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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Why come so late on Christmas Day?

37 replies

Loveagoodbargain · 27/12/2015 23:43

Arranged to have MIL and FIL, Mum, Dad, Sister and BIL for Christmas dinner at 2pm. Mum dad sister and I always exchange presents in the morning so expected them to arrive at 11 ish to give time to do so. MIL and FIL arrive at 12.30 - not a problem. However , expected my mum and dad and sister to arrive about 10.30 - 11 as they usually get more presents for our children which takes a long time plus MIL doesn't buy that much as has loads of grandkids to buy for where my mum only has 2. Don't want them to feel bad for giving less so hoped mum would get there first to give presents before MIL. As lunch planned for 2pm, we were in kitchen cooking from 1 and my mum and dad arrived at 1:30.Sister and BIL nowhere to be seen. turns out sister had been to mums at 1.00 to exchange presents together. she had arranged to go at 10am but overslept thus getting to my mums way later than expected. Annoyed with mum for not saying "well that's too bad but if you are late that's your fault I'm going to other daughters as planned to spend more time with grandkids instead of hanging around waiting for you...." I would not be so annoyed about this but our 2 DD had been sitting by the front window since 10am waiting for nanny and grandad to arrive. Upsetting really. As lunch needed lots of cooking attention When they finally arrived, DH and I had to stay in kitchen cooking so missed mum and dad giving our kids their presents. Sorry for rant, just annoyed.......😡

OP posts:
ecuse · 28/12/2015 09:04

You wee the one who ruined your day by stropping round the kitchen to make some point.

This.

theimpossibledream · 28/12/2015 09:15

I don't really get any of this...why couldn't your Dparents give your sister her presents at your house?

theimpossibledream · 28/12/2015 09:16

I like this line, though, it's refreshingly honest Grin

"Both stayed in kitchen as Had a cob on for them coming so late"

Birdsgottafly · 28/12/2015 09:18

I don't see the issue, except that you and your DH threw a strop and decided to miss your children opening their gifts.

Every year the day can't and shouldn't evolve around you and your children.

"We always open presents early", well obviously your Mum/Sis want to be flexible on this and enjoy their Christmas Day, as well.

Christmas dinner can always be delayed, to suit.

I loved spending Christmas Day with my GD and DDs, but we only met up for 2.5 hours. I (and my youngest adult DD) don't want to get up early on Christmas morning, anymore.

It isn't 'all about the kids', it's everyone's Christmas.

SummerHouse · 28/12/2015 09:34

I had 17 for lunch on Christmas day. DCs at fever pitch waiting. I said come whenever you like but lunch at 1.30. Three car loads arrived at 1.25! We had the best day ever but still putting the house back together like its the biggest trashed Lego set in the world.

JassyRadlett · 28/12/2015 09:35

I like this line, though, it's refreshingly honest grin

"Both stayed in kitchen as Had a cob on for them coming so late"

It really confused me but I think I get it now! I thought a cob must have been food...Blush

SummerHouse · 28/12/2015 09:38

Lol at thought of op tending a massive pan of cob for all the late guests.

WilburIsSomePig · 28/12/2015 09:40

Well my IL's arrived for Christmas dinner TWO HOURS EARLY!! I was mega pissed off and not in any way ready.

ratspeaker · 28/12/2015 09:58

Next year communicate expected times a bit better.
And think about opening presents AFTER the meal. We used to give our DC the stocking from us in the morning, then the ILs handed out presents ( always seemed to be sackfulls )after eating as we sipped wine/drinks, it meant we weren't pulling excited kids away from new toys to sit at table and we could let them loose in the garden to play as we digested ( I include grandad in this as he was just as much a kid as my DCs )

howabout · 28/12/2015 10:02

YANBU, but this is why I agree with pp that Christmas Day is best kept to me, DH and DC.

DM and DB can and do turn up to suit themselves on Boxing Day. We spend the day chilling and I chuck in a joint to roast for teatime and am delighted to leave them having fun with the DC.

Went to my in-laws for 1st Christmas with DD1. MIL didn't put the heating on till mid-afternoon as she had young adult DC in bed. I was up at 7 am with a 10m old. Birdsgotta is right in the assertion that it is not all about the kids but in that case adults need to stop treating them like convenient diversions who should be endlessly welcoming and accommodating. Most family pets get more respect for their needs and routines than some DC. - Sorry projecting rant over.

Live and learn and leave them to it next year Op Xmas Grin

Birdsgottafly · 28/12/2015 10:29

How, I agree that routines have to be respected, but that doesn't include meeting up mega early because the baby has Mum up at 5.30 (as my GD does).

Everyone's timetable has to be catered for.

The OP has set in stone that the GM/Sis gets there early and they open presents, they obviously wanted a break from that and might have just wanted time on their own, away from children and wider family, before the chaos.

We've (wider family) had a lovely Christmas because we've kept visiting short, compromised and communicated, for Christmas and Boxing Day.

No one assumed anything and got over any annoyance, quickly, unlike the OP and her DP.

BackforGood · 28/12/2015 15:50

OP - when someone writes 'x-post' it means that some new posts appeared whilst they were typing.

So, in this case, it looks like I asked a question you'd just answered, but, your post wasn't there when I started typing my post. Smile

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