Do you mind sharing your location? I'm sure that quite a few people in this "Home Decorating Conversations" group know - but I'm still new and have no idea (I think East coast?).

I am facing something similar this year and one of the activities I am considering is dance lessons - salsa, swing or something.

What about an elaborate cooking endeavour? think British Baking Show Showstopper?

I was going to write the same as Mtn - a big cooking project, but my thought is more pedestrian than showstopper. I was thinking of making a big batch of ravioli or tamales (hmmmm…wonder if my having had a tamale for lunch in any way informed this comment? 🫔)

If DS no longer skis or skates, what about tubing?

Christmas movie-thon. A list from Oprah.

Btw, tell DD that her sad is my heavenly. I get so exhausted from all of the hubbub at Christmas. I would love to have a quiet, calm, intimate Christmas with the people I love most.

I only have one child. and no local nieces and nephews, so it's always quiet for us. He's 23 but still gets a huge Lego set every year. It's tradition and makes him happy and takes up the afternoon. One year when we had guests we did a sandwich bar with a Panini Maker - pedestrian, but more fun than just sitting down to eat.

A lot of people are finished with their festivities early in the day, so maybe an afternoon get together with friends? When I was younger, a friend and I always went to the movie theater on Christmas Day.

The problem is, my kitchen is not suitable for four people cooking. But something like making ravioli could work, with the pasta people stationed at the kitchen table or even the dining room table. I even have a pasta cutter, although I use it to cut painted paper, not pasta!

I could also assign DD and DS to make a dessert together while DH and I relax. DS is a great baker, better than me for sure.

Dani, we are near Boston.

Tubing, possibly, but we don’t often have a white Christmas!

Since they are crafty, you could all make salt dough ornaments for the Christmas tree. It only requires salt and flour. You bake them in the microwave. After that, you paint and hang them. I like them because they last forever.

Legomom, my 33 yo son still gets a lego set every year! I usually just get a small one, but occasionally he will request a specific larger kit.

We have neighbors who we have merged holidays with, but this year they will be away. Most of my friends have both sides of their families that are local, believe it or not. We did have a tradition of seeing my BFF and her family on Christmas night, after dinner, but it depends on how late things go at her in-laws’ house.

Does Lego still make the Home Alone set? That and the movie could be fun!

I’ve always enjoyed a walk after dinner on Thanksgiving, or Christmas Day. It’s fairly quiet out, and it feels good.

Check your community calendar, there might be caroling somewhere, or a play. A Christmas Carol is usually on somewhere, even on Christmas Eve or Day.

Our Christmas Eve and Day have shrunk from 25 to 7-10, and we enjoy it.

What about cookie decorating? That doesn't have to be in the kitchen.

Or perhaps a special Christmas movie?

I'm thinking your kids may wind up saying they had a good time, no matter if there are special activities or not. Getting to spend uninterrupted cozy time with family can be so special.

My family has always celebrated Christmas on the eve -- it was a swedish tradition that came through my dad's family. Christmas day was always quiet and easy..

There was always a breakfast buffet, bloody marys and dad made egg sandwiches to order as folks rolled in throughout the morning.

I love the idea of making ravioli .. or even lasagna with fresh made noodles!

Since I was a teen, we have had a tradition of a scrabble tournament on Christmas Day.

I don't celebrate Christmas Day with my family anymore but SO and I have "fancy" grilled cheese and wine Christmas night and play games and watch movies (which honestly, is pretty close to what we do most days of our holiday visit) Grilled cheese started when I arrived later in the day the first year-- now I arrive in the morning but it will continue.

I DO celebrate Christmas Eve with my family .. In addition to other gifts, I give each person a book and relay the Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð (had to look that up) or Book Flood. From AI:

• Origin: The tradition began during World War II when paper was one of the few commodities not rationed, making books a popular gift.
• Modern practice: To this day, households in Iceland receive a book catalog in the mail in November to choose books for their loved ones.
• The tradition: On Christmas Eve, families exchange these books, often placing them under the tree beforehand. They then spend the rest of the evening reading, drinking hot chocolate, and enjoying the quiet time together.
• Overall feeling: The tradition is about celebrating stories and literature, making Christmas Eve a magical and contemplative time focused on the joy of reading.

Funky, The Eve is important for us, too, Scandinavian (me) and Polish (DH). But with the family changes, it is becoming a nice cozy supper, maybe boeuf bourgignon and fresh baked bread, or a small pork roast (flæskesteg, but we have it prepared by the butcher) and boughten red cabbage. But we also did nice grilled cheeses and tomato soup! The Day is brunch, eggs and bacon and croissants, mimosas and coffee. By evening it’s grilled cheese and soup, but still in the dining room with candles and music.

Usually someone gets a puzzle or lego set that we spend a lot of time putting together. One year I had gotten a 3dimensional puzzle objet, it definitely took a few people to put it together. That was fun.

Funky, I have been giving my kids books on Christmas Eve forever! I was trying to create the Icelandic tradition before I knew it was a thing. Sadly, the two kids who will be home are not readers. (Where did I go wrong??? LOL. My kids were read to every day for many years, DH and I are both big readers, and only one kid has turned into a reader as an adult.)

Scrabble tournament isn’t a bad idea for Christmas eve.

Ah yes-- very similar, BP! We have wave 3 of little ones so The Eve is a little chaotic with gifts and food. We have done soup and sandwiches, pork roasts, italian buffet many years but the favorite has been "heavy appetizers" meaning there is enough meat to keep the hungriest folks sated but lots of small bites.

Yes.. our grilled cheese dinner is with candles and music. It was by necessity the first time but I have really come to love it!

Surely you have family friends or your kids have friends who are away from their families who could join you?

That reminded me - for years, my mom would set up a side table with a holiday themed jigsaw puzzle for all to work on. And so many more people enjoy jigsaws now since the pandemic lockdowns.

Some of my neighbors hosted a military member from a nearby base in the past. There is a college nearby, surely there’s one near you in MA, with students who can’t get home for the holidays?

I just ate at a friend's house and we all individually assembled our fish dish in parchment paper. We didn't do any of the preparation but got to pick our herbs, compound butter, veg, etc. It was fun and cheery!
Cookie decorating is another option. I'm not fancy about it because no one really eats them no matter how much effort I put into them. Plain sugar cookies, white frosting, different colored sprinkles and candies for decorating.

@bpath that's a great idea, maybe an international student or two!

The years we don't have my son and just the girls we go to an event concert/play/ musical. We also play a ton of cards and always a craft. The first of our Christmas's w/o I began making them a large gfit box with 12 days of Chrismtas gifts inside. That way when they went home them had a bit of something something to keep the spirit going.

Okay I have an idea. DS dresses up as Santa, DD as an elf. You and DH as reindeer drivig the sleigh. These outfits must be 90% thrifted or homemade.

Then, on Christmas Eve or therabouts, you make your rounds. They could be random. They could be nursing homes or hospitals or some place recc by clergy, volunteers etc. They also don’t have to address the needy — the magic surprise of Santa would be welcome anywhere.

Hand out small token gifts, tailored to age and gender, TBD

DGD1’s latest Lego project. 2615 pieces! It might make a fun project for the holidays.

Bbstx, that's amazing! Well-done, DGD1!

Sue, I would task DD and DS to work together to come up with ideas, and to surprise you and DH with activities.

I just ate at a friend's house and we all individually assembled our fish dish in parchment paper. We didn't do any of the preparation but got to pick our herbs, compound butter, veg, etc. It was fun and cheery!

Love that idea. I am all about nay kind of "bar" where people can participate and customize their food, too.

We’re also having a small christmas, DS1 will be the only ”guest”. I have been thinking if things to engage him. We’ll definitely do gingerbread houses. We we play a fierce game of Cataan. We probably cook a ”stuffed” thing, potstickers, samosas, empanadas, ravioli.

Chiming in with a thank you for the Lego idea. Just ordered mini sets for our Grand kids Christmas stockings. You all come up with brilliant ideas!

@bothell Legos makes advent calendars. I usually buy each grand one. They are not hard. The 6 year old could do her own assembly when she was at least 5, maybe younger.

Last Christmas I ordered the NYT giant super-mega crossword puzzle and taped it up on the wall. It was fun going back and forth to it during Christmas Eve/Day.

Deegw, that was our kids’ birthdays for several years! Well, not the fish, but we had a pizza crust and each kid would put their own toppings on their section of the pizza. Then for the birthday pie, again we had the crust and they chose their fillings.

The Lego Advent calendars were a staple here for years. I actually kept the box and the packets. Sure enough, one year they were sold out, so I pilfered their Lego pieces to recreate old packets. I did pretty well, too! Part of opening the calendar each night was to judge Mom on it. I had a 91% rating for accuracy.

bbstx, that’s awesome!

Raclette or fondue could be fun or what did Mtn make last winter with the broth? It was after the fire in one of the rentals I think. Those kind of meals stretch out the dining experience. We always seem to end up playing games after dinner and laughing a lot.

When I was growing up, the time before xmas was more somber. We didn't decorate the tree until xmas eve. So perhaps, even if you get the rest of the house decorated, have a tree trimming party...especially if they are crafty types...can make ornaments, string garlands, etc.

Sounds wonderful, Sue!

Love the plan to make pasta/ravioli .. it could become a tradition!

Sue, John Derian has 2 Christmas jigsaw puzzles , 1000 pieces. I’ve bought the Thanksgiving one. I may need to get a Christmas one too. https://www.johnderian.com/collections/john-derian-jigsaw-puzzles?srsltid=AfmBOoqzt8fgT5l1awIoQD7yjUXc-FrtMwVjqBE7aRAbz9zXn7nHsJsw

If you are up for a real challenge, this one is for you! I bought it for DD et al.

AMZ LINK

Sorry but your DS and DD would make an ideal Santa and Elf!

Meantime, ravioli is super fun. We have had two dinner parties based on it, a few years ago after my cooking club had a chef teach us how to make them. I highly recc, this:

Mine is blue. But, Christmas.

Mimou, yes, we make Shabu Shabu every Christmas Eve, and Saffron Risotto Christmas Day

As far as desserts, i made a Buche de Noel one year. Chocolate sheet cake rolled with real whipped cream. Decorate with meringue mushrooms. Challenging and lovely and delish and not as hard as it looks.

In fact I think I will do it again this year.

A pavolva wreath is a close second.

Sue - That cup game looks fun. I may have to steal that.

We always have a fairly small Christmas. The one year it was just the four of us was one of my favorites. We didn’t have to wait on anyone for brunch or go anywhere for dinner. We hung out all day in our (Christmas!) pajamas. Very relaxing and a nice change of pace.

On Christmas 2020, we stayed in our jammies all day, and everyone was happy about that. I was thinking we could do that this year too!

Me and friends late on christmas day 2020…

Mtn, I have that same pasta maker, aka paper cutter. In regulation chrome.

Same-- I have the same pasta maker in chrome. I havent used it in 20 yr :(

I won it (one of the only times I have won something) in a customer raffle at Fantes when it was still in KoP mall.

Funky it really is great fun

Oh I love homemade pasta and enjoy making it-- but our family gatherings usually have 24-30 folks. I have done it but it is a lot to take on. I am not saying I'll never do it again but ... maybe.

OHHHH! Maybe w SO

Lots of good ideas. In the 80’s, we called the cup game Beer Pong. You can guess the rest.

Possible the kids known it by the same name?

Here are just a few of the 'crafts' my adult offspring have completed over the years. They are great sports! As far as lego--years ago I purchased the advent calendar thinking the expense was going to be spread over several years. Turned out you have to reuse many of the blocks to create all the items. FAIL IMPO. Another idea I LOVE, my girls take on an elaborate meal. Beef wellington last year. They spent all day on it!!

Could you post your lasagna recipe? The ones I have tried use hamburger, or at least too much, I tried the Joey’s Best that everyone raved about and did not like it. Waaay too much hamburger.

Another thought on this. It continues to be Christmas whether you have two or 20 present. The goal needs to continue to have the most celebratory holiday so those present feel it still! I did not want to diminish the festivities, subliminally saying to those present they aren't enough for a REAL party. The reason for the gathering has not changed, only the number present has. I would encourage you keep many of your usual traditions and only add to fill in where the holes show.

Oh I agree, arcy. We will do all our ”usual” traditions and will add in some new ones for the smaller group because this is likely to happen every 2 years (or until DDIL convinces her mom to move up here!). DD’s BF is from the midwest and at some point, assuming they get married, we will probably be sharing her (I was going to say ”losing her” but…) on holidays as well. If we eventually end up with a Christmas with no kids around, DH and I will just escape to a tropical island for the holiday!

I did buy a Thanksgiving puzzle when I found one at a cute shop the other day. All the kids will be coming and going for a few days but I am not hosting T-day dinner, so I can put out the puzzle at one end of the dining table. I also got this one for Christmas, thanks bb! It isn’t holiday themed, obvs, but I love the colors.

Caramel Apples? Haven't tried this yet but a friend makes frequently for Craft fairs.

Saw a tik tok using green grapes, caramel and crushed peanuts for minis that looked cute.

WS Caramel Apple Recipe

I call a small Christmas relaxing.