Lone parent on Christmas Eve

[Ladymoods]

My ex no longer sees our children so it is just me and them on Christmas Eve. I love the whole Christmas thing (he hated it, good riddance) but I do feel a bit sad after the kids are in bed and I've put the presents out and it's just me on my own. We could stay at my parents who live locally but they go to midnight mass anyway and my dad isn't in great health so probably couldn't handle the mayhem in the morning! Plus I really like them to wake up in their own house on Christmas morning.

What can I do to make those few hours on christmas eve a bit special for me?

Sorry if it sounds a bit self pitying, just wondered what other people do or would do.

I am obviously not as organised as you as I usually spend Xmas eve manically wrapping and trying to find the presents I've hidden.... Whilst drinking wine!!

If you want a special time for you, I would recommend a lovely bath (but some nice bubbles especially) put new pjs on and watch a Christmassy film?

I had a Christmas as a lone parent, I put the kids to bed, poured a Baileys and watched a Christmas film by the lights on the tree, I think I dropped off on the sofa under a blanket just before it finished. It wasn't special as such but the film took my mind off of being lonely and I was soon woken up by 2 bouncy boys excited for Christmas.

I hope Christmas is lovely for you OP, having been in your shoes I know how you feel and my thoughts are with you and your children.

What are your favourite things you dont have much?
I'd indulge: glass or two of fizz, salted caramel chocolates, lovely movie and loads of candles, New pyjamas. And clean, fresh sheets!

It doesn't sound self pitying at all! Why shouldn't you have a treat?

I was going to say alcohol (if you're not driving anywhere in the morning of course) your favourite Christmas film and a few goodies to yourself.

I usually savour those hours before I'm up doing everything and making the whole thing perfect

I did the film, Baileys, arranging pressies combo and it was lovely. A bit of calm with lots of candles before the busy Christmas morning.

Oh no don't feel sad, sitting down to a pampering evening all on your own can be really lovely

Your favourite Christmas film, some treats and a bottle of your favourite drink - Proper indulgence and relaxation knowing all the hard work is done and everything is ready for the big day.

Bath or shower and crisp, clean (maybe new?) bedding.

Bliss!

are you all off in the day, can you all visit somewhere to get everyone tired out, or go for a meal in the evening or get a take away...maybe do bulk of presents well before but leave a few to do, good music wine, good film as back up....a few special treats for yourself...expensive food or choclates..

Go out and buy yourself 2/3 presents, for me I would-

Really nice bed socks
Chanel nail polish
Box of chocs.

Go And wrap them up and hide them, you'll forget about them, but stick a reminder on your phone to go and find them on Christmas Eve.

Some lovely imagery there of watching a film, with a drink, under Christmas lights. My idea of perfection! Is that something you could enjoy?

Christmas is a long way off. You could spend the night texting some new hunk about how next yr you will spend it together

I've spent most of them alone. I usually have a glass of wine and come on here More times then not I'm still wrapping after ds has fallen asleep, then I'm on Father Christmas duty (I get to drink the sherry). By the time I've cleaned up it's gone midnight so I go to bed.

Nilby- that's a great idea. I would definitely do that!

I am not a lone parent, DP usually goes out Christmas Eve which I am fine with as I like being on my own. FC usually makes a change in the DC's bedrooms when he visits like puts up new posters. One year he brought new lamps, another year he brought new furniture for DD's dolls house. Last year he made the cupboard under the stairs into a play area. He likes to keep me on my toes. Christmas Eve usually passes in a stressful blur. Am not surprised DP likes to go out to be honest!

I have a seafood feast (prepared crab, smoked fish, wheaten bread and salad) and some ice cold sherry in my PJs. It's one of the highlights of my year.

This year DP will be here. I think I'm going to miss my Christmas Eve party for one.

You need to treat yourself. Buy yourself a couple of films to watch - make sure they're the sort you can watch alone. Buy yourself something lovely to eat, that the children don't like. Have a bubble bath, light candles, open the bottle of Baileys (other drinks are available) and watch your film.

I know it's hard. Many of us will be on here, so come on and have a chat.

Alternatively you could set up a new tradition where you invite your parents for supper on Christmas Eve after the children have gone to bed. They can then go off for midnight Mass, leaving you alone with Sleepless in Seattle.

Thank you for all your replies, some lovely ideas. I'll let you know if I find that hunk to text McBear

Ok so I'm thinking a couple of lovely cheeses and chutney, followed by either some chocolates that the kids don't like or mince pies or lebkuchen all washed down with a couple of cosmopolitans! Might buy a new nail varnish and face mask too if I get time to do any pampering. I have loads of Christmas films so may have watched those a lot by then but I'm thinking about ordering some DVDs of classic British comedy Christmas specials!

I like the idea of new bedding and pyjamas too.

That sounds lovely OP.

This is getting me really excited for Christmas! I'll come and join you!

Fingers crossed you find him but if you don't, it'll still be magical!

You'd be welcome, I'll chuck some Christmas tunes on and we'll have a dance!

I'm not too bothered about finding him at the moment, it's not that I feel lonely really, just don't want those few hours to feel flat when they're normally Christmas Eve is my most favourite day!

Sounds heavenly

Even though DP and I are together, he's never here on Xmas eve so know what it's like to be alone!

Once I've sorted all presents etc, I usually sit down with a snow ball and baked Camembert with some crusty bread watching a film is nice, although I usually spend Xmas eve instagramming pictures of all things Christmassy

ladymoods I spent lots of Xmas eves alone, used to do the wrapping then with a drink or two and find something on TV to watch, followed by bubble bath and bed. How old are your children do you do Xmas eve box??

They are 5 & 6. No I don't do a Christmas Eve box, I usually do one on 1st December with advent calendar and Christmas bits and pieces we can use in the build up to Christmas. Was trying to avoid doing a Christmas Eve one too but it's so tempting!

Am I the only person who doesn't really enjoy baths?!

I use to love the peace on Xmas eve once kids had gone bed knowing how hectic next few days would be lol xx

True, maybe I should just embrace it rather than worry about it!

No, I think I like baths til I get in then and get too hot, sweaty and bored!

Definitely embrace!!!!!