Christmas Eve (daytime traditions)

[631upper]

Just wondering what people do as their "tradition" with kids on Christmas Eve.

My usual plan isn't happening this year (only found out today) and I'd like to do something special!

Kids are 7 and 3. We've seen Santa, done the festive lights etc etc.

bonus points if it's inexpensive!!

I'll fall back on the cinema if need be, but that doesn't seem special. I also have crafts / baking if they fancy that.

Thanks!

The rule in our house is that all Christmas wrapping has to be done by the 23rd. Christmas eve is mostly about wearing the younger dc out because 2 of them don't sleep well at the best of times. Bedrooms get a good tidy and Hoover because we don't want father Christmas to trip over anything. Clean sheets. Sometimes we will go to the park. Sometimes soft play depending on the weather. The dc who are aged under 16 hang up their stockings and go to bed. The over 16's don't have stockings but they are allowed to stay up with DH and I for a takeaway curry and a Christmas film.

Every year we hire out a private room at a local bar/restaurant. There are 8 families (around 35 this year) and we arrive around 1.30 have food and a few drinks and the kids play outside and have fun. Then we all walk up to the first mass of Christmas at our church where we see all our friends. It's total chaos and absolutely packed but we all love it.
We are home for 7.30 for Xmas eve boxes, stuff out for Father Christmas and an early night ready for an early start the next day.

Pantomime then pizza express

Christmas baking and crafts
As it gets darker
We make a hot chocolate in our travel mugs for the car and drive around looking at the Christmas lights
Get a Chinese on the way home
Eat whilst watching a Christmas movie
Mince pies out etc
Bath and bed

Then I'll do some Christmas dinner prep and put all the gifts downstairs into piles of who's is who's

We have a picnic underneath and around the Christmas tree. The kids love it. It is super simple, a really nice time to enjoy the tree and some time together. ☺️

We have done the same thing now for over twenty years and I genuinely think it might be my favourite day of the year. Adaptations have been made over the years as our DC have got older.

7.30am DS (adult) and I go fetch the orders from the butchers, florist and deli then stop for a quick coffee.

10am home and wake the others, magically the elf has left a Christmas Eve wicker hamper with bath bombs, pyjamas for anyone staying over on Christmas Eve and some sweet treats. Bacon sandwiches for breakfast.

12noon overnight guests arrive. Tea, let them unpack.

2.30pm set off to walk to a local restaurant for late lunch/ early dinner. When DC were younger they took scooters, colouring etc.

3.30pm Eat.

5.30pm ‘One for the road’ in a local pub where lots of friends, their guests and family members. It’s lovely as kids home from uni etc all there.

7pm home and into pyjamas, film on, cheeseboard, sweets and relax.

@BarbaraHoward my dc have never been given that from Santa or school.

Kids and DH make croissants to have for breakfast on Christmas Day. That takes most of the day with rolling and proving etc. Church service at 4pm. Loading up santas plate and putting stockings out and all that. Quite a chilled day really as Christmas is usually full on with the extended family!