We have dsd this year, how to make it special?

[LazySusan11]

Dsd is 12, both dh are usually working over Christmas or dsd and family are away so this is our first year in a few that we will be having dsd to ourselves. I want to make it magical but no idea how!

Have ice skating and hot choc planned but as we don't normally get to have her I really want to make this year special for dh and dsd. Anyone got any ideas?

It's clearly too early for posts given I have intimated I have 2 dh (I don't!) and have posted twice! It should say dh and I are both usually working!

You sound excited about having her, and hopefully she'll feel the same. Don't try for a magic whirl of activity - try for a calm relaxed time for all of you. And don't try too hard !

I've woken early too!

Depending on where you are, try and get tickets for The Nutcracker, or a panto, or just any production you fancy. Look and see if they've got a seasonal programme on at your local cinema. Find a good Carol service.

See if there's a Midnight Mass (she's the right age for finding staying up a thrill)

Work out something for Boxing Day - do you have somewhere within easy reach for an invigorating walk? Can you borrow a Labrador?

Start putting her Christmas stocking together from now. That way each gift will be more considered and you won't waste money and effort racing around depleted shops or praying for timely deliveries the day before she arrives.

Be sure to establish with her other parent/ relatives exactly who is giving what.

Oh, IME, 12 year olds don't do "magical". Faux cynicism is more their thing. She may very well resist attempts at outings and jollification and just want to stay at home What's Apping her friends.

I would think of what she would consider a treat - if it's a Dominos and a DVD on Christmas Eve so be it! Traditional decorations, stocking at the end of the bed, tree with prettily wrapped boxes underneath etc are exciting at any age.

Ask her what she would like to do :) 12 isn't a little girl so I'd get things in like glitter berry j20, maybe a dvd like clueless, fairisle print onesie, maybe take her to a nail bar for festive red glittery nails?

A nail bar is a good idea she would love that, we live pretty close to each other and have 50/50 care so we've got a good idea of what she wants. I just wanted to make it a bit special something a little less ordinary.

Ahh you sound lovely :) she will have a brilliant time I'm sure!

The thing that my SS enjoyed most was spending time with people that he didn't get to spend Christmas with usually, eg dh's family, my family, our friends. Going somewhere you don't usually go and joining in with their traditions is a novelty in itself.

Some people like a Christmas Eve hamper (some think it's OTT).

You could include new pjs for all of you (looks nice in photos), a festive throw, hot choc stirrers, nice mugs, DVD, popcorn, Lush Christmas bath bomb.

There'll be threads from last year

My DD is 13yo so not much older than your DSD.

She still demands appreciates a Christmas Eve Hamper

New PJs (my DD has a pair of the fleecy ones from Primark, not always "Christmassy" ones. This year it seems to be polar bears)

Nice chocolate like Lindt or Hotel Chocolat.

A selection box -of course

Bath bomb or BodyShop (they had some round bauble shaped bottles of bath crystals last year)

Face mark

Hair band/ties

Earrings

A DVD/Netflicks choice

Christmas Bedding on her bed when she arrives (Primark is my go-to)

And enjoy

(And if she's anything like my little treasure, she'll lard about facetiming or whatever the dickens they do)

Do you have a bead shop near you?

www.beadworks.co.uk/ This shop is near me. The shop contains over 6000 different beads. When you go in they give you a necklace/bracelet tray and wire, then you decide which beads you want to go on your necklace/bracelet. It is super fun to make your own jewellery

Christmas shaped pasta was in our hamper last year

Fairy lights around her headboard, mirror or doorway.

Asked my DD 17 to have a think of some ideas for you, here it is-

go and see a musical, chicago, lion King or wicked maybe
facials, manicures, etc or full day in a hotel spa with a pool
going to a posh area to look at ridiculously priced stuff and then get expensive coffee and cake
go to a small christmas market of independant crafters
indoor skiing
outdoor carol concert or tree lighting
afternoon tea in hotel or department store with a big tree
festive ghost tour
coronation st tour, harry potter tour, shrek tour
craft workshop or pottery painting
cinema and starbucks
safari park
pizza night
winter wonderland or thorpe park or somewhere else with rides

oh and get her a really good advent calendar- if she likes makeup then the body shop one wowed dd last year - it also worked well as she used all the goodies, revolution at superdrug, benefit, and selfridges all have them too, if she likes nail varnish then ciate do one, and yankee candle do a candle one

if she is not girly then hotel chocolat do amazing chocolate ones :)

DD also recommends baking days- betty crocker brownie mix, oreos and fudge frosting provide and nice afternoon

Thank you Marguerite! And please thank your dd some lovely suggestions, most of which dsd would enjoy, as would I. Really good suggestions by everyone, thank you so much for your input

MT the bead shop looks good, is it suitable for younger children? Do you make the jewellery there or take the beads home?

I was going to suggest baking as well - something special that you wouldn't normally make even if you are bakers. It would be a lovely way for the 2 of you to spend nice time together as well.

And maybe have some plain cookies but all the sparkly bits - glitter, coloured icing, decorative balls, etc - to decorate them.

One lovely one that DD and I did last year (she's 9) was candy cane cookies - you can make 2 separate doughs, 1 being a mint flavor, or just half a single batch. Colour 1 red. Roll small equal sized balls of both into little logs, and twist together, shape into candy cane shape on the baking tray. They take time, but are relatively straightforward - but very seasonal and not too babyish.