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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have no idea what people do on Boxing Day?

231 replies

cantthinkofausername26 · 13/12/2024 07:27

For the first time, ever, I have no Boxing Day plans. Boxing Day was always seeing my grandparents (now they have died) and in the last 20 years, seeing my inlaws. Sadly they have both recently passed away.
I have two kids 8 and 12, and no idea what people do on Boxing Day! Any ideas gratefully received.

OP posts:
Parky04 · 13/12/2024 08:06

We all work. The pleasures of working in retail and the sporting industry!

sweeneytoddsrazor · 13/12/2024 08:08

Football or work. Family party in the evening

NobleWashedLinen · 13/12/2024 08:09

Stay in pyjamas till about 2pm at which point I might insist on a walk to get fresh air. The walk destination must be a pub obviously.
Other than that it's mainly eating cheese and stollen and not doing much.

sashh · 13/12/2024 08:11

Cheesy film at the cinema.

Sunshineandrainbow · 13/12/2024 08:11

We go to watch football and then have another roast dinner 😊

RubyRedBow · 13/12/2024 08:12

We see family and/or relax after all the rushing around. Presents get tidied away, we eat picky food.

worriedgal · 13/12/2024 08:12

It's a chill day for us too and usually leftovers and jigsaw ,games and a movie.
This year as we are all adults now and kids partners are with us too we are doing a murder mystery dinner in the evening.

Namechangefordaughterevasion · 13/12/2024 08:13

Christmas Day is super busy with mass, visitors , cooking, games and general carousing so we save present opening for Boxing Day when it's just DH and I and adult DC. We open presents, watch all the TV we didn't have time for the day before and generally chill out in PJs eating leftovers.

We've done this since the children were tiny. They always felt sorry for other children who squashed all the fun into one day and had nothing left to look forward to on Boxing Day.

HollyChristmas · 13/12/2024 08:13

Lazy morning , wrap up warm and go for a country walk in the afternoon .

StMarie4me · 13/12/2024 08:13

Another vote for the cinema here! Also the zoo. Country walk if the weather is suitable.

TheFairyCaravan · 13/12/2024 08:15

We always had a quiet day however DGS was born on Boxing Day last year so we shall be attending birthday parties for the foreseeable future.

Funkyslippers · 13/12/2024 08:17

tired17 · 13/12/2024 07:50

We also have no extended family and like to go to the cinema on Boxing Day afternoon.

Us too. We've done that for about the past 5 years. Mufasa this year!

Runnersandtoms · 13/12/2024 08:17

Games, maybe a film, walk on the beach depending on weather, steak and chips for lunch.

PerditaLaChien · 13/12/2024 08:19

Usually see whichever side of the family we didn't see on the day.

If not that its just a lovely family day - board games, picky lunch of leftovers, nice walk if the weather is okay.

coodawoodashooda · 13/12/2024 08:19

Jigsaw

RedRiverShore5 · 13/12/2024 08:20

We go for a long walk if it's fine

merrymelodies · 13/12/2024 08:21

A lie in, then playing with gifts with the DC, tidying followed by a long walk, back for tea and shortbread. I eventually serve leftover turkey with bubble and squeak and lots of gravy/

jellybe · 13/12/2024 08:22

Play board games, read new books, go for a walk. Eat left over turkey sandwiches, watch a Christmas film, enjoy watching the kids play with their new toys.

HarrietBond · 13/12/2024 08:23

Christmas Day is just us and the kids and on Boxing Day we’re throwing a party for friends. Buffet for everyone’s leftovers, crackers, games and booze.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 13/12/2024 08:24

Relaxing, no shopping!!!! Hardly any cooking, lots of lovely leftovers to eat up, a good walk, maybe a jigsaw, hopefully watching some of the Christmas TV I missed on catch-up, or possibly that I recorded, always assuming that I actually remembered to….

unclebuck · 13/12/2024 08:27

Roam the house in your pyjamas eating inappropriate meals and lying around?

BeachHutsAndDeckchairs · 13/12/2024 08:27

Stay home, usually, cook the leftovers for a smaller version of Christmas dinner, and eat the chocolates. Chill out and do fuck all.

Love51 · 13/12/2024 08:31

Whatever you like!
I treat it like a Sunday in the 80s. (We weren't a Sunday roast family - don't do that on boxing day if you aren't doing 2nd Xmas!) Get out in fresh air for a while. No shopping, errands etc. Feast on leftovers / cheese and crackers. If your kids like you to play games with them, this is the day for it, video games, collaborative games, board games whatever. My parents do a quiz out of the paper. I know a family who call it Lego day. It is a good day to use your presents - have a long bath, read the new book, indulge in crafty hobbies.
Boxing day is a beautiful day, because there's not the weight of expectation. You can please yourself (although I do make fresh air compulsory that's because my kids are nicer people afterwards!)

Pussycat22 · 13/12/2024 08:33

I do nowt ! Xx some lovely suggestions on here though.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 13/12/2024 08:33

My DM must have been mad - we always had a big roast dinner on Boxing Day too - only it’d be pork instead of turkey. Except for no crackers, it was like a 2nd Christmas dinner.