how to jazz up festive season for my sn ds (age 19)?

[nightcat]

prob wrong place, but maybe any of you can help

My ds has no friends except on FB from quite a distance away as on and off in residential school/college, no local friends (was badly bullied).

No behaviour issues but a tricky medical condition, no family on my side and his dad's family not interested (busy with their own high-flying lifestyles).

So Xmas will be just 3 of us - we come together to make it a family occasion for him, but it's just full of regrets and sadness. Christmas Day/Boxing Day we will just about hold it together but NY is always a nightmare and of course there are lots of days in-between.

Would be happy to take him places, as long as it's not just shopping as he loses interest quickly and I don't like dragging him around shops anyway, not boys thing.

I especially would like to do something for the NY, but London is not an option. Anyone with any bright ideas?

what does he enjoy doing most? does the food/drink side of xmas interest him in the slightest?

he would help with food and enjoys that but he has NO social life, that's what I am struggling with, neither do I really as family just chandle sn neither did any friends that we had in the past and not made any new, everyone I know is too high-flying to consider anyone less that uni standard, they just dont relate to any less

family cant handle his sn

How about a historical Xmas?

Pick a period that appeals & inspires and do all you can to emulate it. Food from days gone past is a lot of fun to prepare if you do it together as a family.

  eg. BBC Victorian Xmas might give you ideas, or 
    There's a Norman/Saxon village in Kent that demo's lots of old crafts    from spinning to minting new coins (DS was fascinated by this).

Find recipes from the period, make decorations and recreate the old customs. Even dress up in costume if you feel barmy enough. Do a day trip to somewhere vaguely connected.

Any local concerts, Carol services, panto's?

Or even as he's 19 volunteering to help with the local children's hospital Xmas party? A extra body to dress up and help out is always appreciated + in doing so he'd get a bit of social interaction with the other volunteers. Likewise the Sally Army normally need an extra body or two. Animal charities find Xmas tough as it's when the flu season coincides with vols off visiting rellies & an influx of unwanted animals. Even a couple of chihuahua walks would help them out.

At 19 an voluntary organisation related to an interest of his might help him make some nice local aquaintances (frankly it doesn't matter if they are 19 or 90 if they get on does it?).

yes, I was thinking along similar lines to boc, of bigging up the xmas food and traditions side of things.

My ds1 (9) loves bbc Victorian Xmas! :)
We make marchpane, make decs, mince pies etc.
We also do the crib service at church...if your ds goes to bed late then perhaps midnight mass?
Agree with voluntary work...perhaps google local groups and see if they need any help?
Possibly make an Xmas meal for a housebound person and deliver it on Xmas day? (My pils do this)
There are some lovely national trust properties that go to town at Xmas...they decorate them and have special things to do/make.
We went to hardwick hall last weekend and they had a brass band, mulled wine...lovely :)
Boys could have a walk in the grounds too and get some fresh air.

thank you :) didn't think of volunteering :o this is such a great idea, he did a volunteer job in the past but I never thought of it at Christmas, GREAT IDEA :)

yes, we do go to church :)