Christmas a) away from home and b) with family who celebrate differently - tips?!

[Acunningruse]

For the first time ever we will be spending Christmas day away from home (in a cottage) with DHs family, who are absolutely lovely, but quite different to us. We have DCs same ages but they are definitely 'less is more' - think one gift from Father Christmas and one small stocking whereas we do tend to get ours a fair amount (though all things they want or need and would use- nothing wasteful). We also do a lot of Christmas traditions, eg, the elf, Christmas Eve pancake breakfasts, Father Christmas leaving footprints by the fire, christmas eve pyjamas... whereas DHs family are more go with the flow, no particular traditions.

Due to DC ages this may well be the last year DS believes, so I am looking for tips on how to still make it 'magical' whilst away from home and without going OTT if thats not what DHs family are used to. Feelign a bit emotional about the whole thing even though I know DCs will love it.

Any tips?

Thanks

Just go with it and enjoy it. I think accepting it is going to be different from your usual and not trying to fit in all your usuals is the best way forward or you’ll end up stressing over not having had pancakes when you’ve had a perfectly nice alternative breakfast. Family Christmas is lovely in a very different way. The more easy going you are about it, the easier it is to make it work. Trying to make it “magical” and keeping all your traditions while around another family sounds like a recipe for a lot of stress.

You could agree in advance that you’ll make the pancake breakfast for everybody. Maybe do presents yourselves if there’s a lot for the children and do the one present each together later.

I forgot-for us the key thing to avoid arguments is to not feel under pressure to spend every minute together. It’s absolutely fine to do things on your own.

I think you need to come up with a strategy about presents. If your DC get lots and theirs don’t, then there are going to be some confused children on Christmas Day wondering why they’ve got so much more than their cousins. Could Father Christmas do two trips maybe? Or could some be opened in your bedroom and some under the tree?

Also, are you able to include their children in things like pyjamas? If you can afford it, it’s going to feel so much more magical for them if they can all do it together.