Christmas for two people...

[chipsnmayo]

How do you make Christmas special for two people? It's just myself and DD (19) this year, the same as last year. Last year was lovely, however it was a bit of a fizzer as it was like any other day, but with a nice lunch and lots of chocolates...

It's been DD and I for a long time, but mostly in the past we have done the big family Christmases or at least have Christmas, however for various reasons and a series of events has meant this is not likely to happen.

Any ideas to jazz things up a bit? (preferably that are cheap cost effective as money is not exactly plentiful!)

How about setting the tone on Christmas Eve by either sharing a bottle of fizz and a nice but simple meal with lots of candles lit, Christmas music on - cheesier the better! You could do that at home or you could take a stroll to the the pub before heading to Midnight Mass? If the church isn't your thing, stay at home and watch a sentimental Christmas movie, snuggle up in your favourite PJs.

Set the table for breakfast the night before so that you feel like you're coming down to a treat. Prepare Christmas lunch together and maybe save one of DD's gifts for her to have either during or after lunch? Kind of extend the day, iyswim. Play games after lunch? We try and buy crackers with games included - John Lewis usually sell packs of crackers which have wind-up racing penguins etc and a card racing track. Everyone always seems to love these - there's no rules, lots of silliness and quick to play.

What does DD want to do? Do you have any traditions? IME, even the older teens still want to revert to their younger years and have those little things included that you may done in previous years.

A walk after lunch (or after main course) is a bit of a tradition in our house, started when there was only 2 of us. There's hardly anyone about: just half an hour and you feel refreshed enough to come back to the next round of 'feasting and fun'. It just breaks up the day.

Make each other a stocking for the morning? And then you have something to open in the morning and can save other gifts for after lunch. I agree with silly crackers for lunch, and we get those little tins of quiz cards (would you rather? and the like). Buy a new board game to play - even if you think you’re not the board game type, they suck you in!

I agree on the stockings it was just my daughter and I for a good few years too
Other ideas

• favourite childhood film to watch together
• get a board game that's for 2 people
• spend the day in new PJ's and have a lazy Christmas
• Consider volunteering together somewhere that needs helpers on Christmas Day

What would she like to do?

Could you book to eat at a pub for lunch? Breaks up the day a bit and saves cooking.

It’s just me and my 2 teen dd’s Christmas Day (unless anyone invites us to lunch), I’m tempted to eat at a local pub and spend the rest of the day playing board games and Nintendo switch.

Second the idea of stockings. Also second going for a drink on Christmas Eve (I love our local pub on Christmas Eve) or midnight mass.

Thank you for all the lovely ideas. I have a little discussion to about it.

Stocking fillers sound great, especially as we probably not going to do big presents.

Favourite films is fabulous idea. Bridget Jones here we come

We are big quizzers so quiz cards also sound like a great idea.

*to dd about it...

One last thought: maybe plan Christmas-related things to do through December or at least perhaps the week before. It'll give you a nice build up to the day but also release the pressure of everything needing to be perfect on that one specific day.

Low cost ideas:
Baking at home
Country walk with a flask of hot chocolate & mince pies
Wander around the shops to see the Christmas windows/lights and set yourself little challenges: who can find the naffest tree ornament/gift etc in a given department store.
I was also going to suggest going to the cinema to see whatever Christmas romcom is out but actually that can be quite expensive. So you could sub that for planning specific nights at home with a Christmas DVD.
Look for Christmas Quiz events at local pubs/village halls etc.
Make your own gift wrap & gift cards with brown paper and a star-shaped stamp?

I would go out on Christmas Eve. Then have a lovely indulgent breakfast. Go for a walk and come back for dinner with a nice dessert, cheese, lots of wine and a film.

When I say go out Christmas Eve, doesn't have to be expensive, just somewhere that's decorated and atmospheric.