How do I navigate Christmas next year?

[thermostate]

I live 5 hours drive away from my family and 40 mins away from in-laws.

We have 2 children under 5.

My husband and I want to host next year because we end up travelling around every year and never, ever enjoy ourselves.

How should we say it? Essentially we want to say that we're having Christmas at ours, whoever wants to come can.

God this is awful, and what about them considering your feelings? I guess they assume theirs are more important:(

Why should you bear the burden of pressure for this.

Closer to the time invite them to yours

I’d say that you would love to see them over the Xmas season, when would be convenient for them to come to you? Christmas is a whole season, not just one day.

Do it rely to give them a chance to think about what works for them. I’d raise it by March at the latest

How you say it does depend a lot on your situation, but I’d say:

“Thanks so much for hosting us for Xmas this year, it was really lovely to be with you all, but we are finding all the travel is too exhausting and disruptive for the children at the moment. So next Christmas we’re going to be staying at home and would love to host you if you could come and join us.”

Would you consider travelling to see any parts of family in the bit after Christmas? Might be less stressful to visit after the main Christmas bit is done. If so, add that bit in too. Or would they come to you after Xmas?

I think if you include when you can visit then it will help. Eg Christmas eve or weekend before Christmas.

We did this this year and just said “we’d like to spend Christmas at home this year and we’d love for you to join us” We ended up with 13 guests.

I also booked a couple of £50 refundable rooms at the nearby Travelodge in the summer so everyone was able to stay as we only have 2 spare bedrooms and I wanted everyone to be comfortable.

Won't be me making the mountain.