Anyone consistently spent Christmas with family then after this year thought "fuck it" we aren't doing that any more?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

We've always gone to my folks. Dh even went there pre kids when I worked Christmas day. Every year I offer for us to go to his family - he declines - we host his family Christmas Eve or Boxing Day.

It's always frazzled and busy at my folks. Our dc are the only kids and it's starting to get a bit of a balancing act between letting the kids relax a bit and enjoy themselves and keeping them in sufficient check not to piss off the other guests (I.e. playing noisy toys in another room rather than next to the hard of hearing neighbour etc).

I'm fucking knackered afterwards. It's busy, loud, indoors. I don't like spending all day indoors - neither do the kids.

Next year I want to stay home. And not see anyone apart from us four. Nice breakfast, long walk on the coast, then home for a nice hot meal. The kids can play their noisy toys, dh and I can relax properly.

Dh thinks it will only delay the inevitable and that my folks will insist on a big dinner the next day or so.

We had our 1st Christmas Day just the 4 of us this year and it was wonderful! We will be doing the same next year I think

Me! Yesterday was so hectic for us, visiting the in laws then my parents. My DS who is 3 didn't get to play with his toys. I couldnt relax the entire day, especially at lunch because I felt I had to keep him from annoying everyone else, he was up until 11 because hes the only grandchild and he was the entertainment. After 1 to many baileys last night I told my parents this was the last year, next year I am not leaving the house!!!

We spend every Christmas at home, just us. This was the 1st chilled one.

Yes, I decided this yesterday. We are guests at the in laws, and the kids do love it, but they're only 3, and DH and I don't.

We’re expats so Christmas with family usually means two weeks of guests, one of whom is always MIL who is on her own. I hate it! She is very dominating and all round hard work. This year we wanted to take the kids to Lapland in early Dec, so we decided to roll with things being a bit different and invite no-one. I did get some guilts along the way, but it’s been our best Christmas ever, so no regrets at all in the end. Already considering how to tell everyone that we want to do it this way every year!

We bailed entirely a few years ago after a few terrible extended family Christmases and went away for a few days. It was good but caused ructions. At least I got to enjoy one Christmas.