What will you do different next Christmas?

[MsMiaWallace]

Mine would be a different venue for Christmas Eve dinner.
We went for carvery this year & the place was scruffy!

Not take part in family Secret Santa. We're allowed to send a link to what we want and out of all the family, I'm the only one who didn't get their requested item as my Santa liked what they got me better then my choice!

Buy some nice food instead of making myself feel worse by neglecting myself. Would probably make a timetable so i know how to fill the day instead of willing bed time to come😫 here's to an easier 2023 to us all

I'm lucky in that I don't find Christmas dinner stressful. I buy a turkey crown instead of a chicken or a joint of meat and I enjoy making pigs in blankets and stufffing balls relaxing.

I find the Boxing Day buffet stressful. Different times/temperatures for different things .

I just feel that it's for a couple of days a year and my family are wonderful in offering to help prepare and clean up afterwards ( which I don't do!)

I detest present wrapping now but am minded to spend some soothing time making reusable gift bags.

I'd love to have a Christmas away somewhere. Not sure where but , as I'm nearing 60 , I think that both my husband and I would like a completely different experience.

Next year I will buy DD2s veggie pigs in blankets as soon as i see them. Had to hunt in so many shops to find some. Eventually had to pay £3.50 for 10 tiny ones in tesco. Worth it as she loved them but stressful thinking I wouldnt get them.

Those who are considering stopping the big roast, do it!! We haven't had a roast on Christmas day in 4 years. We had pizzas, doughballs and chips this year. Fry up for breakfast and snacks throughout the day. We had a roast today instead.

Next year I will be more organised with wrapping, had to do it all in 1 day which was stressful and I didn't enjoy it.

Currently making a list of stuff we already have so I don't rebuy unnecessarily. I bought loads of paper then found loads in the loft!

I’m going to be spending Christmas in New York next year (my DM’s 60th birthday gift since her birthday is on Christmas Eve!). So everything will be different for us 😊

I will put up my Christmas decorations earlier - I deliberately aimed for 08 December but I had heating / house-related disasters requiring an influx of tradespeople. Tree went up (badly) & no other decorations until a last-minute scramble on Christmas Eve

I will work out a better plan for DC presents. It's my first year without 'Santa' but I still wanted them to have a Christmas gift + one from me. It all got more complicated & expensive & with few surprises. I think - taking inspiration from MN / UK traditions (am in Ireland), I'm going to do a main present from me & smaller stocking 'surprise' presents.

Sounds wonderful. Do report back!

Have it in my own home so I can sit for three seconds after chewing my last mouthful. MIL likes to clear the table ASAP and as me and DH had offered to clear up, it meant I didn't get to comfortably digest anything before I was chained to the sink!

I am going to cook some chicken breasts instead of a whole chicken as it would take less time and less space.

Stay in my own home with my DCs and DH!!

Stay at home! My parents are great but with a nearly 3 year old it's our turn next year and I cannot wait. (We've intended to every year since DD was born but circumstances haven't been on our side. This year there's a bathroom in my dining room) I'm hoping DHs family will come to us too. If the kids sleep on blow up beds there's just about enough room for no one to need to worry about driving.

Keep a list of what I've bought and the price. I've done this in previous years but forgot this time and almost forgot to get something for my niece.

We have all said we will put money into a collective pot and go to an hotel for Christmas Day lunch next year. I'm excited already !

Stay at home
The last 4! Or 5 days have been rubbish, with various incidents that would not have happened if we hadn't gone away (to DH's parents).

Oh absolutely well done!

I'm going somewhere hot!

Not buy everyone’s presents, kids, my family and his.

My mum was very generous as usual bless her, everyone else - not so much.

Stupidly left the wrapping till late Xmas eve after last year loving the fact I had it all done much sooner!
So back to doing it before next year so I can actually sit down and watch something or relax on Xmas eve evening

Not decide that I want to have a new job and spend Christmas week preparing for an interview as well as completing a new application as well (with the potential for another application depending on how I feel the interview went)

Be more organised, but I say that every year.

Maybe do a little less housework in the run up.
Give everything two days and house is unrecognisable anyway.

I would love to do this, where do I start looking?

Give DC their Christmas pyjamas on 1st December rather than 24th. They've only worn them a few nights and by the time they come out of the wash Christmas will be over!

Not fucking bother with a Christmas evening tea for the ILs again. They requested we provide tea. As they were paying for the main meal and BIL would be cooking for 12 as his contribution. No issues. Happy to provide in lieu of offering to help pay or cook etc.

So I made a a lighter option of Charcutierie Board, which i are arranged nicely, nothing super fancy, but thought it would be nice to "present" it, rather than straight from packets like we'd normally do on any other day. Made a nice salad, even made gluten free bread sticks and crackers for my SIL and a good amount of veggie options for other SIL.

They DIDN'T FUCKING EAT IT. (I did)
Why? Because her daughter had brought round hot party food (the delicious beige kind) and it was served most of the day, with people nibbling on it, had lunch at 1pm, and more fucking sausage rolls and stuff came out at 4pm. And I said 'oh shall I get the Christmas Tea out then?" And everyone said "oh nooooo, I'm thinking full up now, this is me done". Whilst shoving another mini Kiev in their gobs.

So, I went and got my self a plate of delicious food, and ate it alone whilst on my phone.... Got back,and someone had brought out the chocolates and they were eating them. So I amfe a comment about them "not being hungry" and ate a chocolate.

I'm still so annnnnnnnnooyed.

Prep some food so I don't spend the full afternoon in the kitchen on Christmas day.

Am booking tickets as we speak to Vancouver. My son will be there on a work placement next Christmas 🎄