Are you doing anything special this Christmas with your Grandchildren?

[Nana]

I was thrilled last night to get a 'phone call from GS1. The little voice on the other end of the 'phone said "Mamar this is E ....would you like to come to my Nativity Play next week?' Needless to say the answer was yes. I can't wait. (Cough sweets already lined up).

I'm taking him (the other two are too young) to see 'Snow White' Panto a couple of weeks before Christmas. Looking forward to that too. The Christmas Market is coming up soon at YWP so that will be an opportunity for a day with both DDs & GC.

Another date in my calendar is the Alzheimer's Carols at Sheffield Cathedral. OH, DD2 & I went last Christmas to hang our wishes on the tree. We'll be remembering mum with love (tissues at the ready.)

[Gemini]

Nana, those sound lovely things to do with your grandchildren. Christmas is much more special with children

I have been fortunate enough to see both of my GDs school nativities so far. Numbers are limited, so it's not a given. She is an angel this year with a few lines, so of course I am longing to see it. As the last 2 years however I won't know whether I have a ticket until a day or so before.

DD1, GS1 and I are going to see 'Rudolph' in early December. A children's Christmas play at West Yorkshire Playhouse. I have always taken GD to plays, from a very early age and this is the first with GS, so I am treating him and mummy, as I feel he's missed out a bit!

Our family go to the York panto (a big part of our Christmas) We are going on December 23rd. DDs 2 and 3, me and GD, aged 7. I will probably take GS1 along with us in a few years time, when we feel he is ready.

[ZIZI]

We are going to see a semi professional production of "Elf" on 21st December in which Joe is playing the lead. We normally take them to the British Airways panto but it has been discontinued as the BA club it used to take place in has been sold off for development, shame as it was always very good. The tickets for the panto in Richmond (Surrey) are an incredibly stupid price and the Windsor panto is sold out apart from the odd seat and I do not want the children split from us so we will have to find something else to do with the .

[Glammanana]

We are taking two younger DGCs Ice Skating on Boxing Day they are too old to "doing Panto's Nana" according to them ( 13 & 14) but I think you are never too old for Panto's I love them myself,oh yes I do !!! Oh no you don't !!!.baby tots are holding a Grandparent & baby party with a ball pond a week before xmas and I am taking DGGD Sofia she is 8 mths now and such a chubby chunk of a little girl I won't see her again until xmas eve when we take prezzies over as she has a fully booked social calendar with her other relatives from her mummy's side.

[Pearl5]

Everyone seems to know what there doing christmas, i just have to play it by ear now, strange after all the previous "hectic" christmas's, now i would love them back.....

I don't put any pressure on any of the "older" kids for dinner, just let them do what they want, so so far, there is only me, OH, middle DD and maybe both Mams coming to dinner, i know G is coming over Boxing Day for a sleepover, Boxing Day, DD is at work, it is usually our quiet day, but seems like there all going to be that... then DD is coming over the day after, when i will see the bigger ones i don't know, all up in the air when there going to there mams, so i will have to take a seat back and see when i can be fitted in....don't think i will see them Christmas Day, which will be a first, but as long as i see them, you never know i might like the quiet christmas....

[Plantaholic]

We are eating out Christmas Day in a local restraunt, first time ever. Boxing Day my son cooks about 5 different curries and we are all invited there, so no cooking this year for DD, we usually have a houseful here so it will be a change.

[Glammanana]

Plant when my boys where serving away with their regiments over the Christmas John and I always went out for Christmas Day Lunch and really enjoyed the experience,we would get up early and relax then drop in on DD if she was in this Country we would then make our way for a really good afternoon at our local hotel at Parkgate with fantastic views of the Welsh Mountains,yes it was expensive but very worth while and I classed it as my present to myself after working all year full time.So expect to have a wonderful day I'm very jealous, x

[Gemini]

Everyone seems to know what there doing christmas, i just have to play it by ear now, strange after all the previous "hectic" christmas's, now i would love them back.....

I don't put any pressure on any of the "older" kids for dinner, just let them do what they want, so so far, there is only me, OH, middle DD and maybe both Mams coming to dinner, i know G is coming over Boxing Day for a sleepover, Boxing Day, DD is at work, it is usually our quiet day, but seems like there all going to be that... then DD is coming over the day after, when i will see the bigger ones i don't know, all up in the air when there going to there mams, so i will have to take a seat back and see when i can be fitted in....don't think i will see them Christmas Day, which will be a first, but as long as i see them, you never know i might like the quiet christmas....

Pearl, I never see any of my family on Christmas Day, apart from my mum, who comes to us. We all get together on Boxing Day, which I love. DDs, SILs, GC and my mum.
We have my mum every year as there is no one but me to spend that day with her. Much as her GC love her, they know her well and she is perfectly able to spoil anyone's Christmas so they opt not to see her on that day, which means we don't see them either. None live close enough pop in on Christmas mooring before going for Mum, or we would.
As long as you see them at some point over Christmas Pearl it will be fine. I can see it must be hard if you are used to seeing them on 25th though.

[Avo]

We are taking two of our gs' to see Father Christmas at a local garden centre.. £11.95 each child and £4.95 for the adult taking them!!! Plus more for a photo, no thanks we'll do without the photo!

[Pearl5]

Thanks Gem as long as i see them we will be fine....i should just think how lucky i have been others years it's GD's BD 29th so will prob do Christmas and Birthday together....

[Gemini]

Lots of celebrations then Pearl

Avo, it's disgraceful the way they charge the adults to go with the children! OH, DD2 and I once took GD to a Father Christmas with a walk though 'winter wonderland'. It cost DD a bomb with 3 adults. We have never been back there!

[Elisi]

Gosh yes, lots of things, but every day I see them is special

[Gemini]

This afternoon is my GDs nativity play. I was lucky enough to have been given a ticket. GDs first speaking role in a school play (Angel 2 ) so I am happy.

I have seen a video of GS1s nativity at preschool. He was a very well behaved donkey. Joined in with all the songs etc. He was rather speedy donkey when they walked along though, he left Mary and Joseph miles behind

When DD and I took him to see the play 'Rudolph' last Friday GS really enjoyed it. So much so he spent the last 10 minutes sobbing (loudly) as he could see the end was near. We were on the front row and it is a smallish 'in the round' auditorium. He didn't want it to end and seems to have no control whatsoever over his feelings!! He had a complete meltdown as we left the theatre. I was so glad I had gone with my instincts to book for his mummy as well rather than take him on my own as I have always done with GD. Things can only improve as he gets older, we hope!

[ZIZI]

My husband is working Christmas Day so I will be up at gulp 4am to drive him as there are no buses. Then I will come home and doze a bit on the sofa and eventually go to youngest son and dil to see the children and given them a small present. They get so much don't they so I prefer to keep our gifts for them at ours until the family day which will be on the 27th this year. It will be a buffet lunch. I will pick husband up at around 1.30pm and we will come home and open our own gifts and have a late afternoon lunch. We will have turkey this year (not my favourite but husband has requested). He is working Boxing Day too. I know there are lots of people who work over Christmas but I wish he wasn't one of them. Still we are lucky that the last two Christmas days he has had off and hopefully he might get next year off, if not it is not the end of the world.

[Daisy]

Zizi - all your plans have now changed!!


Gem - I'm sure your GD did well in her speaking debut, bless her. Well cast as an Angel, though. xx GS did well too - pity Mary and Joseph were a bit slow.