Have you had the Xmas conversation yet?

[BananaCaramel]

Over the last couple of weeks my whole family has independently decided it is time to sort Christmas.

Me and my my siblings with our other halves and kids are going to my parents (possibly with PILs), my grandad is going to my auntie and uncles and we’ll have my ILs and BIL and his partner to ours on Boxing Day.

I thought it was early (although I was also guilty about sorting myself out, largely became last Xmas was terrible for me and DH so we wanted to make sure we got a decent one this year!) but apparently we were all of the same mindset and everyone announced to the group chat that we’d be at my parents for Xmas this afternoon (we all have a standing open invitation, we just have to let them know if we’re coming)

Have you had the Xmas chat yet?

no but need to soon.....although it'll basically go along the lines of my DB makes plans with SIL family, it might involve me and parents but they wouldn't be their first thought, so if they're doing something with them that leaves me entertaining the parents, which means I have to travel to them and sit around all Xmas twiddling my thumbs and being moaned at for never doing the right thing. Tempted to say fuck you all and do what I want to do for a change, it's not like anyone makes a big thing of Xmas day in our family anyway!

@MiddleAgedDread It's time you had a break from all that. Can you afford to go away for a little trip over Christmas?

My husband died in April.
My eldest daughter has invited me to have lunch at a hotel with her family.
I'm looking forward to it but I was thinking today that I don't think I have it in me to put the Christmas tree and decorations up..
Maybe by the time December comes I might feel differently.
Enjoying reading about all your plans on here.

So sorry for your loss - the first Christmas without someone special is always hard. It sounds as though you have a thoughtful daughter who has invited you to do something early so you don’t have to wonder on it

Definitely!!

Like every other year for the past number of years, off to Estepona Spain before schools break up and back a week or so after they've resumed! Christmas is not my favourite time of the year, so I'm sorry if that offends anyone. Parents gone, ILs gone, no kids, sister gone. It hasn't been the same since there is no big family gathering like before.

Christmas is very low key in Spain, suits us to the ground. Weather has been amazing every year bar one, but we take it as we find it and enjoy the longer brighter days in the depth of our Winter.

I hope you all enjoy your Christmas your way, and I do like to read of everyone's plans.

I am so sorry for all of you who have lost people this year, or who have no family to celebrate Christmas with.

I hope you have a peaceful time and that New Year brings you some joy.

I am so sorry about your Mum, that sounds difficult. How are you doing?