Quick poll - big family do or just household

[goldpendant]

Keen to know how many people spend Christmas Day with extended family?

For me growing up we just had my siblings and my parents, at home- I loved it.

DH did similar but since we met, married, and now have kids of our own we seem to have fallen into a routine of either spending it at his family (or mine), or hosting.

I don't want to be a killjoy but last year was SO perfect just the four of us, far far less stressful (if less of a big party occasion) and I personally really enjoyed it.

I expect the conversation will soon turn to 'where is Christmas this year'. I want to say, just us, at home again, but DH loves the big get together.

What do you do?

Growing up it was just the immediate family, that is my parents and their children. As a grown upon recent years, it has always been my husband, kids, my dad and brother as a core group, but some years we have friends over for Christmas lunch too.

As a kid we always had it as an extended family with my Dads side of the family - his 4 sisters, their husband & all the kids, my grandparents )sensibly!!) coming early in the morning (from one street away).

I loved it & missed it so much when we moved overseas.

I've had Christmas in lots of different ways since then, but to me, THAT was Christmas 🎄

Growing up Christmas Day consisted of my parents, myself and my siblings. When my children were growing up it was just me, dh and the children for Christmas Day. Christmas Eve tea at my parents and Boxing Day evening at the in laws.

Since my children have grown up and flown the nest they have all come to me for Christmas Day, with their children. Last year we decided, as a family, not to do Christmas all together because of Covid and travel restrictions. So me and DH took the dog to the beach, came home, cooked dinner and watched TV in our onesies for the rest of the day/night 🍷🍷

We loved it! I’m going to suggest everybody do their own thing again this year 🎅🏻

Growing up it was just ourselves. My dps didn’t really enjoy Christmas much.

Once we married dh and I alternated which family we spend it with. I host my family, and sometimes his though mil loves hosting too.

I loved last year when it was just ourselves. It was perfect. I was afraid it would feel like my childhood Christmas but it was so much better.

We’re back to juggling family again this year.

loved last year..Just me DH and dd.....no stress!

We have always had the actual day as a household so the children could enjoy their new toys etc without having to leave them or entertain others.
We have open house Christmas Eve for drop by visits and host Boxing Day to visitors. Works very well.

We both have big families who are scattered around, so its not practical to do one big Christmas, neither us nor anyone can host everyone, and some including DH,Db and dbil have to work over some of Christmas, so we normally do Christmas day just us, and other bits over the school holidays where we see various family / travel etc. It extends Christmas which is nice, but Christmas day can be quiet, and sometimes feel like an ordinary day with gifts and over tired children. I would probably prefer it if some people came to us, but they also want to be home, as its easier with juggling work etc.

We alternate it, DH chooses one year, I choose the next. Usually end up seeing his family for the whole day or my family for half a day then back to ours to chill.

Growing up just parents and siblings. My husband had the big family do and I have to attend every other year, much to my distain!

Growing up I don't really remember, I think we had DMs parents some years but we moved about a lot including abroad so there was no real tradition. I haven't spent Christmas with DM (DF died when I was a teen) since I left home at 19, I used to spend it with ex and sometimes his parents and, then with friends and now just with DH. Neither of us have the kind families that would make a fun Christmas it would just be awkward and weird so we prefer to spend it alone.

@IWasBornInAThunderstorm - I think this is a great idea, actually choosing - he could choose to host his or go to his parents, I could choose an open house Christmas Eve/Boxing Day, but Christmas just for us.