If you're used to a hectic Xmas how do you do a quieter one. Feel a bit lost

[GrabTheDayByTheBalls]

Myself and dh the last 5 yrs have spent Xmas with inlaws. Last 3 I've done dinner. One before that they did and before that sil.

My dm had always gone to my DN but sadly she passed this year so mum is staying home with her OH.

My DF has my sibling as its his year to have her they have plans.

So this Yr it's just us. Me dh my eldest and our 2 dcs. Until dsc arrives at 8pm

I'm looking forward to the no cooking stress, altho we don't go ott fancy. I always stress if it's all cooked to perfection for guests. Where as just us if for example the sprouts went a bit mushy I woudknt care.

But I feel like it'll feel a bit like a normal Sunday but with gifts and far too much food.

I think the problem I have is I don't ever just relax! Ever. I hate sitting around. I always have to have a list of things to do. Which gets bigger not smaller.

I think the problem I have is I don't ever just relax! Ever. I hate sitting around. I always have to have a list of things to do

How do your family feel about that? I have a relative like this and it’s stressful to be around.

You could plan a day filled with activities but you need to talk to your family first about what their ideal Christmas Day would be and then find a compromise.

You could always go and scrub the skirting boards in the kitchen while they’re slobbing in front of the TV.

What age are your DC?

Our Christmases are always one extreme or the other. We live overseas so either we have a totally manic visit back to families in the U.K. with something planned and a big meal and / or activities every day (we have DH and ds1 birthdays on the 28 and 30 December🙄 s well as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Hogmanay and New Years Day), or we stay home and it’s literally just the four of us for two weeks.

So for the quiet ones Christmas Day tends to be just a pretty normal holiday day - hanging about at home, watching a film, eat some extra nice food. The DC tend to do their usual - watch tv, game, devices. They usually get models / Lego as gifts so there will be a bit of that going on. I’ll read and cook and keep things looking nice. But it’s no stress, just a nice family day.