if the children are away

[jetcat]

for christmas eve, day and come back boxing day, what's the best way to have our own Christmas?

For the first time, my DDs are going to their fathers house over the Xmas period, from Christmas eve morning, to boxing day night.

Two things -

1/ I will be on my own, and while that is appealing in some respects am not too sure i will feel Christmassy. I did think about volunteering somewhere, but i have some quite bad anxiety issues, and with Christmas being a bad time for me generally, i am not sure i would be up to it.

2/ What to do with Santa pressies here. DDs are 3 and 13, so while eldest obviously knows about santa (mind, that is only cos i told her last year), the youngest is a firm believer. When should he visit?

many thanks

I wouldn't bother with fc, he can deliver presents at her dads place so he can sort it all out
in the day that they come back you can give your presents from you to them
I'd love Xmas on my own, in pjs all the time eating what I wanted , drinking cava and watching all the soaps
go to the library and stock up on DVD boxsets you've always wanted to see
fill the fridge with yummy food from m&s so no cooking is required
arrange a Xmas eve lunchtime drink with a friend

thanks bigchris. I am not sure DD2 would cope if santa didnt come to our house and if i am honest, there is no guarantee that santa will be visiting their fathers house My original thought was to do Xmas eve on new years eve - but that seems a bit cruel making them wait a week. So then i thought about boxing day night, but it just doesnt seem special

I like your idea of no cook xmas food I have just found a waitrose up here (well, an hour away), so may just treat myself.

As this is going to be a regular thing, ie. one year at home, one year away - i think i would like to try and get into some sort of routine - as we have a well established routine for when they are at home.