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!

Do people really find cooking a roast that harrowing

Do other family not buy presents, get food in etc - very late in the day to change plans if they do.

We've done the no presents bar stockings thing in lieu of a major holiday or new PlayStation, but was arranged weeks before

You’ll drive an hour round trip on Christmas Day if your kids decide they want presents, rather than just give them presents? This is such a weird thread.

The 5 hour, 40 plus guest party sounds horrendous and my 12 and 14 year old would hate that as much as I would.
To be honest, I'd give up presents for a whole year and eat nothing but cereal if it meant I got to avoid that so I totally understand the joy of staying at home and eating what you choose.
Have a wonderful day.

But that is Christmas
Relax
Eat good food
And watch films ...

And give me a roast over salad any day. I love roast (prefer not turkey though!)

Are you and the winos crap at buying presents? Are the dc tired of feigning happiness at receiving things they don't want/need? Do they want to forgo the t-shirt for the band they liked 3 years ago or the Big book of Xmas Salads?

It’s bizarre.

And what about DM and MiL. Do they not get any presents either?

Are they up for the Christmas salad?

Was with you until all the stealth boasting about “eating healthy foods” and talk of salads. 🙄🙄🙄🙄

I'd give the teens the presents, and then just enjoy the day you have planned.

Grazing on salads all day sounds boring to me! Love a roast. Also don’t get why you wouldn’t do presents if you’ve already bought them anyway. Each to their own!

What age is past the the present stage....? our eldest is nearly 26 with his own house and he still has a stocking and a sack of presents at ours on Christmas morning! 😂😂

It sounds like mainly you just wanted to avoid the party and now feel you can legitimately do that as can say your family are doing Christmas differently this year.

That’s fine but I expect on the day the teenagers will still want a bit of Christmas. Like presents & good food. Not necessarily a roast dinner but some tasty food and Christmas cake etc if they like that or an alternative cake they prefer. I wouldn’t take their “no Christmas” suggestion too literally.

My turkey was ordered in early november and all of my gifts are purchased and wrapped.

DC all in their 20's and we have a lovely relaxed day-absolutely no trekking to things etc

We open the presents leisurely and have fizz and smoked salmon blinis and lots of nice bits throughout the morning.
We all help prep and cook, usually pop the our local-directly across from us to say hello and see neighbours, babies, grannies and dogs.

Lovely long lunch with lots of trivia/quizzes/charades.

Turkey sandwiches and christmas films in the evening. Wallace and Grommit and Gavin and Stacy high on our list this year.

Just us, very happy and chilled-but there would be a rebellion if no turkey and I love the present bit-very scaled down now but nice to see what they give each other etc and it gives a nice warm glow of family and christmas.

You can have a happy chill day and still have christmas!

I think this sounds lovely - I’d still exchange gifts, though, as I assume you’ve already bought them, and accept the low stress, relaxed day as their gift to you.

A lot of misery on this thread. Peak mumsnet.

Hmm
I'd be talking to the DCs again to see what this is really all about.

This. It all sounds a bit scroogey. I think teenage years are important time to maintain some traditions......

God yes. Peak mumsnet. I think my eyes actually rolled to the back of my head

I think it's a good idea. However, we've already made plans to see people, so maybe next Christmas we'll focus on relaxing on our own.

Sounds like Christmas at my house tbh. Just us. Starts Xmas Eve, when we prep the veg with a take away. Board games and the occasional TV show. I DO tend to do a roast, but nothing more elaborate than a normal Sunday roast. And we get one present each. We don’t see anyone else, and we might have a bit of alcohol, but that varies from year to year. We love it.

I think your day sounds lovely! Hope you and your family enjoy the quieter Christmas Day.

I agree.

There’s a sense of throwing the baby out with the bath water. Don’t like planned Christmas - don’t do any of it at all 🥗

I am with you OP. I love the idea of quality time with the family while all the shops and distractions are closed. Double points if you can keep the TV off until the Kings speech.

I think that Xmas being so commercialised means you celebrate it so much by the time you get to the actual day it’s lost it’s meaning.

My perfect day would be everyone up washed and dressed in clean but relaxed clothes for a nice brunch, nap, board games, nap, Xmas Movie and then Xmas cake and then bit of Xmas spirits and charades!!

All traditions were new at some point anyway.

Merry Xmas x

Both Christmas days sound quite extreme and unpleasant- 5 hours at an OTT party vs no presents and eating a salad!

I certainly wouldn't be letting my teens dictate the day with a week to go as all my presents are bought and wrapped and the turkey was ordered long ago. But I wouldn't be subjecting them to a 5hr OTT party every year either. Maybe sit down and plan a nice day properly next year as it sounds a bit chaotic to say the least.

Your DH sounds like an arse tipping a board game over!