Working Christmas Day.

[rupertpenryswife]

I need some perspective and some ideas, just found out I am working Xmas day I have 2 DC 8&9 and am totally gutted, I offered to work all day New Year's Eve and day but got given Xmas 😥. I'm the only parent working Xmas so feel a bit sorry for myself. Anyway I'm off on Boxing Day but back to work 27th any ideas for how I do Xmas day, I'm working 7-2 so need to try to see parents, siblings in laws and somehow open the kids presents, not even thought about food.

I'm know someone has to work I just hoped to get new year until the kids are a little older, can anyone give me some suggestions as to how we celebrate, do I make the kids wait until I get home so be about 3 pm, kids don't understand why I need to work (I'm a nurse).

[Slightlyperturbedowlagain]

Aw it's difficult but I think the 7-2 shift is better than 2-10 on Xmas day- personally we would do something like: have a few presents before you go, DH take kids to inlaws in the morning, if they got back in time to shove a pre-prepped turkey crown in then you'd be back in time for pre dinner drink and nibbles and finish presents then dinner at 5pm, then pop round to your parents in the evening or have them come to you.

[Newtothis2017]

Is there any chance you could make Christmas eve Christmas day? Do Santa and the big dinner on Christmas eve. You go to work on Christmas day and then if you wanted you could all go to the in laws and your family on Christmas day

[BornInALighthouse]

My mum worked every Christmas day when we were kids (community nurse). Just until 12 though. We got to open stockings (small gifts, choc etc) with dad then we helped get dinner prepared. Looking back it helped break up the day as we didn't open everything in a frenzy first thing! Have nothing but fond memories but do feel for my mum obviously.

[Nanasueathome]

Are you working Christmas Eve?
Why not do a nice meal then and let the children open one present before they go to bed
You can tell them Santa knows you are working so has dropped off a present early for them so that you are there when they open it
They can then open their other presents once you are home on Christmas Day afternoon
As far as getting to see relatives is concerned, just play it by ear. You can see then in Boxing Day. No need to be rushing around
I have worked Christmas Days galore over the years and my 3 grown up children are all working it this year
We will celebrate it together at some point. I have known us celebrate on 30th December one year as my elder son could not get time off
The children just accept it and are just as excited

[ClashCityRocker]

I think given that the kids are not wee tots so may be able to understand a bit better I would do stockings before work and main presents when you're back.

A special north pole breakfast in the morning, and playing with stockings, Christmas crafts (a gingerbread house maybe?) to keep them busy until you're home.

Tea by candlelight, whether it be an M&S bung it in the oven or buffet style affair.

In some ways, it might even work out better - drags out the excitement etc.

[SandLand]

DH worked Christmas Day for the first time ever (usually M-F 9-5 type job) last year. We did everything a day early - no relatives about to see tho. So stockings, presents, turkey all on the 24th. Then DH went to work on the 25th (26, 27, 28 and 29th). That said, we are in a country that doesn't do Xmas, so saying Santa was making a special delivery just for us dudnt stretch the imagation too much!!

[FormerlyFrikadela01]

I'm also a nurse and dp is a health care assistant. Ds is only 18 months so it hasn't been an issue yet (maternity leave last year and annual leave this year) but me or his dad working Christmas will be a reality of his childhood. With that in mond im going with the flexi aporoach my mum has in recent years, several siblings also work in healthcare so Christmas has happened anytime between Christmas eve and new year. It's kind of FUN doing the big family thing on a different day.
And in terms of pressies we will be doing stockings always on Christmas morning but other pressies when we aren't at work.

[Unicorn81]

Id leave some things to keep them busy until you get home. Maybe a couple of games or movies to open. Then when you gget in have nibble type food and stay at home with kids. Do dinner and damily boxing day

[giggly]

Actually I think it's a bit shit of your colleagues. I am a nurse as well and when I worked shifts before dc I would always swap at least the morning shift because guess what...it is important for parents to be with their dc on Christmas morning when Santa is still on the scene.
No doubt when they have dc they'll suddenly want Christmas day as well but by that time you may well be in the position of offer I g to do it.
I'd get the kids up early to open some of their presents before you go with them.knowing that there will be a few extra to open when you get home.
Keeps them.excited to see you.
Wouldn't it be lovely to come in through the door with a present under each arm for them.
No help to you but I'm in community and we take turns to work the days inbetween the ph with the adults who have no childcare to cover always accomadating. We always but then extra wine etc as we love them for doing this.

[Redglitter]

Actually I think it's a bit shit of your colleagues

I completely disagree. I work shifts and would like Christmas Day with my family even though I don't gave children. I don't see why I should be forced to work every year so people with children can have it & my mum could potentially be left on her own as my brother also works shifts usually it works that one of us is either off or finishing early afternoon thankfully.

Although people don't have children they do have other family commitments

[AndNoneForGretchenWieners]

DH works Christmas Day and has done since DS was 8 - this is the first year he has been rotaed off. We do Christmas with my parents, so my dad picks me and DS up, we take our presents there, have dinnerband open our gifts from family, then DH comes after work and has his dinner warmed up. We then open gifts from him and he opens his gifts, we have a cup of tea and go home. He works 6:30-6:30.

[WitchesHatRim]

Actually I think it's a bit shit of your colleagues.

Sorry I disagree. It's not an automatic right to have Christmas Day off.

People have many reasons for wanting Christmas Day off or certain shifts. Just because you have DC your needs don't trump theirs.

[GherkinSnatch]

With 7-2 what time do you need to leave in the morning? Honestly, I'd let the kids open a couple of things on Christmas Eve night, or as you're getting ready for work in the morning (can't just have been me that was up at 5am when I was that age ) and they can do things with your DH in the morning while you're at work, and then you can continue the festivities when you get back from work. There's plenty of time for your DH to sort the dinner out for your return, and you could maybe get a two birds with one stone by getting the PILs to visit your DH and the kids while you're at work.

It'll be fine

[BeyondThePage]

If it was us, the parents and PILs would be round, rolling up their sleeves, getting lunch/dinner ready with DH, so the afternoon could be enjoyed by all. Had one year I was working, it was magical - great atmosphere at work - got home, waited on hand and foot, no cooking, no clearing, just sitting with the kids.

(brings a tear to my eye now to remember how nice everyone was)

Perhaps your DH can "rally the troops" ?

[MarmaladeIsMyJam]

I'd push the whole lot back a day and pretend it's Christmas Day on Boxing Day 😃

[Toddlerteaplease]

Just say you are working and you can’t do as much as usual. And make the most of the sympathy you will get, for working Christmas Day. It should make no difference that you are a parent. Everyone has to work their turn. I’d be furious if priority was given to parents to have Christmas off. Fortunately my ward is very fair. TBH I live working Christmas Day. It’s a great atmosphere.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Those of us working Christmas Day last year got phoned up on Christmas Eve and told we didn’t need to come in, as we had loads of staff as merged with another ward. Every single one of us refused the day off!

[dotdotdotmustdash]

As and ex-nurse, I do sympathise, it's a gut-wrenching feeling to know that you're not going to be around.

I would get ready for work really early and start making noises at about 5.45am and aim to have them both awake by 6am. You will have 30mins to watch them open their presents and then you leave for work and leave Dh to clean up the mess.

[BubblesPip]

One positive is a that you finish at 2pm. Some parents where I work are doing long days 8-8, days which is mean. I would have your family Christmas in the afternoon, then see in-laws etc on Boxing Day.

[MrsRyanGosling15]

I totally get you. I have worked 7 Christmas days in the last 10 years. Only off for the 3 because I was on maternity. It is shit. No matter how much you love your job or know it goes with the territory, its just shit. I know 100% I will be working this Christmas too. I begged for last year off as I knew it would be my grandads last and I didnt get it. Still bitter. I have 4 aged 11-5months. I usually get them up around 5am. Plus relatives can be bloody horrible at Christmas. The amount of them that come in drunk is shocking. Our patients are always lovely though. My DH is a DR in the same place and we always worry that he will get called in on Christmas day and kids wont have either parent. On the days leading up to it we always try and do lots of little activities ams treats so its more of a holiday period than 1 day.

[SpiritedLondon]

I don't understand why you can't have Christmas dinner in the evening? Surely DH can shove a turkey in the oven? Everything else can be bought ready prepared if need be so minimun effort required.

[MrsMotherHen]

I have worked every christmas for around 7 years. I had to work my sons first christmas which was pretty crap. What we did was get up super early do presents then I Slipped off to work came back at 2 Then carried on with Christmas dinner I had everything ready prepped meat was all cooked all i had to do was put the roasties and veg on.

Last year was the same but I went to inlaws for dinner at 2.30 It was a lovely Christmas. My best one so far I think. It was lovely to be with my residents as they had there christmas aswell as having some of my own.

[steamboatwilly123]

I'm working lates Xmas Eve (2-9), Early Xmas day (7.30-2.30), lates boxing day and lates 27th. This is my first year doing this and I'm gutted that I don't even get one day over the Xmas week to properly celebrate. I will miss all our usual family traditions on Xmas eve and the kids opening their gifts on Xmas morning. Have asked to change to late shift on Xmas day and was told outright no.