the magic of Christmas eve. By the 30th the magic has gone. But it is there on Christmas eve which is why I was thinking to move it to Christmas eve.

I know he's an adult. But I think adults matter over Christmas to. He also lives on his own horrible work pattern so it would be nice for him to have at least some family time over Christmas.

We don't celebrate new year.

OP posts: