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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not know what to do with teens on Christmas Eve

184 replies

Hellocatshome · 27/10/2022 21:37

Normally I work Christmas Eve until late afternoon so we watch a movie have tea, play a few board games and go to bed. This time I'm not working so what on earth do I do with a 15 year old who would rather be anywhere else than with his boring parents and a 12 year old who has recently found his inner Kevin? I can only think of ice skating or panto and they are apparently bored of ice skating and all the pantos are sold out on Christmas Eve.

OP posts:
FairyLightAddict · 27/10/2022 21:43

Mine have asked to go to Nando's then watch Elf 🎄🎄

Fruitbatt · 27/10/2022 21:45

Why do you have to ‘do’ anything. Let them do their own thing, maybe offer their favourite takeaway.

RagzRebooted · 27/10/2022 21:46

Do what you usually do, enjoy the extra few hours rest/prepping Christmas Dinner and them be teens.

EvilRingahBitch · 27/10/2022 21:46

Cinema?

onmywayamarillo · 27/10/2022 21:47

I've been through the teen Christmas stage, do it any way! They'll love that you did. But will obviously moan but will secretly love it

theblackradiator · 27/10/2022 21:50

I've just started a thread on the teens board about my 14 yr old dd who refuses to do anything with us anymore. teens are hard to be honest we don't do anything on Xmas eve and never have done as I find it's a busy day preparing for Xmas day. maybe just relax and watch a Christmas film with favourite take away etc. Will they go out with friends during the day?

Mistymountain · 27/10/2022 21:51

At 15 I went to the pub in Christmas Eve - but that was the 1970's!

Kite22 · 27/10/2022 21:51

Fruitbatt · 27/10/2022 21:45

Why do you have to ‘do’ anything. Let them do their own thing, maybe offer their favourite takeaway.

My thoughts exactly

SerenaTee · 27/10/2022 21:51

onmywayamarillo · 27/10/2022 21:47

I've been through the teen Christmas stage, do it any way! They'll love that you did. But will obviously moan but will secretly love it

I’d go for a walk (bribe them with a hot chocolate and cake stop if they’re not keen), let them chill at home in the afternoon then dinner of their choice in front of the tv with a Christmas film.

Roystonv · 27/10/2022 21:51

Surely doing something is for their enjoyment so don't do anything if they have no interest in your suggestions. Unless you can find an activity everyone would enjoy then forget it. You save money, you don't piss them off, you can get ahead for Christmas Day etc. Its a winner for me.

Discovereads · 27/10/2022 21:52

We have a tradition of ordering a pizza and watching Nightmare Before Christmas 🥳

dizzygirl1 · 27/10/2022 21:55

Usually our local national trust for a walk, and trip to a cafe/coffee shop to people watch.

reallyworriedjobhunter · 27/10/2022 21:55

Ask them what they would like to do? Or will they just grunt/shrug?

We always have a really low key Christmas Eve. I think spending time at home, maybe a walk and a takeaway is fine. A movie, a board game. Any last minute prep. An early shower and getting into PJs to watch telly.

Applesandcarrots · 27/10/2022 21:57

A day relaxed is NOT a day wasted

Original poster
Hellocatshome · 27/10/2022 22:07

If I ask them what they want to do DS1 will say go to his gjrlfriends and DS2 will say play on the Xbox which is what they do on their days off anyway. I feel like we should at least attempt to make Christmas Eve a bit more special than a normal day. But I suppose there isn't much point trying to have a nice day if they are just going to whinge all day anyway.

OP posts:
Hbh17 · 27/10/2022 22:11

Christmas Eve IS a normal day! They're off school, let them just relax and do their own thing. Most 15 year olds would rather do anything than spend time with their parent(s), surely?

HesDeadBenYouCanStopNow · 27/10/2022 22:12

Get a ginger bread house kit and decorate it with lots of sweets and icing, take pictures to show it off (battery operated lights inside look great). Then smash it and scoff it whilst playing a board game or watching a tradition Xmas movie like die hard

AngelinaFibres · 27/10/2022 22:13

Just leave them be. How would you feel if someone was trying to force you to do something to ' make memories'. Let them do what they want. If that's hiding in their bedrooms ignoring you then that's fine. Your life isn't a Hallmark Christmas movie.

Madagascary · 27/10/2022 22:13

Invite some friends over with kids are the same age and by the board game herd immunity and you have a fantastic time

Kitkatcatflap · 27/10/2022 22:14

I have 15 year old twins. I feel your pain. I force everyone to watch ELF. I let them choose whatever/how many snacks they want and they are allowed to shout out the lines as they come up. Lots of groaning but they do it and enjoy it.

Going to ramp it up this year with a surprise secret weapon ....... ELF Monopoly beforehand. I am beyond excited.

MarvelMrs · 27/10/2022 22:18

House of teens here too. I would let them
sleep in, take the day for yourself, finish jobs and relax. Then stick to your normal
tradition of film and food. You could upgrade the film to an early afternoon cinema then home for food, hot chocolate, etc.
But don’t worry about making the whole day for them. Take some time for yourself too. There has to be some perks to living with teens. 😉

junebirthdaygirl · 27/10/2022 22:19

In a few years time you will hear them telling their partners..oh we loved Christmas Eve watching Elf and having hot chocolate. Same as they do for the trips to the museums and castles. You will be left wondering are you in the right house!! It's amazing what changes between 15 and 19.

Discovereads · 27/10/2022 22:19

Hellocatshome · 27/10/2022 22:07

If I ask them what they want to do DS1 will say go to his gjrlfriends and DS2 will say play on the Xbox which is what they do on their days off anyway. I feel like we should at least attempt to make Christmas Eve a bit more special than a normal day. But I suppose there isn't much point trying to have a nice day if they are just going to whinge all day anyway.

Your expectations may be too high as I’ve never been able to get teen DCs to agree to dedicating an entire day to anything special. That’s why we order a pizza for dinner, watch Nightmare Before Christmas and then that’s it, we all go our separate ways. You only need 2hrs of their time to make a day special…and mark Christmas Eve.

So write a list of suggestions and have a family meeting to encourage doing something on Christmas Eve together for 2hrs max. The suggestions can be a springboard for them to also make their own suggestions?

donttellmehesalive · 27/10/2022 22:20

We bake in the morning, go out somewhere in the afternoon (escape room this year) and then play a board game and watch a movie. Sometimes we walk to church for midnight. We have decorated gingerbread house kits in the past and turned it into a competition.

Original poster
Hellocatshome · 27/10/2022 22:22

Discovereads · 27/10/2022 22:19

Your expectations may be too high as I’ve never been able to get teen DCs to agree to dedicating an entire day to anything special. That’s why we order a pizza for dinner, watch Nightmare Before Christmas and then that’s it, we all go our separate ways. You only need 2hrs of their time to make a day special…and mark Christmas Eve.

So write a list of suggestions and have a family meeting to encourage doing something on Christmas Eve together for 2hrs max. The suggestions can be a springboard for them to also make their own suggestions?

Show quote history

I suspect you are right. I think because I've only ever had the evening with them before I felt like we were missing out on time together during the day but maybe the evening is enough.

OP posts: