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Original poster

Christmas - How to have a really nice traditional one

37 replies

UCM · 12/08/2006 17:06

I know I know I know - it's August.

However, for the first time I have got guests and I want to make it really special.

We don't have any particular traditions but would welcome some. Nothing too expensive though.

I just want the day to be a little bit different and not just the pressie opening in the morning, dinner and crash out on sofa watching shite telly.

OP posts:
Carmenere · 12/08/2006 17:09

In my house we have dinner in the early evening so it's like a dinner party but there are not too many children in our family. That said we had it at lunch time last year and it was quite nice too.

The thing is that to me it is just a normal day with a fancy dinner and gifts and I think that is quite nice.

cupcakes · 12/08/2006 17:16

"I just want the day to be a little bit different and not just the pressie opening in the morning, dinner and crash out on sofa watching shite telly."

But that is our tradition!

Do you have a fireplace? Can you send letters to Father Christmas on Christmas Eve?
When at parents we sometimes play charades.

Katymac · 12/08/2006 17:20

Bucksfizz and bacon sarnies for breakfast
Walk on the beach
Christmas Lunch
Fly somewhere hot

That would be my perfect Christmas

MaloryFascinatorTowers · 12/08/2006 17:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
UCM · 12/08/2006 17:24

A walk on the beach is possible as I live next to it... good idea.

Keep em comoing

OP posts:
RubyRioja · 12/08/2006 17:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

treacletart · 12/08/2006 17:38

Carol singing christmas eve, Midnight mass, New pyjamas for kids christmas eve, church and/or mulled wine walk Christmas morning, santa snacks and footprints, keep present opening till as late in the day as possible idealy after Christmas dinner (this bit fairly impossible with small kids!), invent your own silly games in the afternoon/evening eg musical pants instead of musical chairs (you have to put the pants on your head).Someone mentioned on here once about buying dressing up clothes for their lvery sound sleeping ittle ones and dressing them up when they were asleep so they woke up as princesses. Or how about putting sparkle on their cheeks where santa may have kissed them in the night?... Oooh I'm feeling festive already!

flutterbee · 12/08/2006 17:40

I am sooooooooo excited about Christmas

treacletart · 12/08/2006 17:40

Apologies for typo - I meant "very sound sleeping little ones" - had to clarify because I hate ittle/ickle!!

zippitippitoes · 12/08/2006 17:47

apparently Harrods have got their Christmas stuff in already

cupcakes · 12/08/2006 17:55

we're going to London soon as I have to go to Harrods Christmas department. I have to get one of their Christmas dated bears for the unborn baby and I know I won't be able to face a trip closer to Christmas/due date. Ds and dd both have these bears. I also have to get a dated Christmas decoration from there for the baby. It all sounds corny but I used to work there when I met dh and have very fond memories of the place.

expatinscotland · 12/08/2006 17:57

I've already started on it! Got half the cards made. I like to take a good photo of us - FIL comes along to take it - and then print it up to put on the front for all the family abroad.

How about doing a cake or mincemeat from scratch?

Or make your own crackers - everyone gets to personalise it up.

Can't wait to make deccies w/DD1, who is 3 and old enough now to get very chuffed about Xmas.

lexiemum · 12/08/2006 19:17

we do the crib service on xmas eve then home for dinner and a pressie - pjs for the dcs and probably watch the snowman or miracle on 24th street coz its my fav xmas movie.

xmas morning is stockings and breakfast in bed - then no more pressies till the family arrive

thinking of doing amazon wish lists this year so everyone gets things they want

last year we started table presents - everyone got a name and a £2.50 budget to buy something to open at the table - had to be specific to the individual.

Sobernow · 12/08/2006 19:19

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MarsLady · 12/08/2006 19:55

got to be smoked salmon and scrambled eggs with champers for breakfast.

Got to pull crackers at the table.

Church in the morning after the first rush of opening pressies.

Presents don't go under the tree until all are sleeping on Christmas eve. Then in the early am turn on the lights! Sigh...................

Original poster
UCM · 12/08/2006 19:57

Sobernow, it's me ok! Undercovermum, anagram of cum, whatever.

YES IT'S ME now can we forget that I ever mentioned my fucking smelly fadge and pretend that I was talking about my bathroom carpet

OP posts:
flutterbee · 12/08/2006 20:00

PMSL @ smelly fadge

WideWebWitch · 12/08/2006 20:03

I love Christmas day, for the last 5 or so years it's just been us and child/ren (dd having only been alive for 3 of them!) and we just mooch and eat and open presents and there's no pressure, it's just great. We do stockings in the morning, a few presents and then lunch and then other presents and maybe a walk.

Skribble · 12/08/2006 22:07

We don't rush presents, kids open stockings in bed with us (along with PIL), everyone then gets dressed, ideal if you have guests and makes pictures less embarrising, we all settle down bu tthe kettle is on and the first round of toast gets handed out, kids play posty and tkae turns to hand out presents and take time to see what others have got too. About half through FIL makes scrambled egg with smoked salmon.

Rest pretty normal, get rid of the guys with the kids while we strat on late lunch, eat about 2pm, when the guys get back FIL gets out crackers and cheese and DH moves tables and sets them.

stephanieplum · 12/08/2006 22:19

Blimey it is August! I know you have said this but along with the mn meet up this is all too much I am going to lie down now!

eidsvold · 13/08/2006 07:21

read twas the night befor Christmas to the children on Christmas Eve.

SecondhandRose · 13/08/2006 07:30

Save presents for the evening and some for Boxing Day so the excitement is extended.

We all hold our crackers, cross arms and hold hands and pull them all at once. Just a little thing but quite nice to do.

I'll be in Florida for Christmas, yipppeeee. No Two Ronnies and Wizard of Oz for me. I'll be in Disneyworld with two moaning kids.

jellyjelly · 13/08/2006 08:13

This will be my first christmas on my own with ds who will be four just after christmas and i will be doing flour footprints up the stairs when santa has been.

BudaBabe · 13/08/2006 08:23

Thought I was bad thinking about Xmas! Booked our flights home to Dublin this week - Dad already threatening to fly to Easter Island or somewhere!!!

Last year had ALL my family here for a week over Xmas - bloody exhausting!

Last year because children got some much from Santa we delayed opening other pressies till after late lunch. Then had pudding etc. Then a movie. Then some board games with children followed by Trivial Pursuit for adults. My sis gets VERY competitive - threatend my Dad once that she hoped his willie would fall off! (Think she had too much bacardi!!)

I LOVE Xmas! Love the planning. Love the shopping. Love the cooking.

vitomum · 13/08/2006 08:27

As a kid we always got up early and opened the santa presents but saved the ones from relatives till after dinner - spreading the joy.