activities/rituals for first Christmas celebration with family and ILs

[time4tea]

Hello

after quite a few years of going to my in-laws for Christmas we are having our first Christmas at home with DS1 (3) and DS2 (8 months).

We are having a family day where M/P-in-law, SIL, my mum and sister w boyfriend come to visit and we all eat lunch and spend the day together - 6 hours or so. everyone gets on well but don't have a great deal in common (ILs love intellectual quizes - which is SO not us)

any ideas for activities/games to fill the day - I was thinking of a secret santa so everyone has a present, plus maybe DS1 singing a few songs (with whoever joining in...) and including in the meal a few favourite recipes/contributions from both families

any other thoughts... about making it inclusive, yet different?

you could do a pass the parcel (obviously fixed) so everybody opens up their own present

Go for a walk everytime you come to a fork/junction/cross you take turn in choosing which way to go. Youngest to oldest, or just the children.

Mouse:
You put out 10 sweeties in front of one person, that person turns around and the rest of the group chooses one sweetie to the the "mouse". The person then turns around again and starts taking one sweetie at a time until he/she takes the "mouse" and you all shout MOUSE. The person gets to keep the sweeties he got to take before he chose the mouse. Then next person gets a go etc.

Watch old family films, provided by your parents, or by you. I am sure the in-laws will love to see any films you have of your children.

Play board games and card games. Memory game/Bingo/sharades (spelling?) will be good ones for your 3 year old.