To feel exhausted after Christmas, but how to get away from it?

[GoldieLocks09]

We’ve hosted for 5 days in a row for family.

both parents are divorced, everyone wants to see the kids and then there’s been other family that couldn’t make the date of the day when ‘their side’ came over so came a different day.

I love this time of year but we’ve had no down time as a family, staying in our PJ’s / going for walks.

this is our first year hosting due to house move / Reno, usually we travel which is equally as knackering and I’ve been left feeling the same (not sure which is best tbh) but how can we say no to seeing people when it’s all from a place of love?

You do Xmas day and boxing day and then say that the kids really need some down time and we'll see you on new year's day. Everyone else is clearly perfectly happy saying they are busy, you are allowed to too. Or book a rural break 27-30th which is usually pretty cheap when we've done it.

Just stop inviting people over on different says, invite people to one or two dates and if they can’t make it say oh that’s a shame, and move on.

Just set out your stall - look forward to seeing you 25th / 26th then we’re having a few days as a family….

do it early so everyone’s expectations are clear.

don’t be afraid to prioritise your core family

be clear and unambiguous

We stopped hosting when the kids were little and decided everyone else was enjoying our kids but we were busy looking after the visitors!! You can change the dynamic and do Xmas Eve and then Xmas day/Boxing Day are family time!

Just set out the dates you want to host/meet up early on. We’re having a family gathering tomorrow and I sent the invite out months ago. Then if you don’t want a visit or to do seething when offered, simply say no. Make an excuse, be Huber and say you all need rest but say no.

I hear you all, and I think we do need to prioritise our family because as @happydays312 said everyone’s enjoying our kids while we look after the guests.

we can definitely cull the additional family members that couldn’t make the requested date - that’s on them as far as I’m concerned so will be easy to put a stop to in future. The main issue is that even without them, we have 4 christmases just with DH and my parents, both are divorced and wouldn’t entertain being in a room with each other (definitely not DH’s, mine might but would be weird after being divorced since I was 11!) how do you then choose?

Could you have one parent from your side and one parent from your DH's side at a time? Makes it two days of hosting rather than four. And if any parent won't accepting sharing the day, I'd be inclined to say that's them deciding to see you outside the core festive period.

I’ve just stopped committIng to things outside of Xmas day and the 27th which is our family Xmas day/big meal. Everything else now is a case of what we fancy joining on the day, if others are doing a big meal etc we just eat before and pop over, it’s not a big deal in our circle x