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Original poster

Do you like seeing family at Christmas

43 replies

Drivinghomeforchristmasnever · 23/12/2025 18:26

Or do you dread it?

OP posts:
Wonderwall23 · 24/12/2025 10:16

I love it. We see both sides on Christmas Day...it's manic but even though I'm am introvert at heart I wouldn't have it any other way. Helps that we are all local so can wake up and go to bed at home.

ZenNudist · 24/12/2025 09:52

NoSoupForU · 24/12/2025 09:50

I don't love it or dread it. I dislike it encroaching too much into my time off, and it wouldn't be my number one thing to do.

This

MiniWirehairedDaxi · 24/12/2025 09:51

In a nutshell, no. In laws bore me to tears, it’s hard work socialising with them. We’ve already seen them for Christmas though so won’t be seeing them tomorrow.

My sibling and I aren’t close and I know them and their spouse don’t like me/ us. The whole day will be spent with them talking at us, speaking only of THEM and their lives, we’ll literally not be asked one single thing about ourselves, purposefully, because they want us to know they don’t care. My parents will get on my nerves too. Urgh, I’m over it all already.

NoSoupForU · 24/12/2025 09:50

I don't love it or dread it. I dislike it encroaching too much into my time off, and it wouldn't be my number one thing to do.

Miranda65 · 24/12/2025 09:48

No. That's why I never, ever do it!

Mum2Fergus · 24/12/2025 09:47

I don’t have any extended family left.

Fifthtimelucky · 24/12/2025 09:46

Absolutely. Since our parents died, I have always spent Christmas Day with one of my sisters (other siblings live too far away to make it sensible).

We have five children (all in their 20s) who get on very well and this year for the first time we will also have a couple of their boyfriends joining us.

mynameiscalypso · 23/12/2025 19:24

I like seeing my family. I am neutral towards my in-laws but I accept that it’s part of Christmas and, most importantly, DS loves seeing them. When I was growing up, we had quite big family Christmases with both sides of the family and lots of aunts/uncles. We don’t have that now because my parents and DH’s parents don’t really get on and we have much smaller family units. I am sad that DS doesn’t get to experience that.

Bikergran · 23/12/2025 19:20

Don't dread seeing BIL and SIL, but not fussed. Ideally I would have the day alone with a roast duck dinner and a bottle of decent champagne, and watch trashy Christmas TV.....

Purplewarrior · 23/12/2025 19:16

I like it very much, but I only see the nice ones!

BarbieKew · 23/12/2025 18:34

I love it on the actual days. I hate the entire run up and moan like fuck and work myself into a tizz of misery and angst… but I do genuinely love seeing my family and the in-laws, the food and company is always great and I go home feeling happy (and even happier to be in my own bed!)

FilthyforFirth · 23/12/2025 18:33

Love it. But I like my family, am sociable, belong to a like minded family and live close enough to retreat if anything annoys me.

MumChp · 23/12/2025 18:32

Yes. I do.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 23/12/2025 18:31

MyIvyGrows · 23/12/2025 18:29

I like it, but I get a bit downcast sometimes as it’s my extended family; it’s great of them to include me but they all have close family as well, so I sometimes feel like DS and I are the random cousins tagging along with the “proper” set-up.

I think people like having a bit of extended family at Christmas, if it's just the 4 of you or whatever it just doesn't feel special (I think) so I'd reframe yourself as the much anticipated bonus guests 🥂

pictoosh · 23/12/2025 18:29

Other than the immediate family who live in my house and/or were birthed by me, no not really.
My parents have both passed away while my brother is a twat. The in-laws are fine but it's not my idea of a good time hanging out with them. It's forced and hard work. I get bored in their company.

What about you?

MyIvyGrows · 23/12/2025 18:29

I like it, but I get a bit downcast sometimes as it’s my extended family; it’s great of them to include me but they all have close family as well, so I sometimes feel like DS and I are the random cousins tagging along with the “proper” set-up.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 23/12/2025 18:29

This year yes, it's what Christmas is all about to me

Last two years we've had some dreaded cousins (not all the cousins are dreaded, just this batch), so the joy is strong this year ✨

StrangewaysHereWeCome · 23/12/2025 18:28

I like seeing them very much, but am dreading the 5 hour drive and sleeping on an airbed.