Ideas for Christmas - just me and DS (14)

[eish]

It is just DS (age 14) and I this year, older siblings are abroad and so is his dad. Any ideas of how to make the day special? His dad and I broke up this year so first Christmas alone so I want to make it special. We will have a bigger family Christmas but not on Christmas Day.

he has requested no walk which was our usual family tradition! 🤣

so far I have:

build a Lego kit together
smorgasbord of all our fav things
a present on the hour for 12 hours, possibly hide and seek presents?
probably chicken roast
toast marshmallows on fire

I've heard some cinemas and bowling alleys are open on Christmas Day...

I love the present on the hour idea!
How about plan a very busy xmas eve, cinema, bowling etc then just make christmas day very chill

Get outside if dry. Flask of hot chocolate and warm sausage rolls in tin foil and nice walk somewhere. It’s dark by 4pm almost so a bit of change of scenery helps.

I’d go somewhere hot and have a crazy different Christmas

Breakfast in bed
Have some small fireworks (e.g. Catherine wheels and Roman candles) in the garden

Is there no extended family you'd want to share Christmas with?

Failing that I'd have a busy Christmas Eve, and I do love a church service on Christmas Eve, then Christmas day build Lego together. Maybe play a board game or video game

Mexico , or just somewhere else! Mix it up!

I am holiday-obsessed but I would go to a nice location - somewhere hot as pps have suggested or something like Centreparcs. Make it a complete indulgent treaty-change for you both.

Go and see one of the siblings overseas? Tricky if he's expected elsewhere on Boxing Day admittedly.

14 feels a bit old for hide and seek presents I'll be honest.

There are lots of "films to watch before you are X yrs old" lists. You could splurge and download something brand new off a streaming channel. Christmas telly is usually crap.

I think the suggestion of having a v busy Christmas Eve and a chilled day is a good one. Arrange to meet friends, or host drinks for a couple of hours. Could you facilitate a CEve get together for his friends at your home or offer to supervise [pay for] an activity somewhere. Not too late, they'll be expected back but perhaps afternoon/early evening.

Does he sleep for England like mine did at 14. I decorated his room while he was asleep so he woke up "in Christmas".

We went cycling on Christmas day. Deserted rural lanes where we live, Can you cycle to a family friend's house, have a hot toddy before lunch & cycle home. It's much more fun than walking.

Or hire a holiday cottage somewhere very cold - Scotland? and make it a bit of an adventure.

His one request is not to go for a walk!

Some great suggestions! A few comments...
I forgot to say I looked into an amazing holiday but this is a not an option for various reasons.

He can't visit his siblings abroad as they are on holidays of their own or don't want to be visited on their gap year! (Fair enough).
I was planning a London trip before Christmas so it will definitely be busy before and after.
I agree about hide and seek presents being a bit young, we wouldn't normally do that but I thought making him work for his presents might use up some time!
Unfortunately no other options for family on actual Christmas Day.

Also, he is very happy with a chilled, cosy day at home. We discussed the holiday and why it wouldn't work then but might do that at Easter instead. I'm really looking for ideas to make it special at home.

Did you have any traditions when he was a young kid that he would still enjoy? Like making a gingerbread house or similar?
you could buy ingredients for fancy mocktails and get a shaker etc and make up loads of different ones to try.
maybe watch a Christmas special you loved when you were a teen?

Cook together. I know it sounds like a chore but it could be really special, agree the menu in advance. I had one son with me the year of my break up (ok he was 21) and I remember this fondly.

I'm taking my 18yr old and my 14yr old out for Christmas lunch. I have done Christmas at home plenty, I think it would be nice to have more of a Party atmosphere and be around other people now they are older.

Pick a film each ( Christmas or other family film) Get a big double throw and a load of sweet and savoury snacks. Make popcorn, have a chocolate fountain, Make your own bowl of mixed favourite chocs.
Have a PJs day.
Buy some daft novelty Christmas activities e.g.pudding head ( throw mini puddings at Velcro hat you wear)
Buy novelty crackers e.g.racing reindeers, musical bells or mini recorders to play Christmas tunes fun with just 2!
Buy each other a daft secret Santa present max £5 budget.
Christmas themed music quiz
Low maintenance food e.g. M & S Waitrose bung in the oven.
Enjoy.

Recorders with 2 could be funny.
Although I'd be tempted to buy semi decent ones bit less squeaky than novelty ones.

A chocolate fountain would be fun if you don't already have one. Keep it as a surprise and give it to him as his last gift

We have moved recently and just thrown the chocolate fountain out! I think I have a fondue set somewhere though so we could have a chocolate fondue...

Embrace the cosiness and do things that you wouldn't be able to do with a big group, so you make the fact that there's just 2 of you an advantage

E.g. if 2 of you sitting at the dining table would seem a bit empty, you could buy some fancy lap trays or tables and have your roast dinner in the sitting room with the fire on while watching a favourite Christmas movie

Hotel chocolat does a melted chocolate thing if you can't locate your fondue
https://www.hotelchocolat.com/uk/chocolate-for-dipping.html

Games that are great with 2 players e.g. Jenga or a mystery solving game. I've not tried it yet but there's now a murdle board game suitable for 1-4 players.

As he doesn't want to go for a walk is he a movie lover ? Mine at that sort of age on their birthday did a moviefest where we spent all day watching films of his choice back to back from sofa under blankets so pancakes for breakfast, hot dogs for lunch , popcorn and ice cream

What's his favourite takeaway ? Indian curry or Chinese /Thai for lunch

Yep, go somewhere non-christmassy - skiing, surfing ..... You're having an alternative xmas day anyway.

This would be my DD and my dream! We would rent an apartment by the seaside - Aberystwyth maybe. Have some M and S food that is easy to make (or DD would cook). Go for a nice walk on the beach, then chill all day binge watching stuff on Netflix. Sounds heavenly
Hope you have a great time!