SURVIVING CHRISTMAS - MUMSNET WANTS YOUR TOP TIPS

[AbbyMumsnet]

Yes we know, we know, it's only October. But before you know it it will be THAT day again, so we're compiling a Mumsnet list of top tips on how to survive all aspects of Christmas. From defusing difficult in-laws to keeping up with your kids' expectations to coping with countless car journeys to far-flung relatives, post your survival tips here. TIA.

sandy - can we please have a hilarious Christmas diary of your MIL like your summer holiday one?! That will make Christmas more fun for all of us. Except you, obviously

I keep crossing posts with others!

Buy cards and decorations in the January sales - you'll save yourself a fortune!

stocking up on batteries is a good idea

Buy bits and pieces for stockings through the year when you see them, but keep an eye on what you've got otherwise you can end up spending far more than you want to.

I am a member of a voucher scheme which pays out in mid-November which makes paying for the big stuff far less painful.

Drink wine on the day but don't get pissed before tea-time.

Sandyballs, my MIL is much like your aged auntie wrt heating. I will be the only one drinking on the day. Can't wait

Tribpot, I will keep a notebook and report back . Did you ever see the thread (a long way back) when she thought she was a milk maid in a previous life?

Agree about preparing as much food as possible the night before - potatoes and sprouts peeled and stuck in a bowl of water. Yes I know that you lose the vitamins that way but Christmas day isn't about being healthy as far as I know. Bread pudding and stuffing made and in fridge.

And start buying presents in August. I'm nearly half way there with presents already.

Sandyballs - link please!!

Avoid town as much as possible - shop online! All of my xmas presents last year were bought online (did have a 7 week old baby though!)

This year - again - Amazon is the place to be!!!

I've just been looking for it and I can't find it - where is all the archived stuff these days?

CANCEL IT

as your children open presents, write down who gave them what as they go along so that thank you letters aren't too much of a challenge.
failing that, video them and play it back as an aide memoire

Cook something (or better still get those fortunate enough to share their home with you) you like. Preferably in advance (this is an Issymum tip from last year). If you happen to feel that turkey, sprouts and Christmas pudding are completely pointless, they're not compulsory, you know.

If you're buying for your lovely adult friends, buy them the same thing each. That way you can dispose of them all with one click of a button. Rather like being President Bush.

If you're going to try a new and adventurous recipe for Xmas try it out beforehand as it may be a disaster on the day or actually taste disgusting (she says with bitter experience ).

If you are giving presents that need batteries to children (other than your own), include the batteries (other parents will be eternally grateful especially if they aren't as organised as you).

Sandyballs' summer of fun

Found that thread, but can't find one about a milk maid. Unless you misspelt both milk AND maid in it

Maybe it was in chat and has disappeared.

Find time to nip onto Mumsnet, where you will almost certainly find someone having a worse time than you.

(Oh god, DP has agreed - against my characteristically subtle hinting - to go and have Boxing Day lunch in a fkng restaurant with his brothers and his aged Aunt and Uncle.....)

Oh yes, MI, such as WigWamBam and her stange presents from her MIL. A MN Christmas tradition, I feel.

Alternate years, tell all the rellies that they aren't invited, and stay home and have Christmas with you and the kids, and do what you all want to do ("because family-time is so important and they're only young once" ).

Have Christmas dinner during the baby's nap.

Scrap all that expensive Santa nonsense and give the kids a large cardboard box to play with. As the day goes on you can fill it with wrapping paper...

Do the food shopping online. Tescos lets you put your order in 3 weeks in advance, I think.

Lower your expectations.

buy everyone a selection box.

book a holiday skiing in france

piss off for a week

Get your excuses ready for whne you are 'caught' being Father Christmas fidling about with stockings at the end of thier beds.

My parents Xmas Eve, DH's mum Boxing Day. Us AND ONLY US on Xmas Day itself. No arguments, buts, maybes or ifs.
DS will only be 13 months old so he won't give a flying one

You CAN'T have too many spare batteries, or too many different sizes. However many/different types you've got, someone will buy them a present which needs a different type/more batteries than you've got.

I used to work Christmas mornings at a local radio station studio for a charity scheme selling batteries (plus an optional but expected donation) to frantic parents who found that they didn't have the right batteries for the Christmas toys - never ceased to amaze me how many there were when you consider how many others must have just accepted the situation and made the kids wait until the shops re-opened.

I can't believe no one has suggested leaving the country!

Christmas arrangements are a huge hassle in our house - we can never please everyone and there is always a family argument over who is going to be where on what day!

Next year I'm booking aplane ticket and keeping it secret!