Help me make Christmas special

[babyseal]

Me and exdp split up last November, and spent last Christmas together with the dc, but this is the first year we are splitting Christmas down the middle. He will have them Christmas Eve through until midday on Christmas Day, when he will drop them at my house.

I have already posted on Lone Parents about how worried I am about doing it on my own, and now feel better about just hanging out the three of us with no-one else about, but I want some ideas to make it really special for them Christmas Afternoon. They are 5 and 2, so I really want this year to be the year we start off some lovely traditions, as we always used to go to my Mum's for Christmas day and did it her way before.

I plan to have stockings and presents out, fairylights on, surprise Gingerbread House in the kitchen, but has anyone got any ideas for anything else to make their eyes light up?

Food is also a major issue... DS(5) is ultra fussy, will not eat meat, pastry, sauces, most veg (in fact, will only eat fish pie, spag bol or fishfingers as a hot meal). DD(2) will eat anything, and I want to make something special so it feels like a Christmassy meal for us, without the hassle of making a full Christmas dinner wiht all the trimmings for what will essentially be just me, but am totally stumped. I will weep if I have to eat fucking spag bol, fishpie or fishfingers on Christmas Day, I swear . Can I get away with just dumping 5 roast potatoes on his plate and tucking into a duck with dd? Will need to sort out a light snack for them for when they arrive as well... was thinking of grilled pannetone and some fruit?

We always have Christmas Morning Muffins on Christmas Day - if you had the wet and dry ingredients ready the children could probably combine them and put them in cases, so you could cook them together. This has become a Christmas tradition for us.

What you have planned to welcome them sounds lovely...

How about making a batch of Nigellas Christmas muffins for when they arrive? Then the house will smell all Christmassy when they come in. You could have them with fruit slices too.

What are they being told about Santa - which house is he visiting etc? Will they still be leaving carrots out and mince pies etc at your house to be discovered when they arrive home? Perhaps a letter from Santa telling them that he made an extra special trip to both houses?

For lunch - why not just keep a batch of Spag Bol from a pre Christmas meal and freeze it, then if DS demands it you have it to hand. I'd be tempted to get one of those smaller preprepared roasts in a tin from M&S for example - for yourself and DD. I'd make a little bit of everything and put it out on the table - less stressful - if he wants it, he wants it, if he doesn't then just heat up the Spag Bol for him, and add that to the table too. It's one day that everyone should get what they want! Plus they may be too excited to eat much and will want to play with their pressies.

If you have left over veg you could make yourself a nice bubble and squeak with mash and have the next day with cold meat and chutney.

Those muffins look great- thanks! Never thought of going for a preprepared roast, it is a good idea.

I have told them Santa is visiting both houses this year, they will be at their Dad's from 21st, so am really going to miss the best bit, the build up, with them .

So how about some post Christmas plans?

Panto?
A forest walk with a flask of hot choc and marshmallows?
Afternoon at the cinema?
CBeebies or Horrible Histories live tend to tour over Christmas?
Do you live near a theme park that is open for Christmas?
Ice skating?

If you made a little advent calendar they could take it with them to their dad and you could put in some little messages and IOU's for things to do when they get back to you.

Yes I want to do some lovely things with them the few days after Christmas. Won't be able to afford theatre / panto, but cinema, walks a definite as well as dragging them around to see smelly old relatives

Could you get some Christmas themed pasta shapes to go with the bolognese, to make it a bit more special? As mentioned above reserve a portion from a previous meal for DS. You could do a mini roast for you and DD with a little rolled turkey breast and do a few roasted potatoes, parsnips and carrots in the oven at the same time. DS might be moved to try some. Serve with gravy, add in pigs in blankets and stuffing if you want, ready prepared ones will be fine. Any left over turkey can be sliced for sandwiches or re-heated in any leftover gravy.

What about serving their lunch on Christmassy plates, I think Poundland might have something, or Wilkinson. You could reserve one of their stocking presents each and something for yourself, to have as table gifts for after lunch. My cousin used to do this with her two DD's as an incentive to not dawdle over their meal!

Ooooooooh yes Girly I have seen reindeer pasta in IKEA! That would be cool op!

I bought DS a little set in the Range - plate, cup and bowl with penguins on, he loved it.

What will you do on Christmas eve, op? Do you have company, or any plans? Have you got a friend or relly that can come round and wrap pressies/drink Baileys with?

I live a few minutes walk from an ikea so will nip in for special Christmas pasta! Thanks so much for your great ideas.

I have no plans for Christmas eve and no rellies in walking distance, but intend to do something anything as otherwise I know it is going to be a very depressing night. Luckily I have friends close by so sure I can gatecrash someone's Christmas Eve .

Next year will be so much nicer having the kids for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning and having a boozy relaxed Christmas afternoon with adults somewhere