My husband is insisting that we spend Christmas in London as that is where we live and he wants our son (born earlier this year) to spend his first Christmas in his own home. London also happens to be where DH’s parents and all of his siblings live. My family do not live in London. We spent Christmas in London last year with DH’s family, so I feel it is only fair that we spend Xmas with my family this year. I also do not think the specific location of where we are matters, since for me it is about being with family.
Spending Christmas in London will probably also mean that we have to host for DH’s husband, which means that it is a less relaxing Christmas for me as I will have to worry about catering for everyone. Last year when I was heavily pregnant we had to host and his family said they would do all the work, but it didn’t work out like that at all.
Inevitably all families have their own way of celebrating Xmas and I feel sad that I will be missing my family’s traditions once again. On Xmas day my family always goes to church in the morning and we take the dog for a walk. We also play lots of games. We do not do many presents - just stockings and a secret Santa. We are foodies and buy lots of lovely food and drinks and spend time making delicious meals.
My DH’s family basically treat Xmas as a huge consumer fest. There are always a ridiculous amount of presents that take hours to open. I find it hard to retain enthusiasm when watching someone unwrap the umpteenth bottle of bubble bath or box of chocs. They are not foodies, and everything they eat is dry and tasteless. They don’t do anything other than unwrap presents and watch TV.
I also feel disinclined to spend Xmas with his family when they have made very little effort to see us this year and spend time with my son, despite living very close to us. None of my family live nearby, but have all made a huge effort to see us despite Covid making it very difficult. My parents even did 7 hour round trips just to sit in our garden or walk round a park with us.
I guess this is more of a rant than a question! And of course whatever we end up doing for Xmas will depend on what the rules are.