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.

A few days before do a time plan for the cooking which pans you are using ( and re using !). Then on Christmas day use egg timer / buzzer to remind you of the next thing to be done e.g when to put the potatoes in , turn the carrots on , turn turkey up down / baste etc ..As I always find I am occupied with something else and forget to do something its been 2 years I have forgotten one veg in the microwave ! Think its been said but prepare as much veg as you can on Christmas eve and put in the pans you are going to cook in. Make sure the turkey is stuffed and ready to go straight in oven.

SOme great tips been sent ..will be putting in use as first Christmas with DD..Will be starting with Christmas tree in the playpen !!

Shopping online can save a lot of money but the closer it gets to Christmas the longer the delivery time so think ahead.

Also, you can freeze practically your whole meal, right down to roast potatoes (unroasted). The day itself can be relatively relaxed if you have got everything done ahead.

Have a comprehensive timeplan.

This sounds extremely corny, but those of you who have big families, be grateful, even if they drive you bonkers. There are people like myself & DH whose mothers & his father are dead and have no other close family. I would love to have a huge family at this time of year. My father doesn't like spending Christmas with anyone, so it will be just us, but not my choice at all.

keep xmas simple - including the dinner.

MAke and freeze gravy before hand - then just defrost and heat on day.

In our family someone else buys and cooks turkey and then brings it over (we live very close to each other).

Prepare everything the night before. Just stick in oven/turn on at appropriate times.

For dinner I do big tray of roasted root veg, brussels for my sister, stuffing and chipolatas wrapped in bacon. I cook it so I decide

Get present bags (cheap in places like woolies/wilkinsons etc) - saves time wrapping.

Message withdrawn

My nest tip is to do what suits YOU, your partner and your children first and foremost. Christmas is one day a year, made especially for families - specifically children IMO.

For us, it is the one day a year that is just for us - me, Dh and DD.

Bump - can we have some more LOL funny ones, too... please?

There is nothing funny about Christmas!

RE posts on 16 Oct from tearinghairout, jaberwocky and joelallie. Thanks for your tips. This year has been resolved as my brother refused my tentative invite anyway and said he really wanted my parents too so we are having Christmas at home with our friends again (although DD will be only child). My parents will visit day before Christmas eve and we will all meet up day after Boxing Day (with or without DH). Joelallie - you are right, if he doesn't 'do Christmas' then next year he won't mind me going to brother's with grandparents and without him. Thanks all. Now DH has said he is really against me buying 20 month DD any presents at all! Bah humbug to him. I am off to the shops.

Best advice I can give: remember it's only one day.

go to bed early so can get up early with children, have a family day with a bit of wine, take children out for walk in afternoon to tire them out, get them to bed then do presents with your other half alone and quiet, have some champagne and then have sex.

did I kill this thread with the 's' word!?!

Maybe all the talk of in-laws earlier on and then the mention of sex turned people off. It was too much to have the two ideas on one day.

Fatthighs - it obviously wasn't you that killed this thread then!