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AIBU?

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Original poster

I never want to host again

54 replies

flutterby4 · 24/12/2025 23:00

I am just utterly knackered. Weeks and weeks of rushing around, organising gifts, wrapping gifts, buying endless food. Today we have hosted people for a buffet and spent all day cleaning the house, preparing food, cleaning up after them and by that time it was bedtime. There’s been no opportunity to just chill.
Tomorrow we are hosting family for lunch and it will be much the same.
I like to see people at Christmas and I don’t mind buying and doing the food but it just leaves no time for lounging about or taking the day as it comes, popping out for a walk if you fancy it or whatever.
I kind of feel that Christmas will always be a bit like this while the kids are young because we will of course always do dinners and gifts for them. I would just love some time alone at home to relax and enjoy it how I want to.
Oh and I can’t even blame Dh for not helping because he’s been rushed off his feet too and will be doing the majority of the cooking tomorrow. Gah!

OP posts:
LemaxObsessive · 25/12/2025 00:49

Try doing it as a single parent who has to do EVERYTHING themselves, not just all the cooking. It’s hell.

LongBreath · 25/12/2025 00:36

So stop inviting people! Just have Christmas with your DH and your children.

ThisAutumnTown · 25/12/2025 00:29

Is there any way you could delegate to make it easier?
I host and buy all drinks, do decorations, games, table games/gifts etc, my mum buys the food, my dad and brother in law cook the food, my sister buys/makes dessert and my husband cleans up after (he weirdly enjoys it 😂).
This way we all have a job so it’s not all on one person and is much more enjoyable.

RecordBreakers · 25/12/2025 00:26

Difficult to know which way to vote, as, I wouldn't want to always be hosting either, but it seems that you must have offered, or at the very least agreed to host two days in a row.

We've always tended to try and share things out - if we are hosting on Christmas Day for his side of the family, then we are not so likely to be hosting 'Christmas Drinks' for friends / neighbours that year, and are likely to be going to someone else on a different day to see my side of the family.

Although, if you are seeing different groups 2 days running, then at least the 'big tidy up' is good value for the time used, and then you presumably won't be hosting either group next year.

I suppose I think YANBU to not want to be constantly hosting, but YABU to regularly host if you don't enjoy it.