Desperately needing christmas inspiration for my children

[shhhgobacktosleep]

Hoping that you ladies can help me. I have 3 children - 17yr old b/g twins and an 8yr old son

We've had a terrible year - dh died suddenly and without warning 6 months ago. My children have been AMAZING, they have blown me away and they really really deserve to be treated. However I am struggling to get my head and heart into gear, truth be told I'd rather not acknowledge christmas this year at all, and I can't seem to come up with anything that will provide the wow factor on christmas morning.

They have never been the type of children to ask for anything which makes it even more difficult. The older 2 have just asked for money the last couple of years when pushed for ideas. DS2 likes music, dance, minecraft and lego (but has so much I don't think he wants anymore).

Please does anyone have any ideas and suggestions to inspire me ?

Hi there, first pf all
It sounds like you had an unimaginably tough year, my heart goes out to you!
I don't know what sort of budget you are looking at but I would consider getting an "experience" that your DCs could enjoy, such as concert tickets, day on a racetrack or the like, depending on your DCs interests? It would maybe create new, happy memories and be different enough to bring a bit of a "wow" factor to your christmas?

I am so sorry..i guess this will be a really hard Christmas for all of you. Lots of hugs, plenty of dvds and computer games, family and friends on standby, lots of easy nibbles ...keep it very simple.. and just get through it all together.

By the way..i got my ds a lovely minecraft t shirt off ebay for his birthday..and the book people are doing a minecraft annual half price.

Thank you.

I had thought perhaps about an experience of some sort that we could all do together but ds2 100% believes in Santa and will need some gifts to open on christmas morning. He has just bought himself a scooter with his 'saved for something special' birthday money and right now I don't think anything could outshine it - the joy on his face every day that he rides it to and from school is the highlight of my day.

oooh ds2 would love a minecraft t-shirt - I didn't even know such things existed.

I'm thinking about £150 budget for each of them, which is vastly more than the usual budget we set of around £50.

So sorry for your loss and that you've all had such a rough year.

I would suggest an experience for you all, something different to create new memories - maybe a concert like the Capital fm/ Radio 1 ones that have a real mix of artists - something for everyone?

Or a Trip to the Harry Potter Studios? I can imagine that engaging all the different ages, and the plus is you choose the date so can go whenever is good for you all.

Then do a few smaller gifts each.

if ds loves his scooter maybe some scooter accessories

I truly hope you can all get through it together - you, and your dc's sound wonderful

I'm so sorry for your loss, don't put too much pressure on yourself to make it perfect or have the wow factor. Be kind to yourself.

I have a 7 year old son so some ideas for your youngest ds:
Scooter accessories like stunt pegs and ramp
Tablet - hudl at tesco is cheapish ESP if you have club card vouchers
Vouchers for cinema or bowling
Metal detector
Airstorm archery kit

I don't know if that's kind of thing your older daughter would like but my 15.5 yr old is hanging her nose over a leather satchel for Christmas. Not something she needs but something yummy she'll enjoy. I'm thinking about it.......

Very sorry for your loss This must be very hard for you all.

For the older kids, what about driving lessons? Either a number of lessons or maybe a course over a few days.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

My dad died last year, and I know if it wasn't for my much younger brother and sisters, we would have cancelled Christmas altogether. It is very hard. Take care of yourself x

Not sure about your older children, but for your younger ds how about:-

Knex Light Up Ferris Wheel?
The Guinness Book of World Records?
Bop It Smash?
Rush Hour Game?
Circus stuff like juggling balls, spinning plate and diabolo?
Stunt kite? - Home Bargains sell these for about £4.
Camcorder?

Thank you all for your suggestions and for your kind wishes. I now have a small list started for all 3 of them which hopefully means they will be waking to something on Christmas morning . I didn't know you could even get scooter accessories but I know a little boy who will love them and a mine craft tshirt. And thank you for the gu

Oops.

Guinness book of records - we currently have the 2012 one and he loves it (although not my bedtime story book of choice haha) so adding the 2014 version to the list.

Have been looking at experience days for us all and have a brilliant one set up in my sights now which I'm thinking might be a good way of marking dh's first anniversary. May even make it a tradition that every year on that day we do something new and exciting together - I know dh would massively approve of that idea and seems a better way to honour him. So thank you for that, in suggesting Christmas ideas you inadvertently solved a future dilemma

Sorry you've had such a rough year OP. My heart goes out to you.

My dad died when I was 11 and Christmas was very hard in those early years because it had previously been so full of family traditions. Trying to do Christmas traditions like everything isn't completely different is hard on everyone. I think setting up new (and awesome) traditions like doing something exciting together is a fantastic idea.

Is it possible to go away together this year?? Chunnel over to Disney Paris, Warwick Castle etc?

sorry, posted too soon.....I meant to suggest too is there family you can visit elsewhere. People who can spend some time with your kids so you can steal a bit of space for yourself too..?

Could you make an awesome breakfast hamper of stuff thry love but aren't usually allowed for breakfast?

Up to you how far you break the rules!

You could even have pancake mix and get everyone mucking in together. And that way it gets the day started with a new tradition?

So, so sorry to hear about your loss.

I've got 16 and 18 year old girls and they always like getting new PJs, knickers and fluffy socks for Christmas, as well as other 'comfort' things like hot chocolate and marshmallows and a DVD to watch together.

Liking the breakfast hamper suggestion too.

My heart goes out to you OP and your children. Your idea of an experience to celebrate your dh sounds lovely. I hope you manage to enjoy your first Christmas without him, don't expect too much from yourself. But yes, starting some new traditions might be a lovely way forward.
If you like the leather satchels mentioned above, they had them on groupon a few days ago.
A few board games might be nice and gives you all something to play with, you could also organise a trip to the panto/theatre/cinema on Xmas Eve or another day over the hols.

So sorry for your loss, I can full see why it would be hard to motivate yourself to sort a big fun xmas. Would a family holiday be an option instead of gifts? That way you could be away from home for christmas making new memories rather than sat in your house feeling like a part of the picture is missing. Sending you best wishes and hoping you find a solution that works for you all
x x

Oh shhh I'm so so sorry for your loss. I love your idea of a new experience to celebrate your dh and of creating some new traditions.

I don't know much about teenagers but 8 yo boys I can do (my 3 are 6, 7 and 9) here's my list of ideas from last year and this year in case it inspires. (I didn't and don't plan to buy all of these! Some are just ideas, others are ideas I gave/will give to relatives)

Stockings: swimming goggles/dive sticks, wallet, torch, Gogos/similar, spy glasses/pen, felt tips, puzzle books, shin pads, sachet of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows, funky water bottle, origami paper and book, Bear Grylls scouting book, Top Trumps, book of card games.

Bigger presents: Fifa 14 for the Wii, Blutrack (google it - looks great),
Extra marble run stuff, Raspberry Pi, Nerf guns, football match ticket, theatre/cinema vouchers, Monopoly, Forbidden Island, trivial pursuit (With kids questions), Hot Wires electronics set, Operation game (we got the Star Wars one), pass the bomb junior, Shut the box game, camera.

We always end up with loads of Lego, I always say they have enough but apparently you can never have enough

I hope you all have a peaceful Christmas together.

I am so sorry for your loss.
Is getting away for christmas this year a possibility at all ?