Can I share with you...

[WonderingFree]

That this is the 1st year for 16 years where me and OH haven’t had be Father Christmas - no wrapping issues, no staying up til everyone’s asleep, no carrots all over the floor. Christmas with older kids feels so much more relaxed - what else can I look forward to now that the kids are older?

Actual thoughtful presents from them.

Standing at the bottom of the stairs at 11 am bellowing It's Christmas get up you lazy beggars

I love being able to have all the presents under the tree and not have the kids touch them. To be fair I trained them young not to touch but only put small gifts usually for me or DH under the tree just in case. I love being able to look at the parcels under the twinkly lights!

Mine never did the crack of dawn wake up they always need to be woken up mid morning!!

It’s nice watching Christmas telly together, having a few drinks and playing games with all ages but as the kids have got older the arguments and boredom have disappeared. No hours spent putting toys together or having the kids disappear to play video games

All of the above. Plus DS has decided to expand his repertoire this year and I cooking Christmas dinner. He's requested I "oversee" as he's concerned about his timing, but is adamant that he's actually doing it all himself.

help clearing up after dinner!

Oh the absolute relief when they got out of the believing in Father Christmas years. No more clambering about in the loft at 1am hoping a child wouldn't appear on the landing and the magic would be shattered.

Now they bring me an alcoholic beverage of my choice and we can all sit about watching telly suitable for grown ups on Christmas Eve, DH and I go to bed before thy do and they may surface about 1pm on Christmas Day. Perfect.

Additions to this are a very calm day, everyone having an afternoon snooze, not having to build toys directly after lunch, children being able to wait an extra hour for lunch as underestimated turkey cooking time, children clearing the table after dinner and being able to have a conversation. Lovely!