Dividing Christmas Day with ExH - how do you it?

[sparklejawsy]

ExH and I have been apart/divorced for 3 1/2 years and he has now declared he wants to have DS on Xmas Eve through to Christmas Day afternoon (around 4pm) on alternating years from now on. I was shocked at first (and said no and dug me heels in) but have come around to the idea as I just can't be selfish enough to expect DS stays spends every Christmas Day with me and DP. Although it is breaking my heart that ExH broke up the marriage and now as a consequence I can't spend my favourite day of the year with my DS :-(

Anyway, DS did spend Xmas eve/Day with ExP two years ago but as DS was only 4 we managed to do our christmas the day earlier and everyone was happy but I'm aware that next year when he goes to his Dad's he'll be 7 and I don't want to confuse him.

So what I wanted to ask was to any Mum's in the same situation what do you do when your DC return home on Christmas Day to make it feel really special?

I will still put a carrot/mince pie out with DS on xmas eve afternoon before he goes to ExH and will tell him Santa will bring his pressies as normal and he can open them when he comes home but I was thinking of doing a little treasure hunt with clues etc just in our cul-de-sac that Santa has left for him to do, just something extra for DS to get excited about.

Luckily ExH is happy for DS to be with us this year as they want to synchronise their christmas days so DS and his 'step' brother are there together, but I'm already dreading next Christmas!
At least if I've got a few ideas on what to do it will keep me sane!

You all sound so civilised unlike my hubbies ex - she's a total bi*ch who will do anything to make hassle. They used to share time with the kids when they first split, one would have for Xmas eve and Xmas morn, the other one got for Xmas afternoon/evening and Boxing Day. New Years were also alternated. This stopped 7 years ago. DH got the kids for Xmas afternoon/boxing day with each year being a later pick up and no New Year at all! 3 years ago we were told by the kids they weren't coming over Xmas day cos she was their mother and she deserved them - DH didn't even get to chat to kids on Xmas day that year - they didn't hear the phone (likely story!) anyway, over time and with each game the ex plays, I lose interest so we had an early Xmas with kids and my inlaws last year and me and hubby went to Mexico for Xmas. This year, the kids will be in Egypt so yet another year DH won't see his kids :-( they're older now but the games are unnecessary so it's refreshing to see the great mums on here thinking about their kids first and not their own selfish thoughts!