Christmas on our own (myself and teenage DD’s) as DH deployed, ideas to keep it special

[Andontothenextproblem]

As in title, DH will be away for Christmas this year, definitely not moaning as we have been lucky over the years and he has only missed one before but how can I keep special for us all.

We aren’t close in distance to family and tbh I haven’t encouraged any visitors as entertaining is hard work on your own and I’m not sure how the girls and I will feel, not having guests gives us the the option of staying in our Christmas PJ’s or eating Christmas dinner on Boxing Day if we want to…

Do I carry on the same traditions as every other year or do we just accept that this year will feel different and try something new.

Dd’s (3 of them) are all teenagers but still all into the magic and fun that comes with believing, stockings on ponies stable doors, Christmas Eve PJ’s, checking if he’s been in the morning, Elf antics etc, we also have had some other traditions that have evolved over the years as they have got older and the eldest two will definitely have a glass of two of bubbles.

What else can I do to keep it fun and spirits high, does anyone have nice traditions that they have started as their family for older that we can adapt in, any advice for the juggle of everything without spending the day stressed about not having two much fun (especially when we have to factor in two stable runs for horses)

And how do I keep my morale high when I’m going to be missing my lovely husband especially as he is always a huge part of our day.

If they still are into the magic, well, I'm 60 and still watch "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" religiously each year (the stop-action one with Clarice, the Burl Ives snowman, etc.). It always feels special. Maybe on the 23rd or some other day leading up.

What about advent calendars? Maybe in their case, beauty items rather than sweets, or items related to a hobby? Amazon have them that give a component of a charm bracelet each day, till the bracelet is completed on Christmas Eve. There are others with tiny jigsaw puzzles, etc.

Here's one called Christmas Magic that gives you a few pieces each day that form a larger puzzle as the month wears on: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jigsaw-Puzzle-Advent-Calendar-Christmas/dp/B09GW834G5/ref=sr_1_23?crid=1LRAFA8Y3RSX2&keywords=adult+advent+calendar&qid=1697993414&sprefix=adult+advent+calendar%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-23

I like this one, it's a mind puzzle rather than more tat: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hidden-Games-Professor-Charlies-calendar/dp/B09FFKY4S1/ref=sr_1_32?crid=1D4RPZK76QVUW&keywords=advent%2Bcalendar&qid=1697993180&sprefix=advent%2Bcalenda%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-32&th=1

Or this Escape Room advent calendar: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Escape-Room-Advent-Calendar-interactive/dp/B0CGTT8FVP/ref=pd_vtp_h_pd_vtp_h_sccl_1/257-9046519-7700646?pd_rd_w=uWhto&content-id=amzn1.sym.0024c6b5-da90-4821-b6c0-667e7c129058&pf_rd_p=0024c6b5-da90-4821-b6c0-667e7c129058&pf_rd_r=AMGK6VK98BRHKP9ZW4RH&pd_rd_wg=taY4a&pd_rd_r=0795385e-aa42-4322-8abf-b3b9820e5aaf&pd_rd_i=B0CGTT8FVP&psc=1

@LaurieStrode 12, 15 and 17.

@LaurieStrode thank you they do love their advent calendar, they get a traditional chocolate one from us and a themed one from one set of grandparents which they love and go down well every year.

Fellow Forces family here...so sending you a heap of empathy!

I found it easiest when I've been really kind to myself when DH is deployed over Christmas...if I can afford it, I get a lot of the Christmas lunch bought in, in foil trays etc.

Lots of films, popcorn, treats...and now they're older we all have our own gingerbread house kit and spend a lovely afternoon decorating them.

Also...just acknowledging that it can at times feel a bit shit, and different. Especially at Christmas. We try to plan in nice things, but also not too much so if anyone is feeling down that we're not over committed.

Hope he'll be home soon after Christmas OP.

"Oddly dramatic" and "overly emotional" wonder how many times that OP's DH has been away for 6+ months with kids at home.

Huge sympathies OP, we've been there. So I tried to keep Christmas as much the same as I could, and preferred to keep it to just us and not do any hosting or travelling. I actually found the build up worse than the day as that's half the fun of Christmas isn't it, but it just made the next (and subsequent) year/s feel more special as we didn't take it for granted what it meant to all be together. It helped me to focus on the following year, that it was just one Christmas (for now!)