To not want to think about CHRISTMAS in AUGUST

[Chamonix1]

Every year my in laws will ask us usually about now, what the plan is for xmas.
Some years they go away and spend with friends.
Some years they want us at theirs.
Every year we'd just rather be at home.
I've had the dreaded question so they'd obviously like to spend it with us, usually fine but I was thinking about getting away this Christmas for a quiet one as with just 3 year old dd it gets a bit boring being in the house for 2 days (she's very very active!) and has nobody to play with. Was considering centre parks, I don't bloody know it's August.
Now they are rushing us because they want to know what they are doing and that depends on us.
The worlds gone mad. It's not the end of summer yet.

[RatOnnaStick]

Thing is, you might not want to think about it now but other people need to settle plans now. If you say to them you were planning to go away for christmas this year that gives them plenty of time to arrange to do something else with friends.

Also, if you are considering something like Center Parcs at christmas you need to be booking it now I would have thought. Not much chance of availability if you leave it til november.

[SteviebunsBottrittrundle]

Just tell them you're thinking of going away at Christmas but have nothing settled yet.

[averylongtimeago]

If you tell then you are going away they will want to go too......

[ATrumpIsAFartCalledDonald]

Just be honest with them and tell them you don't know. I don't see the need for all the angst - some people just prefer to plan early.

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

I was just thinking this, but in response to all the Christmas threads on here today...

Christmas topic should be auto hidden until October unless you opt out. It's August!!

[Muskateersmummy]

People need to ask about this time of year to get places booked, annual leave sorted, arrangements made. We used to eat out on Christmas Day and would have to be thinking of getting a table booked around now to ensure we got into a good place at a sensible time. All you need to do is confirm your intended plans then forget it again until November. You may find you need to get a wriggle on a book centre parcs too.

[Puddleduckthe2nd]

DH and I were discussing yesterday what we'll be doing Xmas day as both inlaws want us with them and we want to stay at home. Earlier we start saying we're not going, the less angry people are as they haven't factored us in any plans.

I even bought the first of DS present yesterday too, spread the cost.

[LunaLoveg00d]

I don't make a fuss about Christmas. I tolerate it for the kids' sake rather than go overboard and start thinking about it in summer. Competitive Christmassing makes me want to vomit - elf on the shelf! Homemade stockings! New pyjamas and DVDs! Presents for the pets! Homemade cranberry sauce! 12 course dinner! Decorating the loo!

I would quite happily go on holiday somewhere hot instead. I start thinking about it as late as possible, usually around November.

[K425]

"Are you coming to us for Christmas?"
"No."
"But whyyyyy?"
"We're staying at home, just the three of us, so we can start our own family traditions."

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

Not that simple for some as 'not talking about it now'

People need to book time off etc. My DH work if you you haven't booked it by Easter you have no chance of getting it.

If you want to go to Centre Parks I suggest you look at booking now too. Leave it much later and there will be no availability.

[Chamonix1]

Truth is, I've only looked at centre parks today because MIL asked, we knew we'd probably go away, somewhere, a cottage whatever and yes I do know if I want to go there we need to book it now. But that was just a suggestion.
If we say we are going away and don't they'll be upset, if we say "oh we don't know yet" they'll not book anything until they know for sure as they'd rather see us, so the pressure is on.
Both retired, no time off needed. Just seems to be a case of booking us in early.
Think I'll go to work for the day and leave all this to DH.

[Chamonix1]

Luna, sounds like we are on the same wavelength.
If DH could get the time off is definitely be going somewhere hot

[LunaLoveg00d]

DH texted me the other day to ask about leave over Christmas as the management team have to divvy it up between them. I told him to sort it out himself, I really don't care. Christmas Day and Boxing Day are bank holidays so people are off anyway in most cases.

[3rdrockfromthesun]

I got asked the question in May!!! Yes May. I was not impressed

[Muskateersmummy]

But isn't it nicer that they give you the option than just book to go away and then when you try to organise a get together over Christmas they say "oh sorry we're away"

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

Tbh you need to look soon for cottages etc too. (We go away every year with family)

Many tend to have a minimum number of nights over the Christmas period.

[LunaLoveg00d]

I just think too many people build Christmas up into this massive "thing" and start planning it in February. I just can't be doing with all the faffing and hassle and enforced jolity. I don't enjoy all the preparation (and I have to do ALL of it) and nobody's grateful for the effort because it's Christmas and that's what you "do".

I would quite happily go to sleep first week of December and wake up around 5th January when things are getting back to normal.

[Chamonix1]

Musketeer, we know and they know we wouldn't care if they did that.
That's what they I did last year and there was no angst, I got to stay in my pjs all day and watch Christmas tv without sharing the sofa. Fine by me

[catinthecradle]

It is annoying, I don't want to think about Christmas until November for shopping, December for decorations, cooking, school and work parties, and that's plenty!

That said, some people are making such a huge fuss of one day instead of enjoying their summer - why can't they organise a mega family bbq instead for example! why wait until Christmas? Anyway, you won't change them. It's also too late to book time off at work, Christmas and New Year are already fully booked, and getting late to book flights and holidays.

So I am with you on that one, but realistically nothing will change!

[Chamonix1]

Just realised how ironic my thread is.
Starting a thread about not wanting to talk about Christmas, thus provoking Christmas talk.

[Muskateersmummy]

Then just tell them your not decided yet, you may go away and they should make their plans and you'll see them over the course of Christmas. I don't think there is anything wrong in them wanted to organise their Christmas plans a few months in advance. We are seeing my df in a few weeks and almost certainly will look into dates for our Christmas meet up.

[Chamonix1]

A few / 6 months in advance

[SweetChickadee]

Trouble is, if you want to get away, and get the leave booked at work you have to start early.

We booked flights in February!

[logosthecat]

Oh gosh, I know exactly what you mean.

The worst thing is, my inlaws insist on having really early advanced information, which means I often feel obliged to be THAT person to my own family. This year, I'm just going to arrange things quietly with BIL instead!

[milliemolliemou]

Just tell them you're having Christmas to yourselves this year ... not hard? they clearly can make other plans if you give them enough notice. They don't sound mega-demanding. I've never gone away over Christmas/New Year since it's expensive but agree with others you should be booking time off and a place to stay ASAP. And buying presents over the year does work out cheaper ....