Do you like seeing family at Christmas

[Drivinghomeforchristmasnever]

Or do you dread it?

I like seeing them very much, but am dreading the 5 hour drive and sleeping on an airbed.

This year yes, it's what Christmas is all about to me

Last two years we've had some dreaded cousins (not all the cousins are dreaded, just this batch), so the joy is strong this year ✨

I like it, but I get a bit downcast sometimes as it’s my extended family; it’s great of them to include me but they all have close family as well, so I sometimes feel like DS and I are the random cousins tagging along with the “proper” set-up.

Other than the immediate family who live in my house and/or were birthed by me, no not really.
My parents have both passed away while my brother is a twat. The in-laws are fine but it's not my idea of a good time hanging out with them. It's forced and hard work. I get bored in their company.

What about you?

I think people like having a bit of extended family at Christmas, if it's just the 4 of you or whatever it just doesn't feel special (I think) so I'd reframe yourself as the much anticipated bonus guests 🥂

Yes. I do.

Love it. But I like my family, am sociable, belong to a like minded family and live close enough to retreat if anything annoys me.

I love it on the actual days. I hate the entire run up and moan like fuck and work myself into a tizz of misery and angst… but I do genuinely love seeing my family and the in-laws, the food and company is always great and I go home feeling happy (and even happier to be in my own bed!)

I like it very much, but I only see the nice ones!

Don't dread seeing BIL and SIL, but not fussed. Ideally I would have the day alone with a roast duck dinner and a bottle of decent champagne, and watch trashy Christmas TV.....

I like seeing my family. I am neutral towards my in-laws but I accept that it’s part of Christmas and, most importantly, DS loves seeing them. When I was growing up, we had quite big family Christmases with both sides of the family and lots of aunts/uncles. We don’t have that now because my parents and DH’s parents don’t really get on and we have much smaller family units. I am sad that DS doesn’t get to experience that.

Absolutely. Since our parents died, I have always spent Christmas Day with one of my sisters (other siblings live too far away to make it sensible).

We have five children (all in their 20s) who get on very well and this year for the first time we will also have a couple of their boyfriends joining us.

I don’t have any extended family left.

No. That's why I never, ever do it!

I don't love it or dread it. I dislike it encroaching too much into my time off, and it wouldn't be my number one thing to do.

In a nutshell, no. In laws bore me to tears, it’s hard work socialising with them. We’ve already seen them for Christmas though so won’t be seeing them tomorrow.

My sibling and I aren’t close and I know them and their spouse don’t like me/ us. The whole day will be spent with them talking at us, speaking only of THEM and their lives, we’ll literally not be asked one single thing about ourselves, purposefully, because they want us to know they don’t care. My parents will get on my nerves too. Urgh, I’m over it all already.

This

I love it. We see both sides on Christmas Day...it's manic but even though I'm am introvert at heart I wouldn't have it any other way. Helps that we are all local so can wake up and go to bed at home.

I am absolutely dreading it. I’m way too menopausal and irritated for how they treat everyone and I just know I will want to throat punch them when they get started on politics. I will smile and be lovely and polite all day though.

Why see them then?

Love it love them 😍

I love my family, cousins all get on great, my sisters are wonderful and my brothers in law are nice. We love each other and are prepared to accommodate without complaint/judgement different routines/meals/parenting styles etc. In-laws are nice - but it’s all quite performative and a bit dull. No cousins for DS to play with, and they all drink quite heavily and talk and drone on endlessly about their own opinions. I also don’t drink. Bonus is that we don’t have to stay over as we only live 15 mins away. I also leave the dog at home so I have an excuse to pop back at teatime and FaceTime my sisters 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Love seeing them. No idea which way to vote on the poll - which is which?!

This year yes. We've already have had the drama of the TV. Mil bought a new TV and is giving her old one to sil. Sil has had 2 weeks to sort things. She expects me to collect it, take it to hers and set it up. We are having a meal lunchtime today in a pub and it was suggested I do this afternoon...that's a no I'm busy.

Now I've just had the phone call "are you picking sil up" sil is actually with mil now, but expects to go home and be chauffeured to the pub (so she can drink as much as possible) we then have to drive mil and sil home...

I've bit my tongue for 30 + years but I am not happy today....watch this space.

I hate it. My parents have always been extremely toxic, and my mother is an alcoholic. When I moved out of the family home in my late teens, I was still expected to spend Christmas at their house. After I had my first child, that expectation continued. Every Christmas there ended the same way, with my mum’s drinking ruining the evening.
I haven’t spent Christmas with my parents for 18 years now, yet they still try to control or dominate my Christmas. My father refuses to tell me when he plans to visit, saying he will not “make an appointment.” As a result, he turns up unannounced, and if I’m not home it causes an argument.
This year he arrived to drop off presents when I wasn’t in, which meant I couldn’t give him their presents. I now find myself feeling guilty about that, and it’s casting a shadow over my whole Christmas. Every year I secretly deal with dread, guilt, depressing memories and the worry my parents will do something to sabotage my Christmas.