The Realtives are Coming / Oh no I have to visit the Relatives - Xmas Vent Thread

gingin_2

What DO you like about christmas?

I have tedious duties like many but I try and make sure there are lots of little things for me in there too. The highlight of my week this week was buying the christmas TV times and getting my highlighter pen and putting a big fat circle around all the things I want to watch. Then I know that when I have time I am going to sit on the sofa, with some choccies and something alchoholic and catch up on all those fab programmes I want to watch. Simple pleasures - you've got to have something to get you through!

smartpicture

Wow, that de-railed fast...

Mojisola

WISHIWASRICH wrote: »

1) My sister and her family have invited themselves to stay with me and my family for four days and 3 nights (this weekend). My sister's kids are a nightmare. My sister and her husband are a nightmare.

2) My family and me are due to go to my brother's next weekend. My brother's daughter is a nightmare.

aggypanthus wrote: »

You are lucky they want your company.

Why would anyone think themselves lucky because they're going to spend time with people they don't like?

WIWR - you'll probably have to grit your teeth this year but start practising saying "No" so you don't get into this situation again.

Gra76

We've had the same routine year on year for the last decade and to be fair I don't mind it too much.

Very early on Christmas morning - Kids get us both up and open their presents at stupid o'clock.

Then around 9am my MIL who live round the corner comes to ours with pressies for the kids.

At 11am we go to my Mums house and our family have a huge Christmas dinner with my side of the family and some extended family present usually.

By 5pm we head to my MIL's house to have the evening session with my wifes side of the family and extended family are often there too.

It's rare there are any arguements, I like everyone on my side of the family and I like most people on my wifes side of the family. My Uncle-in-law can be a bit of a bore at times but I'm usually too drunk to care by the time I see him!

I used to see Christmas with my 'bah humbug' specs on but since kicking cancer in the backside earlier this year I've never looked forward to Christmas as much I do now. I genuinely can't wait!

londonsurrey

Lol@OP. I'm sure that there are tons more people in your situation - they've just barricaded their houses, and left the country for the Christmas season!

One of the pluses of being widowed is that I no longer have this rubbish to put up with, which I spent years getting my mind round how to deal with as a young bride. My sympathies to you.

peachyprice

OP, maybe someone will get you a backbone for Christmas this year.

Peater

Next xmas, just tell them you're going away somewhere.

The only fraught day this year for me is the 28th when the whole extended family gets together. On the whole its good fun, but there are 1 or 2 (My uncles) who are so absorbed in their respective careers that they can talk about nothing else and proceed to berate me about why i haven't achieved more than i have or why i don't have a family of my own. Charming.

And then one of the Aunties will have too much Sherry and ask me if i'm gay.

It's as predictable as the tides.

*sigh*

missprice

I will be notified (by royal command no less )
if my nearly mother is/not turning up for Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve.
now I do like and get on with her but I do wish she would not leave it so late to tell me, because I then spend half the night looking for an extra chair around the neighbours who have already planned the Big Day 16 weeks before and have already borrowed all the chairs that may be needed. and have moved them from house to house the day before in preparation :rotfl:

on the other hand a mate of mine years ago asked me to be the 'get out' clause for yet another interminable dinner that they had to pay for at her MiLs.
they had been doing the driving up (about 140 miles ish) on the Big Day and driving back after a dinner for 20 years and she was just fed up. and her biggest complaint was that despite paying £20 a head (3 of them) they got nowt and one drink each.
ah the joys of these few days, think I need a drink already:rotfl:

Amanda65

Peater wrote: »

And then one of the Aunties will have too much Sherry and ask me if i'm gay.

It's as predictable as the tides.

*sigh*

Go on, you can tell us

Tygermoth

To be fair my In laws (both sets) are fab.

Its MY Mother who is a disaster waiting to happen every year.

Luckily she has a habit of inviting herself but after last years utterly humiliating drunken ranting drama infront of the inlaws (and never met before guests) she has decided my Brother is hosting her this year.

Good luck to him