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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to see DC open their presents?

34 replies

letmehelp · 14/12/2011 12:42

Last time we spent Christmas with PILs it did not go well.

I had 16 people in my small terraced house including my SIL's PILs, as her DH is an only child....I was trying to be nice!

Anyway the actual cooking was fine and not too stressful, but naturally, I needed to spend a fair amount of time popping in and out of the kitchen.

MIL took charge of DCs and their presents (were 1 & 3 at the time) and I missed seeing them open their main presents. I did ask her to wait for me (only a few minutes) but "it wasn't fair to make them wait". They would have been quite happy with some paper for a bit.

In my family presents are opened one at a time and we all enjoy seeing what others have received etc, DH is used to more of a scrum and I'm not sure which is right, but it can't be unreasonable to want to see my DCs open their presents surely?

OP posts:
Original poster
letmehelp · 14/12/2011 21:15

Ahh bless you Deck, I was a bit peckish Smile it started 7 years ago, but will happen again this year if I don't do something about it.

OP posts:
2rebecca · 14/12/2011 23:50

YANBU, but if you are at your house then have xmas dinner later and sit and open presents with bucks fizz/ coffee and then leisurely breakfast. If you have guests staying you tell them what is happening and you don't let grannies take charge of your kids. Tell her in advance that you weren't very happy with her over ruling you last year and that this year you'd like her to let you supervise your kids opening their presents. Opening presents one at a time will take ages though. If you want to do that do kids' presents first and then adults later as it won't matter if you're putting turkey in the oven for the adults' presents, but I'd try and get alot done the night before or/and get everyone helping chop and peel veg.

Jux · 15/12/2011 01:22

I just lay out a cold buffet for everyone to help themselves as and when, on Xmas day, and we have our Xmas lunch on Boxing Day.

I grew up with presents being handed out formally and opened one at a time so everyone can see and exclaim over each. It turns into a bit of a scrum these days as there is only one child and she gets tons of stuff while we adults only have a few things to open.

Squitten · 15/12/2011 06:09

This is why we're doing the same as Grape this year and having our big dinner on Xmas Eve instead!

fairyqueen · 15/12/2011 07:29

So the DCs are 8&10? Just tell them to say politely, "i'd like to wait until mummy is here. I'll go and help her so she's ready a bit sooner"

Xmasbaby11 · 15/12/2011 07:41

Your house, your rules. Get DH to back you up if you are in the kitchen. It's a real highlight to watch DC open presents, and there should be special non-rushed time put aside for it.

andaPontyinaPearTreeeeee · 15/12/2011 07:46

Jux we do the same thing - Xmas is just us 4, lots of simple food, snacking, DVDs and music, and playing with all the presents! :)

slavetofilofax · 15/12/2011 07:53

Now your children are seven years older than they were last time, you could tell them that they have to wait until everyone is there before they open presents, and if they are not too excited and can see that it's important, they should be able to wait a few minutes until you are there.

I think if the last time your dh spent Christmas with his parents was seven years ago, you should be prepared to bend to them a bit.

Floggingmolly · 15/12/2011 09:39

Bloody hell op, you've been mulling this over for 7 years ? Get over it soon, eh?

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