Ideas about how to make Christmas special when it's just me dp and our 2 small dc?

[Stripylikeatiger]

We are staying at home just the 4 of us this year, it will be me, dp and our 2 dc who will be nearly 2 and 1 month. I'm worried I will struggle to make it feel special, I'd love to hear your tips as to how to make it a special day for the whole family.

We love our Christmases by ourselves and we are an even smaller family than you!

On Christmas Eve we have a special tea and then snuggle down in pjs to watch The Snowman (plus sequel now) and Father Christmas before hanging up stockings and reading Christmas stories. Don't forget the ceremony of putting out treats for FC and reindeer

On Christmas morning I go down to put the Christmas lights on and a Christmassy CD before we all come down to open stockings. DH and I have one too so that we can have the fun of all opening pressies so DS doesn't feel like it's some kind of spectator sport! We go for a Christmassy walk after breakfast to get some fresh air and distract ourselves from the present pile under the tree!

Tree presents after lunch mean that the excitement isn't all over and done with in an hour or so.

Top tip: we have always kept back one pressie for bedtime (a teddy or similar) which makes going to bed much less flat for DS and means the special day feeling lasts for the whole day.

I love that suggestion of holding back a teddy for last present before bed! Going to steal that idea!

I would second spreading the presents out too and keeping one for Boxing Day.

Just spoil yourselves! This year it is just me, dh, ds 3yo, and ds 2yo- we're going to eat our favourite foods, laze in comfy PJs, open pressies and slob in front of the telly

Thank you for the tips! Bedtime present is a lovely idea, ds needs new pyjamas so I might keep them back till bedtime :)

I think a walk will be vital to burn off some energy!

My family is huge so I'm used to Christmases with at least 10+ people so this will be a new experience for me, I hope I can make it special, it feels like a big responsibility!

You will love it and never want to go back to extended family Christmas again - be warned! There is nothing like being able to plan the day exactly to suit yourselves.

Le bear polar is right , it's great to suit yourselves.

You could do a Christmas hunt , hide treats in the garden.

Leave the wrapping until Christmas eve and do it once the kids are in bed.

Go with the flow on the day .

i also love the idea bout leaving a pressie for end of day...

Same as Lebear.

I'm doing a Xmas eve hamper this year to kick it off. Lock the door and don't open it until Boxing Day.

I might also steal the present before bed thing.

We where thinking of a small family Christmas with us DH, me, DS (3) and DD (7 months) but then my youngest cousin who is 8 told my aunt how excited she was about seeing DS and DD on Christmas day. We are back to our usual giant family Christmas which is choas but so much fun!

It sounds just perfect.

When you say "just" 4 of you, it's 3 more than many have. I have spent christmas alone- 4 is positively a crowd!

Sounds heavenly tbh.