Next year I’m going to a hotel and giving everyone money

[popupandsayhi]

Anyone else feel all that effort just isn’t worth it? So many ‘can I return this’ conversations and all the cooking and plates piled up etc

Next year everyone can have cash for the sales and we got to a hotel break for three days and be catered for 🥳

Do it! Home or abroad?

No disappointments for Adults in my Family, seeing as I don't buy any for them, and am happy not to receive, as I really don't need anything, and if I do, I can buy what I need, just as they can. Only children are catered for, and that suits me. No one has complained. We have been doing this for some years.

We had our Christmas dinner at the local pub, very nice, stress free and no washing up.
Only 6 of us and two people moaned, I give up!

It sounds like you do too much with the wrong people. You could change it so its right for you?

Anyway cash and a hotel is just fine if that's what you want to do.

I’m staying in a hotel from 24th to 27th and it’s great.

Yes, I think that’s the way forward

Very sensible

What were they moaning about? Sounds good to me.

You won't do that though. You'll do the same again.

Some love it some hate it.
Its just another day to me.
The older some get the less fucks they give for it, same crap same drama every year, time to change that, i did best thing i done.

Wow you sound like you have some very rude people in your life

Husband and I have had a lovely Christmas dinner in a hotel, staying over night and are currently vegging out in bed watching shit TV and drinking a cuppa xx

Best Christmas ever!!

Go away - its great. We are just back from an all afternoon tapas feast in Andalucia. And a week of mild weather to come.

@popupandsayhi can I join you??? Please?? 🙏😍

Sorry its not been nice. We are just back from. A lovely lunch at sil. Glass of baileys and pj's on. We dont do presents, and we won't see anyone else now till January

What did they moan about?? The nice food or the not having to do anything??

Do it. We don’t buy into the instagram xmas thing, it’s the one day of the year where we do not leave the house, we wear comfy clothes, eat what we like and just enjoy spending the day me, DH and DD. Today we had quesadillas for breakfast, couldn’t decide on a main meal we all wanted so we decided to do a ‘picky bits’ day instead so have just been sticking stuff in the air fryer or oven as and when we fancied, filled the fridge and freezer with party foods and buffet stuff so we’d have plenty of options available and made sure everything has long enough dates to to used up between now and New Years.

Taking in laws to a carvery tomorrow so we get to spend time with them but no one is committed to a load of work and hosting.

We only do gifts for close family and it’s all small stuff, we’re all financially ok and capable of buying the things we really want over the year so there’s nothing anyone needs. MIL has had to go gluten free this year due to health issues and has been finding it hard to find foods she likes so we made up a hamper of suitable treats gathered from deli’s over the last couple of months so she can hopefully find some new options she likes. It’s just things like that. FIL has retired after years of intricate engineering work and he’s finding the transition boring so we got him a variety of model kits to give him something to occupy his time and a book about science and technology museums around the U.K. because they like doing long driving holidays so it might give them some ideas for places to visit.

Once we’re out of the toy years for DD and presents are less cumbersome we’ll likely to start doing holidays over the Xmas period and spending the week somewhere nice.

We do a secret santa for the adults. Everyone adds a wish list, so they will get something they want. No point in buying lots.of gift items for people that don't want or need anything.

We agree gifts beforehand with one small surprise allowed. All presents are graciously accepted with good manners (returns sorted at a later date if necessary). We have a simple, relaxed day with food and drink we like. It's a low level, relaxing and easy day. There's way too much drama and too many high expectations surrounding this day, it's not good for people.

DH gave me cash. Going to the Sales before it’s gone on bills…

Not getting DS a bunch of stuff next year. It’s not magic. It’s too much!

Dinner was lovely. I stayed in PJs. Having a cuppa, sitting at last…

I absolutely agree

Yes! Let’s outsource Christmas and all are welcome

We are in a very nice hotel in the Dolomites skiing for the week . Best Christmas ever . Highly recommend! There are 7 of us so the cooking and preparation at home is extensive! Has been blissful .