I've had a lovely day.

[ProvincialLady24]

I have had the most relaxed and easy Christmas Day in about twenty years.

We cut back on needless spending etc and I have to say that it's been the best Christmas we've ever had.

Next year I'll do even less and hopefully enjoy it even more.

I think that the key to joy is to lower our standards and expectations; for ourselves and others. If we can enjoy each others company, even when when we have test our tolerance to the maximum.

Usually. I'm moaning about mil and DH by now, so don't think I'm loopy or half cut.

DH has been ill, we have all been in our pj's all day and we cancelled our guests so he didn't pass anything on.

It has been lovely and relaxing!

We did the full thing - relatives, homemade cranberry sauce, etc - and pulled it off without disaster.

Now I am sitting by the fire under a new tartan blanket and about to have another drink. Perfect.

Me too! Was just me, DH and the kids, we took our time opening our presents, spent the morning in PJs, I went for a nap while DH played with the kids and set up some of their toys etc, dinner was good, kids were in good form all day, happy and helpful, I had a nice bath, and then I've watched TV while eating chocs this evening. Very chilled and zero stress.

That’s fantastic OP 🙂 that’s what’s it’s all about.

Me too. It's been such a lovely, relaxed day. Got up early to walk the dog. Bacon sandwiches while the kids opened presents. Took my son out for a nice long driving lesson in his Christmas prezzie . Now I'm sitting in bed with a glass of wine watching re runs of RHOBH while my husband and daughter are almost ready to serve dinner. It's been perfect.

We've been dialing the Christmas "buy and plan everything" thing down for a couple of years now, and this year was perfect. No presents. No plans for 'Christmas dinner'; just ordered the main ingredients and one of the teenagers decided today to attempt to cook the whole thing - and it was perfect, the best Christmas dinner I've ever had. No man babies to look after. Just me, and my wonderful children, appreciating peace and joy at Christmas time. My first midnight mass (last minute/spontaneous), nice Christmas evening walk, and as far as I know everyone here is happy and content.

And while we ate our dinner we decided we should do this more often. Easter, here we come (no eggs 🤣)

Agreed.. my DC were at their Dads until pretty late so I got a lie in, lazy solo breakfast and then managed to see my wonderful BF for some sex between his DC leaving and me having to get mine, which was great after many years single.

Then picked up kids who'd been spoiled beyond belief by their Dad so total pressure off for mine to measure up.. no finicky Xmas Dinner (spaghetti and meatballs!) and just totally relaxed evening.

Best Christmas for years!!

Ours has been lovely too. Both sets of grandparents arrived yesterday, lunch at home, christingle then tea out at a local
Italian. Kids pre teens to bed. Few drinks for the adults then presents out and bed.
Bit of an early morning! Then presents breakfast, lunch, films for us adults, kids around and tea and gavin and Stacey, my Mil said it was her most relaxed Christmas for years, so I'll take that!

Me too!

A lovely, low key and thoughtful day. Had been under the weather for a few days so DH and DC took charge of the cooking while I relaxed and read and they did an amazing job. DC gave me an unexpected gift of theatre tickets to a play I really want to see. After dinner we played cards, nattered and laughed. It was all just so stress free and fun hanging out together. I can't quite put my finger on why it all worked so well this year but feel very happy and grateful. Glad to hear so many stories of similar positive Christmas days.

I had a lovely day too. Daughter, SiL and adult GC are great fun. I inadvertently provided the entertainment as I am a bit deaf and slow on the uptake. This meant I got every joke 5 minutes after everyone else and then laughing when the others had moved on. A bit like nana in the Royal Family.

Same.

Lovely quiet Christmas with my husband and my family. Lucky to have two elderly parents who are quite well this year. Agreed token gifts with everyone so there wasn’t much pressure. The children in the family enjoyed their presents and seeing family.

I cooked. Relied more on M&S prepped veg than in previous years and will be opting for that in future. I don’t eat turkey, but the feedback from those who do was really good.

Heading to bed now with a full belly.

It was very nice.

Edited to add:
And I really enjoyed the Gavin and Stacey Finale. After some disappointing speciasl over the years (looking at you, Motherland), this was just what I needed.