What to do at Christmas?... Two small dc, and dh away.

[coconutnut]

Hi!

My dh is away at work, he works on a rig and will be there until 27th December.

We have 2 dc who are 4 & 8, so very excited about Christmas! One of which still believes in FC.

I need to help figuring out what to do on Christmas Day and the days surrounding it!

Both mine and dh family live 3 hrs drive away (in opposite directions), so plan so far is driving to pil house next weekend for a few days, then driving to my mum's on 19th for a few days. Then driving home on 22/23rd to spend Christmas Day at home just me & dc, then collecting dh from train station on 27th..... Dc will then open presents from me & dh.

So my options are!.....

My dm & dsis have offered us to stay on Christmas Day, which would be lovely and dc can open presents from my family and dh family. But then it means driving home on Boxing Day and having a rush sort out for 'Christmas day' with dh. Plus I quite like chilling out on Boxing Day with chocs and telly, or a nice walk if weather's good.

Or.... go home on 22/23. I want to acknowledge actual Christmas Day with dc, and dh has suggested they open their presents from relatives, then we can do our presents when he gets back. So effectively 2 Christmas days!

What would you do?.... not just out of the options above, but you personally?

Thanks!

I'd stay with your mum, rushing around will be worth it - you might feel a bit lonely otherwise?

That's what I was worried about!.... I'm pretty independent and do like my own space, but at the same time I've never ever spent a Christmas without another adult around!

I’m spending my first Christmas with out seeing any other adults, I’m looking forward to it, we are going to stay in pj’s all day, have a buffet lunch and play games (hopefully). I think the evening will be where I struggle, I will probably just watch rubbish tv once the dd’s Have gone to bed.

Yes love I think I will prefer that! Not sure what the dc would prefer, they rarely see my do, but after a few days they might be keen to go home!

Plus, if they're not opening their FC presents until later in the week I'll feel bad when my nephews come round all excited.

So if I stay at home, is it okay for them to open presents on both Christmas Day and when dh gets back?
They don't get too much from me and dh, but mil goes a bit mad! So I can see them having loads on Christmas Day from relatives and a handful & a stocking when dh is home.

I would let them open some on Christmas Day and save a few for when dh gets home. We often spread things out over a few days.

Try and plan it so the things they open on Christmas Day are things you could possibly do together (board games etc..).

I have bought my dd a waffle maker so we can make waffles Christmas Day and I asked my DB to buy them a board game which we can play together.

That's a good idea! Thanks love

I do like the idea of chilling out and not having to make a Christmas dinner, having snacky food and watching telly. Then having a nice Christmas dinner when dh is back!

A lot depends on weather conditions too, have you got a Plan B if you cannot manage to drive anywhere?
Or if you do drive to one house and get stuck there
(I know, voice of Dooooom )

My DH works on the rigs too, he goes away on 23rd Dec for 3 weeks so will miss Christmas

We’re going to have Christmas dinner and allow the DC (3 & 9) to open one present before he leaves.

Then I plan to watch lots of festive TV and eat my weight in snack food and chocolate on Christmas Day.

Is a funny old lifestyle isn’t it OP

Oh 70 I hadn't thought of bad weather!!..... Aslong as I don't get stuck at inlaws I'll be fine 😀

Yes itsahard it is an odd lifestyle, but one we've always known, so although this is his 1st Christmas away since the kids were born, we're not feeling too bad. DH is used to missing stuff, and I'm used to being on my own with the kids.... like you I guess!

Hope you have a good Christmas, what you're planning sounds good