Anyone else overjoyed they might be able to escape "Big family Christmas"?

[BlueDream]

I am fist pumping at the thought of a legit excuse to not have a massive extended family knackering Christmas.

Well it would solve a conundrum. First Christmas with dp, though probably will go to dms there's only 8 at most and they aren't going to be inspected rural houses!

My folks have always gone abroad and have only come to us twice in 36 years

Their holiday this year has been cancelled so was dreading them wanting to come

The turkey farmers are definitely on for a possible low, but then if a smaller bird is needed, I wonder how easy it is to switch to chicken/duck/goose breeding? I don't know when the Christmas turkeys hatch, and it may still be in time to reduce the supply

Or turn the supply towards smaller birds - either hatch them later or if that's too late, kill at a smaller size and freeze. Or sell the meat in portions. We buy a single breast from a large turkey rather than a whole bird as we don't like the leg meat, which gets used in mince etc anyway in the food industry.

Everyone's going to have to be flexible this year - producers, retailers and the public. The amount of food sold is going to be about the same but fewer larger roasts and more suited for parties of 6 or less instead. People don't eat more because they're having Christmas Dinner at someone else's house so demand won't be hugely different, just in a different format.

It's my turn to host. 6 sounds doable.
We will have a raffle to see who makes the cut

Yes, I’m very excited at the thought of no travel on Christmas Day! There’s four of us and we said we will join my parents who live a 20min walk away, no visiting in laws and my brother his family and his wife’s parents usual come up and have Christmas with us all but that’s not I going to happen! It’s brilliant news.

Also no big school parties hopefully, my son rarely gets invited so he won’t have to suffer the disappointment or sadness.

I will miss the parties, carol services and run up to christmas that makes it so much fun, I won't miss the fact I am usually too exhausted to enjoy it by the time christmas day actually arrives!

I intend to have a nature inspired christmas this year, and I am hoping to join an open air carol service, socially distanced, and make our own gifts, I think bringing the outside in, and making the most of actually being at home will make a marvellous change for all of us.
Looking forward to sharing some festive garden drinks with coats and firepits !!

I normally get away with just our immediate family for Christmas Day anyway but at least this year I won’t have the slightly quizzical looks from others who have eleventy billion relatives coming. And hell yes!! I won’t have to suffer the annual MIL bash at NY with the misogynist 20-something nephews and the sniping SILS...

A ray of light in the whole virus horror!

Oh god yes. And hopefully not spending Christmas Day driving about to opposite ends of the county and back.

Suits me. Looking fwd to being magnanimous, "no mil it's fine, you spend xmas day with xyz, we don't mind not coming and seeing you on another day." Etc

Already taken shameless advantage of this...yesterday!! Oh dear just seen the press conference,what a shame.Tell you what you just buy your family this year and not ours(of the ususal shite tat we have come to love and expect) and we will just do ours ..seems easier as we cant get anything to you..and driving 150 miles seems foolish in the current situation! Didnt go down well but it felt good and hopefully this is a precedent that will carry on! No awful presents from them whist they usually start with there simple list of gifts by now...How will I cope without buying cashmere stuff and other expensive stuff they shamelessly demand and expect someone else to buy cos they nevr would in exchange for dented tins of poundshop biscuits! Win Win all round for me this!!

Why would you put up with any of that ever?

We put an end to presents after receiving a tea towel as a gift from DH’s parents. Haven’t bought anything for anyone for 15 years. Brilliant.

@Polnm

Yes/ let’s save granny by making her spend her last Christmas when terminally ill home alone

I'm sure the rules are meant to be broken for your MIL. I'd definitely break the rules in your circumstances! I hope you have a lovely and loving Christmas.

I'm hoping we escape the annual guilt trip from MIL about not all going to hers for Christmas (There's always arguing and it is a generally unpleasant atmosphere.) Would much rather have a quiet one. I have enjoyed the ability to use covid as an excuse for not socialising much!

Yes I’m so pleased I get to stay home and avoid my entire family this year

Having lost 3 people I love this year its made me realise just how precious our time is with family. I will be devastated if my elderly parents have to spend Christmas alone. Cherish what you have, you never know when it will be gone

Cherish irritating arseholes that are nephews by marriage? I only put up with them normally for a few hours a year so my husband doesn’t have to confess to his sister that her children are abhorrent shits.

I think there will be many people relieved by the prospect of not having to fake familial harmony this Christmas and instead can have a more joyous break altogether!

If having Christmas with extended family is so unpleasant why do people put up with it? It can't be that difficult to tell your family that you have other plans.

We don't live near any family, and getting together for Christmas isn't possible due to logistics, although last year we found a hotel near my sister so that we could visit my sister and her family. It was the best Christmas we had had for years.

I've been desperate to have a Christmas with just DH and DC. It makes me sad that I won't be able to see my parents and my brother because through circumstances we've ended up at IL's for the last few years.

DH is one of four so it's always a huge event. I really dislike rushing presents and breakfast in the morning to rush around ferrying relatives who want to drink (DH is teetotal so always designated driver). I'm also having weight loss surgery in October so the idea of being able to celebrate Christmas at home without anyone questioning the food on my plate is much more appealing.

Is it too early to decorate? Had enough of 2020.

If we do actually end up having Christmas this year it's a toss-up between us and BIL. FIL is a bit old. I just hope covid is still an excuse not to! It's not the day, it's the amount of people. 14!

@Feminist10101
Why would you put up with any of that ever?

I have no idea either.Just tell family you are doing your own thing and thats that.

When i had my kids i made the decision to stay home.My ds has kids and he stays home.Just do what you want to do.

Plus it must be awful to be invited somewhere and obviously you are not wanted.

We’d been planning on staying at home with our kids for the first time ever but now it’s enforced (and after 6 months shielding with them) it seems less appealing

I have only been with my parents and sister on Xmas day once in the last 12 years. There isn't enough space for all 3 of us to stay (me, husband, daughter) plus husband only gets 2 days off work so would have to travel back (using public transport) on Boxing Day - when often there is no public transport.
The one Christmas I did get to be with my parents it was just me and daughter - husband stayed home because of the above issues.
Every year it breaks my heart I can't be there with my family. They in the past have driven down on Boxing Day. Although my sister often couldn't come because she had to work. My Dad struggles with driving long distances now. If this covid crap is over by Xmas 2021 he probably won't be able to drive down by then.
So I am the opposite of most of the comments here.

I'm gutted but not surprised.

We always have 5 (us 4 + BIL) for Christmas and still will, and visited MIL in the morning (Covid care home death in May, so not any more).

But Boxing day runs as another Christmas Day at my parents, sometimes with my (90yo) granny, always my uncle, brother and his partner.
My dad, another Christmas lover, buys a huge turkey (and still will). And my mum, cooks the most amazing food, and enjoys hosting. The adults save opening their presents until we are all together, and we do it all at once as 10 minutes of carnage, the DC and me love it.

Kids are disappointed, I'm sad, but DH is probably ok.