To find Christmas Day a bit dull with teens.

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Don’t get me wrong, thoughtful presents and their presence at Christmas lunch( which is over so quick) but the rest of the day they disappear and it’s just me and Dh. Could be any other day and it’s dull. Is that just the way it is?

Same here! First one without eldest who has moved away and other teens in their rooms for most of the day. I don’t know what to do with myself.

No, it's the way yours are.
I've just spent two days with DD and her teen cousins and none of them disappeared, much as we tried to make them.

Glad it’s not just me, don’t feel right forcing them to play a game or anything.Was wondering if my teens are just boring but think to be honest I’d have wanted to slope off.

My kids are 9, 10 & 12 and we've hardly seen them. They've been off building lego all day in their rooms

Do wonder if I should have made it more fun for them.

That said Dh is asleep in a chair.

I think a lot of teens are like that. If they're into gaming and have new games for Christmas then they just want to play them.

When I was a teen I loved bring in my room with all my new stuff, new books and chocolate. Best part of the day. Wish I could do it now - it sucks bring the one who is responsible for making Christmas happen!

Mine have been ok

Yesterday had a nice time from 3 ish then they went own ways at 9ish

Today they have only just gone off but will get them Back after strictly Been decent company for a change.

What have you done to try and encourage out of their rooms?

I was an only child but we always played board games on Christmas Day and I was allowed to pick (to a degree) what films or TV shows we watched too.

As I got older I'd help my mum with Christmas dinner and we all used to go for a family walk too. I hated the idea but always had a good time and have lovely memories of it looking back.

I think with teens you have to make more an effort to keep them downstairs as they don't play with toys on the living room floor the way younger children do.

Nothing really as 18 and 17. Suggested a game, watched a bit of a film with one until she went off to sleep. Guess I’m a bit bored.

YANBU but you are very kind. We have enforced family time at points throughout the day (present opening and breakfast), then a game (mid afternoon, their choice), then Christmas dinner and a bit of Christmas tv.

When I was a teen (late 70s, early 80s) I’d be up in my room now listening to a new record or trying out my new curling tongs. Sitting with parents as they got merry on the sherry was not cool plus they’d want to watch The Two Ronnies or something equally (at that time to me) unfunny.

I thought the same earlier. But also feeling it as first one without my mum and we don't have any other family we can see this year. Christmas lunch is just like any other Sunday lunch when you have teen boys who'd rather be on the computer. I did get them to watch A Boy Called Christmas with me!

Its about getting a balance surely

I spent pretty much the whole of Christmas Eve with my 17 year old, walk with friends, theatre in the afternoon, then movie at home.
Today we have opened presents, has brunch, I went to the allotment whist he had a few hours PS4.
After dinner we will start to tackle the chocolate mountain we have aquired, and I will test him on his football knowledge from the quiz books he got today.
Tomorrow will be much the same, except I might go to the cinema
I get to to what he want, he gets to do what he wants and a bit of time together.

I think you can strike a balance though. I've got 4 teens and we spent lots of yesterday and today together. This morning was stockings opening around 9ish and breakfast together. Then a tidy round amd get dressed. My step dad and brother came for lunch which we ate together. Everyone was involved in serving and tidying. After lunch (which was nice and un rushed) tidying, one teen made everyone drinks and we playing monopoly together. Mostly the teens are helping grandad lose at the game but still they are having fun. After our guests leave we will probably watch a film, one it two may disappear to their rooms then though.
We do enforce some family time but I think they actually like spending time together. It is a tricky balance to find though.

Very normal for teens op. I loved being in my room with my new smellies books and cds as a teen at Xmas. I’d not force them into family time, it’s their day too let them chill
Maybe arrange a drink at the pub for you and Dh next year- the kids might even join you

Does trivial pursuit and an ever changing menu of alcohol not help?

Just let them do their own thing, forcing "family time" will only ruin their day. Tbf they're teens, they absolutely don't want to hang out with their parents.

This thread inspires me with so much hope. My DCs are 4.5, 2.5 and 6mo, and Christmas feels relentless. What I wouldn’t give for 3 hours of quiet to read a book by the fire! I’ll look forward to the day they disappear to their rooms for a few hours after lunch. :D

Our dd turned 13 yesterday and we've barely seen her all day. She came along on family visits this morning and came down for Xmas Dinner, but apart from that, we've not seen her.

She has a new gadgets so has been fiddling about with them in her room.

I cant say I've found it boring. I have found it lovely and so chilled out. Husband is on nights, so we just stayed at home for dinner this year .

I'm in my new lounge suit and have absolutely loved it.

All allowed to do our own thing. No expectations.

We are the party poopers in this house. DH has gone for a lie down as he has a headache. I am in the study with a drink and MN.

I have 7 DC/partners staying over here - ranging from 16 - 30 and they are playing the fourth board game in a row. I joined in with the first couple but have now lost interest. They are merrily playing around the dining table, however. We've all been up since 7am, had lunch, spent the whole day together and I am desperate for a bit of space. They are jolly extroverts.

When mine were small they were with us then when they were teens and into gaming they disappeared into their rooms. Now they are early twenties they are back in the living room playing family games with us. It all does a full circle.

My teens are currently playing on the living room floor and we have a film on. One is putting together Lego and the other is scrapbooking.

I wouldn’t let them disappear on Christmas Day, or most days to be absolutely honest. I even managed to wangle one at a time keeping me company in the kitchen when making Christmas dinner, that does actually make a change.

I just asked them if I’m ruining their life by making them spend time with me and they are looking at me like I’m crazy.

I have two older teens and a late primary aged child. All boys.
I found Christmas relentless and tiring when they were smaller. The constant playing/making/setting up etc of games and toys. There was no down time for me.
Now they are older I much prefer Christmas. Up at 9am, so not knackered.
Youngest got Occulus Quest and they have played with it all day. The older ones are big gamers, but they like board games too.
We played some last night. Have done Catchphrase today which was fun.
I got to watch Mary Poppins and have a doze on the sofa after we had finished and tidied up lunch. Yay!
Now having a few drinks, and hoping they might all slope off to their rooms so I can ring my mum and friend.
Have you bought some light, fun board games OP?
Cranium, articulate, dobble etc are all good fun, you need to start the ball rolling.