To ask what you're dreading most about Christmas with your inlaws this year? ( lighthearted )

[BossaNovaOnAllNight]

I know its a time of year for giving and being with each other but let's be real, the people we spend christmas with don't magically have a personality transplant just because of the date on the calendar. What are you already anticipating will wind you up this Christmas? I'll go first, DH'S grandmother noticing everyone's weight ( gain, loss anything ) and bringing it up just before dinner when we are all about to eat a ton. DSIL will undoubtedly say something my autism finds unacceptable, like she's lied about something not arriving from Etsy and got a refund from a small business . Oh and I truly do not want to go on a huge family walk in the freezing cold really, I run daily and want a day off. As I say, this is light hearted and I will have a lovely time and I can't wait to see my in-laws but its a full on few days haha. Aibu to ask what you're dreading?

Both my in laws are deaf, they have the tv up LOUD, my mil sits in one room, my fil in another and they yell at each other across the hall, through 2 internal doors that are closed. Mil doesnt like what fil likes to watch so hence the separate rooms. The dog will be going nuts as it is over stimulated due to the noise, it also hates people walking past the window which doesnt help as in laws live in a welsh valley terrace that is cheek by jowl with neighbours and visitors everywhere.
My sils will be in and out, along with various kids, presents and more yelling at each other. No one has a conversation, they all yell at each other with whatever floats through their mind. I did 1 Christmas with them, my fil boils veg to a mush, the turkey has been cooking on a low heat since 9pm Christmas Eve, it was so dry and there was no gravy or wine either as they had forgotten it.
My parents are better volume wise but just as demanding. Timings on Christmas Day are a miltary operation, breakfast by 8am, dressed by 8:30, presents at 9am etc. My dad will have a bin bag ready for the wrapping paper while my mum tells me to make a note of who gave me what so I can write a thank you note. I am 42 years old.

I’m particularly dreading sticking my fork into my brocolli and carrots and watching them disintegrate before my eyes whilst by SIL and her husband discuss politics, immigration and what ever their newest tinfol-hat theory is.

All the while I know my siblings will all be at my parents having the delicious dinner my mum has cooked, telling silly stories and having a drink (none of my in-laws drink so I always feel like the town lush at their house).

Sigh, it’s only the thought that we’re going to my family next year that gets me through 🙈

Sorry OP but nothing at all. I love them all to bits and love getting together for a few hours on Christmas morning. They have been nothing but kind and loving to me since I first met them all nearly 25 years ago and hope we have more years ahead of us!

Phew! I think I am this hostess!

Awwww what a lovely post ❤️ hope you have another lovely Xmas xxxx

I’d offer them a tenner for a full day of heat! Being cold indoors is miserable.

Yayyyy! 🫖 🍪 ❤️

Thanks @BossaNovaOnAllNight I hope so too! Both MIL and PIL have had health issues in the past couple of years but both pretty good at now. Long may it (they) last 😍

O.M.G 😂
My in-laws (SIL x 2) are away on a Caribbean cruise over Xmas. One of DHs sisters did ask us yesterday to take her cat (which has FIV) to stay at ours for two weeks while she's off on this cruise however we have a cat who is very territorial and would likely try to fight. SIL had a sulk, saying she didn't want the cat to be on its own and having just a cat-sitter to pop in each day instead

Not in laws but my own parents - their house is freezing. They are very comfortable financially but are cheap with the heating. They’ll tell you to put your coat on.

DHs grandma has dementia. My dad died earlier in the year. Grandma is going to ask me at least several times a day, "how's mum and dad?" and I'm going to have to either say it over and over again, or brush off with "they're fine" and I'm not sure I'm strong enough to do either yet. Not her fault, but I'm dreading it. We're staying for 2 weeks.

My ILs, who are lovely, but eccentric, are too elderly to host now, but when they were younger it was very nice in their picturesque old house but but I used to feel almost ill from the constant shifts from being completely frozen to absolutely sweltering in front of a massive fire. Wearing thermal everything and feeling like a mummy I’d be wearing so many layers. Also almost a bit dull as they are very lowkey on Christmas vibes except for real candles on the tree!!! Which was terrifying. And a massive meal in the evening so you had to keep going back and forth to the freezing cold kitchen to peel veg etc. then going to bed and feeling like you were going to die of hypothermia during the night!

Argh me too! Every family event when anyone arrives they go round hugging and kissing everyone else and then another round every time someone leaves. I was brought up in a very non demonstrative family and so I find it really uncomfortable! When people turn up in my family, they just say hello and nod and say “well that’s me off” at the end of the gathering and just leave! I think they’ve picked up on my discomfort and it’s lead to some really awkward moments!

When you in laws have passed away and you see your dh tinged with sadness at your own parents house you would put up with all kinds of behaviour to still have them. Dh’s dad died when he was only 27

That seeing MIL will probably involve a hospital visit. We lost FIL 3 years ago, and it’s obviously difficult for all of us.

Well, my MIL phoned DH while we were out at the park this afternoon, to rant and rave that her new phone has the time displayed in a format she doesn't like, and that her phone keeps wanting to schedule software updates which is "so annoying!"

My DH said "why are you telling me? I don't work for Samsung!"

But she wouldn't get off the phone... anyway, this and other reasons are why we are spending Christmas in The Canary Islands.

Oh God, this is my MIL. If DH or I need something while we’re in her house, we have to sort of mouth it silently to each other, because MIL with her ears like a lynx will immediately pop out from wherever she’s been hiding to solve the problem.

e.g.
”Hey DH, do you know where there’s a <whispers> spatula?”
<MIL erupts into room>
”Spatula? Are you looking for a spatula? I’ve got three right here, look - all different sizes and shapes. And <starts to haul stepladder out from under the stairs> up here in my special Spatula Cupboard I’ve got another half dozen - do you want plastic? Aluminium? Wood?”

It’s exhausting, bless her.

MIL insisting we all play whatever board game she has bought. Somehow adult niece and nephew get a free pass to escape as if they are still 5 not 25! This is only a half complaint, I love a board game, but by the time she wants to do this I have generally reached my socialising limit and want quiet time. But really MIL is lovely.

BIL being a racist twat and believing everything he sees in GB News. There is always the risk we will come to blows about this one.

So sorry. We lost my dad nearly 3 years ago so it's hard - but this takes it to another level.

I worry every year it will be my last to have them, both are in their 80’s and I guess I’ve just been seriously lucky as they are far from the stereotypical couple you’d probably associate a dreaded in law with. That said, our families do do things very different. My FIL will not have anyone speak when they’re eating a meal and they tend to plate everything up whereas my family it gets plonked in the middle and everyone dives in. I do however always get a MASSIVE gin and tonic served to me the second I walk through the door so I guess it’s a win win!

I’m not dreading anything about it, but then I struck very luck with my in-laws, they’re fantastic

One of my cats does the constant "Mmmm" noise when she eats - we just assume she's grateful. 😹

Aw, go on, you'll have some. Go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on GO ON!

MIL’s tea banter. She always has to say ‘noice cuppa teaaaaa’ in a cockney accent. We’re Irish.

My parents are permanently tipsy and jolly at Christmas and I thought that's what Christmas was about. My PILs don't drink much. Last Christmas I took a really wonderful bottle of champagne with us and they poured tiny glasses for all of us at dinner and put the rest in the fridge. It's champagne! It'll be flat by tomorrow! I want something bubbly by midday! And no one is allowed to open presents before the King's speech - they are generally nice but not very merry folk.