I had a planned homebirth with DC2/DS - partly because of the quicker labour theory (DC1/DD was born after an 8hr labour, and ky mum had a VERY quick second labour)
I went into labour on the 23rd December, Christmas shopping at 9am in waitrose with DD! Got a taxi home and rang DH to cone home straight away, and a friend who was looking after DD. Then things slowed down. By the end of the day contractions were still mild and far apart so we got DD home and put her to bed.
I tried to sleep for a bit but found the contractions were worse lying in bed, so I ended up ringing my lovely MW, who was on call to come and see me. She sat up all night with me and DP, chatting while I bounced on birthing ball and played with a juggling ball/counted. At the end if her shift I was still only 1cm dilated! not massively painful, but regular contractions.
In the morning - Christmas eve - Next shift started, about 24hrs after contractions had started, we sent DD back to my friend, and next MW suggested I rest, try and have a bath, DH have a nap etc, and that got me until lunchtime. When I was finally 4cms! In more pain, and very grateful for gas and air. The rest of the labour I spent on my side lying on my sofa with gas and air. At pushing stage I lay on my back (I like to deliver on my back) and DH used cold flannels on my forehead to cool me down.
DS was born about 7pm, DD came home all of about 20mins later, gave him and kiss and said hello, then went to bed.
DH made me a pizza 
MWs finished, cleared up the front room + paperwork and went home, we set up all the Christmas presents under the tree then took DS to bed and the morning was quite honestly the world's best Christmas!
No explanation for why he didn't arrive in the expected 4hrs mind, and dragged it out for 36 instead.