We had the Christmas discussion the other day. Well as much as you can call it a discussion. After last year, I decided that I loved being in the one place for Christmas all day, and we would do it again this year. And possibly every year after that too. End of discussion.
I don't know about other families, but with Country Boy and my families living 4 hours apart, we have never done both families on the same day - who wants to spend Christmas day on the road? However there were always negotiations with inlaws and outlaws so that various siblings and partners can all get together sometime over the Christmas period. Luckily it has always be amicable.
A few years back my family stopped the extended get together with all the cousins on Christmas night. With them all having kids and partners, it was just too much coordination. Now we have a get together in late November, which I really enjoy because I am not shattered after a whole day of partying, and it definitely made things easier.
Even so, Christmas has always been an exhausting race. Where we have to be and who we have to see. It is meant to be celebrating the birth of our Saviour, but sometimes it just felt like a hassle rather than a celebration.
Last year our Christmas was sooo relaxing. The whole day was spent at home. There was no racing off to grandparents, followed by cousins etc. It was just us, and my parents in law. We truly did sleep in heavenly peace!
That's when I made the decision. We will be at home for Christmas this year. Friends and relations are most welcome to join us if they wish, but we are not going anywhere!
Have you had 'the discussion' yet? How do you handle the complexity of Christmas? Am I a fool for trying.
I don't know about other families, but with Country Boy and my families living 4 hours apart, we have never done both families on the same day - who wants to spend Christmas day on the road? However there were always negotiations with inlaws and outlaws so that various siblings and partners can all get together sometime over the Christmas period. Luckily it has always be amicable.
A few years back my family stopped the extended get together with all the cousins on Christmas night. With them all having kids and partners, it was just too much coordination. Now we have a get together in late November, which I really enjoy because I am not shattered after a whole day of partying, and it definitely made things easier.
Even so, Christmas has always been an exhausting race. Where we have to be and who we have to see. It is meant to be celebrating the birth of our Saviour, but sometimes it just felt like a hassle rather than a celebration.
Last year our Christmas was sooo relaxing. The whole day was spent at home. There was no racing off to grandparents, followed by cousins etc. It was just us, and my parents in law. We truly did sleep in heavenly peace!
That's when I made the decision. We will be at home for Christmas this year. Friends and relations are most welcome to join us if they wish, but we are not going anywhere!
Have you had 'the discussion' yet? How do you handle the complexity of Christmas? Am I a fool for trying.
Jo - I hate the Christmas discussion. I feel like we get pressure from all corners plus we are often still harvesting be Christmas. So, like you, we have decided to just stay home and anyone who wants to come can.
ReplyDeleteCount us in for a quiet Christmas! My clan are all sorted for a pre-Christmas celebration so we can be at the farm for a couple of days. I will do my best to avoid any further 2010-style 'Look mum, Uncle Rich got us whistles' gifting incidents; but I'm not superwoman.
ReplyDeleteThat's OK! We got him back by phoning him on his birthday and playing happy birthday down the phone on said whistles *insert evil laugh here*
DeleteWe have the this side of the family Christmas, that side of the family Christmas on alternating years but as myself and my sisters start to branch off and make families of our own this is starting to become a little more complicated with more families added. I do however still like the idea of one year it is there turn the next anothers in a set routine but always making sure you see them at some other time. Or even maybe alternating celebrations an which you spend with who ... argh it really does all get a bit too compicated after a while. I say do what feels good and brings you the spirit of Christmas.
ReplyDeleteP.S I had my conversation with Mr Sparky and it went like this "We are going to my Grandparent's place for Christmas, ok." Yep lots of room for movement there.
We have no idea what we are doing for Christmas this year, we might be in a different state by then so haven't really thought about it...
ReplyDeleteI do like just staying in one place for Christmas, the day is just so much more relaxed!
I had Christmas at home last year with just my inlaws and hated it! Saying that when we go to my parents we stay there and don't go far during the day. Everyone turns up there. They have a pool and a great entertaining area and I think it's a laidback day with no realy format except, swim, eat, drink, swim, eat, drink etc
ReplyDeleteThat does sound pretty lovely. There will be no swimming here, unless someone gets thrown in the dam - hopefully not!
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