The ultimate incentive worked! Now onto phase two

Dinah93

Pathetic defense, put her in the MSE gallows!

Birdie85

I'm so glad OH and I don't come from broken homes Dinah, it must be such a stress having to alternate between 3 homes over Christmas, it's difficult enough doing 2! The year I had Christmas at OH's I hated it; the food wasn't as good as it is at my parents' house, I couldn't drink as I had to drive to my parents' after, and when I got there everyone was just sat in silence in the living room with no TV or radio on, and just watched me open my presents, I felt like the entertainment! It's their turn for Christmas this year and I'm already dreading it!

poddle911

Ha ha, poor Tete!

I totally sympathise with you on the Christmas issue! Every year I think we should go away for Christmas, just the two of us, but we never do because we want to spend it with our families. They are very awkward and live at opposite sides of the country (not quite as bad as Ireland!) so it's very difficult to incorporate seeing both. Add the religious element to the mix and it's a minefield!

poddle911

Oh God, I forgot the food! And the lack of alcohol at OH's parents!

Dinah93

I don't nessisarily think I wouldn't enjoy it, tbh this year shouldn't be as bad as I still think I'll be able to win his dad round if I can ever work out the accent! Plus I don't *think* he'd expect me to go to mass. It's just I'd obviously prefer my parents and don't want to be asked to sacrifice that next year. Once we get our own place we've agreed it'll be a big open invite, anyone can come who wants to, or not, their choice, but it means we can have both families there if they want to be. It's the big milestone I think, that marks being an adult, do you go to your parents, or do your parents come to you?

Both sets of parents will have to start going to our houses and those of our siblings in the next few years, might actually work out okay with NIMs side, one year his mum can come to us while his dad goes to his brother, then vice versa, they can avoid one another, and still be happy they are giving themselves evenly between their kids!

Dinah93

His mums a good cook so I'm okay there (although she seems to think I have a teeny appetite, I'm always still hungry!), and I bet his dad would book a restaurant out. They're Irish, I think too much booze would be more of a problem.

My main issue with how differently they do Christmas is how late they lie in, I hate 'having a lie in', find it really stressfull just to flop about doing nothing and feeling lazy. Especially on Christmas I'm all excited and if I'm not up by 8am it's a shock, the idea of being in bed at 10 or 11am actually turns me cold.

Any of you people have great memories?! I need to be reminded when I get home to photograph all my paintings this evening and make them into a photobook while the offer is still on. First step in having something to show people when they ask. Not sure I have enough atm!

poddle911

Btw, do you do pigsback? Was just about to join - would you get a referral bonus?

Dinah93

I did briefly, not sure if there is any money in the account, let me see...

Dinah93

Gits took my piggy points! But yes, I'm a member, had totally forgotten about that site but might go after the free offers now. PM me your addy for a referal x

Tete_en_l'Air

I cashed in my piggy points for Snapfish vouchers a few months ago as the free click points seemed to be becoming fewer and farther between and I couldn't be bothered anymore. Haven't used the snapfish codes yet though so they've probably expired anyway :rolleyes: