Last year was bliss because Christmas was canceled and that meant that I didn't have to slave over Christmas for my DH's family.
I don't think we have a very close relationship with them. We only see them 3 or 4 times a year despite them living quite close and that last time I saw my SIL and her boyfriend was a year ago despite them living close by. Yet, come Christmas and it is all "Happy Families" and we all have to get together to celebrate Christmas day because after all, it is about "family". However, being the only ones with DC, and Christmas being all about sharing the magic with them, I end up hosting (clean, plan, shop, prep, cook/ spend all day in the kitchen, tidy up and then spend 4 days cleaning the house up after the group bombardment). On top of this, they all expected massive presents because they buy my DC gifts and they expect the same amount back on them. They used to come for a few days but I stopped this as they expected a Christmas Eve meal and a full-on meal on Boxing Day too.
As you can see, I f*cking hate this setup and dread Christmas. I do sometimes book a holiday away, but that is not happening at the moment.
Anyway, last year was great for me. Also, just before Christmas, I told them all not to spend lots of money on my DC and just buy them some sweets because it is all getting too expensive. My DC don't care about not getting a gift from them. I haven't seen them for a year, so not see the reaction face to face about their gifts but I would expect a massive cat's bum face over it.
Anyway, back to Christmas 2021. I don't want to host and I don't want to buy anyone any presents aside from a bottle of wine and box of chocolates.
When should I convey this? Is it too early in June? Also, how can I get my point across. There will be pushback.