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!

😂

Oh please, we’ve all copped a strop when we lose at a board game. Tipping your tiles across a board is hardly abusive 😂DC don’t even know about the presents as they only appear under the tree on XMas Eve and until then stay at DMs house.

And salads do fill people up - not everyone has to eat huge meals all the time…

Why no presents? I don’t get that bit as you could open each others.

It sounds like the kids just really don’t want to do the socialising part so have just said no Christmas to avoid that. The 5 hour party does sound quite full on. I’m sure they would actually want some presents. Don’t they have some presents they’d like to give out too? When I was a teen I bought gifts for my parents and siblings which I loved giving.

It’s weird you’re so gleeful about not giving your children gifts on Christmas Day.

I have yet to come across a teen who wants no presents. Have that actually specifically asked for that?

It sounds bit like it's all the stressfull elements they want to skip? I'm suprised at the no presents, but is there normally a lot formality about how those are handled? Are they of an age to reciprocate but havnt done any of their own shopping yet?? (I'm a cynic 😅).
Tbh skipping the dressed up family do in favour of a quiet and relaxed day at home sounds perfect, especially if you are including you DM and MIL (will you DL agree? Presumably she usually joins you at your sisters?

I assume what you mean by no cooking is no big formal meal. I'd still want something nicer than I normally have.
Grab some nice stuff for breakfast (in fact I'd prefer going all out on a big breakfast then snacking the rest of the day away, I don't often have much of an appetite bedtime the big dinner rolls around). Maybe by some posh quiches or pizzas, anything ready made you all enjoy that just need shoving I'm the oven for 20 mins.

I like the sound of your day though!

Sounds like the teenagers can't be arsed to go shopping so have just decided on a no present rule 😂

Hope you all have a good day. It's actually nice that your kids aren't materialistic and grabby, I can't see many teenagers refusing presents! So many people get caught up in the consumerism of it all.

I'd need something other than salad though, even on a normal day!

I was that teen! Unusual certainly but not unheard of.

Unless your children live under a rock of course they know about the presents. They’ve had them every other year so it’s quite possible that on Christmas Day when they have nothing to open reality mat bite.

And grown men don’t tip scrabble boards over. Four year olds might.

I love the sound of the two winos! Sb you can send them here for a top up! Great fun

Why would teens not know about the presents? Still believe in Santa?

And a huge Mumsnet Christmas salad no less.

@PoliticalPossum
Your Dm and MIL sound great! Will you still be seeing them at Christmas???

I hope the 'kids' don't regret this and change their mind!

Are they really expecting no presents from you? It seems surprising that teenagers would decide they don't want gifts.

OP you’re coming across like a snotty twit with all this “thing healthily” stuff.

I want to be happy for you but it all sounds a bit forced and dystopian. Especially as you have their presents but are weirdly withholding them. I can see why you would swerve the rest. I love a good party but appreciate not everyone does.

Each to their own, I just find it hard to believe that teens have taken it upon themselves to say this in such detail.

Also, love or hate Christmas, but it's one of the only days of the year for many to actually make the effort of a roast dinner & presents and being altogether, ur plans sound like any other day to me, but I'm aware that's my opinion and nobody asked for it :-)

It smacks of an eating disorder being foisted on everyone else.

Sounds like the teenagers can't be arsed to go shopping so have just decided on a no present rule 😂

That’s what I thought! They’ll know they’ve already been bought presents of course, and that they’ll still get them, they just don’t want to buy any!

It sound like they're fed up of the 5hour Xmas party and how stressed people get.

I'm not surprised.

Good food, games, a walk etc is most people's Christmas.

Id say you don't have to throw everything out - I'd still give the kids presents. Definitely. Don't not do that.

And food - choose something you all love. It doesn't have to be a roast!!

Actually I am beginning to wonder if op has blown a gasket with the stress of it, and the teens hsve sacrificed their Christmas to placate her. Do you have mh issued op?

I’m not sure it’s quite so binary. Sounds like a normal Christmas albeit a quiet one - relaxed time with immediate family, albeit no roast or presents.

OMG, I hope that's wrong!

You seem a little too happy that your teens have said this…

I’m glad you’re doing what you want but why didn’t you opt out of the full on family party years ago if you found it too much? Why has it taken the teens suggesting it to make it happen?

Imagine spoiling a Scrabble game by tipping the board and tiles over. He's a grown man, how petulant.