A different family Christmas

[Tiredmummyof3]

I'm looking for ideas on doing a different family Christmas!
We are a family of 5 and our usual festivities include both sets of parents, I usually spend a large part of the morning cooking the big meal, we all sit and enjoy it around 1 and then spend the rest of the after noon around the dinner table drinking and chatting, playing games with kids etc.
This year we've decided that despite the allowances for the Christmas bubbles we aren't going to risk it as we have very vunerable parents who have been shielding so it's just the 5 of us!

So how do you do it if it's just your family? How can I make it so we have a different Christmas this year? Our eldest son is coming home from uni so that will be good but I want to make sure it still feels special and not that we are just sitting down for a Sunday dinner! I don't want us sitting there saying oh everyone should be arriving now, Grandad would be doing this now etc .

I want to create a new memory of a special Christmas with our family of 5! Please give me some ideas how to make it different from our usual day!

There's a lovely thread called ' Mad or cute Christmas traditions' which might be worth following for ideas. We don't have any mad or cute traditions but if we are just immediate family, we have an egg and bacon butty whilst opening stockings; Christmas meal about 3 ish; watch a film that appeals to all and then cheese board , cake etc
Nothing exciting but we're rarely all together due to work, sport, other activities so it's lovely.

Thank you, I'll take a look.
Yes I agree it's good just to spend the family time together!

It is almost always just us and it is my favourite type of Christmas. I love it because it is so relaxed and there are no expectations.

The DC wake up when they wake - no rush. We come down and they open their stockings. I then make breakfast of pastries, orange juice, bucks fizz and coffee and we have a long leisurely breakfast. No rush to go anywhere or get things ready for people coming over. After breakfast we open the presents under the tree from us to each other. We can stop and open a toy etc whenever and the DC can play with their gifts as long as they want with no rush to get dressed or ready. I don't have to start making lunch I can stay with the DC and play with them/enjoy seeing them so excited! At one point I'll put the lunch on but it doesn't take long. Then back to being with the family and enjoying a cocktail and some nibbles. Feeling really relaxed as not got to keep topping up others drinks etc. Lunch served at approximately 2pm - if the DC only eat a few bites then back to playing I couldn't care less but gps would expect them to sit at the table for a long meal. We have lots of food we wouldn't eat other than at Christmas which makes it special. We don't really eat roasts much anyway. We can eat what we like and have a break after the main meal. Cleaning up from the meal doesn't take long. A walk if we fancy, play a boardgame or watch something on TV without worrying what others want to watch/play. Pudding a bit later - sat on the sofa if someone wants to! Then we open the presents under the tree sent by family or friends. Then time to relax with a drink, some chocolates and a good book. Mince pies and Christmas cake there for anyone who wants. Love it.