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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:
CuteCillian · 27/10/2022 22:23

We go for a curry - invite the girlfriend- and then go to Midnight Mass, always fun!

mondaytosunday · 27/10/2022 22:23

We don't 'do' anything other than a takeaway and Christmas movie.

Pieceofpurplesky · 27/10/2022 22:29

Just chill and enjoy your bonus day. Make yourself a lovely breakfast, take it up to bed or curl up on the sofa. Read a book, watch a movie.
Then suggest you all go out for a late lunch and then movie in the evening.

Don't stress - they are old enough to please themselves so do lots of things that please you!

Cw112 · 27/10/2022 22:33

Tell them it's family time but they can choose what you all do, only stipulation is that it has to be festive at least in part and something everyone can do together. I'd do some shortbread and get them to decorate it or gingerbread houses, make Xmas decorations (we used the sculpd packs which were fab) watch a movie, make hot chocolate in a pan with loads of toppings, play games etc. Might be a push to use the entire day because we always have messages to do in the morning anyways. So maybe agree part of the day is their own but they need to be back by x o'clock for family time.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 27/10/2022 22:34

People are being defeatist. I think making Christmas Eve festive is a good idea.

It's not just a run of the mill day.

Any possibility of giving a small party? That the kids could help with.

Or bake Christmas cookies together and then make a cheese board and other deluxe snacks before watching A Christmas Carol or other holiday movies.

Have holiday music in background, special beverages/hot chocolate, etc for the baking.

Ellie1015 · 27/10/2022 22:39

They are watching movie, dinner and boardgames with you. That's really engaged. Also more family time on Christmas day. Let them relax, don't put too much pressure on it.

As you are off and this is unusual I would ask them if there is anything they would like to do but if girlfriend and xbox is their preference leave them to it.

rainydaysandcake · 27/10/2022 22:44

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

This !!!

My teen moans but I can tell he really loves the Christmas walk we go to with lights in a forest. Especially if we buy him a mulled cider afterwards.

I have a teen and 2 younger children (7 yr gap), and a grumpy husband when it comes to some Christmas things, but I ignore everyone and still book panto (everyone laughs and comes out happy), Santa visit followed by a nice dinner at a pub, and a Christmas walk . They are our family traditions and I will keep doing as long as I can

AriettyHomily · 27/10/2022 22:46

We get a take away and watch home alone, it's tradition.

StarryKnight · 27/10/2022 22:46

I’ve always let my teens (now 18 and 19) invite their friends round on Xmas eve for a mini party. It used to be karaoke and super smash brothers but this year I’m guessing it’ll be pre drinks before the pub 😬

Mojoj · 27/10/2022 22:47

Why can't you just leave them to their own devices?

Mindthegap725 · 27/10/2022 22:53

Save the tree to decorate together on Christmas Eve (too cheesy?)

Are cinemas open on Christmas afternoon?

Do something for someone in your community? Take a parcel of Christmas food around to an isolated elderly neighbour?

Try something different together like horse-riding (find a BHS approved stable)?

Visit a dry ski slope?

Or just chill at home and watch films and eat popcorn?

Grapewrath · 27/10/2022 22:58

Let them do what they want- it’s their Christmas too.
Sone if my best Christmas memories are from being a teenager and having a laugh with my friends/boyfriend. I would have hated forced family fun.
At 15 most kids aren’t into gingerbread houses or Christmas cookies tbh. My dd would be but she’s a home body. Dd2 would’ve preferred to be out with friends.
Offer a takeaway and movie later on in the evening- invite them to your day plans but don’t feel sad or disappointed if they don’t want to join you. This is all normal developmental stuff

Original poster
Hellocatshome · 27/10/2022 22:59

Mojoj · 27/10/2022 22:47

Why can't you just leave them to their own devices?

Well I can but seen as they are left to their own devices every other day of the year apart from Christmas Day when we have other family members to deal with I thought it might be nice to do something with them what with them being my kids and me quite liking them and everything.

OP posts:
JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 27/10/2022 22:59

Just leave them be. There's nothing worse than forced merriment! We don't do anything special on Christmas Eve. I'm usually working up to the last minute and teenager just wants to chill. So we chill.

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 27/10/2022 23:01

Lazy morning, get a gingerbread kit/rope them into some festive baking, Christmas movie, involve them in some Christmas dinner prep with Christmas music on, takeaway/snacky dinner, board game.

JockTamsonsBairns · 27/10/2022 23:17

AriettyHomily · 27/10/2022 22:46

We get a take away and watch home alone, it's tradition.

Same! My kids (now one adult, and two teens) watch Home Alone every Christmas Eve, a tradition that has held from years ago.

Re the Op, Christmas Eve here has always been pretty low key. My mum has always sent new pyjamas as a xmas present, which have been traditionally opened on xmas eve. She's done this since they were little and now has dementia, so it's something easy for her to do with a little help.
DCs shower at around 6, then settle down to watch Home Alone with a hot chocolate and Christmassy treats.
They're happy with this, and are dead against breaking with tradition to do anything different.

treadcarefully · 27/10/2022 23:19

I loved our family Christmas's as a teenager. Lots of traditions Xmas day but Xmas eve my parents prepared everything and myself and 2 brothers did our own thing. At 15 like another poster I was down the pub in the evening ( again the 70's)
I have followed my parents tradition of preparing everything Christmas Eve and my two children either helped or relaxed with friends. We'd have a nice tea but then it was their time. They both say they loved our Christmas's as there were traditions but also time to do what they liked.
At 15 do they really want to 'be making memories'?
Honestly let them be and they will also say their Christmas was great because it was a mix of traditions and doing their own thing.

Fizzadora · 27/10/2022 23:19

Mistymountain · 27/10/2022 21:51

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

I was just going to write that😂😂
Different times eh?

CarefreeMe · 27/10/2022 23:21

We usually spend the day doing our own thing and often baking a cake for the next day.

Then in the late afternoon we go for a walk to see the Christmas lights and then watch a Christmas movie before bed.

It’s very relaxed and I don’t have a strict routine but that just seems to be what happens.

I let mine open a small present on Christmas Eve in the evening just before we watch our film so I think they’re on their best behaviour all day.

Blocked · 27/10/2022 23:22

I think just be there. Get a takeaway and some nice snacks in and watch some Christmas telly and they can join you if they want. I have some lovely memories of joining my mum on the sofa on Christmas Eve (I basically ignored her the rest of the time Blush)

Pythonesque · 27/10/2022 23:36

I've just been reminded of a Christmas Eve when mine were roughly those ages. Mid afternoon carols at school (DD singing), parish church carols (DS playing the organ), rehearsal and midnight service (DD, DS and me all singing). The latter was a rather good choir and I felt both privileged and also slightly out of my depth!

We're at 17 and 20 this year and I've no idea what we'll be up to Christmas Eve yet. Possibly something decorative and almost certainly a family walk I think.

Summerfun54321 · 28/10/2022 00:02

Never done a specific family activity Christmas Eve. I just assumed everyone used the day for Christmas Day prep, go for a jog, last minute shopping etc…

Summerfun54321 · 28/10/2022 00:05

Mistymountain · 27/10/2022 21:51

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

Still happened in the 90s too!

Puppylucky · 28/10/2022 00:16

I agree with some of the previous posters about letting them be to have their own social lives. As a teen your friends are so important and Christmas Eve is normally a big chance to all get together. My happiest memories are of doing present wrapping etc during the day and then escaping for a night with my besties! Staying in with pyjamas and hot chocolate is for kids not teens.

Changingmynameyetagain · 28/10/2022 00:17

We usually watch a film, go for a walk round our neighbourhood to look at the lights, have dinner and then they disappear.
It takes about 3 hours and other than that they are free to do what they want. We have visitors on Christmas Day and Boxing Day so Christmas Eve we try and keep fairly relaxed and don’t plan too much.