[MissButtercup]

Ok so after years of traveling all over the state for Christmas to my parents, sisters, inlaws etc... this year we have decided to stay at home for our first ever Christmas in our own home. My problem is that even though I mentioned this 2 years ago to my family that we would like to host Christmas this year (the year set aside for my family, last year was at the in-laws) and keep asking what everyones plans are, it seems that everyone has made alternative plans.

To make matters worse we've had a hellish couple of months with worries and concerns with my pregnancy and IUGR. Bub will be born a week before Christmas yet they still can't seem to make it. :'( I have 3 sisters so was hoping at least one could make the effort to share Christmas with us but it looks like it will just be us. At this stage we can't even guarantee that bub will be out of hospital so it's not as if we can travel to be with them (not to mention Santas bringing a long awaited trampoline).

So what can I do to help make Christmas extra special for my family since it will just be the 4/5 of us? What traditions do you have that we could adopt to make it special instead of just another day at home?

This post has been edited by MissButtercup: 06/12/2012, 12:21 PM

[her mum]

Have a special breakfast - even just pancakes, berries and cream, but something you don't have every day!


Take time to pass out the presents from under the tree and open them one by one rather than a free for all.

Dress nicely for Christmas lunch. It doesn't matter that it's only your family. Have the table set nicely and with bon bons etc.

Having a new trampoline will probably mean that it's a special day for your kids anyway!

Maybe in the evening you could go around and check out the christmas lights near you? And then when you get home, depending on the weather have hot chocolate or chocolate milk and just enjoy the evening together.

[Amy 1976]

Make a festive breakfast and all hang around in pajamas exchanging gifts while listening to your favourite music. Let the kids play on the new trampoline for as long as they want then have a lovely lunch with all your favourite Christmas foods.

Maybe go to a beach or park in the afternoon if there is a nice one within a reasonable distance, then watch a christmas themed DVD or play a game in the evening while eating leftover trifle .

On Christmas Eve you could go for a drive to see houses done up with Christmas lights if there are any in your area.

I'm sure you'll be able to have a lovely day.

[kshy]

This year will be our first ever Christmas with no relatives and boy am I looking forward to it

Our plans will be

Christmas Pressio opening and kids actually able to play with them
Christmas breaky - crossiants

Late Lunch - smoked ham

Lots of time playing in the pool, a ride on the new bikes/skateboards

Lots of time just spent as a family!!!!

[lifehacker]

Special breakfast, present unwrapping, sit down lunch, we usually play games in the afternoon, this year we are asking Generation questions (x, y , z etc) , some years it's been singstar or guitar hero playoffs.
We usually do a cold rock icecream style buffet for dessert - the kids love this, we go to xmas light display at night and watch a xmas movie, have poppers and glow sticks outside and stay up late.

[lifehacker]

dp

This post has been edited by Mummyone1: 06/12/2012, 12:32 PM

[Old Grey Mare]

Do you have neighbours who will be at home for Christmas? Perhaps some informal drinks with whoever is home in the afternoon and kids "showing off" their presents to each other. We have English neighbours who usually come over on Christmas afternoon for a few quiet ones and a couple of single people live in our street who have no extended family and they drop in as well.

[Avidlearner1]

Pass the digital camera around, have the little ones snap photos of you and the others. Put on a Christmas album and dance like crazy. Bring out a board game or activity (ours was charades) that is a Christmas special.

Growing up, the camera and video camera were such special things, only on Christmas were we allowed to take photos of each other - so much fun!

We also did treasure hunts, with clues as to where things were in the house. Mum would write them from Santa and it would say "Jane, I am on the ground, an unusual place for something like me, I am so good at my job, better than your Mum's knee". Answer: Mum had old whisky bottles filled with sand that used to hold the door open rather than her knee in the garage, in the whisky bottle was another clue and a small chocolate etc etc.

[MissButtercup]

Some fantastic ideas! Best I start organizing before bub arrives.
Still very disappointed in my family, it seems to darn selfish to me..

[Milly Molly Mand...]

We had a Xmas at home with just the (then) 4 of us. It was wonderful, woke up, kids opened a couple of pressies, had yummy brekkie, opened some more pressies, played, relaxed, had a nice lunch, went down the beach and caught up with another family we know who also had no family for the day, came home relaxed then went to friends place for dinner (3 families) fantastic day!!!!

So if I was you I would stop looking at it as a negative and embrace the day. Look around your friends and see if any of them are in the same situation and invite them round for dinner, or just relax and enjoy the day!