How to keep christmas magic when kids are older?

[welshgirl666]

Hiya!

I'm hoping to find ways to make christmas magical now that the kids are older and have outgrown the usual things we did like doing crafts, putting out reindeer food etc. They are 13 and 18 and I feel like the magic was missing this year even though I tried to do all the usual stuff.
So how do you make Xmas magical and exciting with older or even no children? I'm a kid at heart and want the excitement and magic!

Thanks

Did they do craft?! my 2 would have looked at my quizzically had i suggested crafty stuff

as for keeping the magic, you need to accept it’s a different kind of magic

so i still leave out food for santa. but all done very tongue and cheek.

Plus the board games now can be quite risqué as can the films. little things. plus they have parties to attend… which i love then having friends over and getting ready etc

what are you hoping for?

Heading into this phase now so hoping to learn some tips too for next year!
I remember not enjoying Xmas as much from 13-17… felt very predictable and I had no choice really as we always did the same stuff due to ‘family tradition’ that felt very fixed as it La what my parents liked. So I plan to talk to them both and ask if there are ways that they want to change it up and make new traditions next year.

Ours (15/13) still love The Muppets Christmas Carol on Christmas eve, because if you outgrow the magic of the Muppets you outgrow life.

They are "no where close to" not wanting a stocking with silly bits in.

They both still love panto but obviously now understand the cheeky jokes.

Still like fun family games.
Crackers
Gingerbread houses (making and decorating)

Magic to them is having people around, couple of days no work, schoolwork, chores, just play basically.

Mine just want stocking presents and family time with no interruptions

I thought I would knock the stockings on the head this year (22 & 19). They were so disappointed when I told them so I went to Poundland and bought a load of chocolates and sweets - they loved it! How bizarre.

We now have posh breakfast with Bucks Fizz on Christmas Day board games, visits to the pub, dog walks and friends round for games night. It can still be fun but in different ways.