What do you do between Christmas and New Year?

[drspouse]

Easter and summer holidays are a lot easier as more things are open and the weather is nicer but last year we all went stir crazy basically.

We will probably try to go to the beach in waterproof trousers, and the cinema, and we have a theatre trip booked, but my DCs (older one awaiting diagnosis for ADHD, younger one very, very 4 at the moment) need routine and regular outings. All the fun stuff happens before Christmas (which as a firm believer in 12 days of Christmas drives me mad).

We go to the pub and then the inlaws for a cold turkey buffet on boxing day every year. 27th is the one day of the year we do nothing, the only day we stay at home!! We read, watch films, eat leftovers and chocolate. 28th and 29th we go to a national trust place one day and our local theme park the other, it's only closed xmas day and boxing day. 30th to 2nd we go to Butlins. We have done the same things for the last six years! usually the kids are back to school 3rd or 4th but this year it's not until 7th so we ll have 4 more days to fill, last year we did Chester Zoo, Calypso Cove swimming and trampolining so will probably do similar again this year, maybe some national trust as well. I try to plan lots of fun stuff for January as it can be depressing!

Carer 24/7 52 weeks of the year.£64.50 per week. At home doing nothing.

We'll see friends for a meal and to exchange presents just before Christmas and Christmas Eve we'll go and exchange presents with family.

Christmas day it's just us and then boxing day we'll either go sledging(if we have snow)or we'll go out for a nice walk.

The rest of the days will be spent going out for a meal,going to the cinema,visiting family and friends and going bowling.

My two are too little at the moment but I use to enjoy horse racing on Boxing Day.

Aren't there often local traditions between Christmas and New Year ... we're doing a brook run on the 28th.

Might also do a show in London and a light show at one of the local big houses.

London is often quieter than usual that week too so can be nice for a trip if you're within striking distance.

Sole, me too until DH died this year. Now it's all over I am not all hoppity skippity. Not at all. I feel for you ❤❤

Regressionconfession,
Me to at Kempton Park always

We are having Christmas lunch at the local pub/restaurant this year as I’m not cooking another Christmas lunch/ dinner in my life ever again.
I end up spending a fortune on a Turkey and all the trimmings for it to be hardly eaten and basically just nibbled at.

We don't ever really make plans, tend to just chill out and let the children investigate their presents, go for walks for fresh air/top up food bits we may need like bread and milk.

On Boxing Day we always have another full dinner lol, but that time it's in our pjs/lounge clothes.

NYE we either get a takeaway or we book an early table (usually around 5/5:30) and go home, make a bed on the living room floor near the tree and watch movies/play games. All in bed by just after midnight and up early the next day, all the decorations will come down and we have a relaxing day, play games, sort out all the presents into rooms and then relax the rest of the time x

Our plans are finally made

Boxing Day we are having family over between 30-50 depend who decides/wants to come. Making help yourself buffet.

27th clear up & left overs especially if only 30 come & I’ve catered for 50

28th theatre

29th & 30th chilling or friends over or ferrying dcs around

31st out for friends birthday lunch & then to family in the evening

New Year’s Day church & naice lunch

Then normal business resumes.

Couldn’t do hotel this year due to dcs other commitments but we are away with family before Christmas so fingers crossed that’s good!

We normally go to the O2 to watch Disney on ice which takes is lovely to break the boring bit up. Usually go for couple forest walks with the dog and a pub lunch.
Before you know it it's NYE and back to work and school

Dh usually has to work and I am glad of a few days to chill and watch tv / clean

If he's around he shakes his head in despair if the tv is on in the day (we are not big tv watchers so I love this the odd day)

We get a lot of visitors (who we don't see all year!!)

We host boxing day, 27th is day at home playing with toys and finding homes for the presents.
28th trip to panto and dd has a friends bday party.
29th good walk somewhere with friends.
30th swimming or national trust type place
31st friends nye party with little kids - early. Then kids to bed and takeaway.
1st always have a good walk and a beer and burger!

Can't wait we have had such a busy year, its nice to not have to rush around.

I'm in awe of those who host anyone at all, let alone buffet for 30-50!

I am trying to look forward to it, last year was so awful though so I'm steeling myself.

I do get a lot of help to be fair as it’s all family.

Well in true Greek sexist style - the women help & the men all play poker.

You've shattered my illusions now, I thought it was backgammon?

We will have a trip to Hever Castle again as the weeks in between Xmas and new year they do a deal to pay garden access price and free entry to castle. There was a lovely steam fairground and a 12 days of Christmas trail etc last year. It was a lovely day to break up the post Xmas slump

They play that too but poker is for large groups - there’s usually around 15-20 people playing on 2 tables. It’s very professional

I always find we're really short of time! Boxing Day is usually family. 28th is often a PJ day - movies, playing with Christmas present, family board game etc. 29th - cinema or swimming or something out of the house for a while but also getting the house straight post Christmas. 30th - we often visit friends for new year so are usually travelling on that day.

21-24 - do all Christmas organising and advance cooking (just won't have the time before)

Christmas Day - just the four of us at home; up at the crack of dawn opening presents; off for a swim mid-morning at a local fun swimming place with slides etc (they do a morning session on Christmas day for 2 hours - perfect); afternoon at home playing with new toys / watching films and eating The Dinner.

26-30 - off to a nice hotel for 4 nights. Has a kids club (yippee), pool, spa, an estate to wander around, roaring fires etc.

31- TBC, likely an early night.

It's lovely reading what everyone will be doing. My children are getting older now so things are changing. We are planning a walk or visit to a national trust place on boxing day followed with a nice tea of cold meats and mash. 27th DH and DS are going out walking and me and girls will take the tree down. We have planned an over nighter then in a premier inn which will be nice.