Christmas bucket list of things to do, places to go, with children

[Twinklz]

What’s in your bucket list of things to do and places to go with your children over Christmas?

@girlicorn thanks yes we had an amazing time. My kids are 7and 9 so a bit old ode Thomas but it was lovely to have the extra space to play and the bunk beds to bicker over
We did wooky hole last year and that was also really lovely.

Today is last minute panic shopping and wrapping with Xmas films and crap.food as I'm making room for Xmas food

For those that enjoy driving round your local area looking at lights, can I suggest. Christmas light bingo, same thing but you have cards to tick off when you see the specific light.
My kids adore it.

Some lovely ideas here

Bump

I would just like to sit an d watch a film all of us with no on wanting to stop it halfway through and put Paw Patrol on instead (youngest is 3)

Panto on the 23rd

Been to Xmas market

They play ice hockey so don't see skating as a Xmas thing but an idea for others

Decorated a gingerbread house each Saturday

Seen the grinch at cinema last week

Going to see Mary poppins returns Xmas eve

Watch home alone, home alone 2, jingle all the way, elf, the snowman.

We have visited Santa

Basked xmas themed cookies and complete a couple of Xmas activity books

Made Xmas crafts

tree up tomorrow
Visiting elderly relatives at the weekend
Quiet day at home xmas eve
Presents xmas day then seeing elderly relative
DCs to their father
tree down boxing day
DC back a week later

Would lad love to do some of these things but have no children. So I might be a bit out of place. It suddenly dawned on me this year that I have never spent any part of Christmas with children.

I don't recommend Hyde Park winter wonderland for anyone unless you are just looking for theme park rides, there's nothing winter wonderland about it....

In previous years, we have done:-

Nutcracker Ballet at Opera House in London
"live" The Snowman with orchestra at Cadogan in London
The Gruffalo Christmas play at local theatre
Ice skating at local pop up rink
Father Christmas experience locally

This year we have opted for :-

mini break at our favourite country house hotel on Dartmoor ( very Christmassy with a load of Christmas trees and garlands, log fires, country walks and games of chess and amazing food)

Harry Potter studio tour. Hogwarts in the snow. Awesome.

Enjoying some down time together!

Enough frantic activity all year round, it’s nice to curl up with a Christmas movie and a tub of twiglets! Plus our budget doesn’t run to expensive trips, managing to not go into the red.

Planning some sewing, baking and nice walks that we never get enough time for!

Going to Ikea. Seriously. Bloody oddball 12yr DD

As a family we've been to the panto. Watched Christmas films every Sunday and been to the local Christmas market.

The boys have also had school Carol concert and school parties / plays.

We go for a meal with family on Christmas Eve and then to christingle service.

That's about it. I used to plan more but I find they're so shattered that one or two activities is enough as it starts to feel like a chore.

Cinema x2; catch some Olympia on TV; a drive round the area to see the lights on the 22nd or 23rd; watch loads of films and random TV specials.

We've done our annual Chritstmas theatre trip - 'Wicked' this year, been to the Church Carol service, done our Christmas shopping trip and been to a few friends for Christmas mince pie events. Going and getting the tree is an event, as is decorating it to the Christmas CD.

Still to go, driving round to visit all the lights both here and at grandparents', the Crib service on Christmas Eve, Panto between Christmas and New Year and our annual New Year party which is adults and kids.

Those Christmas traditions don't have to be big and cost a lot. Baking Christmas cookies or mince pies, decorating the tree, driving round looking at lights, having a hot chocolate with marshmallows, watching a Christmas film on TV - it's all good stuff and if kids do them each year become traditions. I'm a bit worried we might be doing too many 'big spend' events as various friends have invited us to go with them, but apart from our Christmas theatre, I don't want to do lots which keeps costing. Grandparents pay for the Panto and school have lots too such as Christmas Fair, Christmas Play, various parties, films etc.

Paying for teenage DS to go on a school ski trip leaving Boxing Day .

Done Crealy Christmas to meet Santa was epic. Saw Nativity 4 maybe the Grinch at the weekend.
First year we had Elfs!? Brought for us but kids have loved. Break up tomorrow like the baking ideas
Church Christmas eve and a quiet Christmas just the four of us.

We have seen the grinch
Saw Santa
We are going to the farm tomorrow to fatten up the reindeer before they have to fly around the world
Panto Christmas Eve!
Can’t wait!