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Original poster

Travelling on Christmas Day

22 replies

Skipsaretheanswertoitall · 10/10/2019 17:48

Would you travel 3 hours on Christmas Day with a 3 year old to spend Christmas with relatives if they have expressly told you they wouldn’t do the same for you?

OP posts:

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 10/10/2019 17:49

God no!!

Iloveacurry · 10/10/2019 17:50

No way.

Napqueen1234 · 10/10/2019 17:51

Unless the alternative was to be completely alone and when you get there they will treat you like an absolute queen then no. I’d consider driving late Christmas Eve and having the whole day there if that’s an option too!

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MoaningMyrtle96 · 10/10/2019 17:51

Nope! I'd be putting my feet up at home enjoying Christmas with those who matter.

DreamingofSunshine · 10/10/2019 17:52

Unless there's a massive backstory where someone is terminally ill or lives in the most remote place on earth, then no.

ZenNudist · 10/10/2019 17:52

Id travel there but want to stay over in 3h one way. If its 1.5h there and 1.5h back Id say its very doable and you get boxing day to youself. Plus those travelling dont have to cook!

It depends who is refusing to travel. Elderly parent who is catering for you yes.

My dps travel 3h+ to my ILs on xmas day. But stay til after boxing day.... and they cook!

fedup21 · 10/10/2019 17:53

How did they expressly tell you they wouldn’t come to you?

Explain the back story.

ZenNudist · 10/10/2019 17:53

I travel 1h to my dps on xmas day then go home boxing day after tea.

AbsolCatly · 10/10/2019 17:56

2 hours plus to in-laws

Was lovely in that the DCs got the stocking and our gifts at home, we drove and got there in time for lunch/wine and then had a really nice day/evening

I know sometimes we stayed and sometimes we came home but both worked for us/family

caringcarer · 10/10/2019 18:00

Is that 1 1/2 hours each way or 3 hours each way? Why can't you go Xmas Eve and come back Boxing Day? How much do you want to be there? If it is any consolation there is never any traffic around on Xmas day I have driven from Yorkshire to Devon one year, but without any children and it was that or be alone all day.

Original poster

Skipsaretheanswertoitall · 10/10/2019 19:01

Thank you for replying. There really isn’t a back story apart from it’s been us doing the travelling for 12 years either on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, we alternate between both sides of our families as most people tend to and it’s our turn to spend Christmas Day with the family that live 3 hours drive away (each way). I guess I just feel a bit fed up at doing it again. We asked them to come to us for Christmas this year instead but they said they won’t travel on Christmas Day as they have pets they don’t want to leave which Is understandable. It feels selfish to say but I just want to be at home, that’s probably the crux of it. They are lovely people but just not good at making the effort to visit us.

OP posts:

BIWI · 10/10/2019 19:02

Nope. Have your own Christmas in your own home. And enjoy it! [santa]

user1493413286 · 10/10/2019 19:02

No way, that’s not fair on anyone

BIWI · 10/10/2019 19:02

Actually, they're not really that lovely, are they? They make you do all that travelling but won't reciprocate?

Rystall · 10/10/2019 19:04

Why don’t you have your own family Christmas in your own home and travel on the 26th or 27th instead?

DragonMamma · 10/10/2019 19:05

No way. Not a chance!

GeoffreyAndBungle · 10/10/2019 19:05

No.

Do what YOU want to do at Xmas.

starfishmummy · 10/10/2019 19:06

Id just stay at home.

Napqueen1234 · 10/10/2019 19:08

Since your response id say have a Christmas at home. They have pets = fair enough they can’t come. You have DC and don’t want to travel 6 hours = absolutely fair enough. Do what makes you happy!

Original poster

Skipsaretheanswertoitall · 10/10/2019 19:11

I think perhaps as you say @Rystall, perhaps finding an alternative date would be good that’s perhaps not Christmas Day or Boxing Day. That idea hadn’t crossed my mind. I’m so used to doing the travelling and I know if we didn’t then we wouldn’t see them and I do actually want my chiild to have a relationship with them. Will look at alternative dates. Thank you.

OP posts:

stoplickingthetelly · 10/10/2019 20:53

There is no way I’d be doing this. Have Christmas at home with your dc then see relatives at another time around the festive period, but not 27th though - it’s one of the worst traffic days of the whole year.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 10/10/2019 21:25

We stopped going elsewhere on Christmas Day when DD was about 5yo. We moved and the timing just worked for it. We wanted to do our own traditions, DD wanted her own toys, in her own house, we wanted to wake up in our own bed, make our own dinner, go to our own Church.

We simply told our parents. MIL was pretty upset and that's sad but we couldn't keep seeing them on Christmas Day just to fulfil their need. They had many years at home with their children, now it's our time to be at home with ours. Unfortunately we live hours away from both sets of parents.

We see family either before Christmas Day or afterwards. It extends the excitement for the children. The grandparents aren't competing with anyone for the kid's attention. They're interested in the presents they get with the grandparents, because there aren't lots of other presents to be unwrapped. It does mean we get 3x Christmas dinners.

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