Has anyone had a good Christmas?

[Shinylikeglass]

Ours has been different to usual, different to what we were expecting only a week or so ago and DH has had some devastating news about his health this week but actually, we've had a really lovely day.

DH can't really get out of the chair so I knew it would all fall to me, but 2 teen DSs have really stepped up.

I got up and had a run with an amazing sunrise while everyone else was still in bed which meant Father Christmas was able to deliver to successfully DSs who went to bed long after I did

Boys did really well with their present shopping. Some lovely thoughtful gifts.

DS1 was in charge of roast potatoes, the most complex recipe you've ever seen but they were very good. DS2 did something amazing with carrots. Dinner was good all round and DH managed to eat some, the first real meal he's had all week.

DS2 helped me clear up whilst DS1 looked after his dad

Then we played games and laughed together whilst sharing the chocolates we'd been given by the neighbours.

They've gone back to their tech now, which is fine, we're worn out! A precious day.

I thought we would have a rubbish day as we have been really struggling due to my hours being halved at work because of covid and I cant be furloughed 🙄 but managed to make it a really nice day for the kids and my inlaws came up for Xmas lunch and spoilt the kids with presents. Then came our gift - they gave us £1000 to clear our rent arrears and put us a bit ahead, and even gave us Xmas money and told us to make sure we spend that on ourselves. I was completely shell shocked but they insisted as when my DH was young they got into trouble when my FIL was off work sick and they fell behind on their mortgage and MIL's mum bailed them out so she said she knows what it's like and it's through no fault of our own and she doesn't want it back. So what I was expecting to be a horrible Xmas and new year worrying about possible eviction etc has turned into an amazing one! Glad you had a lovely day too OP 😊

First Christmas just us 4 since DD’s were born. First Christmas without DP’s Or IL’s in fact.
So much more relaxed. No pressure, no entertaining, no MIL interfering in my kitchen. I’ve actually really enjoyed it. I love having family around, but this was really nice. We did video calls and zoom.
Said to DH we’ll have to have Christmas Day just us more often. Although shame it’s my dads first Christmas off in years and we still didn’t get to spend it with them!

I have had a lovely day all by myself. I have worked hard to pretend it isn’t Christmas besides snacking all day. Had lovely home made egg and chips for lunch/dinner. Zoomed with Mum so neither of us was completely alone. Opened one present from my bestie, now snuggled in bed.

Yep. Listened to church service on-line this morning. Just the four of us. Did fizz and presents at 11.45ish. DH and went for a walk on the downs (lots of people doing the same). Bunged in a stuffed turkey crown at 2pm. Got the veg and bread sauce ready. Really nice very late lunch at 4.45. DH and DS cleared up. DH and I watched The Red Shoes on the big TV. DD and I wept a bit watching Call The Midwife. Really easy peaceful day. Now all in separate rooms.

I actually had a lovely day alone! Went for a walk amd everyone was saying Merry Christmas to each other. Had a lovely brunch and dinner.

I may have bought my own presents, but they were fab

Woke up at 5, managed to fall asleep til 8, slouched around opening presents, took out the dogs, made a huge lunch, snoozed, sorted out the horse, had a mini social (at a distance!) with a mate. Watched The Thing with a dog on my knee, now sipping vodka and eating Celebrations. So yeah, very chill.

Just my DH, my 2 adult DS and my brother who lives alone at our house. FIL died in February. It was a nice day, silly small presents as none of us has been to the shops. Tried now after being up at 6 am, when the dog wakes up. Hopefully a relaxing day tomorrow and a long dog walk.

Yes, we had a lovely day thanks. Like a lot of parents, we don't get family help ever, so we don't get a break at Christmas. This was less work. If we had gone to family for Christmas or had them to us, it would have been more work tbh. We missed seeing extended family, but not that much . We will do it some time in the new year. I did feel sorry for MIL though. Think she and FIL had a boring day.

Lazed about beef put in oven at one, very small but lovely dinner, watched call the midwife and now got ctm dvds on.

Was better than I thought after first xmas bubble cancelled by bj and then having to isolate. Made an effort to do xmas as always although no family to share it with and I think the kids appreciated it and it wasn’t as depressing as I feared

Yes fabulous!

Nice chilled morning opening presents and playing with the kids (1,2&8) no rush to get ready into the car and spending 45mins-1.5 hrs on the motorway

Lush dinner cooked by me no stress or fuss. No having to politely eat MIL dry meat and hard potatoes and pretend it’s the best thing

No rush to get eldest time his dads 2 hrs away and then get back to MILs because we couldn’t possibly just go straight home and. Not spend the evening with the family (best said in eastenders impression)

Wonderful. Hung out with another family, felt like a real party.

Yup. This feels like the first Christmas in a long time when someone hasn't been ill, some disaster hasn't befallen our families. The kids were well behaved, if a bit hyper. But we managed it well. They really liked all their presents. DH has spoilt me. He seems happy enough with his.

It's been a good day.

Yes lovely day, my parents joined us for lunch and although DF has mild dementia he seemed to enjoy it. Out teenage DS joined us on two walks today which was nice ... much amusement when I slipped and fell flat on my face - fortunately only my pride was hurt . Lunch all worked out well, we played a new board game, managed not to over eat and drink!

Watched CTM in peace, had a hot bath and early night - bliss.

Yes. It was lovely. DTeens loved their presents. Sunny morning so went for a family walk. I cooked, listening to carols. Dinner by candlelight. DH cleared up by himself. Did all the usual stuff of calling relatives, watching Queen's speech and ate chocolates. DS2 and DH had written fun quizzes so we did those too. Had a really lovely day.

Yes a lovely day despite being on mega strength AB’s for a sinus infection from hell. Just me, DH and adult DS. Lovely gifts, food and wine. So much nicer than the houseful we usually have. I hardly see DH normally as he cooks Christmas Lunch and clears up afterwards (so he can avoid the mayhem of the aforementioned houseful) so we normally hardly see each other.
Whilst I hate the reason why it’s just us, I appreciate the calm.

I didn't think I would but I have. Lie in all morning. Dressed in my oldest tattiest clothes that I usually hate wearing but it suited my mood, I was definitely not feeling sparkly and smart, more grumpy and miserable, felt better once I was out of my pyjamas though. Brother phoned, which was nice as I rarely hear from him. After breakfast we went to visit a relative's grave, was there chatting for quite a while. Home to open presents and eat Christmas snacks. I'm about to have a bath and put on a Christmas DVD.

We have had a really nice day I think.

Without covid we would have had a less-than brilliant time, spending Christmas with MiL, first Christmas since death of FiL and it would have been a bit morose trying to summon up a bit of festive cheer without being insensitive.

At home we have enjoyed a fairly chilled out lunch mainly of things that just needed bunging in the oven with little effort, we zoomed my parents and MiL, we have snoozed on the sofa and played a couple of boardgames.

It's been quiet and a lot less crazy than "normal" but it has been nice.

Yes, it was not what I would have chosen, as cooked the works for my ex as well as DD. But we're in Tier 4 so all usual plans fell in and didn't want her just with her dad all day (his turn for xmas day). Went remarkably well, he mainly kept his opinions to himself and I always knew he'd be out of the house in a few hours

Yes, a friend came to visit, we had a lovely walk in the countryside with few snowflakes falling, and between us made a successful roast.

We had a lovely day! Zoom Christmas Day service in my PJs that was different and cosy. Lovely roast and kids had a ball. Living room totally trashed, standard. We always have Christmas Day as a small family unit so it was pretty much normal. Just had an amaretto so feeling pretty festive!

We’ve had a brilliant time - no stress, no rushing around to be ready for a set time or be anywhere. DH thinks it’s the best Christmas we’ve had in 10 years. The dc (5 and 8) were apprehensive about not having grandad’s turkey as normal but they had a wonderful day and were happy to be able to show DP and PIL their gifts on FaceTime.

First Christmas since H left in the summer. I thought ds, who has asd and ADHD, would really struggle and have meltdowns. He struggles with celebrations and anything that differs from his usual routine at the best of times.
But he didn't
We had a lovely time, and DD was very happy cos her boyfriend joined us for the day (he is in our support bubble, cos all his family are overseas and its his 1st Christmas away from home).
I cooked dinner for the first time ever, and it all went really smoothly.
Just a great day.

We’ve had a bloody lovely day. First time ever with just the 3 of us at home. We zoomed with the family we were meant to see this morning. The kids gave me a really thoughtful gift. We watched Christmas telly together. DD and I cooked Christmas dinner. It was perfect.

We have. Bubbled with my DM so she stayed last night. Kids up at a respectable 7am. Presents mostly very well received. DH took kids out to play with some of the new toys whilst DM and I cracked on with making lunch. Amazing tasty meal, enough wine to induce a sofa nap whilst the kids watched a film. DH washed up and also had a snooze. We played a new board game this evening, snacky tea and earlyish bed for DCs. DM has gone home and it is very peaceful now watching Call the Midwife. Very few arguments or misbehaviour, feeling thankful.