How can I make the day different to a standard Sunday at home ?

[thebearschairs]

As per most of us, plans changed. I'm actually relieved but it will be just me and my two kids for Christmas Day. When Boris broke the news I had lovely ideas of how special the day could be for us all but since then, the days have been a struggle..

I really need ideas on how to make the day special without the structure of guests. Fragile MH so need it to be easy and low effort..

So far I've got...
Stockings
Special breakfast
Presents - will try and spread these over the day
Maybe a FaceTime with a family member
A game?
Possibly a walk but not sure I can face the resistance and grumbling about it all.

I've got visions of the kids either fighting and shouting whilst I'm trying to cook or glued to bloody Roblox. There's a place for a bit of screen time but not all day.

Anyone got inspiring thoughts on how to make it nice and memorable after this shite excuse of a year.?

Ps I know it's not a Sunday. But Xmas always has a Sunday feeling !

Watching with interest...

Oh god ours is potentially going to feel like any other day.

One thing we are doing - bringing the dining table into the living room. So we can eat and watch christmassy tv at the same time. We never normally watch the queens speech as we are at someone elses house but we are home this year so will give that a whirl.

We will dress up a smidge which we never do in our own house.

I'm making a sort of puff pastry/nutella tree thingy for breakfast.

Maybe karaoke?

Get everyone to agree on a film and put on in the afternoon with lots of nice snacks?

Game of monopoly or similar

Agree a walk would be good if possible

No doubt my dd will want to be on roblox too, I'm not going to stress too much about it though. I will be taking over the TV, glass of prosecco and quality street and letting her carry on

Games! Card games in particular.

How old are DC?

Do you just have the best Sundays ever or something??

By the way, I think what you're doing so far sounds lovely. There's only so much any of us can do - try and enjoy the day for yourself too. Merry Christmas!

@Chewbecca

Games! Card games in particular.

How old are DC?

12 and 8. You'd think it would be easy at these ages but I'm not coping well generally and so it feels like s marathon. Older one is challenged with moods and younger one wants me entirely to self.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

Oh god ours is potentially going to feel like any other day.

One thing we are doing - bringing the dining table into the living room. So we can eat and watch christmassy tv at the same time. We never normally watch the queens speech as we are at someone elses house but we are home this year so will give that a whirl.

We will dress up a smidge which we never do in our own house.

I'm making a sort of puff pastry/nutella tree thingy for breakfast.

Maybe karaoke?

Karaoke sounds fun and potentially enjoyable.

Nutella tree? What's this , sounds like it could be yum!

I think with lockdown more of us are staying in for films and popcorn/playing board games/long walks. So those things whilst fun are less special.

Sounds like you have a lovely day planned already. Do you have a tv in any of the rooms? Maybe pyjamas and snacks watching a christmassy movie in bed to end the day. I think things that are usually a big no no like eating in bed can make kids feel like it's a really special treat.
Hot chocolate with candy canes as stirrers are a big hit in our house. Santa reindeer were also known to leave some droppings on the roof which look suspiciously like rolled up compost from the flower bed. Kids found this hilarious.

Dress smarter, slightly glamorous. If your DC's are young they can wear their party clothes.

@brookiemegs

Get everyone to agree on a film and put on in the afternoon with lots of nice snacks?

Game of monopoly or similar

Agree a walk would be good if possible

No doubt my dd will want to be on roblox too, I'm not going to stress too much about it though. I will be taking over the TV, glass of prosecco and quality street and letting her carry on

Film is a good call. Agreeing is a bigger challenge!

Wondering about getting kids to do a rough / loose timetable - sounds rigid but may help give structure

@brookiemegs

By the way, I think what you're doing so far sounds lovely. There's only so much any of us can do - try and enjoy the day for yourself too. Merry Christmas!

Thank you for kind words. Same to you 😊

My friend does a table present...hold one back for this.

Light the christmas pudd switch lights off and do a big entrance

Cross arms and a a big cracker pull

Play that hillarous game where you get cream splattered in yr face

Christmas treasure hunt

Can you limit screen time to a specific bit?

I'm also unexpectedly on my own with kids. I'm going to put as much tinsel and lights as I can up tomorrow and I'm planning on timetabling the day so we're going to play board games, watch a film, get dressed (!) as well as gave presents. A console is the main present so I'm going to have to allow some screen time but I'm going to try and push the veg out until Boxing Day

I don't have teens/tweens, but would it be worth signposting the downtime/screentime session so that yoi dont get nagged about it all day?

@Overseasmom100

My friend does a table present...hold one back for this.

Light the christmas pudd switch lights off and do a big entrance

Cross arms and a a big cracker pull

Play that hillarous game where you get cream splattered in yr face

Christmas treasure hunt

Ooh pie face, we have this. Will try and get some cream. Not sure I can spare the brandy cream for this !

Table present is a great idea too and nice tradition to start.

I have similar ages. I’m not looking forward to it. We would usually have family round which keeps everyone entertained and it feels more of an occasion.
I’ve tried to choose some presents to keep them entertained-craft kits etc.
I’m wondering about whether to suggest getting dressed up for dinner as we never do that but I imagine it will cause dd to have some sort of strop about her hair or outfit or whatever.
Might see if we can meet some friends in the park after dinner for a quick drink and catch up.
What about one of those online escape rooms or something

We always have Christmas at home alone and totally don't have this problem. Everybody makes an effort to get along and be in a good mood. Eat and drink what we like, music and dancing, nice stuff on tv, it's very festive and always really fun!

Here’s one version of the Nutella Christmas tree.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=OP2imi631WY

@Clymene

Can you limit screen time to a specific bit?

I'm also unexpectedly on my own with kids. I'm going to put as much tinsel and lights as I can up tomorrow and I'm planning on timetabling the day so we're going to play board games, watch a film, get dressed (!) as well as gave presents. A console is the main present so I'm going to have to allow some screen time but I'm going to try and push the veg out until Boxing Day

Think the timetable is the way to go. Pull out the games I usually say no to. Ie pie face - see above! And dressing up too.

Watching with interest, and also enjoying the image of @clymene pushing veg into boxing day (it took me a while to get that it wasn't a reference to sprouts...)

Watching with interest. We’re definitely going to dress up, the youngest has recently mastered Uno- so some of that, and I randomly bought a box of indoor fireworks 😂🤷‍♀️

[quote autumnboys]Here’s one version of the Nutella Christmas tree.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=OP2imi631WY[/quote]

Thanks. Looks really nice and so simple !