Where / Who are you having dinner with this year?

[christmas2022]

Where are you having dinner?

Who are you eating with?

How and when do you decide?

We are eating with DH side this year as we hosted my side last year. I'm hoping they will offer to host as I don't really fancy hosting again but will do if the offer doesn't come. May have to bring it up but not sure if too soon to plan yet in real life.

We just tend to alternate between each side of the family and if we fancy a quiet one we just say it will be just us this year and still see them in the day but eat alone.

I'm conscious that we've not been to my parents for 3 years now - last year my mum didn't want us there and she went to stay with my DB (who tested positive for COVID on Xmas day so it was pretty awful for them all). I'd quite like to go to my parents but it's been so long I don't know if my DC will want to be away from home on Xmas morning. And DP probably won't want to either as he never wants to go anyway. But I'm aware that my parents are getting older and we may not have too many more chances to be with them, who knows, I hope we do obviously.

But like you I don't quite know when to bring it up as was hoping to go last year and DM got in there quite early to say she wasn't doing Christmas at all (dsis died last year). Feel that it's for them to bring it up and not assume they'll want us there. How did life get so complicated?!

We used to alternate between DH and my family every year but it was always us having to travel (it’s only 45 mins but with 3 kids one of which is autistic we found the day was getting very stressful!)

I offered to host in multiple occasions for DH family ( 16 people) because his mum moans about having to host be she always says no she doesn’t like not having Christmas at her house even tho it’s too small for all of us now

so as of last year we’re having Christmas Day at home just the 5 of us. Means I can cook what I like (lamb or pork or chicken) and not eat dry turkey. Much less stressful as well and no hurting about to make sure we get everywhere.

xmas eve is spent with my mum and Boxing Day we go see DH family

We tend to progress round mine, my sisters’s and my mum’s, my other sister has never lived anywhere big enough to host. It’s hosting sister’s turn this year but she is having major works done so it depends if that’s finished. I think mum did it last year so it’ll be us if not sister. It doesn’t make that much difference because we all meet again on Boxing Day in one of the other houses and whoever didn’t host either will sometimes grab New Year!

I had my Christmas anxiety dream last night - it was Christmas Eve, the house was a mess, the shops were about to close and I hadn’t bought any stocking presents and was running round Debenhams (still alive in my dream) grabbing stuff, and a friend, her mum, dad and daughter turned up expecting to be hosted…

@AppleHa I get the christmas anxiety dream too! It's usually christmas eve and I don't realise until about 4pm then have to run round like a mad woman trying to get stuff before the shops close.

Our christmas plans are always determined by DH's shifts (emergency services) so we refuse to stick rigidly to "whose turn it is". He has 3 full days this year in the first time in forever so I think we're going to travel to my DM's. We can't usually do it as it's too far for just a day or two. Now I need to work out the logistics of Santa delivering 150 miles away from home. DS is nearly 3 and has already started talking about Santa and presents so I need to be on the ball this year (no idea why he's started in July. Nothing to do with me!)

We have always spent Christmas just us since having DC but are planning to go to my mum's house this year; will by us 5, her, db and dsis and her kids from the afternoon.

I'm simultaneously looking forward to it and anxious. I'm sure it will be fine though!

Quite possibly alone. The (adult) kids do something with their dad and it used to be me, DH and the fosterlings but I have no idea what this year holds.

We host everyone at our house. This is;
me, DH & our 3 DC
My parents
DH parents
My sister, BIL & nephew aged 3
My brother, SIL & nieces ages 4 & 6
BIL, SIL & niece aged 5
BIL & SIL
My granny
DH grandparents

Not sure. Usually we go to my parents but I'm aware that they may find it a bit much having us there as they are getting older.
So if we don't get an invite will stay home, which I hate as it's boring. I can guarantee the kids will go upstairs with their new stuff, DH will watch TV and I'll be stuck in the kitchen on my own.
Unfortunately can't have my parents round as house is too small and DHs family... thats a whole different thre9.

If all goes according to plan 🤞🏼 Christmas dinner will be just me and DH, in a cold and snowy country.

We don't have dc and every year we would alternate between our families. We were always expected to travel as both our parents refuse to have lunch anywhere but at home.
Each year got more and more stressful until we broke and buggered off abroad. Loved it so much we try and go every other year or so.

Christmas Day will be at home with DP and DD and possibly DSD at some point.

We are having dd1s. Boyfriend for the first time this year. The dh myself and thee 4 children. So 7 in total. Its our usual plus 1.

In laws both have passed away and my dad's are both in Denmark.

@bloodywhitecat , this will be your first without your dh ? The 'firsts' without a loved one are especially hard. I hope that whatever you do, wherever you are, you're able to find some semblance of peace.
I'll be thinking of you ❤

At home, just us. We gave up on big family Christmases when they got too much for our two autistic kids. They can't cope with the noise and chaos. Especially as family live far away from us so we can't just drop in and run off when it's too much.

I love Christmas at home. We cook what we want, when we want. Watch the films we want. Play board games that the wider family would find boring. And I don't have to police reactions when opening presents so sufficient delight is shown. Not that the kids are ungrateful, but they can be too overwhelmed in the moment to show that they are delighted.

We go out for a curry. We'll be doing the same again this year.

This will be a special Christmas . My DD and her family have lived overseas for several years so Christmas was usually on Facetime. Now they have moved back , and have bought a large house, They are getting the kitchen replace, starting tomorrow ! So she is madly planning her first big event, Christmas for the whole family.

There will be DH and I, ex and his partner, DS and partner, DD and husband, and her inlaws which number 15. And about 10 kids. It promises to be wonderful !

It was going to be in our new house with all the kids (blended family) and grandparents. We had a fire a month ago and will not be back in until February at the earliest. So now we are thinking of going away for it. God knows where. Following the thread for inspo to see if anyone says anywhere that sounds fun

Well, I'll be on a balcony in Tenerife, eating paella and sipping champagne, if that appeals @warofthemonstertrucks .
Same as every year !

3 of us ( all adults) at local Greek restaurant, after a 7 mile morning walk. Not a turkey in sight. Eat about 4.

Amdone1 how warm is it there over Christmas?

We don't have any family near by that invite us. In Laws in South Africa, both my parents are deceased. We ususally have my adult boys (ages 32 and 27). We have a 13 year old at home.
I'm sort of hoping this year that the adult boys will do their own thing and we can just have a quieter Christmas. I know I shouldnt get stressed about it - but I do!
I've got a very strong feeling though that we will have the 27 year old.

@warofthemonstertrucks , well we go for 7 days. I would say 2 days can be cloudy, but still tee shirts / shorts weather. The other days in the 20s. I always get a tan !

Worth a look then! Thanks :)

At home by ourselves... I honestly cant think of anything worse than having to drag the kid out of the house or host other people.

I can see why adults without kids (empty nesters, those who are single and childless etc...) would want to get together but I dont get families with young kids running around doing it.

My family never did and DH family did 1 year alone then 1 year with family alternating and he HATED the years he had to go out and visit family as he had to get dressed up, couldnt just relax and play with his new toys in his house, had to entertain his younger cousins etc...

I use to get anxiety dreams too so now I start shopping in June so that can happen to the full extent.

I have only bought like 3 present each so far this year, I really need to get on it more but even 3 is enough to stave off the nightmare.

Im my dreams Im stood in the empty living room (well theres furniture but no presents) and the kids come in and are disappointed because theres nothing.

Definately doing something like that next year!