Making christmas a nice day when It's just me and my parents

[PearPeer]

Usually there would also be my sister and brother in law and their two young adult children, plus a family friend. My parents host. They're mid-late 70s but very few signs of age thus far, both fit and well both body and mind.

This year family friend is elsewhere, Sister and bro in law are away with niece, and nephew is probably working.

So just us three.

There's a backstory in that things are quite awkward with me and my Dad. We haven't ever got on well, he was abusive to me as a child. Things were still awful when I was a young adult but in my thirties and now forties I just try to be 'normal' with him.

Me and my Mum have a very good, close relationship however.

I am just envisioning it being a bit boring, a bit awkward, a bit odd this year. I am actually slightly surprised that my Mum is still bothering with the whole Christmas day shenanigan thing but she wants to. We don't usually exchange presents and it hasn't been decided whether we will this year. I also don't believe I've ever had any meal with them as an adult just the three of us, Christmas or otherwise!

I am going to take Jenga with me as I know we all enjoy that. If it was me, I'd find out if anyone else was alone for Christmas and invite them to make it a bit more of an occasion! But obviously I can't do that at my parents' house.

Can anyone think of anything else I could do to make the day a bit more festive, enjoyable, 'fun'?

Could you just for dinner and a few hours?

Try and agree on a good Christmassy film (or any film!) that you all like. That works well for when the conversation dries up.
Games or cards if the three of you are up for it.
Who is doing the cooking? If it’s you, being in the kitchen it a good way to to get a breather from people I find. And if you are not, volunteer for dishes!

I think you are wise to plan ahead. Going out is a good idea but you’ll still need to have conversation ready to go! A walk if the weather suits that. A puzzle is a good idea if everyone would enjoy that. We used to play lots of board games - and card games are good too. We loved ‘Sequence’ as a game and it works well for three. Scrabble??
You could also try and identify a film to watch for some of the day. Am sure it will work out !

I was going to say go for a walk. Take some mince pies and a flask of coffee (even mulled wine)) . Even if the weather is terrible go to a good viewpoint and sit in the car

Take them both to the pub for a drink.

Lunch, bit of TV, a game if they fancy it, leave earlier than usual.

Don’t try and recreate the big family fun thing with forced jollity.

I’d be getting cosy on the sofa with the Sound of Music on and a box of chocolates to accompany me and others would be welcome to join me or not. I’m entitled to enjoy my own Christmas and not solely be entertainment for others.

Uno, scrabble or even better a Christmas jigsaw.

id not go though and enjoy Christmas alone if I was you. I’m estranged so my opinion is probably not helpful.

If you live close by just pop around in the morning to wish them a happy Christmas then home again to relax.

DH had xmas alone with his mother a few years ago, she usually came to my much younger parents but deafness and dementia eventually made her refuse the invite.

He kept the conversation going by finding out about her Xmas childhood memories, what her and her 4 siblings all got up to, what xmas was like during rationing (obvs depends if your parents remember the 50's).

If you can get them reminiscing it might pass an hour or two.

We like exploding kittens or Uno.

I would suggest a after lunch walk, then hopefully all fall asleep!