christmas family nightmares

*Louise*

Pssst, nadnad - get your sister on board

From what you have said, she has tried to have her own family christmas, but ended up giving in. Well, two can stand firmer than one! Talk to your sis, if you guys both stay at home, then one could invite your mum over in the morning, the other in the afternoon. Then you can't be played off against each other ("Well,****** cares, they are visiting" kinda thing)



I visit my aunt in the morning, then we go to the cemetery then back home. I have invited OH's parents over for Christmas dinner (felt bad at them being on their own) then we go to my mum's for a big party at night. Boxing day is a pyjama day and the kids can play to their hearts content.:D

sandy2_2

I'd tell them you're staying in your house this Christmas, and each family is welcome to visit on Xmas eve or Boxing Day, as personally I don't see the difference of traipsing your new baby to their houses on Xmas eve, Christmas Day or Boxing Day

Zazen999

Hi

Can I just ask if you were dragged around the houses on Christmas day, or did you stay at home?

If you were dragged, then just tell the relatives that you didn't enjoy it and want your children to have a nice settled Christmas day.

If you weren't, then why inflict that on your little one?

I believe it was Nigella Lawson that said - when you have kids, you become the frame and they become the picture.

This is the one year that you make the decision about where to spend your Christmas day with your new family; choose it wisely.

As the little one gets older, do you really want to drag him away from his pressies, out into the cold car, driving around to other people's houses and arrive back home, late and too tired to enjoy anything? I wouldn't.

And yes, get your sis on board and stand firm...

nadnad

you all sound like such reasonable people. can you be my christmas family?!

i know everything you're saying is right and true and its giving me the guts to stand my ground, i'm just really dreading the moment when the big question is asked.

me and oh were planning our ideal christmas day last night. get up early (i'm like a child i cant sleep and then wake at 6am with my tongue hanging out begging for a present!), have our customary chocolate croissants for brekkie with some bucks fizz. give little Oz his gifts, get the dinner on, - not traditional but maybe steak and king prawns or something yummy. open our presents. have a few wee drinks. open trousers. sit back. watch tv. play with baby. eat trifle. finish on a tin of roses. nice.

nadnad

and oh no we weren't dragged round on christmas, my mums family live in england and we're in NI. this is another one of her guilt trip reasons.

shellsuit

nadnad wrote: »

you all sound like such reasonable people. can you be my christmas family?!

i know everything you're saying is right and true and its giving me the guts to stand my ground, i'm just really dreading the moment when the big question is asked.

me and oh were planning our ideal christmas day last night. get up early (i'm like a child i cant sleep and then wake at 6am with my tongue hanging out begging for a present!), have our customary chocolate croissants for brekkie with some bucks fizz. give little Oz his gifts, get the dinner on, - not traditional but maybe steak and king prawns or something yummy. open our presents. have a few wee drinks. open trousers. sit back. watch tv. play with baby. eat trifle. finish on a tin of roses. nice.

If that's what you've both planned, stick to it!

Don't feel bad or guilty when people get the hump with your decision, it's your babies first Christmas so it will be all the more extra special for you and your OH and it's a time you will never get back again. (I still remember both my childrens first Christmas's and they are 12 and 10 now!) xx

swampytiggaa

nadnad wrote: »

and oh no we weren't dragged round on christmas, my mums family live in england and we're in NI. this is another one of her guilt trip reasons.

tell her you want your babe to enjoy nice 'at home' christmases like you had as a child - but that they are welcome at yours if they want to pop in. oh and get your sister onside too.

good luck xx

foxyd3vil12

typical xmas day with my 4yr old!

pressies at my house early ish around 7.30am.
straight up 2 ex's mams and dads - stay til 11.00
then down 2 my mams and dads - stay til 3pm
then up aunties - stay til 6pm

put ur foot down now cos if u dont, then ul be worn out by end of the day. im thinking this yr, that im avin a chillout xmas day cos i cant even av a glass of wine with my dinner! yum yum (am ill at the mo and cant eat FOOD!!!!) let them moan and groan, its your familes xmas now, theyve had theirs with their kids.

margaretclare

I've read through this thread and I'm amazed at all the rushing around that people do, or are expected to do, just for one day in the year!! Visits to parents, in-laws, grandparents, siblings, all have to be crammed into the one day.

What happens on the other 364 days of the year - couldn't some of them be visited then?

Zazen999

nadnad wrote: »

get up early (i'm like a child i cant sleep and then wake at 6am with my tongue hanging out begging for a present!), have our customary chocolate croissants for brekkie with some bucks fizz. give little Oz his gifts, get the dinner on, - not traditional but maybe steak and king prawns or something yummy. open our presents. have a few wee drinks. open trousers. sit back. watch tv. play with baby. eat trifle. finish on a tin of roses. nice.

Sounds great. Just do it!