Help me bring a little joy to Christmas please

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I'm feeling a bit downhearted about this year. The adult dc have said they don't want gifts (although I do still want to get a few) and we're likely to be having our 'family Christmas' on Christmas Eve, so it will probably just be two of us on the actual day.

Ideas for:
ways to make Christmas Day nice

what to maybe eat on the day, since we won't want 'Christmas dinner' two days in a row

how to make it lovely and pass time, without lots of presents to open?

:( As somebody who enjoys choosing and wrapping gifts and is actually currently and luckily financially comfortable enough to be able to buy some nice things, I'm finding it all a bit bewildering!

Salvation army do a thing every year where they ask people to buy presents for kids. Could be a way not to let your present-buying skills go to waste? www.salvationarmy.org.uk/christmas-present-appeal

I completely understand the "no gifts" idea and wish we could have Christmas without them.

But that doesn't mean Christmas has to be sad! You are seeing your adult children on Christmas Eve - how lovely is that? I'm sure you won't but please don't give off disappointed vibes, it puts such a strain on everyone.

Of course I know I'm lucky to be seeing them and of course I won't be giving off disappointed vibes. 🤔 I'll also be giving to charity. I was just asking for ideas for Christmas day so it won't feel too much like OH and I are rattling around feeling a bit lost.

@OP I think I'd treat it as a really romantic special day for you & your dh!
I love @JamieFrasersBitOnTheSide's ideas.

I'd agree with dh that we'd get presents for each other & seeing as you have the means & not too many other expenses 're presents I'd go to town & spoil each other.

I'd make the house wonderfully Christmasy especially since you're hosting Christmas eve. Them ye get to enjoy it next day too.

I'd buy a beautiful silk nightdress & underwear & have a leisurely lie in with a very nice relaxed wake up exchange 1 gift each.

Then a luxurious bath with my best products. Get dressed nicely , maybe have a new outfit if you like that sort of thing

Bucks fizz or champagne breakfast with the fire lighting & music playing.

Go for a walk if its not lashing. Home to hot whiskey / mulled wine/ what ever you fancy.

Make calls to friends & family

Then have something indulgent but easy. Fillet steak, lobster, seafood Platter - what ever takes your fancy.

Make a pre dinner cocktail, exchange any further gifts. Flirt with each other. Set your table beautifully & light candles & enjoy a lovely meal.

Watch a film or play a game. Go to bed for round two!

That's a Christmas I dream of.....

oh, I dread getting to that point where the kids have flown the nest and are having their own Xmases even though I know it will come one day because I'll feel lost - I love buying presents and the whole big xmas.

When it does I think me a DH will either go out on Xmas day for food or maybe go away.

My parents chose to have a Christmas just the two of them, in 2019. I was gutted!

They chose to do what PP have described.lazy morning. Walk with the dogs by the river. Coffee at one place that was open (bought the staff a drink too). Buffet style lunch. Book to read, film to watch, game to play.

Cards against humanity is a great game, as is killing kittens. My favourite is triominoes or monopoly.

Enjoy!

Perhaps make plans for Boxing Day, so it's not two days alone.

@Nc123 I can highly recommend it. ☺️

Some great suggestions here. I would go with luxury buffet type food for Christmas Day, lovely cheeses, pate and all that. Then maybe head off on a mini break away for 1-2 nights on Boxing Day or go and visit friends.

@mam0918

oh, I dread getting to that point where the kids have flown the nest and are having their own Xmases even though I know it will come one day because I'll feel lost - I love buying presents and the whole big xmas.

When it does I think me a DH will either go out on Xmas day for food or maybe go away.

Honestly, it’s wonderful. I thought I’d be the same and feel lost but it’s actually lovely just being the 2 of us on Christmas Day. Our children live between 2 - 5 hours away from us and they all have little ones. We always visit the week before Christmas and do the Christmas markets a panto or a meal out. They all normally visit between Christmas and New Year and often stay for New Year. We live in the Scottish Highlands very close to one of the most popular skiing resorts and they take full advantage of having willing babysitters so they can go skiing or for a few days to a hotel on their own. It’s like having a second Christmas when they arrive.

A mini break just after sounds lovely.

Cards Against Humanity is great, but no good for two.

I wouldn't want just a buffet, but can't think of anything other than a cheese board that feels 'special' enough, or wintry enough.

So far, a walk to the pub and a long bath are appealing!

Beef Wellington
Salmon Wellington
Lobster thermidor
Fillet steak
Massive antipasti board with cheese & cured meats
Smoked salmon
Luxury fish pie
Baked ham
Goose
Duck

Should've said that we're veggie!

Op, if you have enough ££ to buy gifts can't you spend that on going out for a beautiful meal somewhere special or.. Buying in really gorgeous treat food eg form fortnum or sourcing the best ingredients from all over??

on reflection id probably go away actually in your situation.

If it’s not too late could you book a meal in a restaurant or pub for Christmas Day?

If you want to buy and wrap presents I’m sure there are lots of places that welcome gifts, not just for children but the elderly, especially those who live alone with no family.

I have a friend who always invites an elderly person over for Christmas dinner with his family. He’s quite involved with military organisations and they are usually veterans.

The first year is difficult I get that, for me I chose to embrace and look forward to Christmas Day without running around and feeling frazzled by the end of it. Do we miss our children on Christmas Day? Of course we do and we missed the excitement and getting up because Santa has been. The way we viewed it was we are so proud of each and every one of them and it’s so lovely to watch them make their own traditions and wake up with their own families. We did our job of raising wonderful children and instead of feeling lost or abandoned embrace the next chapter. We’re happy at home and to go to the local pub but a mini break or a meal out may break the day up for you? Everyone’s different but honestly cherish your memories of past Christmas Days and make new ones ☺️

Dh wants a pork dinner Christmas Eve so I’ve said nibbles Christmas Day, I can chill out with books and can’t wait.

We're a few years away from this but will definitely spend Christmas Day out walking when the DC no longer want to spend it with us! Then tea would probably be lots of tasty food from Marks and Spencer, watch a movie, play card games, drink fizz

Do you have friends in a similar position who’d like to get together for a drink or food or a walk?

Fly somewhere amazing Iike Lapland or Prague.

I'd keep an eye on flight prices. I remember seeing amazing deals leaving on Christmas day, because naturally no one wants to fly then, and then you could distract yourself in a completely different place. There are often last minute deals, too!

Christmas day is Santa's elves day off. They get warmly dressed, wearing their santa hats with the led lights and go for a car picnic. They decorate their cars and take a lovely picnic with flask of hot soup and the most expensive Christmas crackers. They sing along to Christmas songs and sometimes light opera. They wave cheerily at other motorists and pedestrians they meet en route to their scenic picnic spots.

what to maybe eat on the day

What’s your favourite thing to eat? Go with that.

It baffles me why people eat things they don’t like at Christmas because they “have to”

Agree with PP about your DC not wanting gifts - we all have too much "stuff" and as adults, I'm conscious that we can luckily afford to buy ourselves the things we need (and save up for those we want). If you want to give them something, small token gifts and experiences / things to do and look forward to are perfect.

Last Christmas, my DM bought my husband and I an annual pass to our local fancy cinema - we love it, and would never have treated ourselves to something like this. Even a gift voucher for a spa, beauty treatment or meal out would be appreciated.

As you are seeing all your family on Christmas Eve, I would get into the mindset that was the ‘big day’ and then treat Christmas Day like you would usually treat Boxing Day. Rather than thinking how sad we’re alone today, think how nice it is to have a rest after the full on day we had yesterday.
If you live in reasonable distance of a beach a breezy walk and picnic in the car looking at the sea is always fun.