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.

Wishing everyone a peaceful, healthy Christmas. Feel sorry for those on another thread suffering and sad today so it's good to know there are still some positives.
In a year of madness, it's good to reflect on what is important and worth cherishing.
Thank you, yes; DH and I have a good day with phone calls, messages and gifts left on doorstep.

Lovely day thank you.

Adult DCs plus partner staying here so a houseful for Christmas dinner. Then eldest DC & partner came over in the evening.

We have now gone into Tier 3 as of midnight so I made sure that eldest was out of the door just in time to make us legal!

We have actually. In London so had to cancel all our plans and I felt really awful about it. I’d still have rather seen people but the three of us did have a really nice day anyway. DS (6) was a poppet all day and we had a nice dinner and got some great presents so DS has stuff to do tomorrow.

OP that sounds like a lovely day. We 'babysat' MIL's puppy while she and her husband had a lovely lunch with friends. After he was picked up we had a superb roast pork then watched a movie and that was it.

We've had a very bad year with DH's health as well and after the hectic pre Christmas week that multi mixed families bring it was perfect to just chill.

Love and happiness to your family.

DH and I both ill. Heavy colds but it was still lovely. Our girls enjoyed the day. Great gifts. Great food. Zoomed some family later on.

We had a lovely day too. Miss our families dreadfully, but being at home in their own beds is so much better for the kids (5 and 2) and it’s meant we’ve been able to sleep too. After a couple of nights of decent sleep and no work my anxiety levels have dropped considerably and I’ve been able to relax.

It’s been nice to focus properly on the kids and they’ve been really nicely behaved as a result.

Our day was so lovely. Just the four of us which has never happened before.

I decided last night that I am not hosting again or going to my mum’s (they live in the north of Scotland and we are the SE). I always have a busy Xmas at work and I hate spending two days of my holiday travelling.

If we host we always have some of DH’s family along with mine and the catering for vegans, veggies and people who only eat salmon is frankly boring and exhausting plus all the changing of beds and cleaning.

I know I sound mean but there is a lot of moaning and groaning and never any thanks and after yesterday’s chilled out day that is the Xmas I need now my DC are a bit older.

I noticed too how much happier and calmer DD2 is with just us and a relaxed day.

DH’a cousin was on his own yesterday and he said he had a fab day and he didn’t miss all the “when will you find a new woman” nonsense that he always gets at Xmas.

We had a wonderful day with family. We are in tier 4 now so felt a bit tearful at the end but it was such a lovely day and took our minds off our problems for a few hours.

Have to say it's been the best in a long time. I'm feeling relaxed as I haven't had to see anyone in the shops or work (two high contact jobs) and try to SD.

DH isolating, so we couldn't see anyone other than doorstop drop offs. We normally have my Mum, love her, but she's hard work constantly talking, pointing out if you're not concentrating and had been known to follow DH to the toilet to continue talking from the other side of the door. It's been nice to have what we want, when we want it. I've only had to buy in food my family likes, not had to offer people drinks every couple of hours as we help ourselves.

Going out for a walk happily on my own soon, which I couldn't do if we had visitors.

Yes, lovely. Missed my ILs who should have been with us, but Zoomed them and they were very happy planning their lunch etc. Zoomed my family and saw the children, went for a walk in the gorgeous chilly sunshine, sat in front of the fire for a bit, made the dinner together, ate it, played games via Zoom with my family, had Christmas pud (first time I’ve ever made one and it was top notch) and went to bed! Will open our presents today!

We did OP. We are in tier 3 so my DPs came over but we took heed of all the advice, windows open, distanced them at one end of the dining table and arranged the lounge to distance too. Shortened the day but then DH was less stressed as he got quality time with us knowing that my DPs weren’t going to be here for the whole day. We had an early lunch then went for a walk, then an hour or so of present opening and then they went home as it got dark.
Lovely presents all round, DM sent me a text this morning saying it was one of the best Christmas days ever. ☺️

Yes, it was good. Last year one of DC had a major meltdown because of all the surprises and tensions, so this year I fully included him in the buying process, rigidly stuck to their wishlist and limited the number of presents. The past few weeks have been full of Christmas jitters but together we devised a strategy to calm him down if he was feeling he was getting too wobbly. Yesterday, he knew what he was getting and I gave them some cash at the start of unwrapping, so he knew he could buy whatever he felt was missing. No anger, no violence and a good deal of playing together during the day. Today we were supposed to see friends but just moved that to tomorrow to give some time to calm down from all the adrenaline. I feel like I nailed it!

Fabulous day here too.

Late teen DC didn't see their - - abusive - - Dad for once, just me them and older DD. Walk on the beach before lunch, Great presents, lovely lunch and some TV.

Missing my DP but we had a lovely chat and safer than mixing. 🎄

Great day, just me, DH and DS(16) DM unable to travel as was going into tier 4 so felt a bit bad about that, but she went to friends and seemed happy enough when we spoke.

We ate a lot, went to a village carol service, ate some more, watched some telly and had some great presents. Both DH and I have already said we have preferred it this way

We had a lovely day. Only cooking for three so much less stressful. It's the most rested I've felt in a long time. Normally I wake up on Boxing Day feeling completely wrecked but I've been up since seven, cleaned and tidied and am just about to go for a walk.

Christmas is a state of mind. You can choose how you deal with it. l made the best of it as last thing my two teenage sons need is a miserable mum. l was widowed young. and have lost no sleep re Corona virus. Its all do do with your attitude, not your circumstances.

From beginning to end, absolutely lovely spoiled only by my feeling excruciating guilt at not volunteering to work Christmas Day.

I’m a nurse and we each received an email begging all staff to work anything they can over Christmas and new year as staffing is no desperate. This was sent to every single nurse at the hospital.
But I’ve changed jobs and for the first time in over 20 years I have not had to negotiate, beg, worry about not being home especially now I have children, for Christmas Day.
I made the decision to NOT work it.
I feel awful.

But had such a restful, chilled lovely day. It was so good to switch off from the madness at the hospital.

I wonder what sort of day my lovely colleagues had

Shinylikeglass

I hope things get better for your DH.

I was at home alone like most times but I also worked in reception from 2-8. I am happy to do this (extra dosh!). Only snag is I forgot to ask the taxi company for receipts. I may ring later to see if they can do this.

They came on time not like the lot we normally use. I once waited 2 hours, then cancelled it and walked home!

At least spending Christmas day alone I don't get the usual domestic arguments (no MIL/FIL/DH/DP/KIds problems! There are no pets either to be pains. ot being flippant, I know some people have a real problem with relatives etc etc and it is a shame their Christmas gets ruined.

I can eat what I like/watch what I like, etc etc and anyway it is only one day! I had to remind myself of that when sorting out food as I do not have much room in the fridge freezer and I share the flat but I had enough for Christmas and for today I am just going to scoff party nibbles and the rest of the Xmas Pudding.

Yes, one of the best. Having a lovely time today too!

Brilliant day here - me, DH, and our bubblemate, 3 dogs and loads of food and drink. Crackers, silly games, 3.5 films watched (fell asleep on the sofa for the other .5). Ongoing Christmas jigsaw. Just about to put gingerbread men in the oven :)

Well done you and your family OP. You can see just how good a job you've done, the both of you, the way your very darling sons stepped up to the plate, to support, aid, and cherish their parents.

I had one daughter insist on doing all the clean up throughout the day in the kitchen, and to help kitchen hand, the other did the big clean up after Christmas dinner.

We had a lovely day, everyone had put so much thought and effort into presents, and it was a day filled with aroha (love), friendship and family, good wine, good food, and good cheer. It was honestly one of the loveliest Christmases, if not the loveliest Christmas, we've ever had.

(And if one of my daughters decides to have a boyfriend rather than a girlfriend, I hope they find someone like the awesome dudes your sons sound like!)