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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Just another day

27 replies

purpleme12 · 06/12/2024 21:49

This will be the first time my child and me will spend Christmas by ourselves at our house
We've always gone to my mum's and there's always been at least one cousin for her to play with
This year she's said to me 'won't it be just like a normal day?'

I mean I get her point...

Anyone else felt like this?

OP posts:
Roryno · 06/12/2024 21:54

No because you’ll still be opening presents, speaking to family on the phone, having a nice meal, and picking nice things to watch on tv or playing fun games. It can be whatever you two want it to be.

I think it’s good to mix Christmas up and not do exactly the same with the same people year after year- otherwise she will turn into one of the people that stress about Xmas if adult children want to go to their partner’s house etc.

Have a lovely day.

Rhaidimiddim · 06/12/2024 21:56

purpleme12 · 06/12/2024 21:49

This will be the first time my child and me will spend Christmas by ourselves at our house
We've always gone to my mum's and there's always been at least one cousin for her to play with
This year she's said to me 'won't it be just like a normal day?'

I mean I get her point...

Anyone else felt like this?

Of course it won't be just like a normal day. it will be Christmas Day. What you choose to do to celebrate Christmas Day will make it not a normal day.

Edited to add: after the divorce, it was just me, my 7-y-o and the baby - I have no other family. One of my daughters told me last week how much she loved the Christmases she had as a child. As with any day, it is what you make of it. (Hete ends the lesson for today.)

Original poster
purpleme12 · 06/12/2024 21:57

@Roryno maybe it is good to mix it up a bit

OP posts:
PTSDBarbiegirl · 06/12/2024 22:00

I do but for me it’s a blessed relief. Make it fun and take turns to choose whatever she/you wants to play, eat, watch on tv, wear, do, drink etc. Maybe she’ll want to choose pizza with trifle for dessert! Let her, embrace the fact that it’ll be one for you both to remember and no stress.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 06/12/2024 22:01

It will be different
And I can't recreate that with me and her
So I guess I worry about her not liking it as much yes

OP posts:
Original poster
purpleme12 · 06/12/2024 22:01

PTSDBarbiegirl · 06/12/2024 22:00

I do but for me it’s a blessed relief. Make it fun and take turns to choose whatever she/you wants to play, eat, watch on tv, wear, do, drink etc. Maybe she’ll want to choose pizza with trifle for dessert! Let her, embrace the fact that it’ll be one for you both to remember and no stress.

Good idea I will see what she wants to get in to eat and things

OP posts:
RubyRedBow · 06/12/2024 22:02

This will be me and my child text year as we’ve been told by my mum that she doesn’t want her kids coming anymore.
At first I felt sad but I’ll make it as special as I can. You have the freedom to do anything you like together.

OrangesCinammonIvy · 06/12/2024 22:05

.
How old is she? 3? 10? 15? 20????

Original poster
purpleme12 · 06/12/2024 22:08

11

OP posts:
allthatfalafel · 06/12/2024 22:22

purpleme12 · 06/12/2024 22:01

It will be different
And I can't recreate that with me and her
So I guess I worry about her not liking it as much yes

this is your own chance to start your own traditions

e.g. we always wrap/decorate boxes the night before ready to put presents in next day

we have pancakes for breakfast

we have a Christmas/favourite film or programme set to record/timings to watch, like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with a selection box

have a Christmas song dance off or play a board game

Original poster
purpleme12 · 06/12/2024 22:34

Thanks am appreciating the ideas and replies coming in

I feel the pressure by myself

OP posts:
MumChp · 06/12/2024 22:36

Presents. Nice food. Decorations. Go to church. Play a board game. You can make it a special day.

Aligirlbear · 06/12/2024 22:49

The day can be anything you want to make it. Establish your own traditions.

Matching Xmas Pjs , opening presents before breakfast. Play games before lunch. Go for a walk after lunch. Choose a film and sit down together to watch it with chocolates / nibbles and a special mocktail (cocktail for mum if wanted ! ) Phone / FaceTime any family to show pressies and wish happy Christmas. Sit in the evening with the fairy lights on and some candles to watch some TV.

Let your DC get involved in cooking lunch - doesn't have to be turkey, what is your favourite food - if it's steak and chips , have that

Have a lovely time.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 07/12/2024 00:21

I'm having Christmas at home alone with DD for the first time this year. We don't have any family to go to and have usually gone to friends. But we've decided to stay at home and just chill. We're both really looking forward to it. Watching Gavin and Stacey, having a lovely dinner and lots of goodies. Neither of us like board games or forced fun so it'll be lovely to do nothing!

MrsTerryPratchett · 07/12/2024 00:23

Aligirlbear · 06/12/2024 22:49

The day can be anything you want to make it. Establish your own traditions.

Matching Xmas Pjs , opening presents before breakfast. Play games before lunch. Go for a walk after lunch. Choose a film and sit down together to watch it with chocolates / nibbles and a special mocktail (cocktail for mum if wanted ! ) Phone / FaceTime any family to show pressies and wish happy Christmas. Sit in the evening with the fairy lights on and some candles to watch some TV.

Let your DC get involved in cooking lunch - doesn't have to be turkey, what is your favourite food - if it's steak and chips , have that

Have a lovely time.

This. Do Christmassy things.

One of the reasons I don't like trees up in November, selection boxes on 1st December etc. is to save the really good stuff for the day.

OAPapparently · 07/12/2024 00:26

This is your chance to make a memorable Christmas for her - the girly Christmas that she will always remember.
Its not about the quantity of people, it’s about the quality of them.
You can plan things to do together, she can have lots of input. Make it your perfect day. Presents, nice food, nice films, games. You could pamper yourselves - nice dressing gowns and slippers, face masks, paint nails.

MrsSkylerWhite · 07/12/2024 00:28

11? Fabulous age. Absolutely let her choose dinner and TV. Have fun!

WilfredsPies · 07/12/2024 00:32

You’ve got the perfect opportunity here to spend some proper quality time together and really enjoy each other’s company without having the pressure of washing up (it can wait for one day) or nipping around with the hoover or rushing to get somewhere.

Sit down with her and talk about how you want your day to look like. Do you both want to get dressed up? Or stay in pyjamas? Do you want turkey? Or pizza on a blanket in front of the tv? Do you want to play board games? Or borrow a dog to take for a walk on the beach? Or do something crafty together? See it as a day where the world is your oyster and you can have the perfect day together.

Lavenderandbrown · 07/12/2024 00:33

Maybe some music? A church service for music My church always welcomes visitors and we have many Tree lit up and open presents Cook a nice meal and have her help Pretty holiday plates (paper?) napkins and fancy glass for her juice or drink Dress up And perhaps a friend(hers or yours) or neighbor would extend an invitation for dessert/pudding Dont be afraid to memtion its just the two of you. I would always include two for dessert Walk or drive to look at houses and lights

HateLongCovid · 07/12/2024 00:35

Do some Christmas crafts together if she likes crafts. Therapeutic Christmas colouring. Making long paper chains, etc.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 07/12/2024 00:42

Appreciating the suggestions

I wouldn't mind going to church on Christmas day but I'm not sure I'll get anywhere with that one! 😂

OP posts:
westernlights · 07/12/2024 01:06

I have had similar with my DD that age. I bought her pamper things, hair tongs, nails, make up and we experimented and tried them all out.
She may prefer gaming or TV, let her do and eat all the things you'd probably tell her not to normally

westernlights · 07/12/2024 01:08

Or invite a friend or neighbour over in the afternoon to break the day up, there might be someone alone who you could visit or invite over.

westernlights · 07/12/2024 01:12

Or make bath bombs, slime kit etc...my DD loved that at 11, I hated the bloody stuff but I let her loose with it on Christmas Day.

GiveMeAbitOfSugar · 07/12/2024 04:19

Christmas Eve:
Some nice Hot chocolate, Snacks
Xmas Movies and Make decorations

Christmas Day :
Open presents
Play games, make things, eat your / her favourite food
Watch a movie