Children: ‘No Christmas, Please!’ YAY!

[PoliticalPossum]

So, my teenagers confirmed last night they don’t want to do Christmas! They just want to spend the day with family, relaxing, eating good food, playing with the dog and watching old films - no roast, no presents, no forced interactions with family they don’t like.

Not sure whether to laugh, because honestly just eating nibbles, fruit and salads all day whilst we watch Star Wars and DH loses so badly at scrabble he tosses the tiles across the table again sounds amazing, or to cry tears of joy because they actually agreed on something together (honestly, it’s the first time I can remember them ever agreeing)

Not even anything to really comment on here. I just wanted to post and say how happy I am that we all get a day off and can actually just relax without any pressure! Obviously did not say this to them, just nodded and said ‘oh that sounds lovely’ but I am so pleased!

That indeed does sound fine, however is it not a bit late in the day to decide this? Surely you have made arrangements to see people and already bought presents?

@ApolloandDaphne I thought exactly the same, surely if you have kids you've already bought them gifts, started Christmas food shopping etc. Anyhoo - to each their own and if it makes you happy, more power to your elbow.

Do you have presents that you need to return then, op?

And it's a bit late to be changing any plans to meet up with the wider family, isn't it?

We had a Christmas Day a few years ago where everyone chose their favourite food and we just had that as a buffet you could dip into when you fancied. It's dd's best one ever. She'd never forgo the presents though 😂

Presents can just stay at DMs house and be used at other times.

We’d only see the family for a few hours as, other than DM and MIL (who spend all day with us gossiping, drinking sherry and comparing their latest ‘dirty novel’) we spend our days separately from everyone else including eating. There’s a big get together at Dsis house every year, but they go all out with like forty people and, honestly, we won’t be missed. TBH that’s probably why DC want a year off…but if it means no turkey, no presents and no expectations, I’ll take it!

@PoliticalPossum so they still will be getting presents, just won't be given them on Christmas Day?

So, you are going to leave the presents at your mum's house and not invite her over to Christmas, as usual, a week before Christmas, have I got that right?

Do your ternagers teally want no presents?

Gosh I’d have to be sending back a lot of gifts, changing a lot of plans with other people and redistributing all the nice food I’d bought if mine decided this so late in the day!

So really, the only difference is that on the day, you're staying in as a family and not having turkey? I'm not sure it's as big a deal as you think it is, but you do you.

Sounds fab.

I tried suggesting this as a teen but it didn't go down well.

Yes, I was going to say that. Isn’t what you’re planning pretty much exactly what a lot of people think of as their classic Christmas Day after their children get past the present stage?

It sounds great! I think my best christmas day was 2020 when the lockdown restrictions meant I couldn't travel to family. Me and my "bubble" friend spent the day together, we did have a roast dinner but just played boardgames, went for a walk, had lots of cheese and wine and the wood burner on all day. It was bliss.

Spending the day with family, eating nice food and playing games is Christmas.

it’s odd they’ve requested no presents when they know you will have already bought them though? I would be a bit upset if my kids suddenly decided they didn’t want any of the present I’d bought them and I had to return them all.

This sounds like it has come from you more than the teenagers.
why are they so against presents? you can still spend the day how you want, eating fruit and salad. I just don't get the no presents for your kids.

No cooking, at all. No presents. No seeing family (other than the two winos I call DM and MIL).

TBH it’s a big change for us given we usually spend 5+hrs dressed up and socialising at a party with 40+ people, have a huge blow out meal and lots of presents. It may not sound it to others, but honestly, it’s usually a pretty full on day - hence my utter, utter, joy.

Instead we’ll have a day sitting on the sofa (post dog walk), playing games and eating healthily 😍

You've described most people's typical Christmas day though? Staying at home, playing games, eating favourite food and watching TV.
And they will still get their presents just nit that day. If they truly didn't want a Christmas those presents would be going back.

Your DH throws stuff when he gets annoyed and your kids want to forgo Christmas presents you’ve already bought so they don’t have to go to a family party? I’m a bit lost as to what’s being celebrated here.

Also, nibbles, fruit and salad don’t fill you up, that’s why people eat meals?!

So what happens to ‘the two winos’ as you so charmingly call them?

It sounds like any other weekend in our house, so I wonder why you are not relaxing, playing games and eating good food on other days?

I am confused and think it’s rather sad not to gift them presents.

Why can't you all relax and also have some presents? Very strange.

We’re spending the day at home alone with DD11 and 19.
we will be in Xmas pjs eating ‘party food’ and just enjoying being together.

the Sunday dinner with extra veg isn’t worth the hassle and we’re taking DM for a carvery on the 23rd to get a roast potato fix.

do what suits you

Can I make a guess that the no presents part is because the teens have failed to do any Christmas shopping themselves?

I think it sounds fine OP, I’d still hand over the presents.

I think OP has a generally noisy and overwhelming Christmas day so this quite different for her. The winos sound cheery, I’d add them in.