to already be disappointed at the prospect of same old xmas?

[happyclapper]

I love xmas but have suddenly realised that it is the actual build up I like, i.e. nights out (x2 probably oooh!), kids stuff at school, carols etc. The actual day is a disappointing let down of kids opening presents too quickly, crap present from partner and being stuck in the kitchen...a place I try to avoid the rest of the year. Oh and having to spend day with in-laws.
I have tried to minimise culinary effort by buying M & S preped stuff but lets face it will still be in there for a frantic few hours + washing up.
Wouldn't mind going out for lunch but DP and in-laws very small eaters and kids too young so begrudge spending a fortune.
Any ideas please?

Eighttosixer - bacon sardines, yum!

Other than those, your Christmas sounds lovely.

Anyone else think aldiwhore should be in charge of all Christmas threads from now on? Wasn't even thinking about it til now. .

Sorry for delayed response. slight domestic crissis. Thank-you for all your suggestions. Loved the idea of p.j.'s and chilling but whole ILS thing non-negotiable and as for DP cooking.....more chance of being sh**ged by Santa.
Live in small town so no eateries open at xmas within 10 miles but may still pursue that option.
ILs don't do 'foreign food'.
DP and I always go for walk after lunch and leave ILS snoozing with kids....highlight of day. Usually time it so that it's just before people draw their curtains and you can peek in an see the warm glow from everyones living room and their celebrations.
You have inspired me to think outside the box and create some new family traditions.
Sorry W.Frickett, have I touched a nerve?
Karmabeliever....sooo true. Ahhhh Dr Who, look forward to it ALL day then can't hear a bloody word.

Id love to spend the day in the kitchen cooking for loads of people.

Neither dh or I have family here,my older dcs go to their fathers at noon till whenever and he feeds them crap so they never want to eat when the get home.My youngest is 6 so doesn't eat much and is in that "picky' phase.

I cook the whole 9 yards for just Dh and myself. I LOVE cooking for people,especially "proper" roasts etc for the holidays,Id give my right arm to spend the day with either my parents or my Ils

Any of you guys fancy coming to my house for Christmas dinner? kids welcome :o

Why not go away - I would love to and all our close relatives will be away either "on holiday" or staying with other relations. ......Just need to persuade dh.

When I was growing up, one of our traditions was stockings in the morning, wrapped presents waited until.after dinner. And us kids did the clearing and washing up while the adults relaxed with some booze. I don't know how old your kids are, but maybe this is a tradition worth starting for you, so you at least get a break from the kitchen!

We use to love going to a hotel for christmas before we had kids...now we do carols on christmas eve to get into the christmassy mood, followed by mince pies, mulled wine and either the pub or a dvd, depending on who is with us. Christmas morning is stockings, scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, chuck the turkey in, go for a walk. After lunch is presents, which pretty much takes up all afternoon till tea, where we all have a tea time present, then someome will want to watch the christmas doctor who or whatever. Then its games (charades or similar) and drinking the kind of booze you would avoid the rest of the year till bedtime. Boxing day usually involves a trip out to the races, or a big walk. By the 27th its time to look forward to New Year (when do the 'I hate New Years Parties' threads start? )