What on earth do I do this year???

[Kaz2200]

Christmas is usually fairly quiet, we have a family business and DH work 20hour day up to Xmas day. Xmas dinner is usually at our in-laws or ours, and would be me and DH, in laws, 2 DC both girls age 15 and 18, my mum and her XP who visits and is not well. It has always been a bit boring as FIL does not particularly like my DH (his son) , and we usually have dinner, swap presents, and then go home. This was OK when girls were little and excited with there presents. This year I would like to do something different, however!!!! MIL has just said they are having dinner by themselves, eldest DD is going to her boyfriend and youngest DD is working 12-4.

This now leaves me, DH, mum and ex partner, what do we do, any ideas welcome.

Is DD2 waitressing? Can you book a table where she works?

Yes she is, but then what does she do for lunch,?, she is going to be bored stiff with all us oldies and not even her sister for company. My mum is fit and well, if she didn't have her 'friend' staying (he has mobility issues) we would probably go for a long walk and find a nice pub, although one of us will have to pick daughter up from work anyway, so that wouldn't work. I'm stumped, we are going from ok but quiet Xmas, to really really boring Christmas!!!!

Anyone got any ideas

will you eat after 4?

is alochol inovlved?
how aobut a walk then cook, eat with your dd and play cluedo,

Yes we will eat after 4, not much alcohol involved anyway one of us will have to drive to pick up dd. We will go for walk but will have to leave mum's guest at home. Eldest dd abandoned us as we are old and boring (she has a point).

go for a walk somewhere different?

will your oldest dd come home in the evening?

No it is her boyfriend birthday so his family always have a big family party, which only makes us look even more boring. DH only child, my sister lives abroad so we have no extended ed family. We are not actually boring I hasten to add, but all our friends who we normally party with all have their own family Christmas.

so you need some family games suggestions, to let your hair down

You have to make the most of it in that case!

Buy a new board game, but something silly perhaps?

Go out for a walk but go somewhere a bit further out and make an afternoon of it? (I just re read-ignore this one!)

Buy a Kareoke cd and a mic that plugs into the tele?

Buy a kite and fly it?

You need to find something fun to do! I'm still thinking! I'll be back if I think of any more!

i need tips too Julia since my ds is leaving us in the late afternoon and i was relying on him to Make a party

i might even start a thread about games, whatdoyoureckon?

It's kind of sad to write off Xmas just because your eldest dd won't be there ! Don't you have fun with your husband and other dd?

While you younger dd is at work, go for a nice walk, light lunch/ snack and plan for an evening meal.
I would go for a murder mystery type game, look at the red herring company. You can get ones with a Xmas theme, they are great fun if you all join in and get into character. But different from normal parlour games and laying comatose in front of the tv

Hi lilac, yes we do have fun you youngest dd, but she's 15, she would rather lock herself away in bedroom, murder mystery sounds a good idea, any more suggestions on board games?

Noah I've had my fair share of rubbish Christmases so I'm well up for a thread about games and making Christmas fun! Get it started and I'll be over!

This is what I'd do:

Lie in

Breakfast/brunch of your dreams - I'm a sucker for smoked salmon and DH would have pancakes

Drop DD off and head out for walk

Back home - maybe some cards for cash/forfeits (eg washing up!) whilst waiting to pick up DD and putting dinner on

Eat at 5, maybe let DD have a glass of wine or two

Games, charades always goes down well, pictionary also good as well as silly games like trying to keep balloon in the air the longest or more competitive ones like monopoly

Let DD slope off if she wants and download a movie or have online ones

Do you have any siblings your mum and XP could go to?

Then you and DH could have a romantic Christmas to yourselves

Couldn't you all volunteer for the day at your local YMCA or something like that? Then have your meal when you're DD gets in from work xx

Once the DC get to teenage years Christmas does change. But it's just one day and doesn't have to be fun- filled! Look forward to it being a nice calm day with good food and nice company. Go for a walk by a river, stop in a pub for a coffee or whatever. Take a pack of cards with you, or travel Scrabble. Just something to pass the time while you relax.
And have a nice Christmas

[http://www.red-herring-games.com/shop/?filter_number-of-players=458&s=Christmas&post_type=product]

I meant to put a link earlier so here it is. I have done several games from this company with groups of teenagers, they really get into it!

Hi thanks for all the suggestions, I've decided to make Xmas eve the focus and maybe invite a few friends neighbour for a drink, and then open our presents at midnight with bacon sandwiches, then we can all have a lazy Xmas morning before dd goes to work.

ok, just come back to this thread and have started a thread. here's hoping

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/2788991-games-to-play-at-christmas-day-with-older-teens-or-any-age
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/2788991-games-to-play-at-christmas-day-with-older-teens-or-any-age