What have been the best things about your Christmas?

[Aaaallthefood]

There are SO many threads on here today about all the awful Christmases that have been had! And whilst I sympathise, I thought I’d start a positive Christmas thread (partially as I’m gutted it’s all ‘over’ 😂) I’ll go first!

We have had the best time! Lots of pre-big day festivities with friends this week. A wonderful meal out on Christmas Eve with a group of friends and their kids (something we do annually). Our DC is almost 3 so it’s been quite magical this year with the better understanding of Santa. We’ve all had such lovely gifts and my DP got me some lovely things. Had in-laws for the day and then overnight and they were helpful and good fun. Had a lovely Boxing Day dinner today before they left, and mega bonus; my house isn’t even that trashed today!! Overall, a 10/10 Christmas!!

What have been all the best bits of yours??

Found out I’m going to be an Auntie 😊

We spend it just the 4 of us these days (me, DH and 2 kids) because our families are shit.

Last night we watched A Muppet Christmas Carol, my fave Xmas film as a kid - all snuggled up on the couch with my own children. Bliss 😊

Congratulations!!

Sounds perfect!!

My 30-something stepsons and partners stopped for two nights and spent time with my young teen DD. MN has told me that under no circumstances would grown men want to spend their time with their teen half-sister (doing it for attention from their dad, apparently), yet here they were, interacting with her the entire time. Laughing. Having fun. We played games on Christmas Eve and Christmas Night. Ate loads. They set up her new tech etc. Have arranged activities with her in Jan. Best brothers ever.

Our little girls reaction on christmas morning she is almost 3 and previously found it quite overwhelming. Shes starting to understand Christmas and has become excited for the first time this year.
Its been extra magical this year as our newborn daughter arrived the week before Christmas having baby cuddles next to Christmas lights with our nearest and dearest around has been lovely ❤️

The beautiful Christmas music. Watching call the midwife with dh. Knowing that we're going to be grandparents next year. Speaking to ds2 who's in NZ. All aan absolute joy

Ds (15) severe autism/ ld said "merry christmas" with no prompt or visuals or it having been said to him as i was leaving his room after putting him to bed. Best present ever! He meant it. Made me cry.

Had an incredible pre Christmas trip to London to celebrate our silver wedding anniversary.

Our family Christmas the weekend before was so much fun.

Christmas Day I worked which was a bit shit but today has been awesome, walk this morning, gym this afternoon then huge turkey dinner.

I'm not a huge Christmas fan but I am an advocate of a low key Christmas and doing our own thing.

Loving reading all of these! It really is the little things in life sometimes 🥰

I've been off (work either Christmas or New Year) and spent Christmas with DH, DS (who has had the odd wobble as been laid up after surgery for a broken ankle) and Dbunny in our new house which we are in the process of renovating. Low key, but lovely company, food and gifts.

Teen aged DD waking me up with my Christmas presents and her being over the moon with hers.
Spending time together, beach walks and the Panto.

Had a lovely long visit from oldest DD. In the last couple of years she’s been distant, and like we irritate her just by breathing, but this visit was lovely.

Realising that sound people are idiots and just not worth it

And being ok with this !!!!

Lovely small family with no need to please others

Great feeling !!!!!

Laughing until we all cried with my family
Got some really lovely presents - things I both needed and wanted
Standing with family and friends drinking mulled wine in the Boxing Day sunshine watching my brother Morris dance
Having a good amount of time off work, slow mornings, spending time at the gym and spa

Lots still to come - more family time, hosting colleagues who have become great friends after work one day, family Secret Santa and I love getting the house all deep cleaned when putting the decorations away - although the winter blues will set in then sadly.

On Christmas Day my 7 year old was as happy, if not more happy, giving family members the gifts she had chosen for them than receiving gifts. My heart felt like it would burst with joy and pride at how lovely she is.

Our Christmases are always great tbh! We don't see either side of our extended family that often, as they live 4-6 hours away. Dd came home from uni abroad and we (including late teen ds) were hosted by one lot of family and then moved onto another lot! It's just been fun and lovely. My side are very keen on games, so we've played lots and laughed a lot. Some of us are musical, so we've had some lovely communal music playing.

My ten year old is just always so happy with whatever he gets. I didn't have much money/time this year for gifts as his birthday is early December and we'd made a big thing of that, so it was really just stocking fillers, but he's still saying he got "loads" of presents. His favourite gift was a £5 slushie maker I got randomly in Tesco (basically a cup you put in the freezer) and he's just delighted with it, told us he's been wanting one all year because he saw it on a video but "I don't always tell you everything I want because I don't want to be greedy".
I had absolutely shit and depressing Christmases most of my life, before I stopped spending them with family, so it's really nice being around someone so cheerful.
On Christmas Eve we read new books and had mulled apple juice, with candles lit, and on Boxing Day we got fish suppers and watched the new Stranger Things. Just little rituals that are relaxing and happy.

The walk I had with DD followed by a walking mulled wine, closely topped with the stupendous cauliflower cheese as our top side dish! It’s the simple things.

Oh that has made me tear up too!

I've been quite ill this Christmas. Fibromyalgia flare which has flattened me.

DCs have played nicely. DH has done pretty much everything for the house bar the cooking. All the prep, cleaning and he made rum and raison icecream last night. The cooking was down to me, but we have perfected a simple roast and the DCs had slow cooker ham so easy peasy. I have mostly been in front of netflix just resting.

Managed to dodge flu so far all relatively healthy

Nice weather here ! Stunning actually bright sun

Seeing one set of friends in their amazing new house which was sooo Christmassy.

Having some other dear friends over Xmas

My lovely family and having more time together. DH is also off so he can relax.