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?

After last year's muted Christmas was on tenterhooks for yesterday. Four generations, three families 5 grandchildren, one great grandmother, it was magical if chaotic. The food went smoothly, the floor covered in paper and presents. Very special

@ohidoliketobe

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

You've brought a tear to my eye!

Lovely 💐

Me too.
We just had my mum over, she was on good form all day, no fall outs with the dcs, food was good...generally a very pleasant day. Not 'wow' but just really nice. Mum rang today to say what a lovely day she'd had and I was just grateful to spend it with her after last year. She's 89 and such a trooper but was so anxious about missing Christmas again because of Covid.

Yes, I did.

Nice and relaxing with DS1, DS2 and partner, my parents and uncle.

Prepped and cooked the veg the day before, so just had the meat and roasties to cook. First time ever I bought fresh ready made gravy so that was one less job to do.

We had a lovely day. All three children chuffed with their presents. Went to visit my parents, dinner was delicious and somehow my kids didn't argue. Today we visited in-laws, again food was great, eldest kids joined in with monopoly.
I really hope that things are easier in the coming year for anybody who hasn't had an easy Christmas.

I did. My lovely little mum died four months ago and I thought it would be a dreadful day. It was lovely although I missed her fussing and trying to organise everyone. But we had a nice day all the same and we are reminded what's important - family (and good food and drink!)

@Kitkatchunkyplease
Sorry for your loss and I'm glad you still managed to have a nice day without your mum.

Thank you @mamaduckbone

We had a very good one. It was calm and fun on Christmas Eve with just us, kids and grandparents. We missed church this year as just wanted to be away from any kind of crowd which felt a bit strange as it's all usually part of it for us but it was fine of course being at home. Went to a play park, woodland walk, fed some robins , squirrels and the ducks. Played games, read Christmas story at bedtime the Christmas morning was hilarious as it's so much fun seeing the children awake and so excited about Santa coming! Christmas Day and today has been just right, no hassle, we all joined forces on cooking and cleaning, kids played nicely all together and it's been quite funny. Portal family quiz and chats with a few people, Christmas films and playing with all the new presents. Now off to read my new book in the bath with a glass of something, I feel very grateful and blessed that somehow despite a tough year like so many others we managed a peaceful happy Christmas. Happy New Year to one and all and if your circumstances are bad at the moment I wish you support,love and care from any means possible and hope that things will be ok soon for anyone having any kind of sadness or struggle. Goodnight all 💞

We did but we keep everything very casual. We don’t do gifts for adults and we have a buffet at my mums where everyone brings a couple of dishes. No one is stressed or disappointed.

I did and am still having a lovely Christmas!

We had a lovely day until about 10pm when DH (very bad loser) accused DD and I of cheating at Articulate which we found deeply offensive so caused a bit of a ruckus .

Other than that, it was perfect. Just the 6 of us (DH, I, 3 young adult DC and 11 year old). We had a lie in as DC4 didn’t get up until 9am and was happy with his stocking until 10am, then spent over two hours doing the presents handout one by one with lots of hugs and laughter, a lovely late breakfast, dinner cooked to perfection and a good laugh at the table with jokes and other games. No stress at all. I got some lovely presents from DH and DC.

DH is now banned from board games though!

Christmas has been hard for me for the last 10 years as I have been NC with my entire (very large) family for that long after a very painful fallout. When we were in contact, we’d have big family Christmases which I really missed, especially for the DC being with their cousins. This year has been the first one that I really didn’t care about it or have that deep feeling of emptiness. It’s been really nice.

I had a lovely Christmas. I thought it was going to be shit with my grandma passing away a few months ago, all our Christmases were spent at her house and i was dreading this Christmas without her to be honest. Plus, my children developing covid symptoms and rushing around to get tests but they were negative thankfully.

My dc are well and truly still in the magical age and Christmas Eve cuddled up with us on the sofa in new pyjamas watching the snowman with popcorn before putting out cookies and milk is something I'll treasure forever. Christmas Day with my family all together. It was our first Christmas with our beautiful little rescue puppy and she was just full of joy.

Yes, absolutely wonderful. Woke up at MIL's, DC opened their Father Christmas gifts, had some breakfast, walked round to SIL's where we all exchanged gifts (Inwas ice the moon with mine), ate a slap up lunch, walked the dogs, played charades, did a Christmas quiz, watched a couple of kids films and drank copious amounts of Prosecco. Perfect!

And in a couple of days time we'll do it all over again with my family.

Really glad to hear about other people's lovely Christmases but mine was shite

Yes, we did. Partner & his son moved in with me & my daughter 2 months ago, so our first Christmas as a blended family. My parents came for lunch plus my adult son & daughter & her 3 kids. My oldest daughter & her hubby were babysitting my 7 month great grandson in the evening so they came over - such a happy smiley baby.
And the best part - my partner proposed.
I loved having all my kids under one roof. And some of my grandkids.

I did too! A calm Christmas Eve and a lovely but tiring Christmas Day. The kids were thrilled with three gifts and then we spent the rest of the day at my lovely SILs, where the kids and their cousins played non-stop. Gifts for me from DH were lovely and thoughtful too.

No not really, but I didn't think that was terribly unusual. Most of it's aspirational hype and if any of the reality is pleasant then that is a massive bonus as you say, OP.

It was lovely - DH and I, isolating as DH has covid (/had, he's fine now but still positive LFTs and in the 10 day isolation so couldn't go to my mums). Lazy morning in bed with fancy breakfast, lots of sex and champagne then DH made a gorgeous roast while I played games on the sofa and was occasionally brought cups of tea and snacks like a princess haha, then we spent the rest of the day cosy on the sofa occasionally video calling our loved ones (and got a bit drunk).

Pretty much the perfect Christmas! I would have had a lovely time at my mum's too, but it was so nice to have a year not driving about between family.

I did - well, we did as an entire family. Couldn't be happier

Yes I did too. Lovely morning of children enjoying their stockings and appreciating the thought gone into them. Lovely food all day, thoughtful pressies, visit to my parents and relaxing evening. I felt really happy that our blended family felt like a family.

It was a lovely day at home, our family of 5, my sister and the dog. Relaxed. Nice food, wine, and spent lots of time with my teenagers who stayed off their ps4 for a change.

Absolutely lovely. DD1 is a nurse so wasn't able to come home until today, so yesterday DH, DD2 and I had a lovely quiet day with all the usual festive things, carols etc on TV, sitting doing quizzes and so on together by the tree, nap in the afternoon, Christmas film in the evening. Lots of nice food.

Tomorrow will be our 'time-shifted' Christmas Day with all 5 of us, DDs 1&2, my lovely son-in-law, and DH. We'll have our gifts, still waiting under the tree, in the afternoon after a turkey or roast lamb lunch.

I hope those of you for whom it's not been good or happy will have a better 2022.

@HelpIcantfindaname

Congratulations!

Yes, we had a lovely day, calm relaxed and no expectations.

Last year was awful, DMiL was in a terrible state, mentally & physically. DP was caring for her as we didn't want her going into a home during lockdown. It put our relationship under immense strain.

Christmas Day is the anniversary of a close bereavement, so as soon as decorations start going up you have the constant reminder of the approach of the anniversary.

We previously have been away, but this year we pretty much opted out.

Christmas Eve I went to the church yard, took flowers and had some time of reflection.

Yesterday DP spent time in the home with Mil & she was really coherent. I pottered at home. We then ate a huge dinner, opened few token gifts & watched one of our favourite films. Just the two of us. Xx