Don't want to be a Christmas let down

rainbow_jo

Please help.

I'm pretty new to these forums, I forgot I had an account until I stumbled across this forum.

I am afraid I'm going to be a Christmas let down with my kids this year, I need idea's please help.

I made their Christmas wishes come true last Christmas with a surprise visit to Disney Land Paris. I would like to surprise them again this year with something similar - but don't have the money to go long haul etc.

Anyone have any idea's of 'home' things info off people who have been over the Christmas period etc etc.

I'm thinking of driving experiences for my boys and a photoshoot for my daughter, anyone know of any decent offers on them?

Anything unusual but not overly pricey???

HHHEEELLLPP

DigForVictory

So go the other way this Christmas - spend Christmas Eve with everyone filling at least one box of stuff for a shelter. Clothes, toys, games - all the little things they may take for granted (especially after a Disney Trip!) - help them make a shelter stay for some child like them as amazing as Disney was.

There is a difference betwen let down & different. Trying to top Disney is possible, but is it a smart use of a budget?

Thinking sideways can mean you have just as much fun but a different persepctive. If I had the funds, I'd rent a National Trust property over Christmas, and commission a hamper for food. We can't, so each child is spending the Christmas week in a sibling's bedroom. It's novel, it's different enough & it's making them tidy their bedrooms!

duchy

Why try and top Disney ?
How old are the kids ? Frankly if they are old enough to drive they are probably old enough to understand family finances won't stretch to expensive presents every year . Why not get everyone involved in planning a Christmas at home you'll all enjoy-They may have some fun ideas you hadn't even considered.

rainbow_jo

we're a kind giving family, so donations of money and or unwanted/donated items are done regularly.

It's inspiration for a special treat or an adventure that I haven't thought of I'm looking for help with, my minds at a blank, but nothing that doesn't cost the earth, we've stretched our budget to the limits this year.

My Daughter is 14, my Sons are 13 and 12.

duchy

Have you asked them for their ideas ? Kids are often far more imaginative than adults

rainbow_jo

Yes, they have come up with LapLand, London on Christmas Eve and staying at home... so I'm a bit up the wall lol

rainbow_jo

They aren't old enough to drive, you can book experience days for kids I thought driving a ferrari would sort of hit a high note with 12 and 13 yr old boys.

Serendipitious

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park? Plenty to do there that is different. It has a website.

sevenup01

How about a 'theme' for Christmas? Could you do Christmas from a different country/culture? How about a wartime Christmas? I am thinking of The Wartime Farm series where they showed making gifts out of tin cans and decorations from scraps of paper etc.

rainbow_jo

I've been looking at the Christmas Hamper thread, I think I'm going to make them all a hamper with lots of unusual treats in there.

Spendless

Are you on Groupon? An experience came up on mine yesterday for something my DD would love - a recording session for children as though they're in a girl band. Am gutted it expires months before her birthday, otherwise I'd have bought it. I realise something like this probably won't suit your children and their ages, but giving it as an example of things that pop up on there that might suit.

Are the boys into gaming? Tickets for gaming conventions can be cheap enough providing you can make and afford the travel involved.