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!

I would definitely have a lie in, bubbly bath to dial in and a glass of fizz

If you have a lovely pub in walking distance to you I would do that and book in advance for lunch or if bearish a beach go for a lovely coastal walk taking yummy hot drink with me

Or after wallow in bath either have a lovely brunch listening to classic Desert Island discs or a favourite album oll way through

Or order a takeaway Indian, Thai or something and laze in pjs with alcohol watching something like a Matthew Bourne ballet or for alternative options classic films you fancy

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

Should've said that we're veggie!

If you want something really not xmas-y then as a veggie then my two favorite food options are Sushi or Mexican but I don't know where would be open on xmas.

You can get sushi platters they day before I suppose.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie 💐 read the opening post and thought I’d give an un-MNetty ((hug)). You won’t recognise this username but we’ve had the odd exchange on S&B threads (agreeing, that is, not arguing 😄).

It’s honestly not so bad when things change...I love our Christmases now that my children are grown (I loved them too when they were little, tbf). When we can be together as our little unit it’s wonderful but if it’s just me and DH it’s just as wonderful, and no less special.

Haven’t read the thread yet to see others’ comments/suggestions but how about you create a new tradition and do stockings of special token gifts for everyone instead? That way you still get all the joy of choosing lovely things but it’s more low key and people don’t feel they have to reciprocate. Last Christmas I did a big parcel of treats and presents for my girls as they couldn’t visit us and I really enjoyed putting it together and they really enjoyed it too.

Also, perhaps come join us on the Christmas Chronicles thread! It’s a lovely cosy thread with lots of Christmassy chat and will help you, I think, to just appreciate all the wonderful little joys of winter/Christmas. We’re reading through Nigel Slater’s ‘Christmas Chronicles’ journal and trying out the various recipes and so on.

Thread here

🎄🎄🎄

I know you’ve said you’re not a television person I’m not either - but I highly recommend taking time out to watch Carols from King’s. It’s so beautiful, so calming and grounding, and truly a lovely way to spend an hour or so on Christmas Day. We have something nice to eat/drink and it’s one of my favourite things to enjoy over Christmas.

Also, if you have Amazon Prime why not watch a classic Christmas film in the evening?

The Bishop’s Wife and It’s a Wonderful Life are my two that I must watch at some point over the holidays. Long walk in the bracing cold, stop off at a pub, come home, pour another drink and settle down for some cosiness.🎄🎄🎄

If it was me, I would plan a full day’s walking (with a plan b in case of terrible weather) taking a picnic of soup in a thermos and mince pies. Have a stew ready to heat up on your return. Much harder to feel down when you’re outside somewhere beautiful and the exercise will make you feel great.

(Obviously this will only work if you enjoy walking!)

[quote HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule]@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie 💐 read the opening post and thought I’d give an un-MNetty ((hug)). You won’t recognise this username but we’ve had the odd exchange on S&B threads (agreeing, that is, not arguing 😄).

It’s honestly not so bad when things change...I love our Christmases now that my children are grown (I loved them too when they were little, tbf). When we can be together as our little unit it’s wonderful but if it’s just me and DH it’s just as wonderful, and no less special.

Haven’t read the thread yet to see others’ comments/suggestions but how about you create a new tradition and do stockings of special token gifts for everyone instead? That way you still get all the joy of choosing lovely things but it’s more low key and people don’t feel they have to reciprocate. Last Christmas I did a big parcel of treats and presents for my girls as they couldn’t visit us and I really enjoyed putting it together and they really enjoyed it too.

Also, perhaps come join us on the Christmas Chronicles thread! It’s a lovely cosy thread with lots of Christmassy chat and will help you, I think, to just appreciate all the wonderful little joys of winter/Christmas. We’re reading through Nigel Slater’s ‘Christmas Chronicles’ journal and trying out the various recipes and so on.

Thread here

🎄🎄🎄[/quote]
Although it’s obviously not addressed to me, I just wanted to say what a lovely reply this is. It really made me smile.

Not quite the same as we are pre-DC but DH and I really enjoyed Christmas just us two last year - though I think he was apprehensive it would be boring!

We did a big walk in the morning with the dog, and we had arranged to FaceTime both families at a certain point in the day. Maybe not worth insisting on if your adult DCs have their own days going on, but if they wouldn't mind taking ten mins in the morning or after dinner to say hi that could be nice. We did nibbles, Buck's Fizz and presents instead of lunch. Then we put on Christmas songs and carols while cooking the big meal and before we knew it it was 5pm, we'd had dinner and it was getting dark, and we just fancied getting a film on and chilling out.

It's always good to have something to fill a couple hours that you wouldn't normally do - for me at Christmas that's a jigsaw or painting by numbers, I also did an at-home pottery kit one year, or even just a new book to curl up with. I hope you and your DH have a lovely day!

@Ruibies

Not quite the same as we are pre-DC but DH and I really enjoyed Christmas just us two last year - though I think he was apprehensive it would be boring!

We did a big walk in the morning with the dog, and we had arranged to FaceTime both families at a certain point in the day. Maybe not worth insisting on if your adult DCs have their own days going on, but if they wouldn't mind taking ten mins in the morning or after dinner to say hi that could be nice. We did nibbles, Buck's Fizz and presents instead of lunch. Then we put on Christmas songs and carols while cooking the big meal and before we knew it it was 5pm, we'd had dinner and it was getting dark, and we just fancied getting a film on and chilling out.

It's always good to have something to fill a couple hours that you wouldn't normally do - for me at Christmas that's a jigsaw or painting by numbers, I also did an at-home pottery kit one year, or even just a new book to curl up with. I hope you and your DH have a lovely day!

That sounds lovely op

Pay for a one off deep clean of their house/flat

As a requested and much looked forward to treat, this could be a winner

If not specifically requested, I really don't see how it can be anything g other than an insult disguised as a present.

Id that just me, or does anyone else think it might be tricky?

What about everyone in the family has to make a homemade gift in a secret Santa style. Pull a name out before hand and make something for that person - bake a cake, make something, write a poem what ever it is. Very similar to the Dutch Sinterglass tradition

OP I’m a adult DC with DM and DMIL’s who like to buy presents for the sake of buying presents. I do understand that they get enjoyment from the buying and giving process, but I find it so wasteful from a money and environmental point of view. And honestly a bit stressful as well. Assuming your DC think in a similar way to me, if you want to buy a gift, an experience gift would probably be much more warmly received. Think meal in a nice restaurant, cinema pass, theatre or sports tickets.

@FinallyHere Yes, I agree.

@JumperandJacket I’m glad I made you smile 😊 I’m feeling all festive and full of good cheer!🎄

Oh I just read it back and realised you’re going to see everyone on Christmas Eve anyway! Then it’ll be fine, honestly - you’ll just have a bonus Boxing Day with which you can do anything you like! Maybe plan an extra special vegetarian platter, possibly ordered in from somewhere special since you have the disposable cash at the moment. Something good to drink with it, and a long, leisurely day of Christmassy Cosiness!

Thanks, everyone, especially @HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule

The thread was making me feel a bit crappy yesterday, suggesting I needed to learn how to support charity ( I do) and not be a drain on people by seeming disappointed (I'm not) or foisting unwanted gifts (I won't) on them. I feel a bit better after the more recent posts!

A long walk with a flask, mince pies and ideally a trip to the pub definitely on the cards (maybe hot veggie sausage rolls wrapped in foil too!).

Picky bits and pieces also on the cards, although I'd like to cook too. I might do something warming like a Puy lentil casserole (cooked in red wine) and hassle back vege or something. Not too much fuss but delicious and feels like I've made some effort.

We've already decided on gift vouchers for local restaurants for the kids, but I do hope to get a few bits for them to open too, even if it's just gin and beer!

@WithANameLikeDaniCalifornia

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”

I haven't said anything about eating things I don't like, so not sure why you're so baffled!

@FinallyHere

Pay for a one off deep clean of their house/flat

As a requested and much looked forward to treat, this could be a winner

If not specifically requested, I really don't see how it can be anything g other than an insult disguised as a present.

Id that just me, or does anyone else think it might be tricky?

Not an idea I'd want to run with, personally.

Well I’ve had it with feeling miserable I’m watching Christmas call the midwife after my hospital programme I need cheering up.