To leave the mess. Even if it means DM can't visit on Xmas day?

[Messedupabit]

Single parent 2 adult DCs, 2 younger. For the past 3 weeks I have repeatedly told DCs I need them to help get the house sorted for Christmas. Older DCs were asked/told to sort hallway/stairs/landing. Younger DCs asked to do toilet/bathroom. Younger DCs have done everything asked of them. Older DCs have done fuck all.
I've stopped doing their washing as its hanging in the hallway, has been for weeks. Coats, shoes etc lying all over said hallway. Basket full of odd socks in hallway, post and packages on the stairs,unwanted clothes (on vinted apparently) dumped on the landing.
If it's not sorted my disabled DM can't come on Christmas morning to see DCs open their presents as she can't get through the hallway.
AIBU to leave it and give DC some responsibility for their laziness?

Tell them the reason why it needs to be dealt with, and that the deadline is xyz, after which time you will take everything cluttering up the entrance and dispose of it.
Up to you whether you dump it in their rooms or put in out with the rubbish.

I think that sounds like more of a punishment for your DM than your DC. Can you just clear the hallway and dump the stuff in their bedrooms? That way it affects them but not anyone else.

Id be returning any presents brought for them, use that funds to take you and your younger kids and DM somewhere nice for dinner! Id also just dump everything in their rooms. Are there own rooms nice and tidy coz they dumped it all in the landing?

This one

Don't miss out on time with your mum, and have her miss out too. Gather the stuff into bin bags and put it outside. Tell them its up to them to sort before the bin men take it!!

DM would actually support my decision as she is also sick of their attitude. She can't stay long as I don't have a downstairs toilet.
Considering taking younger DCs to hers for presents but they still believe in santa and are expecting him to come to their house

I'd go around with black bags and chuck the lot in the garden (or equivalent area).

Might actually do this. And they can replace ever from their own money, which isn't a lot.

Dc18 has an immaculate bedroom. DC19 lives in a pigsty, possibly growing a new version of penicillin

This 100%. 5 minute warning then black bags

Considering taking younger DCs to hers for presents but they still believe in santa and are expecting him to come to their house

Santa in the morning, drive to Mum's.

Santa doesn’t visit naughty children who don’t do what they’re told and complete the simple chores they’ve been assigned. For older children, same deal. They don’t get presents if the work isn’t done. You’ve asked nicely, time to be tough. Why should your DM miss out but they still get rewarded Christmas morning with all their gifts?

The adult dc are absolutely in the wrong. I do think you should be washing your younger children's clothes though and to some extent be helping them to clean their rooms (not tidy they should be able to tidy)
The adults are the ones to blame here how old are they ? They should be pulling their weight and the little ones should be putting toys away etc

Oh please do this - it sounds like the best solution for everyone who gives a shit.
Santa, being clever and magic, will know where their presents need to be. I grew up at the other end of the country from both sets of grandparents but FC always knew who's house we'd be at to drop things off. He's good like that.

At no point did I say I wasn't doing younger DCs washing or that my issue was with them. Please read OP

They so adore their older siblings as well. It's a difficult situation as younger ones don't see why older ones won't help but don't think santa will care because they (younger DCs) have been so good

Take your younger DC and their presents to your mum's first thing on Christmas morning and stay there for the day. Your older DC have demonstrated that they do not care about you or your mum. I am sorry. I don't understand where all this selfishness comes from.

Write a letter to Santa asking their presents to go to Grandma/Nan’s this Christmas for them to open leave it near the milk and cookies etc and then drop the presents to your DM the day before etc

It’s not just about Christmas, they need to pull their weight.
Black bin liner- and a deadline and follow through.
Regardless of where you let DC open presents, the older ones need a life lesson.

So unreasonable and sad for your poor Mum, to tell her she can't come! I'd just make them tidy it, or dump it all in a pile in their bedrooms, but no way in the world id not have my mum at Christmas.

Turn off the WiFi or change the password. Nobody leaves the house until it is done. If not done in a day contact phone companies and get them switched off too.

Santa can absolutely visit children at their grandmother’s house!

Santa sees all, he knows where to find you
As far as the olders go, I'd give 1 hour notice then bag and bin what's left out
That's bullshit behavior

You're focusing on Christmas but this seems to be a bigger issue and is something you need to sort out for daily living not just Christmas. If they can't keep things tidy and follow your rules then maybe it's time for them move out.

And yes since your DM will support you taking a hard stance I would leave the mess and take the younger kids to go see your DM separately. You can explain that Santa can visit you even at Grandma's place.

Bugger the black bin bag. Just open the nearest door and start throwing.

Being nice sometimes only gets you so far. Sometimes, they need a smack in the face with a wet fish.