Any ideas for making Christmas eve special

[Chocolatesnowman2]

Christmas day and boxing day always follow the same routine
But I've never managed to create our own traditions for Christmas eve .
Kids are all much older ,youngest is 15 .
So I've probably missed the boat .
But any ideas greatly appreciated,
I just want to make it a bit special
Just hearing what other families do on Christmas eve would actually really help and might give me ideas ..thanks xx

Why is it a treat to sit in your lounge?

Sorry I wasn't clear, we sit in the lounge all the time but we almost always eat at a table in the kitchen or dining room. So the kids thought it was a real treat to eat in the lounge on Christmas Eve.

How about a collaborative game like an at home escape room or murder file from Amazon .
Our lot are all adults now and we go for a walk then stop off for mulled wine at our lovely local pub that has a roaring fire then home for canapés and bubbly before a game and a movie.

Go out at that age, we went into the city centre where you can sit outside, huge sitting area with various pubs around (historic ones, they shut the road during Covid and everyone loved it so it's now permanently closed). If under age it's soft drinks or mocktails but they appreciate being treated as young adults. Thankfully we could walk into the city centre when my kids were that age (or rather walk home, bus in!), we would sometimes watch a movie in the afternoon too. Now they are all over 18 and live elsewhere it was straws for who's driving, this year they are all away at Christmas , one moved abroad, one is away with her partner's family, one wants a cosy Christmas for two so it's us and my single brother so we'll stay walking distance

There are millions of better board games than monopoly. There are even cooperative ones like pandemic, hanabi, somethibg fishy. Or my kids quire like those escape room in a box things

We had a tradition of McDonald's for tea (drive through) then drive around looking at all the Christmas lights in the posh estates nearby with carols playing in the car. It's going to have to change this year tho as I was awake almost all night last Christmas Eve thanks to the coke and pud!! Bit gutted about that 😕 we also have a huge breakfast based on what's known here as a 'Premier Inn breakfast' with a ton of different choices. We're eating the leftovers for days!! 🤣

We usually just relax with Christmas movies on Christmas Eve. The kids (18 and 16) still get Christmas Eve pyjamas and after they put them on we have snacks and watch Muppet Christmas Carol (we all absolutely love this film).

Used to be Christmas Eve box, bath, new pjs (for the kids}, favourite pasta and Xmas film. Now they are older it’s a wander into town, a few drinks in the pub (with friends maybe), favourite pasta and a Xmas film

My parents are from Eastern Europe and Christmas Eve "Eve" was always our special time. 12 courses of meat free dishes followed by an exchange of gifts. Now we are older and my mum is getting on we still celebrate Christmas Eve "Eve" albeit in more of a low key fashion with fewer courses and my kids were actually allowed to have bacon with their Pierogi! (I never had this luxury when I was a child / teen!) I am not expecting you to inherit our culture and tradition, but the key moments are it is a moment for family, a lot of emphasis on reflection, on those unable to attend, an extra table place is set for the spirits of those who could not attend and / or an unexpected guest. It really is the calm before the storm that is Christmas Day. Gift giving was also more low key, and focused more on needs rather than wants. It is still a special time for us, but it is not for everyone.

This reminds me of the time a friend "invented" reverse Monopoly - the idea being to get rid of all your money the quickest. The cheating etc was brilliant and it was one of the funniest nights ever.

That sounds lovely
I bet you have some wonderful memories

My DS is autistic and before he was diagnosed seemed to get very distressed on Christmas Eve and feeling off/not wanting to eat. We find going out to a National Trust property is nice, definitely getting some fresh air, having a hot chocolate or another treat in the cafe.

We also go to mass late on Christmas Eve, it's actually very peaceful and calm/by candlelight. The best part of Christmas for us.