Having Christmas on a different day?

[NotwhatIthoughtitwouldbe]

So, I have a 3 year old and 5 month old and live abroad where Christmas isn't really celebrated. Unfortunately, going back to the UK isn't possible so we will be spending Christmas here with no family. We are planning on doing a 2 week road trip around the country but would then have Christmas in a random hotel. I would really like to have some excitement and normality around Christmas where we would be home, baking cookies, making gingerbread houses, hot chocolates etc in the lead up, but the way the holiday falls, it makes it impossible to do the road trip and be back in time for Christmas.

So, my idea was to celebrate a week late when we come back...I mean, the oldest is only 3 and it would just be us celebrating...he wouldn't know the difference, right? I'm torn between this being the stupidest idea ever and also maybe a great one?

I would absolutely do this if I were you OP. Christmas spirit is not about a specific ‘date’ (especially when you are 3!), it’s about being surrounded by family, making traditions and memories.

It sounds great.

It’s a great idea. We have done this a few times with our young children x

Definitely do this! As a nurse I have often had a moveable Christmas.

Do it! You live somewhere that wont have everyone else celebrating and talking about it. I doubt the 3 year old will notice. Can you get an advent calander to count down to your Xmas date?

We celebrate on a different day all the time, Dd alternates Christmas between my and her dad's house and my mum is often at work the days surrounding Christmas and we like to do Christmas together. We decide on a day that suits everyone and celebrate as normal on that day, when DD was small we would start her calendar so that it finished on our Christmas too. Unless you are religious and going to church it really doesn't matter.

Maybe do it on new year day?

My family (mum, siblings & families) have done this loads because we haven’t always been able to spend actual Christmas Day together. It’s good fun, regardless of the day!

It's a great idea. Put up some decorations, do some Christmas music and films to create an atmosphere - they won't know what say it is.

Have fun OP

Go for it! When DP and I first got together we'd have our own Christmas on a random day before heading home to our own families. It honestly would feel just like Christmas.

We used to celebrate birthdays and Christmas on the nearest and most convenient day, the kids are now to old but we just used to say “your birthday is on Saturday” etc and celebrate it then

Thanks all, I feel a lot better about doing it this way now! Love the idea of the advent calendar as well, will have to pop to the expensive expat grocery store to see if they stock them!

We had the soulless hotel Christmas last year and really didn't want a repeat. I have a huge family and Christmas has always been a big deal so it made me feel a bit sad and guilty that my children are missing out on that. Will try to make it the most festive random day ever haha

If you wanted to make it a slightly less random date, you could go for Epiphany, Jan 6th when traditionally the wise men/kings came with gifts. Or go for a pre Christmas Christmas on St Nicholas (Santa Claus) Day, 5th or 6th December?

Absolutely nothing wrong with a random day either of course! Sounds lovely.

Is there a way to get hold of shit Christmas British telly or a recording of it? One of the things I like about Christmas is feeling the weird connection with the vast majority of the UK and all the films and Christmas specials playing. Maybe someone at home whose tech savvy could even record and send to you somehow?

I think it's a great idea OP.

Another nurse here, we’ve had Christmas on other days before when we’ve had to work. The kids never knew as they were too young.

NotwhatIthoughtitwouldbe we used to get chocolate advent calander in Saudi. I'm sure if you ignore the price it will be possible. Just work out the maths as to date vs door to open. There will be no checking your phone "it's the 7th today, lets open door 7"!

DH works shifts, our big Christmas meal and celebrations with be on the 27th December this year, we will open a few presents on Christmas Day and chill out while he works.

We have done this a few times as my husband was away with the Navy. As they grew up the children knew that Christmas with Dad was a special day with a special meal, presents etc and December 25th was a quieter PJs and tv day, eating whatever they fancied. My husband is retired now and the children still remember our 'special' Christmas days. Have fun and enjoy your family day.

It wouldn't feel right to me. I think part of the fun of Christmas is knowing everyone else is celebrating and I think I'd focus too much on the fact it wasn't really Christmas. But that's just my opinion, if you want to do this then there's no reason why you shouldn't.

Some people I know couldn’t get together with family last Christmas because of Covid so they celebrated in August. They put up the Christmas tree and lights etc and had a full roast dinner.
They said it was much better!

We are going to celebrate Christmas on a different day. We have older teens who both work in hospitality and will both be working on Christmas Day.

So dh and I are planning a morning of opening gifts with our teens then a day in our jammies watching Christmas movies just the two of us! Bliss .

I fully used to do this when I had to work Christmas day and the dc were tiny - I doubt you'll get away with it next year but at 3 and under I think it is fine.

Sounds great!

We had a second Xmas day in January this year because we had to isolate over Xmas so family couldn't join us! It was lovely!

A single friend of mine did this with her parents last year. Her dad had to isolate over Christmas, because he was having a hip replacement very early in the new year. So they had their "Christmas Day" the weekend before.