Has anyone enjoyed their Christmas?

[sojo44]

I keep hearing sad/stressful/angry stories this Christmas, so wanted to spread some cheer. Tell me what you've enjoyed about Christmas this year!

I've loved having a long walk in the woods with DH and doggo, loved my presents and just having a nice relaxing time at home playing games, having a drink, eating and lots of laughs. We're not doing anything special or out of the ordinary but I love it.

Me!
The kids loved their presents, told me my Christmas dinner was the best and are even playing nicely together.

Yes and I was dreading it.

More importantly, the kids did too.

My entire week has been fantastic - done loads of Christmassy outings

I wakened with a horrible cold today but still ate dinner and watched the Queen

Will just go to bed early

Me! Sounds peculiar... as it's the first one I've had where my son has spent the day with his dad! But my folks and I had breakfast and a walk this morning. They left to go to my DB, and I went on another long walk, after a posh ready meal! Have my son back this evening. It's been chilled, tranquil and I have a great sense of inner peace today. Loved it!

Yes! Just me, DH and DS this year. DH is making dinner and it’s just been lovely and chilled. Merry Christmas!

The dinner yesterday was lovely. We danced round the tree that hsd real candles on. Played with christmas selfie sticks. Watched the Grinch.

This morning we opened presents when PIL got here and they were all hits. Turkey sandwiches for lunch. Now waiting for turkey curry.

Yes, me.
Lovely presents, lovely DP, thoughtful DD (she got me an afternoon tea voucher and a new dressing gown), my DMIL is a total joy (currently sleeping off 4 sherries), our friends who are staying over have done all the washing up and have even sorted the fridge out and stripped the turkey.
We’re all just relaxing now ahead of puddings, cheese and crackers in time for Call the Midwife.
After that we’ll play a game.

Loved it, quiet chilled day, just us four, sun shining sat on a bench down at the bay. Lovely best day for weather in ages!

Yes we’ve had a lovely day, just my dh and kids. We are in a short term rental with no proper oven so half the dinner didn’t cook properly and one of the kids had his annual monopoly strop with fake money being thrown across the kitchen. My present had a rather important piece missing when I opened the box and will have to be returned. But everyone is talking to each other, we all ate plenty and kids were delighted with their gifts. We’ve had a good laugh and a relaxing day and we are about to go for a walk in the dark. Great day altogether despite things not being perfect.

Yep, just me, DH and ddog today,had family over yesterday. Took ddog for a long walk this morning, had lovely breakfast and presents and a lovely lazy day. Dinner is on now then we'll probably play a game and have a relaxing evening. Perfect :)

Yup, I/we have!

Just the four of us (yes, our little family, the rest is 12,000 miles away, I know how selfish we are, take that as read), and we've all loved our gifts, eaten what we wanted, when we wanted to, no stress, no fuss, everyone mucking in when it comes to cooking, dishes and clearing. A nice walk (not the idealised walk in the country, but one to put the empty bottles in the recycling lol). Lots of sitting around reading, doing artwork, snoozing, just a nice day, enjoying it together.

Perfect!

Well I endured it really, but found my own moments of happiness. DC's woke at 5am and have been grumpy and fighting all day. Ex p decided to join us, in my new single home, had done fuck all all day except criticise and give orders to the kids. I'm just waiting him to fuck the fuck off. How do I get him out of my house so I can enjoy the rest of the holidays?

We've been off since Saturday and most days have been like today, as you've described yours op. I've just woken from a loooong nap. Our meal will be in about an hour.

Yes! In France on holiday, nice and quiet, lovely walks with the kids.
Perfect!!

Me! Haven't bothered to get dressed all day. We are halfway through dinner, have enjoyed cooking it all on the day even though I usually have done it in advance. I am buying myself a present of a new kitchen in January so looking forward to not cooking it all in one faulty oven and 2 rings next year.

DH and I like our presents and we have messed about watching Moana which was fab.

Cat loves her present of food bowl to make her eat slower, she is highly entertained.

My DM has rung to say her fab Polish friends have brought her round food from their Polish 12 dishes from Christmas Eve.

And best present is that DH has had surgery to try to stop him going blind 2 weeks ago and finally he seems to be recovering after what feels like a billion trips back to hospital and we hope next year will be better for us.

So far so amazing.
But my expectations aren't high. My youngest has aspergers and Christmas madness can lead to meltdowns. I've scaled the meltdown triggers back as mmuch as I can. So it's just us.

Had a gorgeous lunch, just finished pud.
Walk is next. Then games and nibbles.

Big massive family event tomorrow to survive. But I always feel we can handle that if we nail Christmas Day.

How do I get him out of my house so I can enjoy the rest of the holidays?

How good are you at loud and smelly farting on demand?

What films/music does he absolutely loathe?

What's his usual reaction when asked to put out the recycling/do the dishes?

Would he enjoy being put on the phone to his ex MIL?

What food does he absolutely hate?

Have you absolutely run out of whatever he likes to drink, and only have in what he absolutely hates?

Or, failing all else, put the kids to bed, turn all the lights off, and go to bed yourself.

Best Christmas in years. It has been made perfect by doggo (fab having him as an excuse to leave places), partner and kids.

Mine's been relaxed.
Did most of the work last night so I was up until 5am, then up again at 9ish. In bath at the moment having a large glass of sherry whilst dinner cooks. It doesn't need attention for a good hour or so, so I've plenty of time to relax and then get dressed up ready for guests. Turkey will be well wrapped and resting whilst I roast the potatoes, etc, and I've already prepped and part cooked many things yesterday, so it won't take as long today.

Not eating until 6.30pm for the first time ever!

DS and wife arrived on the day before Christmas Eve and told us we are to be grandparents. It’s our first grandchild. MIL is staying with us so heard the news at the same time; it will be her second great grandchild. We’ve had a lovely time fussing over our DDIL and imagining what is to be. They, of course, are absolutely thrilled.

So far, yes.
I'm on my own but I've talked to/messaged the people I love, I've eaten and drank what I want, can have my choice of TV/music.
Dd is arriving tomorrow and I'm excited for that too.
Chinese Takeaway in pj's with my girl.

Very chilled even if we did have to bath DDOG after I took her on a walk 🤬

Me and DH a bit sad no wider family interested, teen DC a bit old to make it special but very chilled and we truly are fortunate compared to many

My dc have loved their presents - a circuit kit, a game of Operation, some books, loads of chocolate, some onesies and a few other things and they've been playing happily all day.

Dh liked his gift of a ps4 game and has cooked a really nice meal.

My gift was OK. Nice chocolates that I was looking forward to eating but 1/3 of them ruined by salted caramel

It's only 5p.m. but I'm tired now with a sore throat and sinus pain so I'm looking forward to my bed but it's been a nice, quiet, relaxed day.

No, its been rubbish. Tomorrow might be better!