To think christmas with small dcs actually isn't that great?

[NapQueen]

Yes their little faces at the gifts and the magic of "has he beeeen?" Is lovely but

They get overwhelmed at getting extended family gathering
They get bought craft kits which are too old for them and they want open now even if there's no space to do any
They need to nap more because it's all so exhausting
They don't want the food
They need care and attention so gone are the days of getting quietly squiffy and playing charades or articulate
They generally eat a lot more shit so have these random sugar highs and lows

I'm fucking exhausted!

"Christmas is for the kids" - only because they steal it!

I agree.

It becomes much more fun when they're a bit older, I think.

Mine are 11 and 8 and are still really excited at Christmas, but are now able to properly join in with the food, the crap telly and games and can stay awake, behave well and entertain themselves for a few hours while the grown ups nap/get sizzled etc .

I don't miss the toddler meltdowns and never having a moment's peace!

Mine are 7 and 4, we did Xmas at home, just us, very chilled. And it was still very hard work. DD (4) was just so highly strung all day. Excited about presents, but she didn't eat anything all day, apart from some custard at about 5pm. She also spent most of the day swinging from excited chattering to weeping.

She's been very tearful today. No idea if she's coming down with something. It's been much easier in past being around family to share her out :)

7yr old ds has been fab.