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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
Ablondiebutagoody · 23/12/2025 02:39

It's just so dull. The gym, like every other day. Why not pop into work too? Pub would be a much more festive choice.

In fact. It's so dull, I don't believe it.

Makemeanonymous · 23/12/2025 03:33

Isittimeformynapyet · 23/12/2025 02:02

Why would you say "more" important?

If OP and her DH are awake for 16hrs, that's 14.5hrs together and 1.5hrs at the gym.

Does that help put it in perspective?

Show quote history

I know it's important for people to maintain friendships and interests outside of their marriage.

But I think.there are certain occasions when the marriage and family take precedence over friends and hobbies. And I think.Christmas day is one of these occasions. That's what it's about.

I think if OP's H really cannot stand to spend one whole day with his wife then he really doesn't enjoy her company or like her very much.

Makemeanonymous · 23/12/2025 03:39

Missj25 · 23/12/2025 00:18

It’s for 1.5 hours , calm down 🙄

Show quote history

Calm down?
I think you missed out the " dear".

How patronising.

SatsumaDog · 23/12/2025 04:26

I go to the gym every day, but won’t be there on Christmas Day. It’s not open, but when I was looking into finding one that was, my teenage kids asked me not to. So I’m not going. 1 day is neither here nor there.

if you would rather he was at home with his family op, I would ask him not to go. It may not have occurred to him it would upset you.

BlondeBonBon · 23/12/2025 04:50

As long as he’s pulling his weight and you also get 90 minutes to indulge I can’t see the issue.

BlondeBonBon · 23/12/2025 04:54

Ablondiebutagoody · 23/12/2025 02:39

It's just so dull. The gym, like every other day. Why not pop into work too? Pub would be a much more festive choice.

In fact. It's so dull, I don't believe it.

Dull to you … not dull to others, some people find it enriching, mood balancing, social and stress relieving. Each to their own I say.

Vvvvvvvvv · 23/12/2025 04:55

TooManyAnimals94 · 22/12/2025 22:17

I'm riding my horse on Christmas day. Is that any different?

Me too!!

OneCleverPinkFawn · 23/12/2025 05:09

Christmas is no different from any other day, he already has plans and it's just for a couple of hours total, it's not like he would be out there doing god knows what with god knows who all day, is it?

springintoaction2 · 23/12/2025 05:23

I know it's not really the point @Wifetobe21 but I saw your thread title and thought 'Respect to him' because I can't be arsed going to the gym on a normal day - let alone Christmas day! 😅

But yeah - it is a bit selfish of him, and possibly a bit rude if you have your parents there. On the other hand - meh. My other half or me will be out with the dog in the morning for an hour.

muddyford · 23/12/2025 05:28

I'll be out walking my dogs for at least an hour, but it will keep me in a better mood all day.

Americasfavouritefightingfrenchman · 23/12/2025 05:31

AvocadoJam · 22/12/2025 22:38

@jetlag92Obviously he is capable of missing a day, but why would I want him to do this? Him going away for an hour or two doesn't negatively affect my day? Why would it?

As the OP, I've got my parents around, the kids will hopefully be playing with their toys, glass of bucks fizz in hand...

I don't need DP attached the the family all day!

Now... if he was off to the pub I'd not be tolerating it.

I honestly feel like the UK has such a negative fitness culture.

Where I'm from, it is standard to do a swim on Xmas morning. Fab tradition!

This year my OH has done a daily bike ride and wants to keep it up. On Christmas Day he’s planned a shorter/easier route than he’d normally do and we will either all go together or he will take the kids while I load up the car to head to my mum’s for dinner. He keeps his daily ride tradition but we make it into part of our day. He’s done the same on other busy days or else got up early to go before everyone is up (a struggle on Christmas Day with kids)
Him just buggering off for 2 hours alone to do anything would annoy me (pub, gym, run whatever). I do agree with you though that it’s no different than to going to the pub. Both are going to generally be fine if you don’t have kids and you are not hosting the 5000 and are pretty selfish if you have a young family &/or all the family coming round to be fed

Rozendantz · 23/12/2025 05:35

I'm planning on going cycling 1st thing on Christmas morning, just the same as I normally do. My family aren't bothered.

Since you have your parents there too I'm sure they can help with childcare?

For what it's worth, I used to live somewhere where there was a carwash open on Christmas day...by 10:00 there were already lots of customers, and by 3pm the queue was up to a third of a mile long - made up almost entirely of lone men presumably trying to avoid relatives for couple of hours
How well does your DH get on with your parents?

Disasterclass · 23/12/2025 05:46

I love a run on Christmas Day, it feels like the friendliest day of the year. Other runners calling out happy Christmas, even though we live in a city where no one usually talks to each other on the street. I imagine the atmosphere in a hotel gym would also be very festive.

when DD was little I would get up with her to open her stocking, make her breakfast and spend some time together until DP woke up. Off for a run and back and showered by the time my brother comes round, which is when we open presents.

I think if he’s not leaving you with all the jobs, and you also have family for company, it sounds fine

AdoreTheChaos · 23/12/2025 05:48

Better the gym than the pub. I don’t see the issue.

HelmholtzWatson · 23/12/2025 05:49

Meh, it's only an hour. I've been for a bike ride before to get some fresh air, it's really not a big deal.

Slightly OT, but I wouldn't go to the gym on Christmas day out of principle - who on earth makes their staff work Xmas day? I'm sure people can manage 1 day without working out.

Empress13 · 23/12/2025 05:51

atamlin · 22/12/2025 22:26

I used to go running on Christmas morning, same thing isn’t it? I only stopped because I got pregnant but I’d like to start again.

Going for a solo run I think is different to going to a gym to socialise with your mates when your family are at home on one of the special days of the year.

Silverbirchleaf · 23/12/2025 05:53

I wouldn’t be impressed. He’s ditching his family for his mates.

Tryingatleast · 23/12/2025 05:55

I have friends with kids who’ve always gone for runs or lake swims Christmas morning after presents no matter who was in the house (as in visitors)- I’m actually sure I did when the kids were babies too (I’m a mum of 4), was great to put me in a good state of mind for the madness!! Dh has also gone off running or swimming once or twice when we lived near the local running track (rural now do we’re both trapped lol!) - I think the difference is though if you don’t want him to and feel you need to have him there- then I think he should be there

Gremlins101 · 23/12/2025 05:56

Let him enjoy it as long as he is pulling his weight otherwise.

gannett · 23/12/2025 06:14

God this thread has it all.

"Are you SURE that's where he is" because there's absolutely no situation in life that doesn't indicate that a man is cheating.

The "faaaaaamily time" crowd who need to be stuck to their partners 24/7 otherwise the Christmas magic is lost or something. Do you go to the bathroom with each other too?

The health and safety crew who seem to think that the miniscule risk of falling off a treadmill and breaking your neck is actually a near certainty.

The "a woman would never be allowed to do that!" squad who are conveniently ignoring the many women on this very thread who have said they go to the gym or for a run or for a cycle on Xmas Day.

Of which I'm one - DP and I used to play tennis every Xmas morning but our local courts now are closed so I go for a run and he goes for a bike ride. It sets us up perfectly for a day of over-consumption.

notacooldad · 23/12/2025 06:21

I would too if mine was open. Instead im going out on my bike while dh cooks the food and meeting my friend at lunchtime for a drink in the pub while we are on our dog walk. Its become me and my friends thing over the last few years since she got her dog.

I wouldnt have done it when the kids were young though.. I liked playing with them.and their new toys.. The day was for them.
I think there are so many 'depends' points to ops scenario.

JoannaTheYodelingCowgirl
*Are gyms even open on christmas day??
Also Which poor souls will be working on Cristmas Day to keep a gym open?

A few gyms in my area are open. Not everyone's religion celebrates Christmas where I live so they are not necessarily poor souls. Some of the gyms are 24 hrs open and you let yourself in

zanahoria · 23/12/2025 06:22

Nevermind mumsnet!

what does the Baby Jesus think about it?

Sartre · 23/12/2025 06:26

I’d likely go running if I didn’t have DC but I don’t because the day should be spent with them. There are finite Christmases with your children when young, especially where they believe in the magic. I think he could afford to give it a break for one day to chill with his family.

lovealongbath · 23/12/2025 06:27

Choose your battles!

Get as much prep done on Christmas Eve.

Give him permission to go, Enjoy the time with your parents and child.

when he returns and showers, he will be in a great mood for you all to enjoy the rest of the day.

Financial · 23/12/2025 06:28

It depends what else he’s doing to help out tbh
Your parents are there

My DH will possibly cycle on Christmas morning.
i don’t have a problem with that