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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH going to the gym on Christmas Day!

467 replies

Wifetobe21 · 22/12/2025 22:11

For about 1.5 hours mid morning. A couple of his mates usually go and have roped him in.

He is into his fitness but surely people can give it a miss for one bloody day?!

OP posts:
1apenny2apenny · 22/12/2025 22:47

I would like to see how many women would immediately think of going to the gym on Christmas Day with a 19 month old. IMO for 1 day he should be embracing tradition, assuming that’s the under standing and joint parent whilst hosting with you.

The fact he seems to think it’s ok to swan off tells you all you need to know. Complete lack of respect for you and your parents.

averylongtimeago · 22/12/2025 22:49

So is he expecting to return home to a lovely Christmas dinner, and happy child and guests, all done by you? Or will he have spent Christmas Eve peeling and prepping and been up at 6 to put the bird in the oven?

If you mean he gets to go and relax with his mates, while you do all the hard work of Christmas, then sod that for a game of soldiers!

Whaleandsnail6 · 22/12/2025 22:49

CaffeineChaosandCuddles · 22/12/2025 22:45

Gosh, people are so ‘Lardy darrr, let him do what he pleases’

that’s okay, 99.99999% of the time - but id be miffed being left on my own for 1.5 hours on Christmas morning, that’s time to be cuddling up watching a film, or eating breakfast with Buck’s Fizz… not being left on your todd while he goes off. I’m on your side. You are NOT unreasonable!

Op isn't on her own, her parents are coming round

Personally, I'd be quite happy with toddler and my mum for company. It honestly wouldn't bother me if he went and was then around to help out with the rest of the day.

EddyNeddy · 22/12/2025 22:50

One of my DDs and I do parkrun every Christmas Day - takes us out of the house for about 2 hours on Christmas morning. My DH and other DD prefer a lie-in. It’s never been an issue.

Anyahyacinth · 22/12/2025 22:51

My gym is in a hotel and I used to go for a swim before family Christmas lunch ...it was bliss.

dizzydizzydizzy · 22/12/2025 22:52

Pearlstillsinging · 22/12/2025 22:32

Which poor souls will be working on Cristmas Day to keep a gym open? It's hardly an emergency service!

I think PureGym is usually open Christmas Day. Members get a code to enter so there are usually no staff there. They are open 24 hours. Just don't have an accident..... , unlike a leisure centre, they'll be nobody to do first aid, call an ambulance, do CPR.....

Zov · 22/12/2025 22:52

To be honest, I would have welcomed the chance for DH to have fucked off somewhere for an hour and a half on Christmas morning (once the gifts are open,) as he was underfoot half the time, following me around, but not helping with anything!!!

Thing is @Wifetobe21 your DP's hour and a half will very likely stretch to much longer if he's with his mates and they can find a bar open!

What gym is it that is open Christmas day though? I have googled it, and I can't find any that are...

christmassytimeagain · 22/12/2025 22:53

Wifetobe21 · 22/12/2025 22:27

1DD age 19 months. My parents will be here too so not just me left with DD

Then what’s the problem ?

Livingthebestlife · 22/12/2025 22:54

I wouldn't be happy mid morning, sure that's when you're in the height of things with cooking. Unless you eat later and not lunch time.

It'll be nice to for him coming back to his Christmas dinner 🙄

Zov · 22/12/2025 22:54

1apenny2apenny · 22/12/2025 22:47

I would like to see how many women would immediately think of going to the gym on Christmas Day with a 19 month old. IMO for 1 day he should be embracing tradition, assuming that’s the under standing and joint parent whilst hosting with you.

The fact he seems to think it’s ok to swan off tells you all you need to know. Complete lack of respect for you and your parents.

Yeah, I do agree actually. It's a bit of a shitty thing to do unless he has cleared it with his wife/the mother of his child that it's OK. (As I said, I would have been OK with him getting out of the way for a bit.)

As you say, no woman would do this. She would be slated and berated by her husband's family if the shoe was on the other foot.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 22/12/2025 22:55

Wifetobe21 · 22/12/2025 22:27

1DD age 19 months. My parents will be here too so not just me left with DD

In which case I think he'll find he is not going, due to the childcare / cooking / PIL entertaining to be done

Not if he wants to enjoy 2026 anyway

Squirrelchops1 · 22/12/2025 22:55

Barney16 · 22/12/2025 22:29

I wish my gym was open on Xmas day.

I was thinking exactly the same as mine shuts Christmas Eve x 3 days. We'll all be chomping at the bit to get it on the 27th! I'll make do with a couple of hours dog walk instead.

idontknowhowtodreamyourdreams · 22/12/2025 22:55

Well, it's only 1.5 hrs but if him going to the gym messes other things up, then it's inconsiderate, agreed. But hey, I'll be out walking the dog for the same amount of time after the kids have opened presents and before we eat.

I guess it's about how his absence will impact you. I would be ok with it, subject to timings.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 22/12/2025 22:56

christmassytimeagain · 22/12/2025 22:53

Then what’s the problem ?

She's got a kid to look after, Christmas lunch to cook and parents to entertain.

MrsSkylerWhite · 22/12/2025 22:57

Can’t see the problem. Just wondering which gym is open on Christmas Day? Bit crap for the staff who celebrate it.

bridgetreilly · 22/12/2025 22:57

No, if he has a toddler, he doesn’t get to go on Christmas Day.

landlordhell · 22/12/2025 22:57

Wouldn’t be happy as you have a child and guests. If you didn’t it wouldn’t bother me

ChristmasHug · 22/12/2025 22:57

If your parents are only visiting for the day I'd be unimpressed, I'd exoect him to stay and be sociable.

Are you hosting? In which case he should be prepping or taking care of his child..

Did he ask if you'd mind or just tell you?

I do support some time out on a busy day like Christmas, but it needs to be coordinated and during dead time not peak prep or hosting.

Fends · 22/12/2025 22:57

Probably need a bit more info.

If he’s going and you’ll be chilling out, getting a shower etc while your parents play with the 1 year old, maybe sticking the turkey in. Fine.

If he’s doing nothing other than expecting a full Christmas dinner waiting on the table and your parents won’t play with the baby for an hour. Not great.

Zov · 22/12/2025 22:57

dizzydizzydizzy · 22/12/2025 22:52

I think PureGym is usually open Christmas Day. Members get a code to enter so there are usually no staff there. They are open 24 hours. Just don't have an accident..... , unlike a leisure centre, they'll be nobody to do first aid, call an ambulance, do CPR.....

They let people go in on their own, into the gym/the building - with a special code - with NO staff there, no-one on site, and no first aid, no nothing? But it's all OK as long as you 'don't have an accident?!'

Really?! 🙃

.

landlordhell · 22/12/2025 22:58

Squirrelchops1 · 22/12/2025 22:55

I was thinking exactly the same as mine shuts Christmas Eve x 3 days. We'll all be chomping at the bit to get it on the 27th! I'll make do with a couple of hours dog walk instead.

Edited

I’ll be dog walking, doing a plank, push ups and lunges ! 😂

Xkk · 22/12/2025 23:00

Dollybantree · 22/12/2025 22:22

If have dc’s then no way is this acceptable. Unless you are allowed to go and take a 90 minute bath on Christmas Day of course.

I’d also be a bit suspicious of anyone who claims to go to the gym on Christmas Day. Are you sure that’s where he is?

Yes, bloody gym goers are cheaters, bastards! Give it a break!

FancyAnxiety · 22/12/2025 23:00

Shamesame · 22/12/2025 22:23

I love going for a Christmas Day run!

Same!

arethereanyleftatall · 22/12/2025 23:01

I’m going to hazard a guess he gets to have his me time at the gym for many many more hours over the year than you do. Every day? Do you get to do what you want solo every day too?

Whaleandsnail6 · 22/12/2025 23:01

Zov · 22/12/2025 22:57

They let people go in on their own, into the gym/the building - with a special code - with NO staff there, no-one on site, and no first aid, no nothing? But it's all OK as long as you 'don't have an accident?!'

Really?! 🙃

.

Edited

My gym is open 24/7 with unstaffed hours.

I guess there is maybe staff on call as there is help points where you can press a button/intercom and also defibs/first aid boxes available.

I suppose if you were the only person there and you had a medical emergency then you know the risk and agree to using the gym in unstaffed hours (there is a big sign when you go in stating its unstaffed)