[Leggy]

We also did treasure hunts

Hey, I might have to pinch this idea!

We used to do the run-around to see all the cousins on Christmas Day but the first year we decided to just stay at home, it was amazingly relaxing and enjoyable. So now we do it every year and arrange to see cousins at other times - there's going to be a massive pool party the Saturday before Christmas for one side, and Christmas Eve dinner with the other side.

Our Christmas day usually goes like this...
Kids wake whenever and are allowed to ransack their stockings, but not unwrap presents under the tree (my sister and I had a pact that whoever was awake first would wake the other straight away).
At a pre-nominated time, kids can come and get parents up - once we were old enough, we had to come bearing tea and toast (alas, DN is not old enough for this yet!).
These days, this is about when my parents arrive to join in.
Assembly under the tree, one person plays Santa and hands out the presents one by one so we can ooh and ahh over them.
Breakfast: something easyish to make (pancakes and berries, bacon and eggs and nice fruit) eaten at a nicely set table.
Joint tidy up of kitchen/wrapping paper
Laze around grazing on delightful leftovers from Christmas Eve dinner, reading, assembling and/or playing with presents. Wallow in paddlepool. Join scrum of kids in adjacent park and cul-de-sac for present testing and showing off. Snooze. Watch The Muppets' Christmas Carol.
Evening: walk around the neighbourhood and enjoy the Christmas lights.

I was also thinking of arranging a Boxing Day street party with the neighbours, where we can all bring leftovers into the park and nibble on other people's stuff for variety while having a neighbourly chat. But I'll have to get a wriggle on to organise that!

[Lyra]

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.

we do orphan's christmas and end up with all sorts of people! It's not unusual for an orphan to bring another orphan LOL We find that because it's a day with food we wouldn't normally eat with presents and fun, it's a special day. It's not about the people who are there but the fun you have with the people who are there IYKWIM This year we are hiring a margarita machine so the kids can serve themselves slushies all day (and so I can have margaritas LOL)

[Oilucy]

I would love to have one Christmas with just the 5 of us!!
I always find our Christmas full of so much pressure to go and visit people and keep everyone happy.
I'd love a quiet day at home with just my family and I know my children would love just having all the time in the world to play with their presents rather than being dragged around the countryside.
Eat some lovely food, play with your children and above all enjoy xx

[RogerRabbit]

Op totally understand, it is similar with us this year. So our plan for the day is

DH get home from work about 5am - rest what ever he can before the kids wake up LOL
Santa Presents
Pancakes for breakfast
Open presents from each other
Dh goes to bed, kids can play with there presents
Late lunch of ham and salad, with yummy desert - will put bon bons on the table.
DH probably have another rest before he goes to work that night - probably have takeaway for dinner.

We go to my family on boxing day.