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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Nobody willing to my adjustments for us, for Christmas!

119 replies

Yolocloud · 21/12/2025 20:22

AIBU to want to say fuck it to everyone and stay at home for Christmas next year?

Happy to be told I'm being arse and to suck it up.

Our usual routine:
For the past 15 years, myself and my husband have always split Christmas day between both of our families in the following routine:

  • Wake up and presents at home
  • Up to husbands Grandma's between 10-12:30 (15 minute drive)
  • Back home to cook and have dinner (We had dinner at his Grandma's the first 5 years, but it was a very tight squeeze in her small dining room and she did ultimately did not invite us the 6th year)
  • Leave at 2:30 to go to my mam's (35 minute drive)
  • back home.

It's a constant rush all day, and whilst it's lovely to see everyone, it always feels like a time limit. We can't see everyone properly and it feels like we're shovelling our dinner down.

When we had our son 5 years ago, we said we'd change the routine, but ultimately kept it the same due to two reasons.

  1. My husband's Grandma is very old and we're not sure how many more Christmas' she has left.
  2. There is just me and my mam in our family, if I did not see my mam Christmas day, she would not see anyone.

We have tried each year to offer solutions to everyone to make our day a bit easier, this includes:

  • Us hosting dinner instead of Grandma as we have a bigger dining room to hold everyone. They won't because it's the done thing.
  • Me cooking dinner at my mam's house for the 4 of us. She says no each time I offer.
  • Me collecting my mam on the morning (she won't sleep at our house) and having her at our Christmas day and for dinner. I would take her back later. Again, she's said no. She wants to keep the same routine.

So here we are, another year of rushing around everyone with our 5 year old, with what feels like no time to enjoy anything.

I really want to say fuck it and either stay home next year or only visit one on Christmas day (maybe alternative each year?) Everytime I think this though, I feel guilty!

AIBU or is this part and parcel of Christmas?

OP posts:
Theslummymummy · 21/12/2025 23:13

No one knows how many christmas' they have left. I'd be fucked if I was running around like a blue arsed fly for people who can't comprise 1 iota.

Mumstheword1983 · 21/12/2025 23:06

ImaginaryHorse · 21/12/2025 20:25

You have to just tell them.

"We've decided to stay at home on the day this year - you're both very welcome to join us, it would be lovely to have you, and we can make room for you to stay or help with a lift on the day, but we won't be dragging [child] out and about when they want to relax and play with their new toys!"

And then just stick to it. Don't budge. Keep repeating how much you hope they'll join you.

This.

Catwoman8 · 21/12/2025 22:51

They have made their choices, you have offered to host them and they have declined. Do what is best for your family, put your child first and don't feel guilty about it. If your mum really doesn't want to be alone, she can come to yours.

SophiaSW1 · 21/12/2025 22:50

As soon as we had kids we made it clear Xmas day we are at home. No guests or travelling.

Skybluepinky · 21/12/2025 22:45

Just sounds like a normal Xmas. If you aren’t
happy then you have to sort, but whatever you do you’ll upset people.

Sparklybanana · 21/12/2025 22:45

Omg. Just do it from this year. Christmas is for kids so put your own family first. Your mum seems to be making things unnecessary difficult for you as you've suggested completely sensible options. Visit gran on boxing day - shes not alone and she stopped inviting you so she clearly doesnt feel that guilty. Your mum has two options. Come to yours or let you cook at hers. Either way, travelling on xmas day for a kids sucks. Adults can suck it up.

Lifeispeacefulthere · 21/12/2025 22:42

Stay at home. Invite them. If they won't come say you'll see them on Bixing Day or another day.

MCF86 · 21/12/2025 22:41

DC dad and I didn't even expect him to come to the other parent on Xmas day by that age (we alternate). It's a day all about him, and the one of us that doesn't have him sucks it up and has a great boxing day with him instead.
The fact that grandparents aren't willing to break "tradition" to come over and see their (great)grandson enjoying all his new things and just having a lovely day suggests to me they aren't that bothered about seeing him on the day full stop.

Greyrock2828 · 21/12/2025 22:39

Not unreasonable at all OP! I've posted on here before about this. It's one day of the year and when you have kids I really believe you should prioritise your time with them - you get 18 Christmases with your kids if you're lucky before they can fly the nest, make the most of the day with them instead of being guilt tripped and trying to please everyone else - they aren't being fair to you by their unwillingness to compromise. There is always so much pressure on families spending Christmas day together and having the perfect day but it is often unrealistic and it is only 1 day. See them on different days, don't feel like you have to cram and rush everything. It's not fair on you.
I'm abroad but used to dread Christmas because DH parents and my parents are divorced. 3 of them never met anyone again so they are all alone. After DS was born we had a Christmas from hell at MIL - all the travel, upheaval, lack of routine/sleep - we were shattered. Then after a week travelling to my mums (5 hour drive). It was too much and we were shattered by the end. All parents then expected us to repeat this each year and alternate parents - its lovely that they wanted to spend time with us but there was no consideration to what we wanted and we spent all our time people pleasing.
Fast forward to now and we stay in our home. Week before I spend all week at my mums and visit family. Everyone is welcome to visit but only a couple bother. We set our own traditions rather than fulfilling other people's. It's much better. A couple of members are alone Christmas day but it's their choice, they have friends who invite them but turn it down. And it is really 1 day.

Cadenza12 · 21/12/2025 22:35

Stay home and invite them. Time to start new traditions. They either come or not. All this traipsing about is ridiculous.

Nevernonono · 21/12/2025 22:35

ImaginaryHorse · 21/12/2025 20:25

You have to just tell them.

"We've decided to stay at home on the day this year - you're both very welcome to join us, it would be lovely to have you, and we can make room for you to stay or help with a lift on the day, but we won't be dragging [child] out and about when they want to relax and play with their new toys!"

And then just stick to it. Don't budge. Keep repeating how much you hope they'll join you.

This

AdoreTheChaos · 21/12/2025 22:34

We always visited both sets of parents, admittedly they lived closer. But the difference is we wanted to. I’d prep everything Christmas Eve and then the bird goes in at lunch time between visits and the veg etc only takes about 45 minutes. No cook starter and dessert.
if you don’t want to go only you can make it happen. So if not this Christmas, next year have the Christmas you want and warn them this year.

Chinsupmeloves · 21/12/2025 22:33

Also to say it helps when we take it in turns to host so everyone goes to one place.

fashionqueen0123 · 21/12/2025 22:32

I thought you want his gran was alone! As she’s with family I’d say we are having dinner at ours. We will pop over mid/late afternoon to say hi - or invite her to yours . Or go over Boxing Day.

Invite your mum to yours for lunch if she says no that’s her choice 🤷🏼‍♀️

Then you can stay at home until later in the day and no rushing about. It seems crazy to me to rush off for 10am and then come back and eat at yours to then go out again!

Chinsupmeloves · 21/12/2025 22:31

We did this for many years, rushing around to visit both families and GPs. It was often 10pm we would get home to ooen our own presents, this was before DC. Then we changed it to Christmas day at one parents, boxing day the other, including GPs on those days. This helped to spread it out and have more time after DC. Xx

shampooing · 21/12/2025 22:28

You need to put your child first now, Christmas doesn't sound very enjoyable for them.

Who knows how many Christmases any of us have left, I would not like to have spent any one of mine rushing around to that degree.

Of course at 94 the chances are the granary won't have vet many more, but she's had plenty with you.

Your mam can be alone if she wants to be so awkward.

I honestly don't give a flying fuck about what other people want if they are just being awkward or obstinate in the face of kind invitations to join your family.

Don't wait til next year for the Christmas you want.

Nsky62 · 21/12/2025 22:27

Brefugee · 21/12/2025 20:24

you have to be blunt with your mum: you can come on Christmas day or Boxing day, pick one.

I would keep seeing grandma, but maybe later or have your dinner later (since you won't be going to your mum's))?

Maybe take a brunch to grandma’s and invite mum, ok cook later oon..?.

bumptybum · 21/12/2025 22:24

Grandma isn’t alone then. She has other family what her. So you see her on boxing or Christmas Eve.

tell your mother that you’ll be over at ….. (whatever time suits you)

CantBreathe90 · 21/12/2025 22:21

Personally, I'd prioritise your mum, as Granny sounds like she has plenty of company, but your mum would be alone if it weren't for you.

Is there a reason your mum couldn't come to you though? I don't see a reason she can't fit in with you?

rainbowstardrops · 21/12/2025 22:19

So does your DH’s grandma still host on Christmas Day? If so, I’d visit Christmas Eve.
If your mum would be alone on Christmas Day, I’d invite her to yours. If she refuses then that’s on her.
Your current set up is totally unfair on your child.

He has to get up and open his presents then breakfast, ready and out for 10ish then back home for a quick lunch and then back out to your mum’s? No, no, no. That’s not fair on him or any of you.
Change it now!

MrsLizzieDarcy · 21/12/2025 22:19

I was lucky - our kids were all born November/December so it was an easy excuse to stay at home and for people to come to us. By the time our kids were older, it was ingrained that everyone came to us.

It's horrible spending Christmas day travelling from one relative to the next. I would make it very clear this year to both that you're not travelling next year and the door is open for them to come to you. So by Christmas, there's no "oh but you always come to me" as they've had all year to get used to it.

GreyBeeplus3 · 21/12/2025 22:14

Spend the Christmas Day at Home
You've pratically dislocated yourself trying to please everyone
And everyone knows where you are
You have a little one so make it all about them and spending quality time together
They grow so quickly you know

Imisscoffee2021 · 21/12/2025 22:09

Bloody hell, the grandma and mum have had more than enough years hosting and having their own way! Now it's time to make memories of your own Christmas for your son! Does he get much time to play with his new toys if being taken out and about? Not many years of Santa left.

If you put your foot down and invited people around instead would they come? When I was a child (before my parents divorced at age 8 and i was dragged between houses all day) we used to see my nana on Christmas eve for hours and drop in gifts, and Christmas day was then just the nuclear family having a lovely day playing with toys, eating and napping. Then boxing day was a busy family visit day. Nice balance across three lovely days.

carly2803 · 21/12/2025 22:07

put your child first - i did and likely upset a few

children stay home with their gifts, we cook and people come to us

absolute ridiculous nonsence for ONE day!! surely it makes no difference if you see your mum or granny Christmas eve or boxing day? But to your child, it really matters!
stay home!

BlondeBonBon · 21/12/2025 22:07

In your shoes I’d see nan 10-12 and pop to the others 5pm - 7pm

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