Changing our usual xmas timeline.. Help!

[pepsicolagirl]

I have been told that the time I requested off work back on November 3rd has not been granted so much to my chagrin I have to work on Christmas day and boxing day. If I call in sick then they have warned that I will be heavily disciplined.

Now, usually we do takeaway xmas eve, gifts xmas morning and then the full on roast around 2pm xmas day and bits and bobs into the evening.
This year we had planned to have my Dad (in our bubble) over on boxing day.

Due to the work update today though I need to have a serious rethink because our usual timeline will not work without me getting incredibly stressed. OH is next to useless in the kitchen with a mouth like a pirate and I need a calm atmosphere as I will be working from home so I cannot delegate the cooking.

So, what I am thinking is that Dad can come over on xmas eve and we can do the full roast at about 4pm then. I can do a couple of small gifts (books most likely) for DC in the evening and then on xmas day we can do our usual morning pressie opening and then I can work from 10am while they play downstairs with their Dad most likely on the switch to their hearts content until 4pm when I finish. They can then help themselves to cold meats left from the day before and crisps and goodies for lunch rather than stressing out about a big meal on the day and we can have something like pasta or curry in the evening I guess?! Does that sound a bit rubbish?

I am so upset I have to work but there is no way around it.

Sounds perfect to me. To me the only people who get to be rigid in their routines and/or object to christmas day traditions not happening on the day itself are children and it sounds like you have a plan to keep them happy, so long as they have presents and sweets they'll be happy as larry.... who are you worried about here? Your DP? Your Dad? Presumably they are adults and will just have to lump it?

It doesn't sound rubbish at all. Sounds like a lovely holiday since you are working

I think it sounds like a great idea.
As well as cold meats I would get some party type food in to make it feel a bit more special. DH can easily sort that in the last hour of your work snd then you can finish work to a glass of something and a nice mini buffet

Sounds great, but in the evening I'd do party food to make it more celebratory.

Sounds fine to me. A bit mean not to decline your request a lot earlier and so your dad would have known when he was coming and it not be changed.

But why are you down to work both days? Any place I've worked, if you work one day you get the other one off.

Sounds great to me!

Have you not got anyone at work who would do your work, my husband was in your position but someone at work lives on his own said he'd do it for my husband, obviously the man will get paid for it instead. X

@copperoliver

Have you not got anyone at work who would do your work, my husband was in your position but someone at work lives on his own said he'd do it for my husband, obviously the man will get paid for it instead. X

I’d definitely offer to work Christmas Day if I’d get paid for it!

That sounds like a great way to work around things OP . I’d maybe do more buffet/party style food in the evening on Christmas Day but you know what your DC will eat. You’ll have still had your Christmas dinner on Thursday.