I need some ideas but there is a back story...

[molepom]

As some may know XP walked out on us 18 months ago, as a result the first christmas was crap as the kids were just not into it and missing their dad.

This is the second christmas and things have calmed down a lot so I'm hoping to try to make it a bit special this year..(ds 8, and DD (10, non believer in santa but keeping it quiet because of DS)

So far, the living room has been decorated,
thier bedrooms have been done
Real tree paid for and ordered
new decorations
EVERYTHING on their lists is either wrapped or on it's way (or waiting for available funds)
Rack on lamb (their favorite) is on order
butters made
mincemeat made
they've made lists and posted them
Christmas eve haamper nearly done
coins bought ready for the trail down the stairs
and seeds and glitter bought for them to make raindeer food.

I cant think of anything else...any ideas to make it a little bit more magical for them?

I really want to go all out this year and make it a hell of chirstmas they will love and look back on but not sure what else to do..

See what is happening in your local area - like any carol singing ( you usually get a mince pie!) that might help to get the festive feeling in you, or a nativity? Local Panto?

Are they with you for Christmas Day? Organise some sillly games like stick the tail on Ruldolph.

We do a treasure hunt on Christmas Eve ( it's a couple of chocolate Santa). DP does abotu 20 clues and the kids charge around like loons and it always makes me giggle.

It sounds like you have already done a fantastic job in making it special for them. Lovely to hear that you are all feeling more settled and positive too.

Each year on christmas Eve we try to do something special like a pantomime, or a local event somewhere just for the kids and it sets the scene for the start of the festivities.

Have you got access to some magical christmas movies for after they break up from school? Mine love to settle down with a drink and a movie on the darker, cold days. Polar Express, Miracle on 34th Street, The Santa clause, all good family movies!

What about making some cookies for Santa and Rudolph's tray for Christmas Eve?

These are just some of our little traditions. The kids really enjoy getting involved in the whole magic thing - I really look forward to this time of year as a mum!

Yes they with me Chirstmas day, (HE lives abroad hence skype)

Good idea about making the cookies, they'll both love that and the treasure hunt idea is ACE! In fact... the christmas hamper could be the treasure chest..with a boiled sweet each for answering each clue as they find the next clue...

The school always has a carol concert outside so will go to that this year, there a million and one movies at the cinema we all want to watch.

The chirstmas hamper has a load of DVD's in, including polar express (me), muppets christmas carol (dd), and Jamies Christmas meals (ds..a HUGE jamie Oliver fan) as well as a couple of others so that's sorted.

The panto I wanted to take them to, they are already going to..with the school (but have heard about another one I'm looking into)

Thank you, you have both given me loads of ideas now.