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Original poster

Christmas family issues

35 replies

user1457118326 · 22/09/2025 09:30

Sorry to bring up the C word so early on. I wanted people's opinions on whether a certain thing my husband's family do on Christmas day is a bit weird. We have all the family round every year (no thanks, no contribution and no helping but that is a whole other thread!) there are a minimum of 11 of us in total. Everyone brings ALL of their presents from home. The house is already full of people and having all of the presents and the resulting rubbish drives me mad. We have dinner at 1PM and they are an hour's drive away, why can't they open them at home! Apologies if I sound a bit insane and mainly I am just venting

OP posts:
KimberleyClark · 22/09/2025 10:02

Duplicate post

KimberleyClark · 22/09/2025 10:02

Yes that’s a bit bonkers really.

ttcbubbanumber2 · 22/09/2025 09:59

user1457118326 · 22/09/2025 09:52

They are all adults except for one child.My husband loves hosting and has always done it previously to us getting married (we met when he was 40). I don't feel that I can object. He does all of the cooking and loves it.

Show quote history

No! Speak up to your DH and tell him how you’re feeling. He can still host if he loves it, but a bit of a help and boundaries go along way.

its your Christmas Day too!!

ttcbubbanumber2 · 22/09/2025 09:59

I think YANBU but at the same time YABU for putting up with this every year and then secretly complaining about it when it clearly isn’t how you want to spend your Christmas.

Can you not put a boundary in? Ask everyone to contribute one item to the meal? Tell people to contribute £10/20 per person due to rising costs and help towards the Xmas dinner? Tell people to do their personal gifts at home and just bring round the gifts they are giving to people on Xmas day at your home.

ilovesooty · 22/09/2025 09:54

Tell them to take their rubbish away with them?

Original poster
user1457118326 · 22/09/2025 09:52

Namerequired · 22/09/2025 09:33

I think it’s quite nice, but also can see how it could be difficult. Are these all adults?
I think it’s a much bigger issue that you always have to host and get no help and no thanks! Why would you continue it?

They are all adults except for one child.My husband loves hosting and has always done it previously to us getting married (we met when he was 40). I don't feel that I can object. He does all of the cooking and loves it.

OP posts:
Whatareyoutalkingaboutnow · 22/09/2025 09:34

You sound a bit insane for hosting every year tbh, sorry.
Give yourself a lovely Christmas break this year and volunteer someone else to do the job.

Mum2twoandacockapoo · 22/09/2025 09:34

Tell them with all the recycling restrictions in your area you prefer them to open their presents at home this year so you’re not left with the mess because your council is making cuts to how much recycling you can put out .

Namerequired · 22/09/2025 09:33

I think it’s quite nice, but also can see how it could be difficult. Are these all adults?
I think it’s a much bigger issue that you always have to host and get no help and no thanks! Why would you continue it?

Favouritefruits · 22/09/2025 09:33

Yea, that’s a bit mad, but I suppose it’s not hurting or offending anybody and it’s all about the hustle and bustle at Christmas. It’s strange but I’d let them crack in with their tradition.

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