Perfect Christmas preparation thread

[SevenOnwardsAndUpwards]

Does anyone want to join me on a thread for planning the perfect family Christmas? We've had a really crap year other than the arrival of DC3, we found out BIL round the corner is a paedophile and massive arguments with MIL who knew but didn't tell us. Anyway, we've decided to have the perfect Christmas to make up for it. It'll just be a quiet one with the 5 of us at home this year which I'm actually really looking forward to it. I've nearly finished present buying and know what I have left to buy, but haven't started on the cake or Christmas pudding yet, must get organised!

what a year :(

what about home made decorations. going out a buying a decoration alltogether?
panto?
movies?
trip out some hwere nice?

A perfect personalised Christmas!

Also, don't make it too difficult for you or else it won't be your perfect Christmas :)

Decide exactly what it is that will make it 'your' perfect Xmas, but also prime yourself that kids especially don't 'perform' to order!

Agree with milk, do as much as you can in advance. Especially food, and try to keep meal times as close to normal as you can. Do consider what sort of meal you would all like, and simplify it so that you aren't in the kitchen all day.

It's nice to have a walk outdoors on Christmas day, even for just half an hour. TBH, the DC may just want to play with their presents for most of the time, and enjoy the leisure that they have to do so instead of being trailed around to various relatives homes or having their games interrupted by guests arriving at yours.

That's not to say you can't plan a few treats/outings and things to do as well, but just having Christmas day to yourselves to enjoy together as a family doesn't need an elaborate plan. After the year you've had, you deserve to have fun.