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Filling time between Xmas and New Year

28 replies

Chickenwing2 · 15/12/2025 14:17

If you are not working for a week or two at Christmastime, please tell me the exciting ways you plan to spend the time.

I plan to spend most of the time in pyjamas, only going out for nice dog walks, eating lots, drinking the rest of the baileys, playing Nintendo switch & reading books.

OP posts:
frozendaisy · 15/12/2025 14:31

H and the teens are off school/college/work, we have some murder mystery games to play solve, a festive biggish craft project to all work on, full details will be revealed under the tree!

Boxing Day neighbours are round for games and cocktails, teens have delivery rounds we will all help with, get out and about.

A couple of medium DIY jobs that have to be done.

Local panto one evening (teen's friends are in it)

I don't know see who is around and what the kids plan but I expect we will run out of days to fit everything in. As always.

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 15/12/2025 14:34

We plan to just sit around eating cheese and enjoying Christmas presents. Kids are 8,13,15. Might do some nice dog walks together and generally enjoy each others company

AlwaysADramaHadEnough · 15/12/2025 14:50

We plan to go to chessington, movie day , parks and walks and chilling
Obviously some is weather permitting

AlanJohnsonsBeemer · 15/12/2025 15:02

Hosting one lot of relatives 25th and 26th, then another lot 27th and 28th. Granny is babysitting the night of the 27th so all the parents can have a night out together. Lots of walks hopefully, a bit further afield than we normally go. Will try and drag self to gym as going on holiday early Jan and my eating and fitness has all gone wrong due extreme stress.

skippy67 · 15/12/2025 15:09

Hosting extended family on 27th. Buffet, drinks, quiz/board games. More food. Secret Santa. I think there'll be 18 of us this year. Football on 28th. 29th is my and DH's "It's still Christmas" London day out. Basically, go into town, wander around enjoying the lights, stop in a few different pubs, and grab a bite to eat.

Todayextra · 15/12/2025 15:35

We have some shows booked - Nutcracker, Disney on Ice, Bluey, and we'll do a zoo visit and probably a museum.

GameOfJones · 15/12/2025 18:50

We are hosting as usual on Boxing Day so will have a houseful (approx 20 people) for a buffet.

On the 27th we are at BILs doing it all again (buffet, quiz/games etc.)

28th/29th/30th I plan on chilling out as much as possible. Long walks, long baths, playing with DDs, reading and watching films. A new Chinese restaurant has opened in our local town and I fancy going there for a meal to try it out.

On NYE we are having friends over so a nice mix of socialising and relaxing hopefully!

SoloMumJustMuddlingThrough · 15/12/2025 19:08

I never know how to fill this time 🤪 I'm too hyper to sit through a film but everyone else is in chill out mode so I always feel a bit lost. I'll play with the kids and hopefully go for a few long runs. Watching for ideas!

Allmarbleslost · 15/12/2025 19:26

We've booked the panto for 29th Dec but we will probably spend the rest of the week eating cheese and watching crap on TV. Hopefully some nice walks if the weather cooperates.

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 15/12/2025 19:31

Eating cheese........what else are you meant to do 😁

We used to host family, do a big buffet and games but in the last 3 years my sister died, my nan died, my mum moved away, my uncle moved away and my nephews grew up and want to hang with mates. So I dont actually have anyone to invite over.

So now, its movies, cheese and wine.

Hiphopboppertybop99 · 15/12/2025 19:46

After a busy run up to Christmas including Christmas day, (we're hosting, only 9 of us for dinner, but a couple more visitors due in the evening) im looking forward to a relaxing boxing day, grazing on leftovers, chocolates, a glass of wine / baileys and watching whatever on TV / reading. DH is off too and kids will probably just be playing with their presents.
We're meeting up with family on the 27th, have an activity booked for the 28th and unfortunately I have to work the 29th.
Then just relaxing into New Year DH is working 30th and 31st. Following weekend will be sorting everything for back to school / work.

gemdrop84 · 15/12/2025 19:49

We are hosting Christmas day so Boxing Day is a pamper pyjama day for me with a long soak in the bath, duvet on sofa, a book, leftovers, maybe a film and a nap!
DH likes to go and watch our local boxing day dip, followed by a few drinks. Saturday and Sunday will be chilled with board games, gaming, a jigsaw, reading, dog walks, eating, drinking.
Me and DH are going away for a night on 27th just the two of us.
28th after we get back we're going out for a second Christmas with family. I imagine I'll be hungover from all the food/drink so the 29th will be a lazy day. No plans 30th either.
New Years Eve we have board game night til 11pm and then see the New Year in together; we usually order a takeaway and play monopoly, however this year I've bought an escape room game for something different.
1st is another lazy day (bit of a theme here, but heck we've all earnt it!!).
The 2nd or 3rd I think we'll go out to a shopping centre & check out the sales.
4th probably take down all the decorations and clean the house.
Am really looking forward to it. It's the longest I've been off work, especially over this time of year!

Nincompoo · 15/12/2025 19:52

I intend to do a little as humanly possible.

I am knackered, this year has been a complete bitch for my family and I need a rest. Basically if it means I’m going to need to put on outside clothes then I am not doing it.

WonderingWanda · 15/12/2025 19:52

Chickenwing2 · 15/12/2025 14:17

If you are not working for a week or two at Christmastime, please tell me the exciting ways you plan to spend the time.

I plan to spend most of the time in pyjamas, only going out for nice dog walks, eating lots, drinking the rest of the baileys, playing Nintendo switch & reading books.

That sounds lovely.

My reality is, spend half the first week frantically cleaning and getting ready for guests. Host for 4 days. Frantically clean up and get ready for New Years guests. Host for a few days. Manically try and clear it all up and fit in millions of school work jobs before going back to work.

I love Christmas and I love my family but I find that it can rather hijack the whole 2 weeks of school holidays. I'd quite like there to be one week of celebrating and hosting and then the second week everyone can go away and I can have a rest.

Instead I will get through it by living of cheese and Baileys.

FourChimneys · 15/12/2025 19:53

Long walks, catch up with friends, redecorate the larger spare bedroom.

SilverPink · 15/12/2025 19:58

We have a gig booked in, a day pub crawl round some nice village pubs with friends, visiting elderly parents, and in between scoffing Baileys and chocolate and reading books. Eldest is away for a couple of days with friends, youngest will no doubt be out socialising somewhere. We’ll be in on New Year, we stopped going out years ago, much prefer to stay in and watch the BBC fireworks then go to bed!

Cat1504 · 15/12/2025 20:06

im working the wed and Friday ( mon and Tuesday are my days off and Thursday BH)….I never take leave at Christmas unless we go away….we are going out for day on 29th for GD birthday…..tues 30th will do a big walk with dog….Thursday morning doing nothing….afternoon big family meal….will be glad to get back to normal tbh

NearlyMonday · 15/12/2025 20:14

SoloMumJustMuddlingThrough · 15/12/2025 19:08

I never know how to fill this time 🤪 I'm too hyper to sit through a film but everyone else is in chill out mode so I always feel a bit lost. I'll play with the kids and hopefully go for a few long runs. Watching for ideas!

I struggle too, I call it Crimbo limbo. I do my best to keep busy with gym visits, long walks, National Trust visits etc

PrincessHoneysuckle · 15/12/2025 21:19

We're going away to Norfolk again.27th-1st.Cant wait.

Mh67 · 15/12/2025 21:20

We are going to Edinburgh to see mama Mia on stage and visit the zoo

OhMyGiddyAunt · 15/12/2025 21:31

One of our family traditions for the time between Xmas and New Year is to head to the coast for a day.

It's a 1.5/2 hour drive away but it's great to let the sea air blow away the cobwebs, eat fish and chips in a sea front cafe that looks as if its from the 1970s, play some 2p machines on the pier and return home tired but refreshed and rosy cheeked.

louderthan · 15/12/2025 21:34

Reading, walking, horse riding, sorting out all the stuff I don’t usually have time to do.

RescueMeFromThisSilliness · 15/12/2025 21:35

I am going to do the square root of fuck all, and enjoy every second of it. 😎

ResusciAnnie · 15/12/2025 21:36

Walks
Panto
Play
Read
Eat

tobermoryisthebestwomble · 15/12/2025 21:45

World's Strongest Man. Cheeses.