How to make a small Christmas fun

[elevenpiperspiping]

So off the back of another thread I thought I might start one for those of us who have very small Christmases. And we could maybe share ideas of how to make the day feel special.

Ours will just be the five of us. Myself, dh, two teens and my MIL. We do have a few other relatives but geographically spread far so we don’t see them at Christmas. I find it difficult to make it feel Christmassy especially as the kids gets older. I still do Christmas Eve boxes and stockings to try and keep some magic but if I’m honest it just feels like another Sunday sometimes. Also my kids only really get presents from us and MIL although they do get cash from grandparents abroad.

@jackndianethought you might like to join me on this thread

Are you a family who play games? We find a new (ridiculous or interesting) game to play after dinner helps keep things 'Christmassy'. Last year was a murder mystery, the year before, throwing 'brussel sprouts' through hoops. A few glasses of wine for the adults, and it's great fun!

Or, Christmas films/TV? Go for a walk after food, then all gathered together to watch?

And to anyone spending it on their own who doesn’t want to, I do realise that must be very difficult.

@wwldyes I usually buy a new board game and a jigsaw. Mil insists we eat at 3.30 after the kings speech which I find a bit difficult as it’s neither lunch nor dinner time, but actually as the kids have got older this is easier as they don’t tend to surface until at least 10 now do I can get away with doing brunch then the Christmas dinner.

We had a ping pong game one year that was good and we had a few years of having the kazoo / handbell crackers which was fun.

When I was a teen we had 'Queen's Speech Bingo'. Not very respectful, but when Gran insisted we all watch it, Dad found a way to make it entertaining. The best bit was making sure Gran didn't find out.

I'm a bit 'trad', what are Christmas Eve boxes and why have them?

I can't remember the last time we had more than 6 people round the Christmas table but it's always Christmassy.
My kids are young adults now and part of it for us is pretending they're still little! They still have a stocking which they open on our bed, we still make dh go downstairs first to check if " he's been!"
Their arrival home is always lovely too. The other year , one son had been living abroad and we picked him up from the airport in santa hats and Christmas jumpers and it really kick started Christmas!
On Christmas eve we all go out for a big walk at a national trust place- usually late afternoon so when you sre driving back everywhere is lit up and twinkly. Then everyone helps prepare the veg for the next day, in the kitchen listening to carols.
Lovely dinner round the table in the evening and then midnight mass for those who want to.

Stockings in bed Christmas morning, then turkey in. Showers abd clothes and fizz in hands we start on presents.
We usually eat about 3 too. Maybe a little earlier.

We play board games, sometimes go for a walk after dinner. Drink more fizz. Take a break for the snowman on channel 4.
People take time out when they need it.

Five people is a small Christmas rather than a ‘very’ small one.

There will be two of us this year and we will do exactly the same as we have done when there were more of us which is probably not that much different from when there are even more people. It just quieter, but the rest of the elements will be much the same as most folks up and down the country.

We are more brunch and dinner after darkness falls, so we eat by fairy and candlelight. We have been doing that for decades to make dinner feel a bit more special and we normally dress up as well. Presents, dog walk, eat, play games, eat, watch TV in the evening. Generally just enjoy the peace and quiet of the day, good food and each other’s company.

If you have a look on Instagram do a search for games activity there are loads of fun ideas on there using simple things like party cups, balloons ,paper plates etc They look easy to set up and fun to do for all ages.

Thanks @elevenpiperspiping.

I think my kids now just enjoy a big plate of Christmas dinner! I tried going out for dinner for a few years to break up the day, but when they started getting older we were paying for 4 adults and it was too much. So now I just cook, we all sit at the table and chat and then when we are stuffed we basically lie on the couch! They can go to their rooms as and when it suits them. Dh and I might go a walk if its dry. Other than that, its a chilled day.

Sounds wonderful and just like our christmas and it's perfect.
Perhaps people who are used to huge family gatherings find quieter ones strange? I'm the opposite. When I was engaged went to DH's family for christmas day. About 20 people. It was awful! Noisy. Had to eat (stingy sized) christmas dinner on a wobbly stool. Had to sit on the floor rest of the day as all the old relies were on the sofa and chairs. About 2 chocolates all day and petty arguments about the tv, which no one could hear anyway. 😂 I swore never again!!!