Christmas 2026…. What would you do the same or different next year?

[Darker]

I had a good Christmas but I got very stressed in the lead up because everyone was trying to be flexible (for the right reasons) so I felt a bit taken for granted. I’m having a difficult time at the moment so perhaps a bit sensitive.

Then for a completely unexpected reason we had to change plans at the last minute and everyone was brilliant.

Next year I am going to be more proactive about asking people to take on little bits of the responsibility for planning and doing because I think it’s just a lot more fun when it’s shared.

Seriously thinking about going away somewhere warm next year.

I will not be driving my children for two hours to see their dad on Christmas day, that's for sure..he can do it next year. (He moved an hour away in the summer) I'll be trying to help my partner to say no to his family and spend Christmas with me, for the first time in 6 years, because he's had a horrible time and we've missed each other so much. I spent Christmas night by myself, again, which was fine, but lonely.
I'll still prep everything the days before though, as this year wasn't stressful cooking wise at all, was dead easy, I had a lovely day, but I really felt bad for my children who had a Christmas dinner here, full of people, then had to arrive there to another Christmas dinner in the evening when probably all they wanted to do was relax and see their dad...but his new girlfriend had her whole family there and it's done on her terms. Both kids are ND and they need to be allowed some adjustments on the day. He's blind to it though and just goes along with whatever she tells him to do.

As I get older I'm happier to just say no to things that don't work for us, my youngest spent all day in his PJs and barely sat at the table for food, and that's fine.

My adult kids were also supposed to be with their dad on Xmas day because he has promised for years and years that when they moved house they would host… they moved house this year but it still didn’t happen. So we’ve all had to just accept that he doesn’t want to. Our kids are now of an age when they are ready to do their own thing so it’s very unlikely he’ll get another chance, ever. His loss. But it’s still sad and a loss for everyone really.

Do less in the run up to Christmas. We did better this year but still needs work. I forgot how much it costs to do visiting, meals, trips out etc. Good job I have no plans in January 😂

We went our for lunch, yes it was expensive, but so worth it! Definitely doing it again next year! Took the stress out of cooking Christmas day! Although we have loads of.food in the house!

We do the same every year, because it works. The only thing I'd do different next year is remember the pigs in blankets, which I forget, much to teen DSs' utter dismay 😆

I’m considering going away next year the dc don’t fancy abroad but maybe a cottage and definitely out for lunch! I went to family yesterday and I don’t like the long drive or love it particularly when I am there.

Thinking of taking our adult children and grandchild away somewhere snowy for a week next year, Austria probably

Just not buy as much food ‘just in case’ visitors want it.
So many things unopened as everyone was full from Christmas lunch but wanted to have things to offer later if needed.

We’ve all had flu and I’m now on antibiotics for a chest infection, so DD (13), DP and I just spent Christmas Day in pyjamas, eating Christmas dinner on the sofa and watching 90s rom-coms. It was the nicest Christmas I’ve had in ages! MIL was away with other family and my siblings were hosting my parents. So no stress with family. Perfect! (Apart from the barking cough and general malaise…)

Next year I will:
Really reduce my Christmas card and family presents list down a lot. I’m going to switch to email greetings, apart from the 20 or so people who really appreciate a card, so that I can enjoy writing those a lot more.

Get DP to do all the cards and presents for his relatives. I think it’s time for me to bow out of buying things for all his cousins’ kids, so from next year that’s his job (and if he doesn’t do it, then it won’t get done. Not my circus…)

My niblings are all getting to the age when they like cash rather than presents, so next year, it’s cash in a card all round. Job done! And for my own siblings I’m going to send them some wine and chocolates online from M&S. Ditto my mum and dad - next year I’m planing to get them something I can order online or a subscription or something that doesn’t require wrapping.

DD is also now at the age when she likes to have specific things like clothes bought from a list (and prefers fewer but more expensive presents), so I’m going to go with that, and not buy her lots of extra stuff just to make the present pile look bigger!

I will be more organised next year (as hopefully not ill!) and wrap DD’s and DP’s presents earlier so I don’t have to do them on Christmas Eve. I want to also start collecting some nice fabric wrap and bags next year to cut down on the amount of paper wrap we use.

Also cut down on the number of Christmas events, lights trails, etc. before Christmas - we did a lot this year and could do with fewer events and more rest in the run-up!

I really need to reorganise our Christmas stuff before I put it away this year, and just rationalise it and make it easier to find things. At the moment it’s just all in a load of plastic storage boxes, but it’s a major and disorganised job getting it all out.

If I think of anything else, I’ll add it!

Edited to say - cranberry sauce. Only I like it and I forgot to get any, but I did really miss it with my Christmas dinner!

We're away in Lanzarote - first time away for Christmas. I'd do it again but in a better hotel!

go to Mexico to avoid in-laws staying for 3 nights when everyone is stuck in the house

Not host at all, not buy too much food, not buy so many presents and tone it down. I think I would find. Quiet Christmas much more enjoyable.

I think I need to make some sort of master spreadsheet to help me keep track of things and make sure I’ve done certain jobs by certain points.

I started following along with The Organised Mum Methods Organised Christmas for the first time this year and it was really helping but I fell off the wagon after a while. I want to personalise the suggested jobs on the list a bit more too.

As per TOMM I started doing a really big clear out in the run up to Christmas but unfortunately my house has needed a big clear out for a few years so it was a huge job that I’ve still not finished. So I want to
keep going with that and then hopefully it will be a quicker job next year!

We introduced some really good changes this year for Christmas and I really cut down on what I bought for the kids. I want to do similar next year.

I made a very big effort to let go of things being “perfect” and not to stress too much. That was a good thing. Money is tight this year so we’ve not done a Santa visit or a light trail or a panto or any of the things I would have liked to have done but didn’t have the time, energy or money. Guess what, the world didn’t end, my kids are little and haven’t noticed any difference and I have preserved what little energy I had.

As always, my kids have been ill for most of November and December so ideally I’d like that to not happen again next year but accept it’s probably inevitable!

Also I’m very heavily pregnant this Christmas which won’t be the case next year so hopefully more energy and be able to enjoy a nice glass of wine!!

I'd really like to not host for a change. Somehow I have become the default host for our families and I would really like, for once, a Christmas day where someone else is offering me the cups of tea and bringing me the cheeseboard and mince pies.

In a perfect world we would go away somewhere hot and all inclusive next year. But DH won't want to leave MIL on her own.

I get incredibly stressed every year and hate every minute. It's just too much at a time when I'm already exhausted. I spent half the day yesterday thinking I was going to cry I was so tired, and feel ill today in bed so I suspect I was coming down with something. Usually it's not that bad. I don't know how to change things up without really upsetting my family, it's tricky no matter what I do. One year I'm going to pack a bag and disappear on 23rd and actually enjoy it somewhere else.

Pare it back even more. It’s all just SO expensive. It’s really hard when you’ve primary aged children, but my kids aren’t greedy and we can have a lovely time still. It’s also hard when you have zero family or friends who will “treat” them, so you’re trying to balance that too.

It’s all been pretty good this year. Right amount of presents and food! Lean in to the smallness of it.

That doesn’t sound like much fun. Could you write a note to yourself to read at the time you usually start planning Christmas so that you can reduce the stress?

Re the ‘too much food’ issue I could make better use of the freezer…. Make more ahead, and have space so that unused food can be frozen rather than wasted.

I would not get pregnant exactly nine months before Christmas.

We had a very low key one this year - just me and DH, no elaborate cooking or anything. It was OK but I was a bit bored by mid-afternoon. I'm wondering if we should book in at a restaurant next year (apologies to the OP of the long thread complaining about people at restaurants on Christmas Day). Neither of us drink, so we could drive out somewhere nice and scenic, get dressed up and so on.

That’s a lovely plan for next year, @PhantomOfAllKnowledge

I wish I could relax more. I spend weeks planning, cooking ahead , present buying & running around trying to make sure it’s all perfect then I’m too exhausted to enjoy it… usually followed by being ill , probably cause I’m run down
Next year id like to ditch the wider family present exchange ( i try every year but they wont have it)or if i have to participate- give gift vouchers to everyone. Go out for lunch on Xmas day, totally chill Boxing Day, be invited round to someone else’s house over Xmas for a meal for once ( this’ll be a first - it’s always me as host ) and do a few more Christmassy things like carol concerts and local events rather than numerous dinners & catch ups with friends
Im very tempted to go abroad but my adult kids would resent it and I’d miss my DGD.
I know , I know ….it’s all my own doing . I say the same thing every year but nothing changes !

I have two adult daughters. Neither now lives with us, but they both come home for Christmas.

I haven’t yet totally adjusted to the fact that one is a vegan and the other usually leaves on the 27th. I have far too much leftover meat in the house and far too many biscuits and other snacks/chocolate treats that the vegan can’t eat!

Basically I need to buy much less next year!