Can I ask what people generally do on christmas eve...? Looking for ideas.

[iloveholidays]

We are usually at family on Christmas eve then home at 5ish to get girls to do stockings, bath bed etc.

Because it falls on a Monday this year and DD3 is due in November we've decided to do family on Sunday 23rd instead, have Christmas Eve at home, then Christmas day and boxing day with family again. Hoping it will give me and DDs a chance to rest up before a hectic couple of days.

DP is the type of person who would usually just go and move in with family Christmas eve for a few days... Loves having lots of people around! So basically he's happy to have Christmas eve at home, but said he doesnt want it to turn into any other day so I'm looking for some Christmasy ideas to be festive but not tire us out!! :)

I'm thinking of making some festive cookies, watch a Xmas film and maybe go for a walk.

Any other ideas?

Thanks

Well, there's always one. For me chritmas is about family, and being thankful for them. I'm not religious, and my xmas eve plans are family traditions. That's why I do it. And I suspect everyone else is the same. So you celebrate your way and I won't criticise, ok?

'What Christmas is really about?' I suspect it means different things to different people. My Dad is an Orthodox Christian and his Christmas is very much governed by that. Other people think that the Christians hijacked an exisiting pagan festival and celebrate a completely different side of things. Yule features quite predominantly round these here parts. Others use it as an opportunity to celebrate their family. I'd like to think that most people celebrating it do so in an inclusive, friendly way as opposed to criticising other people's choices.

Anyway... I love Christmas Eve.

We get up and do some crafty/baking type stuff in the morning and I put casserole in the slow cooker. Lunchtime we do something in the local community. Carols at the local hospice, help out at the soup run etc. Later, we go out for a long walk, either on the beach or round a couple of local places. As the mist inevitably descends, we realise that the veil between the worlds is being drawn and FC is getting closer (comes under the heading 'crap we tell our children') so we pile back into the car and drive home slowly through the local villages, looking at lights and telling stories/singing carols. At home there's usually a special delivery from Rufus (the master elf) of new pjs, hot chocolate, a book, reindeer food and bubble bath and after lamb casserole and a pudding involving custard, we have a bubble bath and then scatter reindeer food in pyjamas before curling up together with the hot chocolate and reading the new book, plus several other favourites, ending with The Night Before Christmas. Stockings hung up, biscuit, carrot and milk left by the fire and children to bed. DH and I will sit up and watch a film before putting out fake footprints, building the fire in readiness for Christmas morning and going to bed.

I LOVE Christmas.

bugster i am assuming plenty of people on this thread set aside some time to think about what christmas is really about. it's about different things to different people. for me christmas celebrates the birth of christ, but a big part of it is also just about family and friends and enjoying a week of overindulgence.

Bugster if you want to start your own thread about how best to pat oneself on the back and feel smug and self-righteous what Christmas is really about, go right ahead. But stop derailing this one.

And if you are so surprised people are discussing this in October, perhaps you shouldn't click into the Christmas forum.

We do new pj's and take a drive to look at the lights with cookies and cocoa, and watch a Christmas film. I loved, loved, loved Arthur Christmas last year so will probably do that one. I also like the new animated Christmas Carol a lot.

We are Christians so also do church-y things and will read about the birth of Jesus.

I'm with you, OP, I LOVE Christmas and Christmas Eve and am thrilled even thinking about it! :o

We go to Mass on Christmas Eve -- there's a children's 6 pm one that is always jammed. In years past, one or other of the DCs has been involved in the children's choir. This year nobody is singing but we will still be going. It usually lasts until at least 7.45. I prefer this one to midnight Mass because I cook on Christmas Day and have to be up to get the kitchen up and running.

Then after Mass home for a nice, simple dinner (spaghetti or homemade pizza) and dessert (always a Buche de Noel), followed by opening gifts from under the tree from family. Once that's all taken care of and wrapping paper disposed of it's PJ time, maybe time to settle in for a dvd, maybe some hot choc. This year we are having a little Mouse Problem in the building after a big basement clear out and stripping away of the creeper from the back, so maybe leaving out oatmeal for the reindeer won't be such a god idea. Some goodies and a stiff drink will still be left out for Santa however, and then everyone but Santa Claus heads to bed. Santa Claus does her bit as fast as possible as soon as she hears snoring, and the next day gets off to an early start.

Normally we do last minute family visits call/ skype ones who stay further away but this year my shifts land that I am working a 12 hr shift Christams day sooooooooo OH & I have decided to make that our Christmas day (selfishly so I don't miss DD opening pressies etc) and Christmas day with her daddy will be mooch infront of Christmas DVD's/ TV and Turkey sandwiches

Gosh, well I wasn't expecting a response like that bugster!!! I'm afraid I'm not religious but Christmas is all about spending time with my family.

I have lovely memories of Christmas growing up and I want my kids to have the same, sorry if that's wrong in your eyes. This year I want to start our family traditions and was looking for other ideas.

Thank you everyone else, I'm not going to feel feel guilty for getting excited!

I'm off to tethers this year for fondue

Some of it is a bit day out: we go to theatre to see great production (more gothis/ enchanting than panto but still for kids- this year is The Borrowers) and have lunch.

Then: get home and watch christmas movies, put out feed (glitter and oats) for reindeer then while things are going on (normally when dc in bath) the elves leave new jammies/ xmas story on his bed. We then snuggle up and read it. He's normally in bed at reasonable time as it takes him ages to get to sleep.

bugster Christmas means different things to different people. As an atheist I still celebrate christmas, because for me it is a time for family and friends and sharing and spending time together. Therefore I intend to spend my Christmas eve and Christmas day doing things with my family that we all enjoy.

Actually for the first time I shall be abroad - my bro lives in Japan and we are going there. Christmas Day doesn't exist and his boys should be at school, tis a normal day. But the joy for us will all be being together, and we shall have Christmas, and I can't wait. My bro has asked that we take Monopoly, the original one we had as kids. But Christmas Eve? We will be with them in the evening then are staying in a hotel (need to decorate the room ) and will do stockings there.

I am beside myself with excitement!

I've been going through the Christmas good housekeeping cookbook trying to decide what to cook for Christmas eve. What do we all tend to eat on Christmas eve?

Lakeland has some superb gingerbread house moulds this year, get some and let kids make and decorate the gingerbread house!! Buy sweets to stick to the roof with icing and use cotton wool for fake snow. Then just sit back and let bob the builder, barbie and fireman sam move in...

I've enjoyed Christmas a lot more since the twins came along. They're 5 now so they're already getting excited and will go into orbit once the TV adverts start.

For the last few years we've done them messages on www.portablenorthpole.tv You get a free personalised message from Santa and kids with eyes like saucers; "How does he know, mummy ?".

Also, on Christmas Eve you can use the Norad Santa tracker (www.noradsanta.org) which shows the sleigh as it works its way around the world (at local midnight).

We don't spend the day in front of the computer though; games, cooking, walks, etc. It does depend on where we are and who's with us, something which hasn't yet been decided for this year.

I do like being able to start family traditions and shape the girls' memories of christmas.

We usually wrap presents and drink wine! However we will have a new baby so hoping to have all the presents wrapped in gift bags. DH will probably be at work for some of it and DD3 at nursery.

Oh I have no idea yet! I'm just going dc3 is here before then (due 16th).

I think proper traditions shall re-commence next year!

We moved into the sticks 18m ago, so SIL, BIL and their dc's come over too. For us, because we have a large family, christmas lasts about a week, and has to be planned. This year I'm going to make kedgeree on xmas eve.

I'd love to go to a crib service, but our village church doesn't have one, the parish's crib service is being held practically in wales.

Arthur we always have a takeaway on Christmas eve

Bugster, the lighting of the Christmas Candle is to put it in the window to show that there is "space in the Inn" for any weary travellers on the road. It is always lit by the youngest in the house, and we have always accompanied it in our house with prayers for Jesus and all those who may need help.

There are also plenty of other things that are done in and around Christmas that are very much in the spirit of the Christian celebration.

But it just happens that, on Christmas Eve, the day before the festival, we spend that in preparations and doing family things.

The same as lots of other people. There really is no need to be so condescending.

I cook a ham in the morning

Then walk down to pub for a drink to celebrate good friend's birthday

Then mooch around at home, prep a bit of food, watch a DVD and plot where Santa is on that website ( can't remember the name.... is it PNP? )

Then leave out mince pie sherry and carrot for Santa

Then line driveway with nightlights as landing strip for reindeer and sprinkle reindeer food

Then when DC asleep pack stockings whilst having a tipple and a mince pie, listening to some Christmas jazz

Provide DH with wrapping paper so he can wrap my gifts

Oh yes and will do Lush bath bombs this year, before Arthur Christmas DVD

Christmas Eve is the BEST day IMO

I have a tidy up and wash all the bedding. We do lots of baking and make a gingerbread house. Listen to Christmas songs all day. Nibbly late lunch/tea. Early evening DD gets a bath and what she's in one of the elves drops by with new pjs (for everyone!). We put out some food for Father Christmas and Rudolph and watch some Christmas TV. Once she's safely in bed we get all the presents out.

Tidy up as usually have family staying with me.
I have a fruitbowl fetish so I create a massive bowl of gorgeous fruit with decorations all over it as a centrepiece for my kitchen.
We wrap presents whilst watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas songs.
We have a nice tea with something Christmassy to drink.
Have a nearly 3yr old this year so not sure what to do with her, re the whole Father Christmas stocking thing. Not sure if she is too young or not.

OhTheConfusion, I love the hamper under the tree idea! I can't wait for Arthur Christmas too, love Chrimbo films, actually love the day before Christmas Eve, we call it Christmas Eve Eve!