We have an only, now 13 and we do see in-laws but not until around 4pm
We do presents, breakfast, then a family hike.
Lunch, board games of card games and a movie. Then to in-laws at 4

Anonymous wrote:For the younger set, we send them to daycare. If they’re open and we’re paying, they go.

What daycares are open Christmas Day?

Anonymous wrote:Stay at a hotel with an indoor pool overnight or just a book a night and go for the day to use the pool. Preferably one with beautiful Christmas decor.

Aww that’s such a fun idea! If we didn’t have neighbors to hang out with, I’d absolutely do this.

At that age, I made sure each kid got a book, a thing you put together (Lego, model kit, craft, etc.) and an active thing (sports equipment, jump rope, bug catcher, etc.) Alternate among the three modes, sprinkling movies and snacks in as necessary until Xmas dinner is ready mid-afternoon. Movie after dinner and early bedtime because everyone got up at 5:00 am.

Have a special breakfast, limit the number of presents for each child, let them play with the presents for a while, go for a walk in a local park in the afternoon or around the neighborhood. Get in the car and drive around looking at neighborhood lights that evening.

Anonymous wrote:We have 3 fairly high need kids...all under the age of 10 and none of them have any "chill".
We don't host family, nor do we travel. I feel like every year we are stressed and disappointed: kids misbehave, overwhelmed, tired...

Movies all day isn't practical. I also don't REALLY want it to be a regular day.
Any ideas?

Board games

Craft

Hike or winter sports

Volunteering

We often give one or two gifts specifically to help entertain kids during the holiday break. Think: board and card games, movie passes, sports equipment, crafts, etc. Obviously depends on the kids.

Agree with doing things like family walks or hikes, dinner at Chinese restaurant (or a fun home dinner like make your own pizzas or taco bar). Mixing indoor and outdoor activities keeps people in a better mood. So does ensuring everyone is eating reasonably balanced meals and not just gorging on cookies.

Stay at a hotel with an indoor pool overnight or just a book a night and go for the day to use the pool. Preferably one with beautiful Christmas decor.

Bake cookies and/or build gingerbread houses. Go on a long walk or hike no matter the weather. Drive into the city and visit the memorials. Visit Mount Vernon-- the grounds are open Xmas day. Take a drive in the early evening to see Christmas lights. Read aloud a great book while the kids color or build lego. Build a fire outside and roast marshmallows to have with hot chocolate.

I would make a schedule that alternates home activities with outdoor/out of house activities, and just keep it moving all day.

We play with presents, make dinner, read books, take a walk to the playground. Not that dissimilar from a normal weekend day, my kid and I played in the snow a bit then had lunch and built legos.

Anonymous wrote:We go bowling and to see a movie, hang out with local cousins and get Chinese food.

Yid?

We open gifts, eat brunch, then they enjoy the gifts that they just got, then we go to a local park and go for a walk

We go bowling and to see a movie, hang out with local cousins and get Chinese food.

Play with gifts, make pancakes, I usually save one gift “I forgot to put under the tree!” For after lunch when the “Christmas is over” sadness sets in. Decorate the gingerbread house. Go to the high school and have a family one mile race. Watch a movie.

Play with gifts they got for Christmas, go for a family walk, decorate cookies, play board games, some combo of all of the above.