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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Boxing Day is for family and not football?

348 replies

Felicityfennel · 17/12/2023 19:38

So sick of it! Every year, DH and DS want to go to DH’s hometown to watch the Boxing Day game. Plans have to be worked around this and given it’s an 8 hour round trip, it’s pretty much an overnight stay. If we’re with the in-laws for Christmas, fine, crack on. But when we’re in our home town and have other family to see, really?! It also means an early night Christmas Day as they want to be up and out to get to the game on Boxing Day the next morning 😭

OP posts:
stargirl1701 · 17/12/2023 19:40

That is one reason I chose a rugby playing DH!

MargotBamborough · 17/12/2023 19:40

I would find it a bit much if it was every year.

Needmorelego · 17/12/2023 19:40

Sorry but if you have football fans in the family then Boxing Day footy is pretty important.
It's as traditional as trees, turkey and all the other stuff.

Pootles34 · 17/12/2023 19:41

Well, it is traditionally a boxing day thing... It depends how things are the rest of the year really. If he's supportive of you and your things then fine, it sounds like that might not be the case...?

XenoBitch · 17/12/2023 19:41

It sounds like it is their Boxing Day tradition, which happens to be at odds with yours.

TinselTitts · 17/12/2023 19:41

Boxing Day is different for different families.

Here, it's a completely chilled day where we all do whatever we want and everyone feeds themselves - utter bliss after all the pre-Christmas rushing around!

FictionalCharacter · 17/12/2023 19:42

Personally I’d much rather go and watch the football than stay home doing nothing or endure a dull day with extended family!

Ablondiebutagoody · 17/12/2023 19:42

I personslly couldn't be arsed to go but if they're football fans, I think it's a lovely little tradition for them to have.

Lavender14 · 17/12/2023 19:42

I don't hate the idea as it sounds like a nice father son tradition to have but I think it's fair to compromise on every other year when you're nearby for it so one person's family and traditions aren't getting neglected every year.

Xmasisoffsantahascovid · 17/12/2023 19:42

So send them on their way. No law says that you have to go.. Blissful boxing day imo.

threecupsofteaminimum · 17/12/2023 19:42

If you can't beat them join them?

Original poster
Felicityfennel · 17/12/2023 19:42

@TinselTitts - exactly! That’s what I want. It was never an issue when the DC were younger as he just didn’t go. Now one DS is old enough to do the journey, they head off and I’m left with the other two. We can still have a nice day but I just want a family day with us all lounging around in PJs and eating chocolates!

OP posts:
SgtJuneAckland · 17/12/2023 19:42

Go with them? Make it a family day out

WhatsInStoreFor2024 · 17/12/2023 19:43

Well what would your plan be instead? What would you want them to do?

TheFairyCaravan · 17/12/2023 19:44

I’d have loved that. I’d have told the rest of the family while they were away at the football Boxing Day was my day, to just do as I pleased and we’d all see them another day.

NeedWineNow · 17/12/2023 19:44

I used to love the Boxing Day game as an excuse for getting away from the in-laws?

Shoxfordian · 17/12/2023 19:44

Have that day on christmas eve then they can go to the football

ilovesooty · 17/12/2023 19:44

It's unusual for the fixture to fall so their team is at home every Boxing day.

Presumably this is something you've been aware of from when you first got together?

Original poster
Felicityfennel · 17/12/2023 19:45

@SgtJuneAckland - I can’t think of anything worse! Hanging out in the cold having got up at the crack of dawn when I could be snuggled up by the fire? No contest. It’s not like we’re not busy and active the rest of the year - we are.

OP posts:
SumthingAndNuthing · 17/12/2023 19:45

You can still laze around in your pj's stuffing yourself with chocolate. Why does your DH need to be there for that?

XenoBitch · 17/12/2023 19:46

Felicityfennel · 17/12/2023 19:42

@TinselTitts - exactly! That’s what I want. It was never an issue when the DC were younger as he just didn’t go. Now one DS is old enough to do the journey, they head off and I’m left with the other two. We can still have a nice day but I just want a family day with us all lounging around in PJs and eating chocolates!

But then we would have a thread saying... "DS and myself want to go to the Boxing Day match, like we do every year. DW wants us to stay home for another day of eating infront of the TV. AIBU for wanting to go to the football with my son?"

ThePoshUns · 17/12/2023 19:46

Boxing Day has always been a sporting day here, rugby or horse racing. Better than sitting in front of the tv

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 17/12/2023 19:46

I love going to the football on Boxing Day. Me and DD go with GPs. Sometimes joined by other visiting relatives.

DH stays home with DS who doesn't like it.

Sadly this year it's an away game so we need to make do with January 2nd instead.

It's a major Christmas or New Year tradition.

You must have known this when you got together.

ilovesooty · 17/12/2023 19:46

Felicityfennel · 17/12/2023 19:42

@TinselTitts - exactly! That’s what I want. It was never an issue when the DC were younger as he just didn’t go. Now one DS is old enough to do the journey, they head off and I’m left with the other two. We can still have a nice day but I just want a family day with us all lounging around in PJs and eating chocolates!

But his son wants to go with him. Why is it so necessary for him to join you in lounging around in PJs eating chocolate?

TigerDroveAgain · 17/12/2023 19:47

Boxing Day football - it's a tradition, and also means one can't drink completely like a fish on Xmas Day.

I can't wait and it gives football-hating DH some me time.

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