Divorced. Just me and the DC Xmas day. What can I do?

[user1471530109]

New house too. I don't want to travel to family we only end up getting on each others nerves.

I'm not sure I want to spend the day cooking a roast. The DC love a Christmas dinner it just seems a bit of a waste of time and possible money for three of us. The youngest would only eat a v small amount.

Also. I think we all need a bit of a change. I love Christmas. Really love it. But since the separation 3 years ago and now divorce, Christmas is just another lonely day to get through. It seems to exacerbated it all. Very little family.

I've looked at some of the local pubs for going out for Christmas dinner and they are £85 a head! I wouldn't mind but the 4 year old would only eat a saucer full.

I am toying with going away in a hotel for a couple of days. But I think exh would kick off.

So. Any ideas to make Christmas fun for us? It would be just us three all day. I want to look forward to it again this year. Tia.

Smashycup

What a load of generalised waffle.

What a load of generalised waffle.

You mean, like your own comment?

Sashh for most people in the UK Christmas is the most important family celebration of the year, religious or not. A celebration at this time of year existed long before Christianity, it has little to do with that for many people. And yes some people may choose to work at Christmas, but in my experience the vast majority in hospitality are not given a choice and would much rather be with their families. I think it's horrible that people are forced to miss Christmas with their families every year, particularly if they have young children, just because other people can't be bothered to cook their own dinner.

smashy that really doesn't make much sense tbh. My very elderly grandparents wanted to have distant family over for Xmas but couldn't stand the stress of Xmas dinner taking place in their tiny house. We all had Xmas lunch out. It isn't laziness at all - there are many reasons why Xmas dinner out is something that sells.

Get a Radio Times and mark any special films you will want to watch together on the day, which can also help you plan the day - when to have a walk etc.

It can also help create some anticipation with the children which is nice

And definitely yes to M&S!

If it's just you and the kids for dinner just do chicken. If you're not that bothered and they don't know the difference you don't have to go all out.

Buy yourself a couple of things you want and wrap them up so you can "excitedly" open them with the kids.

Since my mum and dad split up around 15 years ago he has never put Xmas decks up or anything. He has another partner now has done for 5 years and she has a teenage son but they don't live together he still lives alone and apparently there's "no point, it's only for kids" I completely disagree but there you go.

Throw yourself into into, you can make decks with the kids you can bake cookies for santa. Make a magic key for santa. On Xmas eve night when they go to bed if you have some wellys or boots with good tread on, dip them in some flour and walk them through the hall to you Xmas tree so it looks like santas walked the snow in. Then they will be so excited Xmas morning. Then you can play with all there toys. We always go for a walk in the afternoon after Xmas dinner just to get away from the carnage for an hour 🤣.

Sashh for most people in the UK Christmas is the most important family celebration of the year, religious or not

But not for everyone, and even when it is many people do choose to work.

Have you got a home bargains or that kind of shop near you? They do loads of cheap Christmas crafts, get some of them let DC decorate the house how they'd like. Christmas music and stories. As for food I'd ask if they want Xmas or special treats. You could do a mini dinner and set up an ice cream bar for pudding, different flavour ice cream with lots of extras and cones, wafers etc. I know what my DS would prefer
Treasure hunt from Santa. Buy them a joint gift from Santa and give them clues to where it is.
You could buy plain tshirts and decorate them to become Christmas tshirts to wear on the day.

I live near Lapland UK so know loads of people who have been and have a wonderful time. Think of the tickets as more like a theatre ticket as it's a big experience. We will go in a couple of years when my littlest is a bit older.

sashh I didn't say nobody wanted to work or that Christmas is important to every single person in the UK. I said it is horrible that an awful lot of people who it is important to and don't want to work at Christmas are forced to and miss out on Christmas with their families, despite working in non-essential services.

Wow we done op
I have ummed and ahhed over lapland UK for years. Decided to go this year, as pp said its more an immersive theatre experience, for several hours... Overall reviews are very good. It's very professional their Facebook site is good if you want to get excited

Smashy why not start a thread about it for proper debate, it's not appropriate to be going on about this on ops thread

First year on my own with dd's, were not doing Christmas dinner as dd1 won't eat it, we will be doing a buffet type thing. We might go to the local pub in the afternoon if they are open.

My original post was very relevant to the OP's post. Other posters decided to comment on my post, mostly being rude or claiming I was saying something I wasn't, so I set them straight. There's no need for a 'debate'.

I downloaded this - it has some great ideas in it.

Could you book a meal for just you, order loads and give your 4 year old some of yours? Would that be cheaper??