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Original poster

Whats your Plans for This Christmas Eve?

31 replies

BlancoNita · 13/10/2019 16:07

I will be 5 months pregnant this Christmas eve, have two dc aged 8 and 11 and always look forward to Christmas Eve, dh is usually off also , so the whole family usally does something together.

Think I might change it up this year, I love going into town for last minute bits etc, but wondering what you all do, my family don't live near so wont see them, and his family aren't really bothered with seeing us, so its just our own little family.

We live rural so although I would love the idea of having friends over, its prob too far for someone to drive or take that much time out of a busy day such as Christmas eve.

Sorry if this has been done to death . x

OP posts:
museumum · 13/10/2019 16:09

Last year we went for a walk up the local hill in the cold then to the pub for mulled wine. Was lovely and tired ds out loads.

Pipandmum · 13/10/2019 16:09

I would get lots of greenery and get the kids to help make a centrepiece for the Christmas Day table. Bake up some Christmas biscuits? Savoury ones too to have with cheese?

ExpletiveDelighted · 13/10/2019 16:11

We sometimes fo to our nearest cathedral city, the shops are quiet but there are plenty of people around and often the Salvation Army band, walk along the river, past the cathedral and go for a coffee.

WutheringTights · 13/10/2019 16:13

We're seeing Santa in the morning at a National trust property. Will go for a short walk and have lunch there afterwards. We usually go to a Christingle service early evening with the kids at our local church. I love walking home afterwards in the dark with all the shops shut and the houses lit up with Christmas lights. It's my favourite part of Christmas.

Swishyswash · 13/10/2019 16:21

I will be brining the turkey and adopting the brace position in preparation for the arrival of the in laws on Christmas morning.

runwithme · 13/10/2019 17:47

I'm working- new job so no idea what time I will be finishing but hopefully no later than 5pm. Home to DH, who would have been off, DC, DM. Chinese takeaway, showers, and food prep.

Hopefully DH will take the DC out for the day somewhere...

TheAnnoyingSatsuma · 13/10/2019 17:53

Last minute shopping (the sales have usually started, and also can pick up some lovely reduced food).

Pottering in the kitchen prepping for Christmas dinner while listening to festive radio. Last year Alexa tuned into a random USA Xmas station which made a change from the usual playlist.

Some go to early evening mass, then we have a Chinese which tradition dictates must include crispy duck.

Stockings are hung, mince pie and Guinness left out for Santa.

We used to wait up until the DC were asleep but if they are out late (teens) Santa may have already been when they get home.

Oh and everyone packs their swimming bag, and puts out a onesie and festive hat to wear for our Christmas morning swim Xmas Smile

DreamingofSunshine · 13/10/2019 17:57

I'm hoping to take DS to a show at the local theatre, and maybe the local farm park if its open.

Your DC are older so I'd maybe do a Christmassy film night-everyone in Christmas pj's, popcorn with cinnamon, non alcoholic mulled wine, picky bits and all watch Home Alone? I might make DH do this as our DS is a toddler so wouldn't be amenable!

ysmaem · 13/10/2019 18:26

I wont have the kids this Christmas eve, its theirs fathers turn so probably prep food in the morning, biting shopping in the afternoon and a few glasses of wine. Visit family get a take out and finish off with christmas mass

Mummyilovejokes1 · 13/10/2019 18:43

We usually have a low key day, we get ready and then head out to town for lunch and a pudding in the local ice cream place, its been our little tradition since before the dc were born so we just carried it on. Its nice and calm and then we head home to watch films and put kids to bed and then i usually have a baileys, finish off any wrapping and get all the presents out and enjoy some peace before christmas day. I cant wait.

NoWordForFluffy · 13/10/2019 18:44

Baking and cooking and generally chilling out as much as possible before the big day!

cravingmilkshake · 13/10/2019 18:58

I'm currently on maternity leave with baby who will be 5 and a half months! But DH has his own company so will be working until midday. We will then drive to Surrey to our family (very rural) and do a 6 mile walk which has three pubs involved. Then back to theirs for mince pies and wine and ready for the festivities 🥳

Symptomless · 13/10/2019 19:02

Dh usually works, I have a posh nibbles type fare laid out for kids. Some bubbly for me. Xmas music, xmas tv, couple of presents in the evening, facetiming relatives.

Ilikewinter · 13/10/2019 19:10

Working......im in retail and HATE xmas eve, people rushing for last minute stuff, its amazing what crap people buy, mostly in bad moods because the shops are busy and they are in a rush....oh and theres ALWAYS someone who comes in just before closing like they have all the time in the world....and yes us staff just want to tell them to fxxx off 🤪

namina · 13/10/2019 19:11

I'm working this year but we usually bake Christmassy treats and play board games. Last year we played pie face the kids loved it even the toddlers

Fishcakey · 13/10/2019 19:13

DH and I both book it off work so we can do something with DS 14. This year we are getting train into the city and meal out and a bit of present buying. Back home to drink wine, eat lasagne and watch Arthur Christmas. The day time bit changes, the evening is always the same, DS's choice. Can't see him wanting to spend it with us much longer so will make the most of this one.

ohmysoul · 13/10/2019 19:40

We're heading to my mums for lunch, then back home for veg prep for Christmas day, a glass of mulled wine and sorting out Santa's mince pie before going to mass. I can't wait!

KTCluck · 13/10/2019 21:02

If I’m granted Christmas Eve off then DD will be going to nursery until 12 while DH and I blitz the house, collect the turkey, prep the veg etc for lunch and deliver any last minute presents. Then we’ll probably go for a walk before meeting up with my sisters and nephew to do something festive with the kids. Last year we did a gingerbread house which they loved. We always have a picky tea and christmas film, then bed for DD and a wine for us while we do our Santa duties.

If I have to work it’ll be a similar day for DH with me getting home hopefully around 6 for the last of the fun. Hoping to have it off but the silver lining of working is I come home to a clean house and the lunch all prepped!

hoverboardforchristmas · 13/10/2019 21:21

We usually make cookies and a gingerbread house, visit my parents and go to church. Then a walk to see Christmas decorations.

LumpySpacedPrincess · 13/10/2019 21:30

Going for a long seaside walk with my daughter. Dh is staying at home making a fish pie for supper.

Only thing we're buying is a cuddly toy.

Dd is a 14 year old goth but traditions must be maintained Grin

Lilicat1013 · 13/10/2019 21:59

We are going to do Christmas with Stickman and Gruffalo at Chessington and I am so worried about it. Both children are severely autistic so this is a complicated activity where a lot could go wrong.

If it goes well it will be amazing, both children love The Gruffalo and Stickman if it goes wrong it will go very wrong so things will be interesting. On the plus side no matter how goes my younger son will hopefully end up tired and maybe sleep, he quite often stays up all night.

Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse · 13/10/2019 22:27

Nice breakfast followed by Christmas arts and crafts before going off to the theatre, then home to give DC Christmas Eve boxes and baths. Greet guests who are staying over for the Christmas period. Order a takeaway and watch movies then food prep.

Hadenoughofitall441 · 13/10/2019 22:35

The same as every Christmas Eve...
I’ll be working 8am till 1pm, then I come home and cook gammon, then we have Christmas Eve boxes, then we get chinese, whilst eating watch nightmare before Christmas and the snowman, then the kids go to bed and the adults continue until kids fall asleep then it’s operation santa, and then we go to bed ready to get woken up at about 6am ☹️😃

CupCupGoose · 14/10/2019 08:12

I think I love Christmas eve more than Christmas day because its just so exciting! I normally have to work til 12 but today it falls on my day off which I'm completely taking advantage of! I've decided to give Christmas eve boxes to the DC in the morning instead of the evening this year as we've got family coming round in the evening so I'm not sure we will have time. They always contain magazines and craft activities so hopefully they will do these after breakfast. We will make some cookies for santa and have a good tidy up. We will then take the dogs for a long walk in the woods before we go for lunch at the steakhouse we always go to on Christmas eve. Love it there so much and we go all out. Then when we get back it will nearly be time for the local carol/crib service at the church. We live in a large village so end up seeing everyone we know. My family are staying near us this year so they will come too. At the end of the service, santa hands out sweets to the children. We will then go home and put the party food in the oven and my family will come round for food and games. Once they've gone we will have a walk round the block for a last look at the Christmas lights before putting out milk and cookies for santa, putting new pj's on and dc into bed. Me and DH will do santa duties and relax with some snacks and watch something on the TV. I always wrap the stocking presents then so I don't have to put labels on and I can put them straight in the stockings. Ahhh I can't wait!

MotherOfLittlePeople · 14/10/2019 08:22

DP is starting a new job so we are unsure if he will be at work. Plan to do Christmassy crafts with my DD1 3 years old and DD2 1 year old. Maybe a nice walk depending on weather and then Christmas films, pjs baths and a takeaway x

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