Ideas needed to rescue Christmas without ex

[Spidermama]

We're selling our family home where we've lived for 22 years. Aiming to move out in February. For the first time in 22 years ex has decided he doesn't want to spend Christmas with me and our 4 children (aged 19-26)
I'm absolutely gutted and I fear it could be very depressing here for the children if I don't pull something out of the bag and do something different for us all. He's such a big presence at Christmas. He's been Mr Christmas all these decades. So I need some ideas of how to do something different so we can honour our home and our 22 years here and not have a depressing empty Christmas day. So ... I'm looking for fun and different ideas of stuff to do on the day. What are your fun alternative traditions?

Get some fun new board games or card games, play the white elephant gift exchange game, play the dice-rolling chocolate game (Google this!), have a gingerbread house competition, do a cheese or chocolate fondue, get one of the dc to do a Christmas Day playlist, ask another dc to make festive cocktails or a festive punch.... or volunteer in a soup kitchen for the day.

Xmas day parkrun

What does your "normal"/traditional Christmas look like, as that would help us identify how to make things different. Not much point suggesting how about doing a picky bits nice party food buffet lunch as an alternative to turkey, if you don't normally have a traditional lunch anyway. Or maybe board games are a big part of your day so suggesting a games tournament would be missing the mark.

I echo the Christmas Day parkrun is a nice new tradition if you haven't tried it before - there's usually at least one on locally and you can run it, walk it with the dog, even volunteer. It's nice seeing people off running in Christmas hats and jumpers and elf outfits, and getting some fresh air and exercise first thing.

In the run up, bring out a Christmas jigsaw (1000 pieces?) and have it set up so that one or two people can work at it when they want, maybe only putting in a couple of pieces but enjoying the chat.
Would it be possible to have Christmas lunch out at a restaurant, if you usually eat at home? Just something to make it different.
I would at some point toast the memories you have made, and look forward to making many more new ones.
Have you actually asked the DC what they would like to do? They may prefer to be out of the house completely if they think it will make everyone a bit maudlin.

I’d go abroad tbh as a clean break !

Christmas movies, board games, walking around lit up houses, tubs of celebrations and get them to write up a wish list of favourite sweets and bikkies! Don’t overthink it, the simple Christmases are best, they love you too and will adapt x

Thanks chicas. Some great suggestions here. I like the idea of Christmas dinner out. Normally ex cooks and sometimes Dd.
Yes to board games if they're nice and simple and I like the idea of having a puzzle on the go too.
We're doing the secret Santa thing - but I'm worried now they'll feel the impact of a shortfall on the normal present count along with the absence of ex. And also yes to volunteering. I did it one year with DD and I know she'd be up for it again.
I'm hoping drunken karaoke features later but ex is/was a main player in that department so we'll have to play that by ear. I know DS4 and I will be disappointed if karaoke doesn't happen, but you can't force it.

This. Nice holiday for everyone in the sun.

Your children are adults . No-one goes through life with no change and I'm sure they'll adapt . I actually think you're putting too much pressure on yourself to be the
'Provider ' of a good Christmas.
I think carry on as you usually would , it's going to be your new normal .