I know it's boring but what about taking presents away with us?

[ChirpyGrinch]

We are spending Christmas with IL's, 2 grownups and 2 under 2 in one car with travel cot, single buggy, at least 2 bags of clothes/nappies etc and assorted crap for 3 days including one dress up day.
We have presents for us and DD's from us and our family, shoudl we take them so all present opening is done there? bearing in mind I know that one of DD1's pressies is the IgglePiggle Trike, so that's going to take up room, I have no clue what other crap is going to be foisted on us
Plus if I don't take mine from my family I won't have much to open apart from my customary box of chocs and bottle of wine from IL's...

life is Very Short
your kids are Very Young
do what every is EASIEST.
it's just a day in December aferall

HTH

Easiest is taking no gifts at all, I suppose, but that's a bit boring for me and DH as we only get crap of everyone else (he gets new tshirts every year...

But you are right!

off.
bugger

why not take a few and leave the rest at home to have later - that's what we used to do !

We mostly stay at home for Christmas, but on the occasions when we have gone away, we have taken presents with us. It invariably means putting the roofbox on the car, when you add in all the winter clothes. Not to be sniffed at - easier to stay at home.

dont take you r own
itll be a massive pita when it comes to bringing them home
imagine having to unpack them all when you get home? you will NOT be in the mood - esp after unpacking all the baby shite
open them before or after - just you ahd dh - and a nice bottle of wine

last year was our first xmas away from our own home, we took presents to/from the people we were going to be with on the day, left other persents at home. We travelled by train, so sent stuff back via parcelforce (not as expensive as you'd think).

This year we are driving so no need to post, but are leaving the trike we have bought at home. Something nice to come home to!

Leave the presents at home and have another Christmas at home on New Year's Eve/Day.

When dp and I have spent Christmas apart we have always saved our presents for a night in on New Year's Eve.

Leaving them behind is best plan then, Will probably take mine and DH's stockings, as that is all we get each other anyway (and only cos mine has a book in it I want to read )
both girls stockings (2 soft toys and some crayons...)and DD1's present from us which is a travel easel thing which fits in the back of the car seat, so no room will be needed on the way back.

My family's gifts will stay here then, although my family will not be happy about it, but whatever!
God I want to stay at home.....

catgirl, that's what I always did when visiting my mum as she always had loads fo stuff for me! It is surprisingly cheap and easy to post it, but we should get it all in the car!

Poor DD is not getting a garage for christmas, I ahve just decided she can have it for her birthday instead (in 8 weeks) as it is too big and bulky to have out, let alone take with us!

Am liking new years idea but unfortunately DH si working, this is why Christmas is so special as it is the only day of the year that DH can't be disturbed as it is the one day of the year the office is shut and they can't call him. (They even rang him on our honeymoon, when we were in Amsterdam ffs!)