Baby's first Xmas

[GlitterandSparkle88]

Just wondering how to go about Christmas with baby.

Husband wants to stay at home just us but I know both of our families want to have us at theirs for Xmas dinner and be with baby for his first Xmas. I love being with family at Christmas so would like to be with them but I know we can't please everyone and be in 2/3 places at once.

Both sides of the family keep taking about us being with them on Xmas and I've said we haven't decided where we are spending Xmas yet but it doesn't seem as anyone is listening to me! Not the end of the world I know but I just wondered what's the best way of handling this and not upsetting anyone if possible ?

[TeaBelle]

We do alternate years being at my parents or dh's parents on Christmas day, then the other for boxing day. If we aren't with my parents then they do everything on boxing day, inclusing their own presents! We all live within 20 minutes though so this is easy to accommodate

[GlitterandSparkle88]

That's what I thought of doing alternating years of where we spend Xmas but it didn't go down very well with Inlaws they said it's not the same seeing him on Boxing Day. Every Xmas we've spent driving round everyone's houses and then we're knackered by the end of it and We just can't do it this time what with feeding times etc

[Leopard12]

This year we're planning on Christmas morning and dinner at my parents and the evening with oh family and his nephews

[GlitterandSparkle88]

That's an option I hadn't considered splitting the day rather than spending the whole day with one side. Will suggest that to hubby thanks

[flapjackfairy]

Or have an open house at yours for part of the day(strict times). You dont have to cook if you dont want to. Then you see everyone but hubby can still get his tome just the 3 of you.

[MrsDilligaf]

I think you just have to bite the bullet OP and say "We understand that you want to see DS at Christmas but we'd prefer to spend Christmas at home just the three of us. Would you like to come to us for breakfast / tea? Otherwise we'd love to see you on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day."

I totally understand how you feel - DH'S job means that he is invariably on shift on Christmas Day, this year it falls on his long weekend off so we get 4 days off. He doesn't want to be schlepping about, and neither do I for that matter. We've told family when we will be around but like you, this is our first Christmas with DD so we set our stall out very early on.

I hope you find a resolution.

[Aliveinwanderland]

I'm having my first xmas in my own house. Anyone who wants to see us and baby had to come here. I'm currently 38 weeks pregnant so baby will be between 7-11 weeks by then.

[BiddyPop]

The year DD turned 1, we stayed at home.

We live 2.5 hrs from both sets of parents, who are 15-20 mins drive apart. No chance of joint events, except for the years we go "home" and host DD's birthday party separately (as in, not in either of their houses - she was born on Boxing Day).

Before she was born even, we had to go the route of renting a cottage (just for us 2!) and having an event separately for families on Boxing Day or after that.

But Christmas Day, the years that we are "down home", we spend lunch with the ILs as they eat turkey in the middle of the day, and dinner with my DPs as they eat turkey late in the evening. Both have said on numerous occasions that they realise we are due to eat with the other this year, but just have a small plate to keep us company - as they pile it high with everything!

So we insist on staying in our own home a good few years. As there is only so much going to bed groaning after 2 full turkey dinners (the second finishing after we are normally in bed ourselves) that we can do.

Good luck - I'll be watching for ideas to resolve it!

[Heirhelp]

This is our first year with baby. Normally we would go our separate ways to out individual parents with us both popping in others family. This year we are planning on doing breakfast buffet thing from 9 to 12 at ours.they are always late so I expect them to not arrive until 10. Then we are going to lunch at my parents from 12 to 4 ish.

[RuskBaby]

We are staying home, PFB due end of November. Christmas is a time to relax and spend time with family but not to the point you get stressed. Lots of families don't get to spend the day altogether, especially when children come along and mostly have 2 sets of GPs. Boxing Day may not strictly be Christmas Day but there is nothing wrong with repeating the day with whichever traditions you choose. We aren't doing this year owing to impending birth but we normally host a 'Christmas' gathering at the end of November for everyone (15-20) which includes my sisters ILs as come Christmas not everyone can be together owing to families.

[GlitterandSparkle88]

Thanks everyone some good ideas here I hadn't thought of, think I'd got so wrapped up in trying to please everyone!
We have been thinking perhaps spend Xmas morning just us then go my family for dinner as they're only 10mins away and then spend Boxing Day with inlaws or go for a Xmas meal with inlaws on Xmas eve. Going to discuss with SIL as she's due any day and in same position hoping that way if we can all agree on a plan we can back each other up against the MIL