Places to go on Christmas Day?

[Mumtogremlins]

I love Christmas, especially Christmas Eve. But get a bit deflated after present opening and the day gets a bit boring. We don't see family so trying to think of something fun we could go out and do with the children to stop them climbing the walls, despite all the toys! We live near London but can't think of anything that might be open, apart from the beach. Any ideas?

[MortifiedAdams]

A walk around the woods?

[Pogosticks]

A church service?

[MissBattleaxe]

I love a long, chilly walk after Christmas dinner. Call it a wildlife walk and let the kids look out for cobwebs, ducks, frogs etc.

[CrotchStitch]

This year we are going to the morning church service, a quick pint in the pub on the way home before dinner and then for a dog walk after dinner sound like we will be more out than in actually
Go for a walk, wrap up warm and take a flask of hit chocolate and some cake for a midway snack :)

[Mumtogremlins]

The kids might moan about going out so trying to think of something a bit different. One of my DS's was diagnosed with leukaemia this year so trying to make it extra special. We are not religious either

[Peachypossum]

Could you do a treasure hunt in the woods? Have a walk on your own and work out landmarks/odd trees etc to work as a list of clues then have a surprise at the end? Bundle up warm with hot chic etc? Try to find a Yule log perhaps?

Or maybe the cinema, I think they are open but would be quiet so like a personal viewing. (I may be wrong about opening)

Just bundles of love to you, can't imagine, really can't xx

[giraffeseatpineapples]

Just had a quick look and all the ice rinks and winterwonderland seem to be closed on christmas day, but if you booked something like that or a panto for boxing day so there was something fun planned?

Not sure but my dp thinks there is a christmas tradition where people swim (presumably illegally?!) at Hyde park christmas morning that might be fun to watch then you could head back for presents. We tend to have one or two small mummy & daddy presents on the table all laid out for breakfast with the front door closed for as long as poss before seeing what santa has left under the tree.

Another idea is to save a present for the evening maybe like peachy suggested incorporating a treasure hunt - maybe one dropped out of santas sleigh and you find a note from an elf with instructions?

If I can findor think of anything will post again x

[giraffeseatpineapples]

sorry front door should be front room door.

[tacal]

are there any panto's on on Christmas day/evening? Or what about going out for a meal instead of having Christmas dinner at home? We did that last year for a change. We will be staying in on Christmas day but have planned a few exciting things for the following few days. The panto on boxing day and also a trip to the carnival. I might also book tickets for another Christmas show.

[giraffeseatpineapples]

There is a charles dickens walk at trafalgar square www.walks.com/London_Walks_Home/London_Walks_by_Date/default.aspx. All depends if you can get there, there is a light bus and train timetable or you might be able to drive and park as it is a sunday.

[meditrina]

I think the Serpentine swimming in Hyde Park is on Boxing Day.

[meditrina]

Sorry!

Just checked - it is Christmas Day, at 9:00 and it is a proper (legal) race.

[giraffeseatpineapples]

Could you go all little women and get them to prepare a panto/ little sketch or talent show for you to watch?

[giraffeseatpineapples]

yay it is on thanks meditrina, I'm always a bit skeptical when dh tells me these things.

[giraffeseatpineapples]

So could stay in a london hotel for christmas eve (?) or drive down for race at 9.00 then have lunch at a cafe or a flask of soup style picnic then charles dickens walk at 2.00.

[giraffeseatpineapples]

Have been finding things on trip advisor - tours on christmas day www.evanevanstours.co.uk/christmas/christmas-tours.htm

[ancientbuchanan]

If you are near London you are near all sorts of lovely walks. Pack a rucksack with a thermos of soup, a thermos of hot chocolate or tea, and go and slide down something or walk round something. Where abouts are you? Look up the English heritage and national trust booklets for open ground. Or one of the country walks with pubs guide.

You can theme it, giving them explorer packs.

If you are Kent you've got lots of options.

If it's filthy weather, then roast chestnuts and marshmallows over a gas flame or real fire, put on charade, have a treasure hunt round the house, bring out a board game, make your own crackers.

[giraffeseatpineapples]

I guess the problem is finding some way to make it extra magical - tours and walks might not be magical exactly?

An option might be one of you to take them for a shortish walk looking for the houses with the most extravagent light displays (a local facebook pasge is good for this kind of info and ideas for walks) while the other adds extra cristmas lights and candles round your own home and have hot chocolate waiting

[pastelmacaroons]

Can you drive, what about drive round some glam london areas looking at the lights with flasks rather than the walks...

I love walks but dont find them magical or exciting on xmas day,...

I know what you mean there is no buzz anywhere is there...something should be open somewhere.

How old are they?

it may be too late but cheap seats ie 8 pounds at opera house for a ballett is magical.....

but doubt they open xmas day!

[pastelmacaroons]

giraffe LOVE the late in the day forgotton present idea....

[BillyBanter]

Friends of mine in London love to go for a walk around the centre on Xmas morning/afternoon and experience it all quiet.

I think it would be amazing.

[Mumtogremlins]

Thanks all. The swim in the Serpentine sounds fun but a little early! It's made a bit trickier as not sure how my DS will be at Christmas. He finds it hard to walk far so we need to drive. Eating out can be a bit complicated too. I like the idea of looking for lights but probably best done later on in the day. Children are 9, 7, 5, 3

[pastelmacaroons]

i think your going to have to keep them busy the days either side of xmas day and as someone said think outside your usual stuff on xmas day...

[BillyBanter]

you can drive round london! The roads should be quite quiet.

[pastelmacaroons]

perhaps make some sort of competiton up on your tour round...