Christmas with just your family

Yes, always have.

My extended family all lived overseas so Christmas was always just me, mum and dad. Now it's just me, DH and the animals. I absolutely love it, but I'm autistic and the idea of a loud, busy Christmas makes me want to hide under a blanket for a week.

Yeah pretty much always have. When I was a kid we had family only for Christmas. Now its me, DP and DD on Christmas Day and extended family only Boxing Day. It suits me: I can’t bear having to travel at Christmas time and just want to chill at home after a hard year. Its the most downtime I get in the year so I want to make the most of it.

This is us every year too.

It's the best!

I've always done ever since I moved away from my home town 49 years ago. We always said anyone was welcome to join us and MIL came twice and my folks came twice but they prefer to holiday abroad.

We've done it a few times, mostly when both children were younger (babies and toddlers) and loved it because no stress. I always prefer the atmosphere when we have a few friends over though, as it just feels more of an occasion. Happy with either though, pros and cons to both styles of days.

Me and OH for Xmas day, been that way since COVID and because really of some complicated family circumstances. He loves it, I'm less keen. This year I may go to church mainly because I find it difficult to fill the day. We do see people before and after Xmas day but the day itself i find a bit challenging.

Agreed.

Christmas is a season to me. What you do on the big day is to relax after/before you do lots of other stuff with lots of other people.

For those of you who think it’s sad and lonely, I think you have to make your own traditions and routines. When they are little some fun Christmas themed orchard toys Games and all the Julia Donaldson cartoons works well. At some point bundle up and get out for a decent walk, whether round your little area or to the park. Get in some special drinks and nibbles, save some easy Christmas crafts.

It’s all about how you frame it.

I spend Christmas on my own now and I absolutely love it.

Yes, we normally do it. This year we have people coming over on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. Will be a nice change.

We’re doing it this year for the first time - me, DH and our 18mo. I am apprehensive about it, I’m trying to make the best of it but it feels a bit sad. Much prefer a big family Christmas.

It’s same stuff, different place for me but if we go to in-laws I get more breaks and get to go to Edinburgh alone and enjoy Hogmanay which I enjoy immensely but it is expensive since we need to book accommodations, buy groceries (more expensive strangely enough there than on our area, they’re in the NE, we’re in Oxfordshire), and bedtimes are a battle.

It’s exhausting either way for me and counting down the days that we’re back into routine.

No, I'd love it myself.

Yes, every year. Doesn’t feel sad or lonely at all! MIL will usually pop in around tea time for a turkey sandwich and a board game, but not always.

We usually see family on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, but not sure we will be doing that this year as I’ll be recovering from surgery.

I’ve always protected the day so we can be relaxed and the kids can play with their presents. As a child I hated going to other peoples houses and found it stressful and confusing as I didn’t know the routine, expectations or they didn’t have my food or drink.

It’s just me and DH this year and I cannot wait. We do the extended clan Christmas every other year and DSC are at that and then the intervening year is just us and whoever we choose to invite. The best intervening years have been the two of us (and DDog). We have lovely lie in, eat special but non-Christmas food, walk the dog, watch a decent film, eat when we like, drink too much and doze on and off. It’s absolute bliss!

Just me and my husband for the last 35 years. If we're not on holiday, we just keep it very low key. The thought of a huge gathering of relatives fills me with horror, tbh.

That’s our plan this year and it’ll be lovely. Cooking what I want with no stress or pressure, chilling with the DC’s and watching crap on tv.
I spent years when I was married and before that travelling to relatives and it was so stressful. They’re all deceased now so I’m glad in a way that we did but I much prefer a smaller quieter Christmas.
Last year was stressful although I enjoyed the actual day, it went south badly after that so I’m absolutely not putting in lots of effort to please other people when they don’t appreciate it and criticise anyway.
This year is for the people that actually care and matter most.

We’ve done this for years now. Think the last time we went to my parents was 13 years ago, have never been invited by the in-laws. My parents always declined to come to us as my dad only wants my mums cooking…. We had my grandmothers here a couple of times since then. Brother in law came a few years ago after getting divorced and wasn’t having the kids that year. We had the in-laws here in the past, but stopped making the effort when we realise they literally never made any effort with us (in 21 years of marriage, they live 20 mins away, we were invited once to their house).

We have enjoyed it being just us - no timetable to adhere to, the kids could sit in pj’s all day if they wanted and play with new toys, no stress of hosting… i definitely recommend it.

Me, dh and ds2 for Christmas Day at home as ds1 and my niece are at their respective in laws this year. All together Boxing Day at my sister’s which will be extra special as ds1 has a new baby. Both days will be great in different ways x

Every Christmas of mine was spent with my immediate family. As was my husbands growing up. They were fabulous Christmas's with very happy memories. Why on earth would it be lonely?

I am a big party type of person, but I enjoy it very much when it is just us. We don’t have to rush and tidy up. We aren’t exhausted catering and caring for everyone and can eat when we like, and most importantly we don’t need to entertain afterwards. We can just relax by the fire and sleep.
If you like company I would suggest a drink at the pub or a Christmas Day church service.

Only did it that one lockdown year. It was OK but far from my preference. DH loved it and would prefer it. Doesn't seem like Christmas to me.

Only done this once in 2020 (and my DM came as she was bubbled with us). Wasn't great.
I usually have at least 10 on Christmas Day. I love the mayhem. Hoping there will be 14 of us this year. The more the merrier.
Its fun, crazy, and party like..we start off with just us 5 (Dh, and 3 adult/ teen DC) and my DM, who stays over Xmas eve, then are joined by my brothers family and sometimes my other brothers family too..the PIL dont travel anymore but did used to come down.
I didn't want to travel at Christmas so having everyone here is better for us. I feel sorry for DH and PIL who haven't seen us much, but they cannot put us up. DH seems happy to get slowly drunk with my family around. Its great!

Every year, absolutely love it and wouldn't have it any other way. We do family stuff the days before and after, but the big day is just us.