How did you spend Christmas day vs how do you wish you spent it?

[Lsquiggles]

We woke up at 6:30am with our 6 month old DD, did presents, showered and out the house by 11am to go to my parents for presents and Christmas Dinner. Had a great time as I always spend Christmas with my parents and sister which makes Xmas for me. At around 4pm we went to my in laws (which always feels like pulling teeth as they're all socially awkward and have nothing to say, basically just invite us round to watch TV with them) then left at half 5 as DD was tired and I was running out of small talk. Been home since 6pm having some well needed peace and quiet whilst DD naps before watching gavin and stacey

I wish I could've spent the whole day with my family but understand that would be unreasonable

Tell me yours!

Our 7 year olds woke us at 7:45. Dh made us coffee and the dc opened their stockings on our bed with dcat in on the action.
We went down stairs at 8:30 and opened presents. While dc played with presents I made breakfast which was warmed croissants with ham and edam. At 11 we all got dressed and went out so dc could give their new bikes a spin. Lots of chocolate and biscuits were consumed once we got back. I went upstairs and fell asleep at 1:30 and woke at 3 with one dc on either side of me, which was lovely.
At 3 I started cooking dinner while dh played with dc and their gifts.
We ate at 5:30 then dh washed up then we all played 5 Second Rule and Junior Monopoly, which the dc loved.

We're now all on th sofa watching TV.
I wouldn't have wanted it any other way

My reality - Stayed in an Air BnB near to my Dads so we could tale him for lunch to a local pub (as DH REALLY didn't want him to come to ours as he can be a pain in the ass as a guest). So left dogs with house sitters which I hate.
Dinner was shit and we are now sat in aforementioned Air BnB not watching Gavin & Stacey as they both talk over TV. DH is pissed again and will almost certainly struggle to leave here by 10am even though he has promised he won't.

My wish - beach, sun, good book and alone!

I have spent almost every christmas since getting married entertaining my in laws and their families (20 something years). I resented it for so long, especially when I had my first born and had to spare their blushes by breastfeeding her upstairs. Anyway MIL and her family have all died in the last few years and despite all that stress over the years I miss them. I missed, and resented not being able to spend Christmas with, my own family but MIL and I had found our groove by the end and she died and to my huge surprise I miss her.

It gives a bit of substance to the advice: if you can't change the situation, change your attitude towards it.

I couldn't have managed that in the early years but would have been well advised to work towards it.

Nowadays we do what we like with just us but what is Christmas but a time to put yourself out for others who need it wherever possible!

Up around 7:30 when dd1 woke up (although baby was up for a feed at 5am). Relaxed morning just the 4 of us although baby was unsettled which made it difficult to relax. My mother arrived around 10 to see kids and bring more presents - as usual too much- she bought DD 4 Polly pockets!!!

Slowly got dressed, walked dog while DD played nicely with her toys then has to drag ourselves out to my mums for dinner - this is the second Christmas with mums new partner and he just grates on me and I find it hard to relax in his company - was good to see my brother and SIL though.

Now home, kids in bed and chilling on the sofa. Think next year we'll try Christmas at home with just us and the kids which my mum will be fuming about and I'll have to remind her that she didn't spend every Christmas with her parents and would often just stay at home just us. Would love to go away go a lodge one year but unlikely to happen.

Usually we go rounded my parents at 11 stay till 3ish - I hate it, find it stressful and can't relax.

This year I finally did a Christmas at home just the four of us. I've been dreaming of it Since my eldest was born 17 years sgo.

9 year old woke us (and the neighbours)at 5:30am
Everything opened and everyone scattered by 7:30am
Went for a walk and feed the ducks at 12
Lunch at 3
Dessert at 7
9 year old in bed, do is tinkering upstairs and me and the 17yr old store in the sofa with a cheese board

Up at 7am with 22mo DS, ate smoked salmon and eggs, opened presents and played with DS for the morning as a family, had a little nap when he did, then we all woke up when DH had to get ready for work 😔Afternoon spent just DS and me, playing with evvvverything and having a lovely long bubble bath. Now watching crap Christmas TV, waiting for DH to get home.
I had the full Xmas day/dinner with my family yesterday (our tradition), so that was wonderful 🤗 the only thing I would change would be that I'd get to have DH home for these occasions, as I really do miss him, but that's just the job he works in.. someone's got to do it 🤷🏼‍♀️

I've been dreading it as mil and husband are here. I like him, rather less so her. However, it has been lovely. There was a point when I was wishing I could go to work (usually work Christmas either a half shift in the day or the night shift) but it passed.

Woken by smallest child at 7. stockings, breakfast, laziness, lego building, presents. Mil arrived, lego continued, opened presents from them and gave them theirs, ate light lunch, went to park. Biggest child tried to complain about going then ran around like an idiot forgetting they were too old to enjoy playing. Home, more Lego, board games, fire, dinner, film. Rest of them still watching film but I've come upstairs because my back hurts (old injury) and I needed to lie down for a bit.

So I'm not actually sure that I would change it.

We always host, last year and this year again I've felt massively stressed out by it. Even though I get help with the cooking and serving it's all the bodies and all the mess. I never used to be bothered by mess but now it really pisses me off. I know if it was just the 4 of us it would be nice and quiet and calm but would that be boring? Just like a normal Sunday?
Will my children always treasure the memories of having a house full of their nearest and dearest at Christmas?
It would be completely selfish of me to not host next year.

This was the best Christmas ever, it seems to be going downhill since DH opened the port. No rows or anything, then he got amorous as I was busy putting DS2 to bed. He still doesn't seem to realise that my hours being mum don't stop until both DC are in bed. I'm hoping he'll crash out on the sofa eventually.

Up at 7.15 - stockings and presents. Went back to bed for a bit. Didn't have my usual Christmas bath!

Dressed. Some food prep. Visited sister. Went to see MiL in the home she's now in. Slightly depressing as she was quite confused.

Home. Lunch. Tidy up. TV. Wine.

I had a nice day.

BIL was here and was bring a bit of an arse (tv watching v v loud) but left at seven.

Got up around 8, our children are adults so they slept a bit longer. The younger one came down and said he wasn't feeling well, had been sick in the night and promptly fell asleep on the sofa where he stayed until lunchtime, he then went to bed and he's been asleep ever since.
It's not a hangover as he was with us after he got home from work yesterday afternoon until he went to bed and he had just one bottle of beer.

His presents remain unopened

My parents came for dinner and they're well into their 80s and quite hard work (OP, they sound exactly like your in laws) so I found it difficult to have to deal with them with me already worrying about our son and being upset that he was missing out on Christmas as he loves it and had been looking forward to it. They usually arrive just as dinner is ready and only stay for a couple of hours afterwards as they like to be in their own home but today they stayed for 7 hours.

I wish our son would've been well enough to enjoy the day, that's the thing I would've changed. I could've dealt better with hosting had I not been distracted by how he was feeling.