Changing things up with older kids

[SeaViewBliss]

I am looking for ways to still make Christmas fun and nice but without spending so much and with older DCs

DD is 21 and lives away in term time. DS is 15. We always have Christmas at home and MY DPs and MIL all come for lunch, they are all over 80.

DH and I both only get the bank holiday days off and we are saving for all 4 of us to go on a big holiday in 2020.

What do you do on Christmas Day if it’s just you and older DCs? We don’t want to go out to eat.

You're never to old for board games! Go for a walk? I live having a walk around town on christmas day after lunch to see al the lights.

My kids are teenagers but they still want all the old traditions. I’ve managed to get them off stockings but the rest is pretty much the same. After dinner (at about 5.30) it’s a board game or card game but usually we are in company so there’s about 8-10 people ranging from 9-80 so it’s talking and catching up on everything.
I might try and go away with them for a weekend before or after but the day itself is pretty much set.

Definitely board games. I love playing them and have started my own wee tradition with my own kids with a new game brought especially for Christmas night. Even if there at there dads it's the same there.