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Christmas

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What do you do on Christmas Eve?

189 replies

SummerRoberts · 21/09/2017 14:28

In our house we tend to have Christmas films on all morning and last minute wrapping/preparations going on.
I always make Nigella's Christmas rocky road and put into little gift bags as sort of a little Christmas Eve gift for everyone.
Then we set off it my mums with all the prezzies, duvets etc.
We used to have a Chinese takeaway as our traditional Christmas Eve dinner while we watched a family film but the past few years we've gone for an extended family meal at the loveliest country pub. They make it look so gorgeous and we usually get the big table next to the open fire.
Then we get back to mums, get into Christmas PJs, make some cocktails and even though I'm almost 28, mum will make us all feel our presents and try to guess what she's got us and never confirm or deny Grin
What are your family traditions for Christmas Eve?

OP posts:
MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 24/09/2017 17:11

I've just started my Christmas list. I'm having the idea of paper snowflakes in the windows, I think that's lovely. Also saw a pic earlier of baubles hung along a bannister which looked lovely.

LesDennishair · 24/09/2017 18:52

I'm glad it's not just me Sun! I'm very intrigued now though!

Oh no. What would Penfold say Wink

IroningMountain · 24/09/2017 18:55

nordicnoir.tv/news/pre-order-slow-tvs-all-aboard-the-sleigh-ride-on-dvd/

We collect holly on the moor,make the gingerbread house and mince pies then have a fondu. The last couple of years we've had the above on. It's gorgeous,trying to get a DVD in case BBC 4 don't run it this year.

Ideally I'd like to sit down to Baileys and board games once the dc are in bed but it's normally manic. Actually the above sounds more idyllic than it is. There is normally a lot of cleaning and last minute jobs going on too.

Justabadwife · 24/09/2017 23:17

Last year I worked it and it was great. I work in a shop and there was a lovely festive atmosphere. 🎄🎄 plus it meant DH was at home with an overly excited Dd.

After work, we (my mum, dd and I) went to our christingle service at church, always a good craic watching 100 kids walk around a church with a candle stuck in an orange. 😁

I put dd to bed, and went to my mums to help her peel veg (have a drink or 6) I came home, ate 3/4 of a carrot, half a mince pie and made DH a brew with the milk on the fireplace 😂😂

I love xmas eve 🎄🎄🎄

Chocolatecake12 · 25/09/2017 08:17

I love Christmas Eve too
Reading this thread has got me very excited!!
I usually spend the morning prepping veg and tidying the house. And wrapping last minute gifts.
Then a quick lunch before going to our friends for a pre christingle drink. Then church at 4pm and back to friends for more drinks and nibbles.
Home about 7/8 and maybe a Christmas film in our pjs with chocolates etc.
Stockings out and bed for kids at 10 ish
Then when they’re asleep I put all the presents under the tree and go to bed myself!

WutheringTights · 25/09/2017 13:23

I have three tinies five and under so on Christmas Eve we're up at six as usual. By the time we've faffed with last minute cleaning and laundry, and breakfasted, second breakfasted and showered it's usually 10/11ish. I always arrange the supermarket delivery for the evening of the 23rd so that we can pop to the shops as soon as they open for anything we still need but we haven't had to do this for that past few years.

Then it's a walk/cycle to the park to burn off some energy before coming back for a snacky lunch (M&S) with whichever friends and neighbours we can inveigle back. Then naps for the youngest two before off to the church christingle at 4ish (walk).

We usually have an early dinner at a local cafe on the way home from the christingle (we know them well and we're usually the only ones in so it's quite festive). Then we walk home, admiring the Christmas lights and looking for santa's sleigh. All the shops are closed by then and this is my favourite part of the whole event.

Once we're home it's PJs, biscuit and scotch for santa (and carrot for Rudolph) then we read The Night Before Christmas and all the children go to bed at 7.

Me and DH then do any last minute wrapping (usually very little unless we need to assemble anything) and stuff the stockings while watching a Christmas film. We love Die Hard and Love Actually, it's usually a toss up between the two. We'll have some wine and nice treats while we're doing that. We are always up at the crack of dawn so we're usually in bed ourselves by 10/11pm. We used to go to midnight mass pre-kids but that will now have to wait until the children are old enough to come too.

I'd love to have a big family Christmas Eve (it's my favourite day of the year too) but we both have small families who live a long way away, and most of mine don't talk to each other, so we make do with what we've got.

This year I might try to do some baking in the afternoon with DS while the two younger children are sleeping. I'd like to try to listen to carols from kings too but it doesn't often work out with the timing of the christingle service.

Blackandpurple · 26/09/2017 07:06

Lie in in the morning (my kids are 15/13/9). Lazy breakfast, tidy up make beds when kids eventually get up. Pop sky 327 on much to DH's dispair and the older 2 will watch the films. DH and i will head for the beach if its a nice day, 3-4 mile walk. If he doesn't want to go ill callmy friend and head up the hills for a couple of hours run. Home to have tea and pop the turkey crown in the oven. Then relax and have a drink or 2. Youngest will probably be happy playing his PS3!

DH will take thu kids to the shop for sweets at some point which gives me 10 mins max to get all the presents into the boot of the car to hide until they go to bed. Then illbring them into the house. I think the older 2 have sussed what im doing!

Allhallowseve · 26/09/2017 07:36

Thanks for the buffet ideas.
This year will consist of a lazy morning baking cookies with ds1 while ds2 naps . A walk in the park with the dog.
Christingle at 3.30 then all the family back to ours for a buffet and fizz.
Kids in bed hopefully by 7.30ish. Then fill the stockings and a last chill on the sofa infringing of some cheesy Xmas tv before the madness of Xmas day begins .

eitak22 · 26/09/2017 17:32

Lovely cooked breakfast/brunch out in town, last minute shopping/mince pie baking then off to church for the christmas eve carol service.

Come back and have takeaway (curry or pizza) then watch a film and make sure everything we are taking to DPs is packed. Occasionally go to midnight mass.

Its been a bit different since working in church - a lot of church but is lovely to see lots of friends.

tootsieglitterballs · 26/09/2017 22:22

Such a lovely thread! Most definitely my favourite day of the year.

Blackandpurple · 27/09/2017 15:41

I've e changed my plans! Were gona go to Wetherspoons for breakfast. Cheap and cheerful, saves me cleaning the kitchen afterwards! Then dh and i will go for a walk.

tootsieglitterballs · 27/09/2017 17:58

I may be a tiny bit of a food snob sometimes, but I do love a spoons breakfast!

Blackandpurple · 27/09/2017 19:26

😂😂 i love the food! great pub grub. Kids love it and a great choice. Will keep us going all day! Might get them to walk along the beach after it!

ladymariner · 28/09/2017 23:44

I love Christmas Eve!! I always blitz the house on the 23rd, so Christmas Eve is relaxed and festive.
Friends always visit in the day, then my parents come to stay. We take our goddaughter to the Crib Service at 6pm (last year she got picked to place Mary in the stable, seeing her little face light up was magical) then its home for easy tea while dh and I prep the veg for Christmas Day lunch. Christmas music on, and cousins come round for drinks. Everyone is welcome, I love it GrinWine

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