@Iamasentientoctopus I don't think I've moved on much from the 90s as that's when I got married.
Christmas cards stapled to red satin ribbon with a bow at the top and hung over doors. Red bows on the Christmas tree but white lights with baubles and lametta. Cinnamon spice bags on the radiators for Christmas smells. This bit is a bit more up to date.
I have never, ever had any other decorations and the elf can stuff himself. When our dc were little, there was no such thing as a Christmas Eve Box. We went to the Crib service at church instead! I suspect I couldn't take away a Chrstmas Eve Box if that was habit and tradition. I think it's bonkers but perhaps a grannie's job in the future (she hopes).
I hosted for 25 years, sometimes up to 10. Apart from volume, I found the catering pretty simple. Christmas Eve: Baked ham, roasties, broad beans in parsley sauce, Carrots, mince pies and boozy cream. Christmas Day: tea and biscuits, chocolate for the children, 9.30 mass, smoked salmon open sarnies, champagne and presents at 11.30. Turkey, roasties, parsnips, runner beans, Carrots, bought gravy, stuffing, pigs, cranberry, etc. Xmas Pud and something else - bought. Boxing day: turkey, ham, charcuterie meats, roasties, salad, pickles, good bread, pork pie, cheese board, trifle, Christmas cake.
In the early noughties, I had a company deliver and put up the trees and decorate them - I am not artistic and hate doing it. They still do it.
I think the biggest change is Christmas cards - we used to send about 120.
Just enjoy it and stop Instagram ming it. It doesn't have to be perfect. Don't argue or fall out either because there will come a time when parents aren't here to argue back. Our mothers are old and frail now and can't travel. One has carers. DH and I have split up the last few Christmases rather than leave one alone. It's fucking miserable but we make the best of it. The children come the week before.
We have never gone mad with presents and stockings. £100 each for the DC £20on tat for a stocking. They still get a Pokemon Annual - family joke! When they were teens they were offered a stocking or £30. They went for £30. We used to have fun with mince pies and whiskey for santa. DH used to misplace a log and put a sooty footprint on the carpet and bottom stair (hoovered up easily).
>>whispers<< try to remember it's about the birth if Jesus, the advent of Christianity and love.