Christmas afternoon with teens help please

[TheBolterdahling]

So for the first year since divorce I don’t have my kids on Xmas Eve / morning. They are 12, 14 and 17.

The last few years we have done xmas eve PJs, watched a silly personalised film from santa before bed (no one still believes but they’re fun) and then stockings and presents in the morning. They’ve then headed off to their dad for Xmas dinner and more presents at lunchtime whilst I drink baileys and eat a whole Camembert to myself on my own - bliss. By the time they come back we’re ready for chill time.

This year it’s all change! They’ll spend all day Xmas Eve at their dads and I will have them back in the afternoon of Xmas Day. Thinking Xmas eve PJs the morning of Xmas Eve before they go to their dads and they can spend all day in PJs.
The most important thing is I don’t want to cook on Xmas day - kids don’t like Xmas dinner particularly (or Camembert particularly) and with me and teens I’m thinking going to do picky bits from M&S although I’d like to try and make it special. They don’t care about a Xmas dinner but have it with their dad as he has a big family and I have no-one else to cater for.
So
*present opening when they’re back
*picky bits for lunch
*Everyone goes off for some alone time
*Drag them out for a walk - never had to do this before on Xmas so they may refuse!
*Maybe a board game or a murder mystery thing?
*Xmas film

help please with any more creative ideas

Have you asked them what they would like to do? Or get ideas from them for dinner?
If you all watch something like the Traitors/ 1%club get the board game as a family present.
Do one of the funny secret Santa/present swapping games.
Choose a film to watch.
I'd keep it easy as it's their first time with a change in routine as well as yours so emotions may be heightened with the change in traditions. Lots of fave foods and familiar things.

What about a second Christmas Day in Boxing Day- so they come home to you and then you do your Christmas Eve traditions on Christmas night and have Christmas morning Boxing Day?

Ask them how they'd feel about that as they are old enough.

Thank you these are good ideas. I’m going to speak to them this weekend but wanted to have some positive plans to propose to them to be upbeat and chirpy about a change they may not be totally delighted about - don’t want to sabotage the ex’s Christmas

I agree, just move everything by 24 hours. They may feel a bit wrung out from their dad's Christmas and may just want to chill.

PJs a bit earlier, silly movie and snacks and on Boxing Day your normal routine with food you all like. They may find this reassuring to not have two new set ups in one year.

But definitely talk to them, maybe separately so they don't feel they can't say anything because they think they don't want to disappoint their siblings. And then make a plan together.