So, how did it go? What changes will you make for Christmas 2014?

[OctoberMoon]

How did you Christmas eve, Christmas day and Boxing day go? What changes will you make to ensure it's even better/less stressful next year?

My Christmas eve was magical, but we had a very sudden bereavement in the family this year and I kept crying, I guess it hit me that he'd never be coming home for Christmas. Next year I hope it's not so raw.

Christmas day was lovely, but it was my second year hosting and it was exhausting, plus I barely had time with DD as I was stuck in the kitchen alot. Taking a break and eating out next year, that will hopefully leave more time to play with DD on Christmas day, and visit more family.

Boxing day was great. Lovely lazy morning watching Christmas movies, then a family get together at mine from 4pm. A lot of my family where tired/hungover! So going to move the get together to 27th next year.

One of the things I learned is that I need to get to bed earlier next December, so I can be refreshed and fit in all the lovely Christmassy I like to do during the build up.

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your Christmas holidays. I still play Christmas music and watch Christmas movies until 1st January!

So sorry you've had a bereavement.

Next year I will write cards and wrap earlier and will buy less food. Hate waste and definitely misjudged it this year.

So sorry for your loss

I'll try to meet up with inlaws & my family in early December so no travelling in Xmas week

Next year I don't want to spend the whole of Christmas Day and Boxing Day washing up.
Ideally I'd like to go away for Christmas.

Sorry for your loss October, I hope it will be less raw next year for you.

I lost both of my parents this year so Christmas has unfortunately been a very painful struggle. I, too, hope next Christmas will be 'easier'. We might go to Lapland next year. If not, maybe we'll go somewhere posh for Xmas lunch.

I'm definitely buying less food and will start eating the "special" food earlier. I hid all the choccies away and only brought them out on Christmas Eve. We're over run with sweets now.

This year I only bought presents for the dc which were on their list. I usually buy bits and bobs but find that they don't get used and just clutter up the bedrooms. Dc were happy with what they got and I spent less

Mine was lovely! I think the only thing that would have made it even better was a bit more help on the tidying and cleaning up front but it wasn't a big thing.

I'd love to be able to plan for next year but DCs are grown up now so I have no control over where they'll be and when.

Sorry for your loss October, I lost my grandad at Christmas and still think of him every yr.
next yr I won't have the in-laws here for a week! I wouldn't mind but they haven't lifted a bloody finger! As a result dh and I have been in a permanent cycle of cooking, cleaning and washing up since last sat and have barely seen ds and dd
Next yr my parents are coming to us for Christmas Day and that's it! Christmas Eve and Boxing Day are ours!

Thanks everyone.

waterlego so very sorry to hear that. Christmas can be such a difficult time when you've lost people close to you, can't it?

I will also wrap a bit earlier, and make some meals (such as spag bol) to pop in the freezer for the week between christmas & new year. Can never be bothered cooking, so tend to live on party food, which i am sick of the sight of now.

Agree with Facebaffle, will get the goodies out earlier. We opened ours Christmas Eve and we're up to our elbows now in chocolate and biscuits. I also baked and froze a load of biscuits and muffins and got these out in the days leading up to Christmas. Next year I will bake and eat them at the time rather than making ahead. Combined with all the chocolates and sweets, the muffins didn't get touched and neither did some of the biscuits. Which was just a waste of money and effort!

Did a buffet on Christmas Eve. Most of it was frozen bung in the oven type stuff, but our oven is quite small, so I was cooking for 3 and a half hours. Next year I'll be getting a takeaway.

Christmas Day, I will be keeping my lovely bottle of prosecco to myself rather than offering it to the visitors! It was gone in half an hour and I had one glass out of it! Visitors were only here half an hour! Next time I'll offer the wine or beers or buy more prosecco

Made my own roasties which I do every year and I'll carry on doing so. This year I bought Aunt Bessies brussel sprouts which went in the microwave. They were already in butter and thyme and were lovely. Last year I faffed about with boiling and stock and had every pan I own out in the kitchen. This year I also bought pre-prepared fresh veg in mint butter which also went in the microwave. Saved a lot pf stress trying to juggle everything.

I can't let DH go to M&S unsupervised.

And I think next year I'll go the ready made route for the main course. I honestly don't think anyone gave a damn what they were eating, and I'd put huge effort into it.

Next year will be just us on the day. I barely saw my children because I was too busy stressing out in the kitchen. My children were shushed and made to put up with my relative's massive dog. My dh spent the day keeping the dog away from my son (13 months) and being made to feel he was being precious for not wanting the dog to slobber on and chew my son's toys or go near his face. The whole day was so stressful we are only just now recovering. Next time we'll go to a restaurant to meet extended family for a meal and then go home. I think that would also be cheaper given the amount I spent on food and drink.

Now we have got firm with over bearing/toxic and draining various family members....it was clear, peaceful and wonderful but for me...I wonder if its all too late. I don't feel well. .

Next year, will do ALL wrapping well before xmas eve, I did so much but was still up late on xmas eve adding bows and writing tags!

I also will not bother with xmas cake and non of us really like it! shame as making it was fun....perhaps will do yule log next year.

Op very sorry to hear of your bereavement, I know of others who have lost too, its always painful but at christmas so much more so.

• Spaulding

we could be talking different leagues of prosecco here but this year I stumbled across a sainsbruies taste the difference conegliano, which I found lovely and light and refreshing, they do half bottle of it and also mini bottles so I brought a mix of them....might be worth considering for next year and if someone asks for prosecco, give them a glass worth!

waterlego

how hideous for you, I had a painful Christmas loss and my way of coping was to plan really lovely things too and well ahead and have them to look forward too.... it really helped.

I had the most relaxing Christmas since children this year.

In previous years I have been so bothered about making it all perfect, cooking 10 side dishes from scratch yada yada. This year I got a roast in the bag turkey crown, red cabbage, bread sauce and stuffing balls from Waitrose and did the rest myself, so it was effectively just a normal roast. Plenty of Prosecco yy. [frgin]

The children are old enough now to wait until after lunch to open their presents so it all felt less manic. DD (7)still believes but DS (10) is wavering on the cusp, so probably the last year.

Even managed to watch Dr Who properly!

My parents left at midday Boxing Day so for the first time in years we had some of Boxing Day just the four of us which was lovely.

Round 2 tomorrow though, with DHs family.....

Sorry for your loss. My rule this year is early shopping, but throughout the year then gifts are my thoughtful rather than a mad dash down bloody boots!) wrap n deliver cards early then sit back and enjoy. Even on mat leave everything was so last minute

ZeViteVitchofCwismas YES! That's the prosecco I had! It was bloody delicious and next year I'll buy more than one! First time trying prosecco as I'm not usually a fan of wine but it was really light and easy to drink. Which is probably a good thing I only had one glass then because dinner might not have turned out so well otherwise!