What to do between Christmas and New Year?

[redfacebigdisgrace]

We don’t have lots of extended family and I am always a bit lost about what to do from 26th onwards. Now are kids are teenagers we often go overseas to visit friends/family as I find the long winter difficult (Scotland). We’re at home this year and I’m already dreading it. I like the run up to Christmas but it’s the days after. It’s so dark and dreich.

So I’m looking for inspiration from Christmassy folk. Especially those with older teens.

We always go away between Xmas and New year. Always good deals on. Spa breaks etc

@YuletideSolace I’ve bought the book! Got one for my stepmum too. Now fully embracing it (although planning a trip to the sun at Easter 😁)

I always enjoyed this period - dh had to take that week off, I was only p/t anyway, and we’re not too far from central London* so would visit galleries etc. when everything was still very Christmassy. Plus some nice walks in different areas.
And cosy evenings with a good book or film.
Not to mention still lots of leftovers, boxes of chocolates, etc. to eat up.
*I do appreciate that the weather is probably usually better here.

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER sounds nice. We’re east coast Scotland at least so not too rainy. It’s just the lack of daylight is a killer. I think this thread has helped me drill down to what I need which is exercise outdoors! So I’ll factor that in every day and then I’ll enjoy the indoors stuff more.

Maybe search things to do as though you were a tourist? People come to Edinburgh from all over the world and would love to be there that week.
We never see all of the amazing things to do and see in the place we live.

We eat huge amounts of cheese, go ice skating, maybe go to the theatre, get dressed up for new year's eve. I find the run-up to Christmas is very busy and this is my time to rewind, hanging out as a family, eating the Christmas treats, reading any books we've been given as gifts, enjoying our presents. In recent years we've taken out a Disney+ subscription for December, and watch lots of Disney stuff before it runs out.

Very good point @DoughnutDreams I hate the Christmas market in Edinburgh - it’s just so tacky and crap. But yes I’ll have a look again at what’s on. I think there’s something at the castle. The Botanics light show is always lovely. It’s a struggle getting the teens to do anything.

Yes, generally chilling - and no shopping! Or hardly any. Just relaxing after what is usually a very busy run-up to Christmas.

It’s after Twelfth Night that I really dislike - all the cheerful lights and decorations gone, and just a long, dismal winter to look forward to. I only perk up a bit when the first spring flowers - crocuses - start appearing , sometime in February here.

We love being at home, so quite different to you OP, but maybe something will strike a chord.

panto trip, they’re not just for small children
a PJ and book day - save a new book for each family member to open and indulge, log fires and comfort food
gingerbread house challenge - teams to decorate?
seaside and soup - trip to the coast, blustery walk followed by thermos of soup

I hate the in between bit, though we don’t really celebrate new year. I’m not one for sitting around stuffing my face with cold Turkey and chocolates. We tend to have a day at the coast (walk and fish and chips), a shopping trip to spend Christmas money with dc and we take down the decorations before new year.

I can quite understand you struggling with colder, darker days if you are outdoorsy, especially in January when Christmas is over, but can you put your finger on why you like the build up to Christmas but not the bit between Xmas and new year? In that week most Christmas lights and decorations are still up so I don't see how it is darker than the week before?

I wonder if you are making the mistake of trying to cram all Christmassy things into the period before Christmas rather than treating it like it's still Christmas until 12th night or at least New Year's Day? Eg you days you'd probably do the lights event before Christmas but could it be done that week? Are there friends or family you usually see in run up that you could put off until then?

We like indoor down time so probably not best to advise but this year we are saving going to a light trail until that week, Some years we have a theatre trip, and we will usually have a day or so catching up with any family we didn't see Xmas day. And I do like a winter walk on the beach.

Are your teens old enough to leave home with their new games or whatever while you go for a long walk if they won't come?

This looks like fun!

@Simplelobsterhat that is a very interesting point. I need to think about that a bit more. Maybe it’s just a hangover from when I was a child. And it was all about Christmas Day! You’re right. I will try and plan a few nice things after. The other good thing is that 21st December is the shortest day so at least daylight hours are increasing.

@stargirl1701 that looks very cool!

That sounds perfect to me but I've got a DH who gets all twitchy and then I end up sitting around feeling lazy.

@CornishGem1975 I’m with your DH -cabin fever!!! And hate all the constant eating and drinking ( don’t drink alcohol).

I've got to admit @redfacebigdisgrace last year I was bored out of my brain and was desperate to get back to work. Practically ran back to the office in the new year. I said I wouldn't book the time off this year but I have holiday to use up and I like the thought of closing my laptop for two weeks but need to make more of an effort to do something.

Oh I hear you @redfacebigdisgrace - also have teens, and also in Edinburgh. I'm struggling to find things to do this year in both the run up to Christmas and between Christmas and new year. We have the Botanics and Panto booked. What about booking lunch and a game of skittles at the Sheep Heid Inn, but drag them for a walk up or round Arthur's Seat first?

We do like a PJ day in between. Up late and in clean PJs. Movie, Christmas leftovers (maybe with additional treats bought in), movie, board games (get some new ones in under the tree at Christmas - throw throw burrito, exploding kittens, cooperative style games go down well here).

@WhatWouldTheDoctorDo Skittles and dinner in the Sheels Heid is genius! Definitely going to do that! I’ll not get them up AS but we could go up the steps at the SH to the crags. Thanks for that!

Which panto have you booked? Mine are working in hospitality in the holidays so may be working but I think they’d enjoy it. I’ve only recently discovered the love of a decent pantomime

Following for ideas. I found last year pretty dier, the way christmas fell didn't help, work/nursery finished Friday 23rd, Christmas was Sunday then 2 whole weeks of nothing. Landed up just lazing the days away and feeling disgusting from constantly stuffing my face with shite! It felt like such a waste of a/l. I also seem to be really excited by the run up to Christmas and the actual day then feel totally flat after. This year we've booked the panto for 28th and going to plan a few catch ups with friends/family. Also plan to use the time to do a bit of clearing out in the house since the weather's usually not great. I do love a walk by myself though, find it totally clears your head so thinking I might try and get dh to watch the kids so I can go for nice walks in the morning at least then I might feel a bit better about accomplishing something with my days

@redfacebigdisgrace ah, glad that idea was a good 'un. We did it last year, it was good fun. We're going to the Kings panto (though it's at the festival theatre this year). We always go. I thought they'd be too old for it, but they insisted we go thankfully. It's on a restricted run this year though due to the venue change.

We also sometimes do a walk round west end/new town and along the water of leith to leith with the promise of cakes at Mimi's. Anything that involves food works here!

I'm no fan of the Christmas market anymore, but, an evening visit earlier in the week can sometimes tempt us along. It's not as crowded, and a good excuse for a mulled wine. Can combine with a trip to the castle lights show?

Also, do you like cooking @redfacebigdisgrace ? Get outdoors in the morning for some vitD, leaving the teens in bed if need be, and then coming home to do a bit of a themed cook day/night? Get something like the Persiana book, and all work together to create a bit of a feast as a change from leftover turkey and wotnot? Play charades or articulate or something interactive afterwards.

I'm now mostly trying to come up with ideas for my house now...