Quiet Christmas- divorce

[ilovechocolateandcake]

It will just be me and two teenage DC that are not getting on with each other particularly well. DD will be missing her dads large family party but doesn't want to go or see him.

How can I make it special for them still? DS 19 and DD16. I was thinking of letting them order special party food but even that will remind them of parties from happier times in the past.

I don't have any family nearby or that we can go and visit.

In a different, but similarly stressful Christmas, we picked a country theme and then cooked a dish each from there (and everyone had to cook something). Good ones to choose - Mexico, India, Thailand etc. There are lots of easy things that anyone can make or those with more interest/effort can really go to town. It was a good way of concentrating on something different, and setting a new tradition. You can still have traditional crackers etc. Doing stress free things together - and making, baking and cooking generally are good for this, is a good way to bring people together. Other suggestions: is there someone new that could be invited over, even for a drink or a board game? A neighbour or work colleague? Or one of their friends? My recollection of this is that I needed to lead by example, which is also stressful. So really try to find some relaxing time for yourself. Have you always done stockings? Then keep doing stockings. If not, perhaps start them up? Is there a dog to walk, or perhaps a neighbours? Good luck. Others will have much better suggestions, I am sure.

Those are all really good ideas thanks

Give them jobs to do….maybe you can plan and cook on course each?

I spend Xmas with my 2 teens too, we don’t make many plans and tend to just go with the flow. Christmas Eve we get a take away (pizza) and Boxing Day we have fish and chips at the beach so we only really have to plan for Christmas Day. We spend most of the day in PJ’s, we have a nice breakfast and then open presents throughout the day.