Feeling the pressure to make Christmas Eve 'special'

[Mallowmarshmallow]

Just that really....

We're going carol singing at 4.30 but I'm not really sure what to do until then. DH is suggesting big things like trampolining but I really want us just to do something at home that feels a bit different to every other day. We've done gingerbread houses and I'd rather not just watch tv all day.....

Oh, and DS(6) has been up since about 4.00 and is looking a bit pale and sickly....

What are you all doing at home today that feels a bit Christmassy....?

Gregorian chanting.

Will make some cookies for Santa.
After lunch I will get out the blankets and hot chocolate and watch a The Snowman, followed by The Snowman and Snowdog with Xmas chocolates.

Visit the beach with the dog
Make more mince pies
Listen to Classic FM

We're going for a long walk across the local common. We'll wrap up warm, get the wellies on & get thoroughly covered in mud but we love it. My besy friend comes too, sometimes her too kids (although they're teenagers now so less likely). The walk takes us into town where we'll stop at a cafe for lunch, do a few bits of shopping and then walk back home.

The rest of the day the kids just chill playing games or watching tv. DH and i will prep the veg etc. This evening will be new pjs, baths, and once they're in bed DH and i will drink fizz, eat snacks and wrap the mountain of presents.

This morning baking, followed by a walk before lunch. Simple lunch at home, baths and relaxing after lunch. Out from 4pm until late also at friends house

Baking christmas brownies this morning, playing a game or watching a film together, then having a Christmas buffet this afternoon before church (or party as ds calls it)

I think I might take the kids to the park this morning and let DH rest as he’s recovering from being ill and I really want him better for tomorrow. Then might make some cookies this afternoon and watch a film with the kids. Then when it gets dark we’re going to go for a little walk about the village to see all the Christmas lights in the houses

Me and dh are working, luckily I can work from home today, the kids are downstairs watching telly

Drive to the grandparents then maybe go to the playground or something. Christmas Day is a big deal for us and that’s it.

But maybe also some Gregorian chanting like @GoFiguire

Feeling the pressure to make Christmas Eve 'special'
Why put extra pressure on yourself.
Surely you are doing enough,especially if one the kids is flagging.
You've done the baking, you're e got the Carol singing to look forward to,, just go for a walk and take it easy.

We always had a candle lit dinner when I was a child.

Felt very special and it is virtually free!

Christmas eve is magical all by itself. I will just potter and prep for tomorrow. A few little treats for the kids throughout the day like, Christmas sweets and new pyjamas and bath bomb. The excitement is in the anticipation so don't need to overdo it.

We're all mooching about this morning - dh has gone to get last minute bits with ds2, the teenager is wrapping presents upstairs and I've just finished off wrapping stockings and now pausing with a coffee before finishing tidying up.

We'll go for a walk later then church and pub. I used to try so hard to 'make memories' and invariably end up stressed out and tearful because it wasn't all perfect.

We put so much pressure on ourselves - with a knackered, peaky 6 year old I'd keep it low-key.

Low key day, some cooking and tidying (kids know no presents unless they tidy up!), maybe a little trip out locally, a film, their favourite dinner and a special bath bomb.

Candles at dinner are a great idea, I will steal!

DH is taking the DC to see the new Star Wars film while I finish off a bit of Xmas prep.

We are having a special candle-lit dinner, quite light ahead tomorrow's feast:
Scallops with black pudding & apples, green salad, pannacotta.

Then watching a family film on Netflix.

If you have too many ‘special’ days out the kids are exhausted and it doesn’t seem so special!

We are mainly pottering/sorting last bits at home. Taking DS to see my Nan for a bit later. Then the plan is to have tea and watch the polar express with DS (with popcorn at DS request!).

Once he is in bed, we will just chill before bringing his presents down.

Nothing overly big - just a nice chilled day.

I don't think the day needs to be special. I'm going to spend the morning prepping veg listening to the radio. I will also sort out plates and cutlery for tomorrow and get the kids to get extra chairs out of the loft. They will be wrapping presents too. I enjoy the sense of anticipation getting things ready.

Later I will go out to get us fish and chips. At 4pm we will go to the carol service and afterwards I will go to the pub with friends for a drink. Then we will watch movies.

We are having an indoor picnic and some Christmas karaoke. We are awful singers but will be a laugh.

We've done Christmas stories and breakfast in bed.
Baking Santa cookies this morning then out for lunch at a garden centre.
Christmas film when we get back, the crib service at 4 then buffet tea in front of another film.
Kids bedtime then dh and I will drink, finish wrapping and having to try a build at least two presents that I know of! X x

Ignore the kisses that's what happens when I'm not paying attention

Christmas eve in our house isn't particularly special. I hopefully finish the pre Christmas declutter. Dc's bedroom gets tidied so rather Christmas doesn't trip over and hurt himself when he comes tonight. We are staying at pil's tomorrow night so at some point we will pack a suitcase for that. We finish wrapping presents, get the primary aged dc to bed and have a takeaway and Christmas film with the secondary aged dc. They go to bed and we get ready for bed, wait until they go to sleep and fill the stockings. Then we go to bed and hope that we get a decent amount of sleep before the dc wake up.

When mine were younger they used to love tracking Father Christmas on the NORAD site.
We may still occasionally have a little peek now and again

If your DS is unwell I'd just keep things really low key. Read some Christmas stories, Christmas coloring in /sticker books and a Christmas film.

Crispy duck pancakes for lunch, scratch nativity at 2:30, party at 6.
Same as always 😂