8 days to go and we haven't done anything Christmassy

[Loafbeginsat60]

Said my dd(11) tonight

Now I feel terrible! She went to the panto with school and last weekend was her village Xmas party.

But we live really rurally so there isn't anything to do or lights to drive and see. No carol concerts or grottos unless we do a 100 mile round trip after school 😬

So I need to think of some things to do with her and her brother (14) before Friday!

We decorated the tree last weekend.

I hate the thought that she's not feeling Christmassy - help!

I live in the highlands too,very rural.

We decorated our porch ,there's a long table ,I put a white tablecloth on , lots white lights,tinsel,snowmen ,Santa clause figure,
It cheers you up as you go in and out the house.
In addition we have lots lights in the livingroom,kitchen ,and a tree of course.
Also bake gingerbread men or mince pies which gives place Christmas day smell.

I'm making mulled apple juice.

Lots of other Christmassy things to make - she could also maybe collect greenery/holly and make a wreath/sling it round the bannisters?

Chopping up paper to make snowflakes is also pretty fun.

And another

Baking , lots of baking with retro Christmas tunes, homemade bunting- paper/felt/glitter pens while watching The Grinch, indoor festive picnic by candle light with funny podcast.
I hope you all have a lovely time, I would love a countryside Crimbo!

Wreath is a great idea. We can go and get the greenery after work

And paper snowflakes - I used to love making those

Gorgeous

I'm practically broke this year so I'm trying to do something each day to make up for the lack of presents and outings. So far we've made paper snowflakes (youtube tutorial), found a recipe for sugar plums online and got the ingredients, making those today or tomorrow, made a gingerbread house (got a kit, can't imagine doing that from scratch!), watched Christmas movies, playing Christmas music, I filled DD's stockings and they get to choose one item each day, blindly reaching in and grabbing something, mostly sweets of course but also stickers and little toys or skin creams, lip balm, etc. (I've never done this before but it's been fun and I think it's helping keeping the spirits up!), kids went outside and gathered pine cones and made a wreath with those, some ribbon and little bells. Got some whipped cream and various Christmassy sprinkles, so even our tea is festive. One day we made popcorn and elder DD learned how to melt white chocolate over a water bath and we mixed the melted chocolate with the popcorn then sprinkled on some of the colored sugars and sprinkles. It was really good! We've been cutting back on sugar but December is the exception for sure. I think tonight after making the sugar plums we'll put on Christmas music and play board games. Honestly it doesn't take much and when you have grateful children it's even better. I've been really depressed since the winter solstice, gloomy weather, etc so trying to make Christmas magical for my kids has helped me a lot too.

@MyBigFatGreekSalad I love the hunt idea, I'm using that one!

Male mince pies and watch elf.. happy Christmas.

No use this year but perhaps next year you can organise a tractor run, my kids love it.

Let her choose a Christmas film and get some snacks in, hot chocolate, marshmallows etc. Mine are super excited for this on Xmas eve.

This.

She's at an age where tranquil village life will seem very boring, especially if she's grown up with it and doesn't appreciate what she's got compared to the vibe of living somewhere rough AF. (Other living situations are available, obviously, point is she's luckier than some).

It's also the age where city kids start hanging out with their friends alone, getting themselves to and from the mall etc. If she was out with mates surrounded by bright lights, glitter and sparkle she'd feel more Christmassy.

Absolutely Christmas films (maybe everyone picks there favourite or you choose a new one)

Get some Christmas music on when you are making dinner etc!

Start wrapping the pressies and get her involved (the ones that aren’t hers obviously!)

Wear your Christmas jumpers round the farm

Ginger bread house would be great or a little Christmas craft. I haven’t watched Stacey’s Solomon’s bbc programme but I’m sure there some good ideas

Do you have a projector? Film night projected onto a sheet in the barn, made all cosy would be amazing.
Have a look at community Facebook pages. There's usually something happening in halls and churches.
Get her to think of simple Christmassy activities and write them on slips of paper to pull out of a jar throughout the holidays.
Use lining paper to draw round her to paint Santa Claus, elves, etc and make a scene on the wall.

She's probably just looking for the wee things that feel a bit magical.

Bake gingerbread
Go for a festive walk
Watch lots of Xmas films with goodies
Play board games
Make some extra Xmas decorations
Drink hot chocolate

There's loads of festive events in the twixmas period these days , are you available to travel to any of them? I prefer that time to the pre Christmas rush.

We don't do a lot as well, the mood just comes from general preparations and decorating the house. Plan a movie marathon or make Christmas slideshows with music and scenes from Christmas movies, design Christmas collages or try out new baking ideas, etc. There is plenty of what you can do in order to get in the mood yourself and help your DC to do so.

Could she have a friend to sleepover? (Helping another mum/dad our there too so they can wrap gifts. She could plan it herself, think of some christmassy things to do, write a shopping list for ingredients for making some goodies for the evening.
Maybe you could suggest making pizzas, or puffy pastry christmas trees, cookies and slow cooked hot chocolate? Get her to choose a Christmas film to watch with her friend. Maybe she could make up a little basket for the evening with a board game, face masks, some sweets/popcorn.

And if you didn't want to host a sleepover, this sounds kind of wonderful to do with her yourself. You're almost reversing the role and getting her to plan an evening with you, and you just give her that dedicated time. And obviously include your other baby too! I wasn't suggesting you just stood him in a corner and ignore him lol.
Time together is the best christmas gift :)

Ps. Your housing situation sounds like a christmas movie!
Does she like the idea of making films/clips? Just saying...but she has the perfect setting and that could be this week's project to watch on christmas day for a giggle!

I think it’s pretty normal to travel to do Christmas days out 🤷‍♀️ We did 64 miles each way last week and we’re doing 29 each way today with our 2 year old so if there’s stuff you want to do it’s definitely possible!

Thanks for all the ideas

We settled down to watch home alone last night with hot choc. Halfway through she was bored and went to her room!!

Have decided to go ice skating after Xmas with a friend and then cinema so she will have some things to look forward to afterwards

Love the way no one believes you live where you do! 🤣