Did anyone else have a bloody lovely Christmas?

[StFrancisdeCompostela]

Since mumsnet has been sufficiently gloomy about Christmas to lead one poster to question whether the entire thing should just be cancelled outright, any positive stories to offer a counter view?

I had a bloody lovely day. Got to spend hours cuddling my beautiful baby nephew, who spent many weeks this year in hospital but is now out and doing brilliantly. Spent time with family who I missed desperately last year. Saw my son adored and cherished by my family. Got thoughtful, generous presents and had the joy of seeing people really appreciate and enjoy the things I gave them. Ate lovely food. Read my book by the fire. Walked on beautiful, snowy hills. Cuddled my childhood dog.

Anyone else?

Yes I did, not perfect but still lovely. Nothing went very wrong (our Father Christmas crashed his car so was late coming but he didn't get injured and turned up before bedtime so not a disaster), ham didn't turn out great but still good enough, and presents were a hit all round this year. We've had a nice time playing games together, seen some family, and its been a white Christmas so its been pretty.

All in all, a satisfactory Christmas.

ihopeyourcakeisshit - apologies in my real world if someone asks a question you are allowed to answer it. Didnt realise that wasnt the case on mumsnet and you were only allowed to answer one way.

I also had a wonderful Christmas, it snowed, which is uncommon in this part of Vancouver Island, and it has stuck around.
I was spoiled silly with gifts, the dinner went just right, everyone was getting along too. Had some lovely video calls with family, and best of all, dh did all the cleaning up after the dinner.

I did. Had a quiet, gentle Christmas Day with the dog. Pottering about wrapping gifts as I was I'll for a few days last week, going for a walk and chatting with other dog walkers, listening to my beloved R4 and reading. Today my daughters all came round, lovely gifts exchanged, buffet food and many cups of tea enjoyed, chat and laughter and most of all love.

Yes with my 3 children and my husband.

Lovely thread.

I have Covid so quieter than expected. But really lovely as the pressure was off. I seemed toget through the worst of it in the first 24 hours so just enjoyed family time. I was worried I'd lose my taste but I haven't and the dinner was gorgeous. I love my elderly DM and DF but it was easier nit seeing them and now I'm looking forward to seeing them in the New Year.

Best I ever had, just partner and I Christmas day, lovely food, thoughtful presents, read my kindle, and enjoyed his company.
Today I had my daughter and Grandson over, spoke to my son via whattsapp. Bliss, I am very contented. The house looked magical, and I had my real huge Blue Spruce Christmas tree. It is gorgeous.
Very contented.

@dreamingofsun I didn't say you couldn't answer, but by 8.30 yesterday morning this forum was already full of the miseries of Christmas. I have no doubt that it only increased as the day progressed.
As I said I'm sorry it went that way for you.
I imagine I'm not the only person in this thread who has had previously crappy Christmases, or has had a terrible year leading up to it.
This was one of the few threads that has a bit of joy to it.

Yes, not perfect, but I don't expect that, nor do I fret about minor lapses. Me, husband, two adult children, one of whom couldn't be with us last year, so this year is a huge improvement immediately. Had said I didn't need any presents, but I got a few anyway, and they were good. Did parkrun first thing and got all the way round in not too bad a time, which for me and my arthritic joints is an achievement. We all watched the launch of the space telescope, and it was amazing and successful, so that was great. HNice food and drink. Call the Midwife. Happy day !

We had a lovely day here - just DH, seven week old DD and I. Her first Christmas obviously and her favourite thing to do at the moment is gaze at the twinkly lights in our living room so she was cutely content. Lots of lovely newborn cuddles and we just about managed a video call with each set of grandparents.

We had a very nice lunch and decided that if we're not hosting anyone next year we're going to do without the main meat part of Christmas dinner and just have lots of stuffing and pigs in blankets with all the trimmings because that's the bit we like best.

Lots of silly singing and dancing in the kitchen to keep the baby entertained while we cooked, Christmas tv, and plenty of chocolate and homemade marmite cheese twists.

And an early night for all! It was brilliant and I feel very lucky.

I had a lovely Christmas. Had to cancel the big crowd (11 canceled) due to covid concerns, so was just DH, DS and DIL and grandsons 11 and 5. It was so calm, fun, and unusually, we had time to talk and listen and enjoy each other! Gifts were well received all round.

We played Guesstures after dinner and it was hilarious. Then lovely 5 year old played his own version, which consisted of him acting out various things, us making many guesses, then him deciding which he was. Very entertaining.

He put on his dinasaur Pyjamas and happily told me he was going to fall asleep in the car on the ride home. Such joy!

Loved my little family day ❤️

Yes we did.

The key for me though is keeping it low key. We don't go out driving around with the dc to please everyone else or do anything very special.

So it's essentially a lazy day at home but with lovely presents, cava and a roast dinner.

Very grateful.

Yep. Lovely . Relaxed, no stress.

Yes, I did have a good day. 12 people at our smallish home, but DH and I did everything together. No stress as it was close family. Weather could have been better, so we could have gone for a walk, but it was lovely nonetheless.

Yes, up early to watch my DDs open their presents. As they are growing up they are taking a little bit longer to open and appreciate everything. I especially loved how happy they were for each other when they saw what each other got. Spent ages pulling boxes apart and putting everything together. DH made a yummy brunch before I had a nice long nap (I have health conditions and need to rest). After that l got up just in time to finish off a FaceTime chat with the in-laws. I made Xmas dinner for the first time in 6 years, it wasn’t traditional, it was tapas but we loved it. Played a couple of quick games before relaxing and watching my DDs enjoy their Xmas gifts, one wannabe teenager chilling in her oodie with her new switch and headphones which she would have worn over dinner if we had let her. Another painting beautiful pictures with her new art set and the third playing with her new Barbie toys. It was absolute bliss. Finished the night watching blankety blank and call the midwife.

Yes, even though it was derailed by my husband getting covid we had a bloody lovely day together full of food, which we made together, and a lot of booze. We both got each other what we wanted and even if we didn't it wouldn't be a problem

He's now testing negative in line with the new rules so we've decamped to my family who we both get in with really well to continue eating a tonne of food and better wine.

@Siezethefish

Stayed with my DF and my DM joined us from her care home Xmas day and Boxing Day. DP cooked 2 fabulous meals so I could spend time with them.

I have bottled in my heart the sight of them snuggled up on the sofa sleeping off their lunch. They are both in their 80s and got married in 1959. Now on the long drive home.

I absolutely love that you have this bottled in your heart ❤️

Yeah, I had a good one. Nothing particularly exciting happened but the meal was good, DD slept through, got some decent gifts.

Yep! We have 3 "Christmas Days".

And at all three this year I was struck multiple times by how lucky I am.

From my good friends to my oldies, through to the toddlers and babies that were underfoot and everyone in between.

Seemed special this year. Will likely be the last with a couple, but then there were the baby bumps and it struck me how we move through time.

Fantastic. Though I am now ready to eat salad, drink water and rest up for a few days!

I've loved every minute of it. I was with my DH for the first time in four months and spent it relaxing with just him. Fabulous 🙂

I had my best Christmas. My dbro visited on Xmas Eve and we had Christmas dinner part 1 with him and opened some presents. My toddler DD hasn't seen as much of her only uncle because of lockdowns etc so it was lovely to see them interacting. He bought her a play doh set and we all had a great time on the floor reliving our own childhoods.

The is the first year in our forever house, and our first time hosting a Christmas dinner. We bought Turkey from our local butchers just down the road and done everything from scratch. It felt really special.

On Xmas day it was just the 3 of us (me, DH and DD), very chilled out and no schedule. We opened some presents, let DD play, had brekky, opened some more presents, played and ate again, then repeat all day basically. She had an absolute ball. DH and I enjoyed having time to spend playing with her, without worrying about work or housework or hosting etc. As she's only 2 this is the first year she got into the whole magic of Christmas and Santa, just so wonderful. We all got lovely presents and ate wonderful food. No toddler meltdowns for 3 full days now!
Thanks for a lovely thread OP

So many lovely stories ♥️

What’s so great is the variety of ways in which people celebrated the day and had a great time - just shows there is no one right way to celebrate Christmas, just the way that is right for you!

No we have COVID

Yes, had a very nice Christmas. Very easy going and chilled - nothing fancy.

Yes, had an amazing 3 days.
We did our usual of having full dinner later afternoon on Christmas eve. With 3 children between 8 months and 8 years we find it much easier to get them to sit down no tired over whelmed meltdowns, but still beautifully giddy about the next day and seeing family. My DPs and DGM joined us, all chipped in and we had 3 courses over about 5 hours. Got the kitchen cleaned up, kids bathed and in bed and the pressies out by 10pm. Bliss.
My DGM stayed.over we list DGF earlier this year so she wanted plenty of distractions and 3 DC certainly did the trick. Amazingly they all slept in until 7:30. Stocking and Santa pressies, jus roll croissants and banana and Strawberries for breakfast, and then continued pressies throughout the day. No nipping in andnoutnof the kitchen to check food, no keep the table clear until we've eaten, no dress code (we gave them the option you're having a wash and then can wear what you want. Oldest chose clean pjs middle chose a party dress). Food was leftovers and crisps, dips, crudités, cheeseboard, ham, selection boxes... help yourself when you want it. Evening we chucked a few packs of party food in the oven. Anyone welcome as we weren't catering catering for "x amount of people". My DPs came back round, a cousin and an aunt, SIL and niece called round. Kids got to build and play with most of their toys. No tantrums, no tears, a Christmas miracle . Today was a trip for PILs, shock horror we actually get on. A few pressies for the kids, MILs beautiful turkey and ham leftover spread of pasta, chilli, garlic bread and baked potatoes and salads. Home for 6 and I'm in the bath having a quiet moment absorbing it all and raising a toast to DGF who was just the best and I have so many happy memories of him, especiallyat Christmas time. I'm heartbroken but so happy at the same time. Thinking of you Grandad. Love you always x