Christmas Eve alone

[icanbreathagain]

So a newly single parent this is my second Christmas as a single parent. Last year the kids stayed with me Christmas Eve and went to their dads from lunch time onwards. I had been invited to friends for Christmas dinner so it worked well.
This year I get to do the whole cooking dinner and enjoying the day, what worries me is the Christmas Eve. Especially now with current restrictions and I can only assume, rightly or wrongly, that they will extend further than December 2nd.
What does other single parents do to keep them occupied Christmas Eve.

I’d leave a few things to the last minute so I could keep myself busy and distracted. E.g. wrapping presents, filling crackers, laying the dinner table, prepping the dinner. I’d then sit in front on my favourite Christmas film with a sausage roll and a mince pie, and paint my nails all festively!

I agree- use Christmas Eve to prep as much of the meal as possible so you’re not stuck in the kitchen all day.
Maybe leave some decorations to put up then too so that the dc get a surprise when they come back.
Plan something lovely (but easy) for dinner - is there something you like that the dc would turn their noses at?

Definitely do loads of prep and fun cooking. Stick on Christmas tunes. Epic snacks all day and wear pjs. Plus call any friends and family do Christmas Day isn't interrupted

Do prep for the next day. But also make sure that you get a nice hot chocolate, comfy jammies and a good film. Get some you time!

I'd get a treat for yourself to keep busy- new book, jigsaw, crochet project etc.

What do you do when they're away at their dads other days?

Do what you enjoy most, long soak/movie/long walk/baking etc

I do what you did last year, every year. So it's Christmas Day that I've to fill.

First year I spent it in my pjs by the fire watching tv, last year I walked the dog on the beach, visited a friends and came home and had a glass of wine, this year I hope to walk dog and visit bf's house and come home hopefully to my own new house(hoping purchase will go through in time to be in for Christmas)

Wrap pressies, have a long soak in the bath, a glass of your favourite tipple and your favourite film.

Thanks guys; you've given me so many options. Some I would have figured out but a lot I needed you guys to tell me. Hopefully I can share this going forward with other single parents.

Thanks for this thread OP - it’s my third year but usually fill the days my kids are with the ex with seeing friends ( family live far away) and have had people even when the kids are here so I also feel a little uncertain about this year ( and not looking forwards to it completely if I’m honest!)

Also as a single parent you are allowed to bubble up so if you have local family could be with them.

We always go the prep on 24th - peeling veg and potatoes, making stuffing, etc. Turn on the tunes and mooch away in the kitchen (it’s been a lifelong task for me - well since pre-teen years, so I’ve learned to enjoy it).

Maybe start with a relaxed breakfast - nice pot of coffee and proper bacon sandwich or good pastry etc.

Go for a walk after breakfast - even if it’s raining (you can always have a good shower or hot bath when you get home).

Then do your prep. Maybe set the table nicely if you have somewhere else you can enjoy a nice dinner - or do the middle now and after you enjoy your dinner, put the rest of the cutlery/glasses etc out for tomorrow.

Make a nice dinner of something that DCs won’t eat but you enjoy and have a nice glass of wine with it. Buy a half bottle rather than a full bottle if that helps. Or something nice that you enjoy.

And have a relaxed bath, face mask, paint nails etc in the evening to pamper yourself. As well as organising any last wrapping, setting out etc ready for 25th. Get an earlyish night to be full of beans for DCs arriving back.

Sorry I forgot to say that is all supposing that no shopping/ meeting friends/coffee with family etc is possible and that you will be on your own.

Thank you again. Yes I'm bubbled up with my friend but I don't want to be third wheeling. Especially when I already do so much. I think the way forward is the prep on Christmas Eve and wine with a film of the evening x

I second keeping yourself busy and getting all the prep done for Christmas day. Treat yourself to new pyjamas and some nice cheese and wine in the evening and watch some festive rubbish TV

My parents are my bubble so I will be with them Christmas Eve . We do the same and this year mine at my dads Christmas Eve . If I wasn’t with parents I might go for a drink with friends and then maybe have an afternoon watching Christmas films and get a takeaway .