this is how I want my Chrtistmas day to be:

[LibraryBook]

A series of thoughtful but inexpenisve giftlets that have been exquisitely wrapped, a series of nibbles plates, the odd glass of champagne, frequent cups of really good tea. Not much moving off the sofa apart from a proper walk mid-morning. Lots of chatting and poking the fire (even though ours is gas). Lots of friends and family calling in with inexpensive giftlets, a plate of figs and goats cheese rolled in pancetta, a bottle of fizz and a newly learned magic-trick.

I am so over the Christmas dinner what with all the getting up at 6am, peeling, sautéing and frequent basting.

Dreddin it already. Innit.

Where dies everyone get the time and energy for all this?
Does no body have to work Xmas eve? I am lucky to finish in time for a trio to church then I've usually got loads to do when I get home!
I have decided from this thread that I need to be more organised.
I'm going to get a pre pared lunch too or at least prepare well in advance.

I'm hoping for spending the day at home with DH, DS and 11 day old DC2 (who I have decided will arrive on time thankyou!), eating and M&S Christmas dinner which is frankly all DH can cope with cooking, spending the day watching DS getting all excited about his presents and stuffing myself senseless with chocolates in between BFing new baby.
I could really do without going to IL's again (they are lovely btw), as its so chaotic and DH always has an argument with one of his sisters, so it's far from relaxing.

Hi there,

We have moved this thread out of AIBU and into our Christmas topic

My Christmas Day would include (but not exclusively)

SNOW. I was so last year to have wet mild weather then snow in January. Pah!

The whole kitchen/dining room/Family Room (it's an L shaped through room) to myself to cook and watch those miserable blighters on Albert Square (yes Eastenders. I don't watch it the rest of the year) have a thoroughly miserable Christmas. (But they always seem to get snow )

A lovely , un-hasselled shopping trip (with the DC and a different one with only DH . Then shopping on my own) with ensure everything that is needed is bought.

My "I'm Not Really a Waitress" OPI nails to be perfect (some chance)

And mt DS to eat veg

How does Jack Frost fit into "the Xmas story"? What Xmas story is that? There are hundreds.

My dc don't actually believe in Father Christmas and we've never told them he's real. He's just another story. We don't celebrate the Christian festival, we celebrate Yule, except DD is a Christian and so we do take her along to church (too young to go alone) or she goes with my Dad who is an orthodox Christian.

We do the Portable North Pole online which allows Father Christmas to send you an email and he talks directly to your child. Sadly, the dc know their uncles and 6yo dd is the queen of realism. She plays along readily enough but is extremely sensible.

It requires little energy. Open presents, eat food, see family. Bit of walking (we walk A LOT anyway) and an awful lot of good fun. It's about as relaxed as it gets.

LibraryBook, your post actually made me feel a bit glum. I hope the dc don't regret the way I tried to make Christmas special. I don't force anything on them. As soon as they start to not enjoy something, then it'll no doubt change. If they want to spend their 14th Christmas sitting in their respective rooms listening to Rage Against The Machine and sulking, then they will be allowed to. So far, eating nice food and seeing people they love seems to be nothing but a joy. They're 6 and 2. I think we have a few years left yet.

This year I intend on doing it all different, better late than never. My DS is 11!

My mum is on her own and I've had her up every year since my son was a baby. The problem is our relationship is very volatile. She is an extremely bitter person and it really drains on you. Normally Christmas Eve/Christmas Day/Boxing Day involves us rowing, my DS sitting on his computer and DH hiding upstairs/at IL's.

This year I have decided MY family comes first. We'll visit my mother (who lives an hours drive away) the weekend of the 21st and spend the Saturday and Sunday in her company. taking her to garden centres, walks, dinner etc.

Christmas Eve will involve picking up the M&S christmas dinner at 8:30am and then back home to relax, put on christmas films, music enjoy some chocolates, cheese and champagne. In the evening I intend on having an open house where I will supply a M&S buffet, bucks fizz and prosecco for those that live nearby and wish to visit and celebrate. The celebrations will end when it ends and then once my DS is in bed, I'll set his presents and stocking under the tree and head to bed.

Christmas Day up normally around 7am. DS will open presents and stocking, DH and I will do the same and then we will enjoy a breakfast of bacon rolls, pain au chocolats and croissants washed down with yet more Bucks Fizz.

The rest of the day we will watch christmas films, play board games and offer an open house until 3pm at which time we will sit down, just the 3 of us to a relaxing and delicious M&S dinner with all the trimmings.

The evening will involve more games, trash christmas tv (dr who etc) and lots of chocolate and nibbles washed down with some sloe gin or yet more prosecco and or cava.....

Boxing day is normally the Next sale for me... that tradition might stay.

Can't blooming wait.... :)

Oh I'm just so excited! I will now post the extended version of Christmas festivities!

Christmas Eve:
The children and I make reindeer dust, mince pies and go for a walk.
We go to the Christingle service at the church and back to my Grandmas for dinner.
Home by about 7 for a bath and into pjs, we read The Night Before Christmas and put out a mince pie and beer for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph.
We watch The Snowman and the children go off to bed.
Dh and I would usually have a few drinks in front of the telly whilst finishing wrapping but mine will have to be non alcoholic this year!

Christmas Day:
As I posted earlier!

Boxing Day:
Usually spent at one of my aunts houses with extended family, buffet food and lots of noise and presents!

I can't wait, it's so special!

I would just be thrilled not to see my MIL on Christmas Day.
That would make my year in fact!

showy I think your Xmas is lovely I was in no way criticising.
We do all the stuff others describe its just with dh and I working and kids all different ages doing different things it dies feel line hard work.
Anyone got any tips for advanced prep n cook of a big lunch in a small oven?
For example what can I cook and warm up the next day without it being horrible?
Waitrose or m n s might be expensive for four thousand
Just think, if I'd not had so many kids it would be my turn to be going to the older dc for dinner.
I'd quite like to sit in an armchair with a sherry or martini half heartedly offering to help.

I'm more on the SoH end of the spectrum, but I don't worry about when my kids can't be arsed with the traditions. I enjoy them enough to keep them going and they'll be back when they're old enough to appreciate them again.

Now my eldest son has started school I hope to do a Xmas tree decorating party for a few of his friends with high tea (inc my craply iced yule log) and all the baubles laid out for them to choose from. And this will be third year of meal I have decided is Xmas eve tradition - baked ham, baked potatoes and creamed leeks - simple but delicious!

We get up around 7am and open presents in front of log fire. Bacon sandwiches follow :) and then chill with toys, carols and fizz til 11:30 am. Then get ready and visit one set of GPS (spend 1.5 hours here from 12.30 til 2pm. We nibble treates, swap gifts etc). At 2pm we go to the other GPS for xmas dinner, swap presents etc. stay til 6:30, go home and have chill and movie with kids.

We all live within 5 miles of each other so fairly chilled out. We always spend Xmas night as a family on our own...more so we can both drink!!,

Presents stress free as I open, de tag and add batteries at wrapping stage!!

We alternate eating at each gp...they love doing it and ask that we only bring ourselves!! Sooo easy :)

ShowOfHands your christmas sounds beyond amazing and your kids are so lucky that you make such an effort. when they are adults they will really appreciate all your effort and will probably do the same with their children. by the way, PM me your address, i'll see you on christmas eve

SoH what an amazing Christmas. Your DC may go through a grumpy teenage phase but ultimately what they will remember about Christmas as children is magic, wonder and love. What a marvellous gift.

My mum comes round for Christmas lunch (as she does every year).
She stays longer than just a few hours.
We don't argue*
I hug her before she goes home.
We are all happy.

• Note - we always argue except in 2011, which was the best Christmas in years.

I want our Christmas day to be like this.

Wake up at reasonable time and find it has snowed to just the right amount.

DS to discover that Father Christmas has been by finding chocolate santa and small but entertaining gift by his bed and stay put for a bit.

Downstairs for breakfast (toasted bagels with soft cheese, salmon and poached egg on them).

Open small but well chosen presents. Mine would hopefully involve books, stationary and slightly odd trinket type things and nicely knitted socks, scarves, hats etc or good pyjamas.

Phone friends and family if we aren't seeing them. Call in on elderly neighbour if he's not away. We have invited him for dinner but he won't come.

Watch The Snowman (and last year the one with the snow dog and Room On the Broom as well)

Small but delicious dinner cooked by DH.

A walk in the woods with the dogs after dinner with the snow still falling lightly.

Home for a DVD in front of the fire with hot chocolate and snacks from a nice hamper of goodies.

Christmas episode of Doctor Who.

Play new board game and read DS new books.

DS to bed in new pyjamas and with new soft toy.

Me to bed in new pyjamas with new book, possibly after bath with new bath stuff.

DH to bed with new gadget thing to keep him entertained.

And that's usually how it goes, except there's always an awkward bit where DH phone's his parents and they guilt trip him a bit about how crap their Christmas is. Could do without that bit.

showofhands my parents put as much effort into Christmas as you do when we were children.....and now myself and my DB adore Christmas.

I put the same effort with bells and tinsel on for my ds. I start my preparation (plans, lists etc) in October and we start the build up from the first of December. It is magical and my ds also ADORES Christmas.

showofhands honestly I think your DC will look bak on their childhood Christmases with very fond memories it all sounds magical!

I have much simpler wishes for Christmas myself ideally me and DP won't be woken up too early, there will be no excitement induced tantrums, no arguments, dinner will be both delicious and simple and will be a team effort while we both get steadily pissed.

I will happily welcome inlaws with open arms for CE, CD, BD (no too much longer though I like my space) as long as I never have to spend another Christmas Day with my mother (chief shit stirrer and starter of arguments).

.

My mom always made Christmas magical for me and my sister when we were growing up, and we bloody love it! Don't worry showofhands, your children will be soppy 15 year-olds insisting they still believe in Father Christmas if they're anything like me and my sister!

I don't think we could ever get my ideal xmas as our family is so very small. However working with what we've got:

Xmas eve spent with friends, did this last year and it was lovely. Got home late to find elves had delivered new pyjamas for all of us.

little ones not awake too early due to getting home so late.stockings in bed all snuggled.

Downstairs into living room and watch their faces light up when they see main Santa gift which is all set up ready to play (playmobil)

This it where it changes this year - my parents are coming for the first time in years. Ideally they will join in with everything but I suspect the reality will be different and we will be celebrating around.them, not with them :(