How to handle husband working xmas day

[Stuckinside]

So as the title suggests my husband has to work xmas day - despite his boss refusing to do any of the festive period (another story). I have a 5 and 10 year old and am trying to figure out how to do xmas day on boxing day without them realising, more specifically our older child. They love to track santa on Xmas eve which is going to make it difficult, so I'm open to any suggestions. I was going to add another chocolate into their advent calenders and do another day for the elf.... But I don't know how to ensure the day is seamless.....and don't want my older child to have the magic spoilt. Those who also work xmas day with children, how do you manage it? Thank you

Don't make this harder for yourself. Christmas is enough hassle without having to maintain a ridiculous fiction about the date. It's a good time to educate the kids that some people still have to work all year round as the services they provide are so important. It doesn't need to be a big deal. Just do presents early in the morning and Christmas dinner when your husband gets home. Plenty of things to fill the time in between like Christmas TV, toys. Might even be nicer having some quiet time in the day. Definitely don't get too obviously sad about it yourself - it's not ideal but you still get a Christmas with your loved ones.

Wouldn’t have a chance with mine. They’d be counting down the days.

Why do you want it to be a secret? My dad occasionally had to work Christmas and my child free sister often volunteers to (both doctors). So what? Your DH will be home in time for dinner. If they can wait presents til then great if not do it before he leaves? My kids were always up by 6am Christmas Day. I’m also amazed your ten year old still believes in Santa.

My shift worker dad nearly always worked Christmas Day because my parents were hard up and the double pay was super important to the family budget.

it wasn't a big deal. Actual Christmas Day was low key, a new book, lots of good tv, some fizzy pop (a rare treat 50 years ago) and a selection box each. Then Boxing Day was the massive celebration - stockings, presents, roast dinner, the works.

We actually felt sorry for people whose Christmas ended on the 25th and didn't have loads of treats on Boxing Day! So much so that when I eventually had my own family we created our own tradition of having a dinner and family fun on Christmas Day but saved all the presents for Boxing Day.