Christmas without your children...what would you do?

[throwingpebbles]

I love Christmas, I love making it special and magical for my children. I love all the little activities like baking and making decorations and christingle

But next year for first time they will be with my ex till tea time on Christmas Day (he wasn't fussed first few years as his family don't really celebrate Christmas. But apparently they do now )

I have met someone new now, so he will be with me. But I am already pondering what we can do to start a new kind of Christmas for the alternate years when we are child -free.

to make it trickier, it can't be anything that needs booking /plannjng as ex gets a kick out of not communicating with me, so I won't know where in country he will be till just before I reckon!

so just looking for nice simple suggestions as to ways you made /would make Christmas eve and day feel special and indulgent (Or at least not quite as heart breakingly child free) in similar circumstances

(Or hypothetical ideas welcome too!!)

I think I will enjoy this Christmas more if I have a sort of plan for the next one!

My 1st was awful - 2nd Christmas after we split, we alternate.

Since then it's been better.

I've met someone else now and we go to his sisters on Christmas day when we don't have my kids, then have our own celebration on Boxing day when my kids are home.

SIL's children are adults and it's just a different type of day and we enjoy it.

Dh and I have sons, so I've been preparing myself for when they prefer to spend it with their girlfriend's/wives.

We have it all worked out. The re will be no guilt trip here. We will get up early, do parkrun, back to bed after a shower m&s Christmas lunch. Long walk, good film. Lots of wine.

Doesn't sound much but I'm looking forward to it. They're still at school [Grin]

I think that's it, I don't want to sit around wailing, it's pointless. But I kind of need inspiration to strike for a new way of spending Christmas for those years!

If you don't have them Xmas Eve I would go to cinema, have dinner and drinks out, on Xmas day I would lie in , have champagne breakfast in bed and then lounge in pjs for a while, walk to local pub for festive drink and then in afternoon cuddle up in front of fire and cheesy films with lovely snack food from M&S or Indian takeaway and just relish the quiet and peace. If they are back with you for Boxind day I would them do traditional Christmas that day including stockings, turkey etc

Cinema could be good, or contemplating midnight mass as always wanted to but it's not compatible with small excited people! A lie in will definitely happen too, it's the bit after that where I feel lost really...

How about going out for a nice walk? Everyone's cheery and in a good mood! Then a drink or 2 in the local pub before coming home and cooking dinner.
Do you know anyone else in a similar situation? Could you invite them round for drinks and board games/cards in the evening?