Things from Christmases past that really rankled at the time but have now become funny tales

[BamberGascoine]

Just sitting here with DH snoring, waiting for oldest DC to get in from the pub. Thinking how different previous christmases have been. Feeling a bit sad. First year without my lovely dad and no wee ones to keep the magic alive. So reminiscing about some humdingers. Here’s a selection that seemed so irksome at the time but now I can laugh at.

1. First year we hosted for inlaws and FIL spent the whole day asking where things were that we hadn’t provided. Eg “where’s the filter coffee? We always have filter coffee on christmas day” it was all things like that which were readily available any day of the year. Interestingly when they have hosted none of these things were available!!
2. Same year DBIL asking for his mums chicken soup as we were serving up a different soup. She was saying “I didn’t know I was supposed to bring it”, me repeating you weren’t because we have soup here look (while literally serving it up) but them talking over me as though I wasn’t there
3. My mum who usually marvelled at the things they would come out with, on any christmas day spent together would JOIN IN !!!! Rude
4. One year the main santa present wasn’t delivered in time, manufacturer’s error completely beyond our control which ILS knew about. Kids had plenty to open so we quickly made a very elaborate letter from santa saying how he couldn’t fit it down the chimney and it would be delivered in a few days. When DS exitedly told MIL she kept asking why he hadn’t used his magic key to open the door
5. When the kids had opened everything and got whatever they had asked for from santa (money very very tight so one had asked for a portable tv and the other for something specific to wear for a hobby and no spare money to buy extras) as well as bits and bobs from us, they were pleased as punch. MIL starts questioning DS if he had wanted a tv, went on that much that in the end he said yes. I was gutted!

Reading it back, most are from MIL. I think she really struggled with not being the hostess and in control of everything. Spends a lot of time saying “we don’t mind” or “don’t worry about us/cook for us” etc. especially at dinner time when everyone is ready to eat something. Now, we just laugh at all of the things, I don’t think the kids remember any of it.

Oh another classic was one year in our small house. The kids had gone upstairs but were older so deliberately taking time to brush teeth etc. FIL asking DH - who answered- what we had got the kids. Shouting from lounge through to DH in the kitchen “are you bring ing DS2’s bike through now”. He was a teenager by then but youngest about 6!!!!!

I had a memory from years ago. I was with my ex and his Fil was an abusive dick. He had done something (can't remember what, there were so, so many instances) and I told my ex that I was not going to their house for Christmas lunch. Mil begged us to go, she probably hated being alone with her husband. We had just moved in together and didn't even have a kitchen table. Anyhow we bought a lot of pre cooked food, Aunt Bessies roast potatoes that sort of thing and had our own lunch just the 2 of us. We are It on trays in front of the TV, It was fabulous.