[JKTMum]

Bit of background. My side of the family have always had the tradition of doing one year all together (my parents, sisters, brother, their spouses and kids) then the following year everyone goes to their respective inlaws (we call it a home Christmas or an away Christmas). My DH's parents died when he was a toddler, he was an only child and brought up by his grandparents. His grandfather has died, grandmother now lives in a nursing home and every year she goes up to her son's place 5 hours drive from us, so we pretty much never spend Christmas with them, they have nowhere for us to stay at Christmas with all their family there too. Consequently on the 'away' years we still stayed home and either went to my parents for the day or they more often that not came to us. One of my sisters and my brother now have some of their kids married and have had grandchildren born in the last year or two so it's getting more complicated for everyone to fit in with the plans.

Anyway this year is an 'away' year, so we sort of expected that again my parents would come here or we would go there (live within a 15 minute drive of each other). Apparently though my sister has invited them to go to her place to spend Christmas with her, her DH, kids, their spouses and grandchild, a couple of hours away so they will be gone from at least Christmas eve to Boxing day, maybe longer (which is fine, not a problem) but that leaves just me, DH and the kids on our own this year which isnt something we have done before. We are not sure what to do with ourselves. I think we will feel a bit flat trying to do the big Christmas lunch stuff when it's just us (we usually have a couple of different roasts and all the trimmings with all the adults contributing, but thats going to be a bit of overkill for just the 5 of us). DH has suggested going into the city or a tourist attraction for the day (we are on the outskirts of Melbourne, but not sure there is much open on the day) or maybe the beach, but that will depend on it not being swelteringly hot or wet (both very likely in Melbourne of course ).

What does everyone else do with themselves if it's just going to be your immediate family unit? We have no friends we can get together with, they all have their own families to go to.

[Toodee]

Last year it was just going to be DH, me, DS and DD so we took off to Fiji

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!

[smultron]

What about booking Christmas lunch at a nearby restaurant or bistro? I've always thought that seemed a bit impersonal and overpriced but if it means change of scenery and doing something different this year then it might be an option. Or make a nice breakfast/ brunch at home then do a smaller version of Christmas lunch later in the day.. cut down on the roasts- just one and a small ham or a turkey breast or similar.. whatever suits your family's tastes.

Could you all watch a favourite movie together later in the day or go to a church service in the morning.. or find a local charity that delivers/ serves meals to homeless people or people without families for Christmas day..?

all the best- talk to your kids to include them and perhaps come up with an idea that involves everyones input- they might then take more interest and try harder to make it a special day.

[wonder woman]

What about booking Christmas lunch at a nearby restaurant or bistro?

+1
http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/forums/ind...owtopic=1031562

[lisles]

Hi OP,

We've done Christmas on our own a couple of times. My kids loved it when we parents were at their disposal all day to play with the new board games or LEGO they got for Christmas.

We did brunch after opening the presents, then allowed them to set the agenda for the rest of the day. Apart from a quick trip to the beach for a swim, they were quite content to enjoy the day at home. For us adults it was nice just to have a stress free day!

Hope you enjoy your day, whatever you decide to do.

[BadCat]

We often have just me, DH and the two kids for christmas. We love it.

We have a christmas lunch that suits us, ham, turkey, salads, and some sort of special dessert. We put out fruit platters to nibble on through the day. And we play with whatever we got for christmas.

Last year I did a kind of Winter Wonderland theme in the dining room for a bit of fun. This year I'm doing something else but we are having friends over so I won't go overbaord on theme.

Make your own fun and traditions for whenever you have christmas on your own. Maybe you have an epic game of Monopoly, or backyard cricket. Perhaps you go for a drive to look at christmas lights in the evening. Whatever suits you. The good thing is that it can be as elaborate or a simple as you like because you have onlly yourselves to please and nowhere that you have to go. Take the opportunity to relax and enjoy yourselves.

[DylJayBen's Mum]

We just hang out at home with our 3 kidlet and my MIL will come over for lunch, we still do a roast and have nibbles out and make it a bit different to a normal day. We don't get stressed and the kids love the fact that they can stay home and play with all their new toys. I gave up on playing happy families on christmas day about 3years ago. One year I would love to take them all to the zoo with a picnic lunch.

[Mummy2907]

My DH is working Christmas Day this year and for various other reasons, it's just going to be me and our two young kids on Christmas Day.

I'm planning on having a lunch of Christmas pudding and custard, sitting on the couch with my girls watching the new Tinkerbell movie that Santa will bring them Then we'll probably play games for the rest of the day, and I shall sit and watch a Christmas movie in the evening with my glass of Baileys in hand until I go to bed (or until DH comes home around midnight, whichever comes first!)

I can't wait!

[Flickster]

You could also do some volunteer work with a local charity, such as feeding the homeless, visiting a nursing home, etc? I think that's a great family activity. Although, organise it early! We tried doing it one year (the first year is was just me, my brother and our parents), but couldn't find anyone who needed help!

I definitely plan on doing this with my own family one day!

[Zephie Chugger]

We spend Christmas (every year) camping.

Hanging out, no stress , no family (for us) The kids love playing with new/old stuff, toys.