If you enjoyed Christmas in general and Christmas day, what things made it enjoyable?

[Nineoutoftenducks]

I have not enjoyed Christmas for probably 10 years, so rather than wallow in misery I thought I'd try and find out how to get it right!
Granted one of the things not helping is my current and not very happy relationship but that aside I'm sure there is more I could do.
The children seemed to enjoy things but I think they could get more out of it.
In previous years I have closed my ears to the post Christmas chat because I've found it painful to listen too. This year I'm working on the basis of no pain, no gain so fire away please (even with tales of holudays away and lavish gifts!).

State of mind.

Achievable goals like reading some of my book

Not having guests. No need to dress up, no time table. Perfect.

Playing games that everyone can enjoy, adults and children, is a really enjoyable part of our Christmas.

Being organised (having dcs santa presents bought wrapped and in the attic early). Taking a day off work to declutter and clean prior to the whole rush so I could just enjoy christmas.
Going to the cinema etc rather than hitting sweaty shopping centres.

Getting both sets of parents to ours rather than us spending the day travelling. Not going to the work christmas party (too much bitching).

Not spending it with the in laws. Pre prepared everything...sprouts, red cabbage etc.

Not having guests and just staying home and reducing pressure on ourselves. Reducing amount of presents for DC and instead of a few of the things they filled their lists with. Buying a few family board games instead (recommended on here!) that once our DC with learning difficulties had to gone to bed, we spent a few hours playing with together. Fun, low key, no time pressures.

We never have overnight guests and have a small family , we’re not overly sociable either so no rushing round for parties and fitting lots in.

Christmas is quiet ; I enjoy making the house extra sparkly , I love the cooking and I really do find it all very relaxing.

We had a day at home without any visitors or outings. Just relaxed, watched tv and ate yummy food. No timetables or rushing around. My husband cooked an amazing meal. It was great.

We had a very relaxed few days over Christmas and I want to replicate it too! I think it was because I reduced the amount of gifts we gave everyone, Christmas prep was done by early December, on Christmas Day we had no grand plans - just played with toys, drank tea, helped do Christmas dinner at my sister’s and went to the playpark for a bit. So I suppose “keep it simple” is what I’ll aim for next year!

It doesn't sound much but I really enjoy a few fairy lights and a twinkly Christmas tree .

Proper tape dispenser for wrapping .Try to get presents early .
Turkey crown rather than whole bird .Dont make pigs in blankets or red cabbage or gravy - all bought prepared .

We played Chameleon www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Potato-Chameleon-Multi-Award-Winning/dp/B074TFPVM5/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?psc=1&keywords=chameleon+game&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1546356351&sr=8-1-spons

ps I was NOT looking forward to board game but enjoyed it .

No guests and no pressure to be anywhere

Having the new Lee Child book always helps at Christmas .

Not seeing the in laws for the first time in about 10 years and seeing my parents (MIL very cross still). Going away meant I was more organised so no frantic Christmas Eve wrapping. Rented a house so neutral territory meant nobody was the ‘host’ and we all mucked in. Would do it every year if I could. In laws normally ruin it for me.

Staying in a hotel whilst visiting my daughter and going for a swim in the hotel pool on Xmas day, seeing my beautiful granddaughters and my husband being well enough to take part as last year he was stuck in hospital.

Getting Alexa to play some tunes and having a dance to the Cha Cha Slide.

Most food prep was done in advance, just to be reheated. Plus no turkey or goose to be endlessly basted.

Only six of us for the main meal. The rest of the family dropped in after church to exchange gifts and then went away again.

Spacing the day - stocking presents first thing, church/walk to get out of the house, family visit with more presents, lunch, tree presents, pudding, board games, kids bedtime, then cheese, TV and general loafing about.

All adults shared the load - one person did drinks and nibbles for the guests, one person was head chef, one did the washing up and the other helped out with all three things.

Limited gifts for everyone to reduce the amount to buy and also the amount to consider and appreciate

Leaving the house for some fresh air at some point.

Being away in hot over 30 degree heat
Very relaxing

That DH had a few days off in the run up so could help with bits of shopping

That we had no plan on Xmas day itself and there was no pressure. We went and walked the dog, opened some presents when we got back, DD entertained herself while we made dinner and it was ready when it was ready.

What honesty made Christmas 100 million times better for me...massively reducing presents to 1-2 plus a small stocking each...way less chaos. And no longer hosting for food. People can pop into see us in the morning or evening. But that's it.

I used to hate Christmas...too much mess and pressure. Now I love it

We don’t make a huge deal out of the day and it’s the run up that’s more enjoyable.
Did a light trail, lots of walks, meeting up with friends, watching films.
The day itself was enjoyable as the family all get on. I think that’s a pretty big deal.
Everyone bought a couple of dishes and we were all able to relax and enjoy the day together.

I usually enjoy it because I like the routine we have. Everyone gets a Christmas stocking in the morning. Then we have breakfast of smoked salmon bagels with cream cheese or scrambled eggs and bucks fizz. Then get dressed (optional) and open presents, phone family, go for a walk etc then have a light lunch of home made soup and cheese and crackers. Then the others game or watch TV while I cook the big Christmas dinner, which we eat in the evening. I love being on my own in the afternoon with carols on, just pottering, making the dinner. We eat by candlelight and by the time dinner is over, everyone is sleepy and placid, so people just watch TV or have a bath or play games.

We have other rituals around Christmas - we always go to a local festival on Boxing Day, we always go for a walk at a certain lake on Christmas Eve, where the wild birds come and feed from your hand, and we always go to a nearby stunning ornamental garden that does a lights trail. We usually go to a show too - a play or comedy. Used to be panto or kids show when they were smaller.

I just like the rituals we've evolved. Whoever is staying just does them too - it gives Christmas a shape and variety - getting out and about a bit, staying in a bit. Apart from the occasional drinks party or some years seeing New Year in, we don't see much of our friends at Christmas and I don't mind it being family.

We had lunch in a pub for a number of complicated reasons . Food not fantastic but we had a nice time ( despite driving over an hour both ways for us) because the family I have l left and who I spend time with, I generally like and get on with ( mother, sister, BIL, niece and nephew ( grown up now) and their partners , DH and teenage son.

Being just the two of us and being able to please ourselves all day. Lovely food, watching what we wanted. Bliss.

Not having to put up with my bitch of a MIL for more than six hours on the big day. Lots of nice food and a few family days out.