New ideas for Crimbo Eve tradition (day)?

[Methenyouplus4]

Every year since eldest DS was tiny, we have went to lock theatre on morning of Christmas eve and had lunch out. It's brilliant some years but others, not so great.

Last year my parents watched our youngest 2 while older DC went with us. It was actually the only panto we went to as I get really cheap tickets for one in next town (which was actually much better).

This year it would be overy £100 for 6 of us to go, I just can't justify it, especially as there's a chance we'll end up in entrance porch with the youngest if they won't sit still!

We need a new tradition!

We have a lovely evening tradition with new pj's, Christmas film etc but what do you do during the day?

My friend and I have a PJ cocktail party with the DC. We all gather at her house in the late afternoon having showered and put on our Christmas PJ's and generally chill out and eat party food (everyone brings a dish and drinks) and watch films. We started it as a way to tire out the DC but now that they are all old enough to drink they use it as an opportunity to party DD(9) is too young to drink so she gets to drink mocktails with the teens and they all keep her entertained with baking cupcakes or decorating cookies. DH usually finishes work around 8-9pm so he'll meet us there and DD is ready for bed by the time we get home. The teens have spread the word so the gathering gets bigger each year and they all turn up in their PJ's now. They were a bit to begin with but I think they look forward to it more than we do

Lots of lovely ideas here.
Like the pj mocktail/cocktail party now DC are getting older

Ooh love the breakfast idea mainly for me not DC Mocktail party sounds fab too for when they're older.

We get up and do baking: biscuits/mince pies and sausage rolls. We deliver some of the biscuits to any neighbours who are around. We pack up the sausage rolls and take them with us to the crib service, although the DC are getting a little bit too old for this, so we might change this soon.

Then we eat our sausage rolls for lunch and go for a walk until everyone feels the Christnas Magic. Then we go home to find the hamper which our elf has left as a goodbye present. We drink hot chocolate, watch a film, write a letter to Father Christmas, eat fish cakes, have baths, see if we can spot the sleigh, leave treats for FC and the reindeer, read Christmas stories and put the children to bed.

Then I wrap presents and put them under the tree, go to midnight mass, fill stockings and go to bed.

Love this thread! Our company are very young so I'm thinking of traditions that we could start this year.

So far I'm thinking a lovely breakfast, a walk through our local woods/forest place, some baking and a Christmas Eve box (they are too young to get it really but I think it's lovely).

Our children not company

I don't have children but every Christmas Eve I pop to the local beauty salon and get a manicure, pedicure and facial. Then head to the cafe across the road for a lovely hot chocolate and then head back home to relax. Not sure if this is something you could do with older girls - a bit of mum and daughter time. I've been doing it for years and it's definitely my tradition now.

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