What was your favourite part of Christmas?

[december2020]

I've read so many Christmas threads with disappointment or sadness (some of course totally justified) so was hoping you'd share what little things you loved about Christmas this year.

For me, it was DS's excitement (13 months) to have a set of grandparents over with everyone playing with him and wondering what the fuss was all about but absolutely loving it.

And the games we played once DS was down for the night with lots of jokes and silly happenings.

It was nice to have some proper family time (especially as we live far away from both sets of family and don't get to see them often).

DD7 hadn't been her best self during the week leading up to Christmas (bit poorly and tired from a long term, leading to backchat and strops), and every time we chatted about it she panicked that Santa wasn't going to come. No matter how many times I told her that he would! Then on Xmas Eve she was panicking because she kept waking up, and Santa doesn't come unless we're all asleep, etc.

The joy in her voice when she came into us on Christmas Day, dragging her stocking and saying "he DID come!" was just lovely. Then she got excited that we had stockings as well, and she immediately went into her little brother to check Santa had been to him as well, and was delighted that he had.

@cobblers123 & @Whiterose23
Absolute priceless posts from you both. ❤️💙

Christmas eve is my favourite. When I comes to the day after Boxing day I'm itching to get all the deccies back in their box and up in the attic.

@BoudecaBains - I feel exactly the same as you, I may have to take mine down tomorrow.

Christmas Day was just so lovely all round this year. I only have the kids every other Christmas Day so it’s always a bit special.
They are 20 (as of yesterday!) and 17 and were both an absolute joy.
They were both so happy and grateful for all their presents and bought such thoughtful gifts for everyone else. Christmas dinner was amazing this year too.
Later on we were joined by DS girlfriend and we all played games, laughed, ate and drank. It was a genuinely joyful day for which I am extremely grateful!

Just before Christmas, leaving a job which was mentally and emotionally destroying me. Not even as much as a leaving card so 🖕

Christmas eve dinner at my parents. Christmas morning DD (4) being excited that Santa had been. Getting to watch top of the pops and strictly on Christmas day (tradition for me but i dont always get to do it) Also before Christmas getting to see DD's carol concert when I thought it would get cancelled

Having all my DC under one roof again for 3 wonderful days has been the best present I could ask for. Younger DC loved having the 'big kids' home again, plus their partners (who I treat like my own), plus 2 baby grandsons this year. A very noisy, chaotic, fun filled 3 days. We've laughed until we cried, we've ribbed each other silly, we've eaten loads, and I've had plenty of hands on help in the kitchen.

I had a little cry today as they all went back home and I tidied round. Younger DC were sad too. This is only our second Christmas with the big uns living away from home, and I wasn't sure if they'd want to start their own traditions. They likely will next year, and then me and younger DC will have to figure out new traditions too. Or maybe I'll get lucky and they'll always want to come home for Christmas. But for this year at least, everything was perfect

My dd (7) woke up early on Boxing Day, and I asked her if she was ok. She said, ‘I’m happy mummy - I’m joyful, I’m just thinking’. I love the way she tries out new vocabulary.

All of it really! The only Christmasses I've ever not loved were the two we've spent just the 4 of us (one about 5 years ago and one due to Covid).

It was great to spend Christmas Day and Boxing Day with a bunch of extended family, and hopefully we're not done yet, as dsis and her family will be coming for NY if Dnephew is out of isolation by then.

Christmas Eve crib service at church
Both DSs coming into our bedroom on Christmas morning so excited to tell us what they had got in their stockings
Ds1 seeing his Harry Potter chest with his initials on and punching the air. He hasn't asked for anything and was so delighted with everything he got.
Delicious Christmas dinner
Playing family cards against humanity with the extended family round the table and ds2 giggling so much we were all crying with laughter

What a lovely thread! This wasn't our best Christmas ever so I'm focusing on remembering the really gorgeous moments. My favourites were

• DD(7) climbing into bed with me first thing, lying her full stocking across us both and hugging me really tight for about 20 minutes before asking if I could put the light on for her to open it

• DS (5) opening his present from DD, seeing it was his favourite sweets, and jumping up and down shouting with joy

• Curling up on the sofa with DH and DD while the supper cooked to watch the carols from Kings on catch up while DS5 and DS3 built the most incredible magnatiles house together with no arguments or upsets!

Something lovely I just remembered.

On 23rd Dec we were at the supermarket getting our last few bits. We saw a distant relative who gave my 8yo a tenner.

As we were walking out there was a charity collection for a childrens hospital. We stopped to donate and DS wanted to give his tenner to the charity too 💙

My 2yo also got a tenner and he tried to pay for my shopping with it!

It was lovely to see them both being kind and wanting to give.

My sweet, sweet baby nephew, and the obvious joy my family have in my son (who is, to be fair, a tiny ray of sunshine).

DD (6) literally shaking with excitement whilst opening her presents from Father Christmas, and her sheer joy at even the smallest of gifts.

A slightly tipsy game of charades except the person whose turn it is holds the card for everyone else to see but doesn't see it themselves, so everyone else mimes at the same time for that person to guess.

DS's elation at getting something he's been desperately wanting for well over a year.

DH being so completely delighted with a surprise gift.

My 4 year old jumping up and down with excitement to give a present she had made (a painted mug), to her little sister.

Also her excitement to open the present from her little sister (a squishmallow) which she declared her favourite present of all.

Boxing day morning everyone was sleeping off the night before except for me and my two year old who played quietly together with his new train set. He was so sweetly into it and I felt like I was actually enjoying being a parent (as opposed to being referee/cleaner/cook/taxi/mental load carrier etc).

Next best bit is tomorrow. All guests will be gone and we will just chill as a family. No food to prepare, and no need to even dress if we can't be bothered!

Lovely thread december2020.

Lots of things but the main two speaking to DD on Christmas Eve. She is stranded in NZ due to covid.

Having all my sons around the table and a lodger of one of them that couldn’t go home due to covid. He really enjoyed it. The banter at the table is one of the things I miss. They all enjoyed the food and left with a Boxing Day plateful.

This year we had a big get together at my parents, obviously couldn't do that last year and my 17 months old loved it. All the uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents spoiling him.
It was so nice to all be together (apart from one nephew who had Covid 😢).
Think the excitement was too much for him though as he was sick today but yesterday was brilliant.

When my dd 9 who is autistic and rarely shows emotion said she had had a lovely Christmas Day and is very grateful for her presents!!

Still enjoying Christmas today, OP!

I also got an iPhone 6 for my DD and while I expected her to be pleased I did appreciate it's not exactly a new model. She cried with happiness. I absolutely couldn't believe it.
She's 15 so the magic of Father Christmas has gone but for me that was a truly special moment.

finishing the Dental abscess double antibiotics course on the 23rd - the relief!

When it's finished for another year. Bliss.

Watching festive movies
Church services
Photos that show the meaning of Xmas
Christmas games and quizzes
Festive songs and bells
Wreath making workshops
Christmas themed lessons
Xmas food and drinks on a tray
Parties late at night
Candy canes
Present opening ceremony after dinner