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Original poster

A ‘what will you do differently next year’ thread

211 replies

OMGitsnotgood · 27/12/2025 12:21

I’ve been hosting Christmas for almost 40 years so generally have it pretty well sorted, but there is always something to imporove on.
This year I had a pretty hectic December for a combination of reasons, some of it unexpected. I did still manage most things but ended up doing a lot of cleaning on Christmas Eve Eve and Christmas Eve, when I’d much rather have just had food prep to focus on them put my feet up enjoying a Baileys.

Next year I am going so make sure I do a deep clean early in December and keep on top of it.

OP posts:
suburburban · 27/12/2025 14:19

I did find prepping and freezing vegetables beforehand was good and investing in a hot plate

Icecreamisthebest · 27/12/2025 14:22

I also went with a “less” approach and also tried to buy local stuff including chocolates and soft drinks. Was very happy with everything except the local crackers so will try some different ones next year

FreshAirandSunshine · 27/12/2025 14:26

ArseEndOfChristmas · 27/12/2025 13:58

I did “less”. this year, less buying of unnecessary crap, less “must-have” food
( that we never eat) less meet-ups with people I rarely see… just less.

However in the end, I caught a foul cold on the 19th and we ended up managing with what we’d bought on earlier freezer stock-ups and supermarket deliveries.
We survived just fine! I don’t think DP noticed, we still ate pretty well, albeit more frozen food but it suited us. Doing Less is our plan for 2026😁

I slept a lot and he watched crap on tv, he did the bits of housework as needed and we walked the dog for fresh air so we were all happy.

HOWEVER….

DP has now caught the cold and the Dressing Gown of Doom is on…

Send Help!

Oh no, not the Dressing Gown of Doom! Perhaps your cold will suddenly come back and you’ll need to retreat to the spare room with Netflix, chocolates and Baileys so that DH isn’t at risk of catching more germs?!

Voirdire · 27/12/2025 14:38

Not to waste time seeing my brother or his family, as despite being nearly 50 he is a total dick and although we only had to suffer his arrogance and obnoxious behaviour for a few hours on Boxing Day, it was enough to make me realise I don't want anything more to do with him.

Otherwise we had a lovely Christmas with the rest of the family that I love dearly!

AcrossthePond55 · 27/12/2025 14:39

Not cook Christmas Dinner. I've done my share (30+ years).

After my recent separation and realizing how very old I am, I decided I was ready to give up the 'matriarch' role as far as Christmas goes. I told my sons that I felt we should rotate yearly doing the dinner. I said I didn't care if it was a Bacchanalian feast or if it was ham sandwiches, that would be up to the 'host'. It's getting together that's important.

It was a huge relief when they both agreed.

AtWitsEnd21 · 27/12/2025 14:45

I have 2 small DC 2&4. Since they were newborns we have split Christmas Day between my parents and my MILs extended family. That has meant being out of our house by 10am and not returning until 8pm with two dinners to get through, one served at 2pm and the other at 5pm. MIL extended family is really an adults affair with me acting as glorified babysitter. DC2 had a horrid case of tonsillitis on 23rd resulting in total exhaustion for both of us by the 25th but we continued with the plan of being out all day on Christmas. This after being chief organiser of Christmas presents etc. DH does not contribute to any of this.

I have seen the light after the stress of this year. I will not be doing this again. Next year DC will have Christmas in their home. I’ve told DH who has instantly said no. I’m standing firm, he has a year to come to terms with it.

Samewrinklesnewname · 27/12/2025 14:47

OMGitsnotgood · 27/12/2025 13:30

We don’t have starters in Christmas Day, preferring early morning bacon butties instead!

Show quote history

Ummmm so do we 😳🤣

Elmspringwater · 27/12/2025 15:25

I dont do xmass at all.
Last year i went to india came back in the new year.
This xmas i done a deep clean and painted my home out.
Next year im going to vietnam for 2 weeks.

AxolotlEars · 27/12/2025 16:43

Remember the pigs in blankets, that were in the fridge 🤣 in light of that, I'd say have a master list on the fridge because I nearly always forget something. Funny thing is, I'd prepped and frozen them months ago and even remembered to defrost them.

Justmuddlingalong · 27/12/2025 16:43

I'll use the £100 I usually give my teenage nephew, to pay for a nice Christmas eve meal out for DP and I.
It'll be more appreciated.
Not even a thank you text since 2022. And yes, I'm pissed off enough that I checked.

Parry5timesbeforedeath · 27/12/2025 16:49

For me the following;

  1. Don't let DH's supposed 'best friend' in when he rocks up unannounced on Christmas eve when we are about to settle down to a film. He is a sneering type and was apparently shocked to his very foundations that we were sitting around watching the Dcs decorate the tree with a glass of fizz. He does not approve of alcohol being drunk in front of children, nor that the tree was up so late. He also wandered into the kitchen and opined that I should have really cleared away the dinner plates before then.
  2. When SIL says she is going to bring the trifle to send her a message reminding her, or buy a spare myself.
  3. Give more hugs to everyone on the big Day, I was a little stressed and actually could have done with worrying less and hugging more
  4. Or.... go on a cruise instead.
Tigercrane · 27/12/2025 16:50

I will halve and fry my brussel sprouts, next year.

Onefortheroad25 · 27/12/2025 16:58

melissasummerfield · 27/12/2025 12:28

Seriously considering being on holiday somewhere warm and all inclusive next year, I love hosting but this year has left me absolutely exhausted!

This! I’m looking at flights here.

MrsLizzieDarcy · 27/12/2025 17:01

Next year, I'm having a week off work in November and getting ahead of myself. DH and I run our own business, we've only had 2 weeks off all year and I'm so burned out I've had a UTI followed by an allergic reaction to the antibiotics so I'm beyond exhausted.

ThatFairy · 27/12/2025 17:05

I think I will stop giving DC wrapped gifts and just give money. It also felt a bit flat as well but I'm not sure what to do about that

ScottyandWestie · 27/12/2025 17:08

Going to hopefully start a secret Santa as too many family members that buy for each other and I had another year of pjs that are not my thing and two sizes too big. I would rather have nothing honestly.

BlackCat14 · 27/12/2025 17:13

We’ve got a five month old baby who received loads of presents from in laws and relatives. The house was chaos, filled with toys and clothes all over the living room and wrapping paper everywhere and I spent about an hour feeling stressed whilst the baby (well, my boyfriend) was opening his presents, as the mess was driving me mad. And I didn’t really enjoy the whole experience. But the second it was all cleared up I really regretted not being more “in the moment” and enjoying it. I know the baby has no idea what’s going on, but it could’ve been a nice moment for us and it just wasn’t!
So next year, and in future years as he gets older and the mess is even bigger, I just need to remember not to care!

Dragonfly97 · 27/12/2025 17:15

After a couple of years of indifferent Christmas dinners, thinking of getting a nice chicken next year instead of turkey. There's only DH and me, plus Ddog, and we have loads of leftovers. No matter how carefully we cook the turkey it's always a bit flavourless and dry. And I can't afford to spend the best part of £100 on a turkey! It's never as nice as I think it's going to be.

We both like chicken and won't have so much left that we get sick of it.

bleakmidwintering · 27/12/2025 17:16

Going abroad. Decided I’m bored of hosting after 25 years.

redwinecheeseandothersnacks · 27/12/2025 17:18

Buy less. Last year I stopped buying for extended family (who dont really think of us from one year to the next). Happily repeated this year. However I spent on my sons instead. All the presents went down well, they are lovely (young adults) but it was too much. Had a difficult year and over compensated. So, next year I am going to do a little less and I am sure it will be fine. Just 'less' generally. Looking back over this thread about deep cleaning, cooking, freezing vegetables...it is all a bit crazy.

LemonLeaves · 27/12/2025 17:31

Parry5timesbeforedeath · 27/12/2025 16:49

For me the following;

  1. Don't let DH's supposed 'best friend' in when he rocks up unannounced on Christmas eve when we are about to settle down to a film. He is a sneering type and was apparently shocked to his very foundations that we were sitting around watching the Dcs decorate the tree with a glass of fizz. He does not approve of alcohol being drunk in front of children, nor that the tree was up so late. He also wandered into the kitchen and opined that I should have really cleared away the dinner plates before then.
  2. When SIL says she is going to bring the trifle to send her a message reminding her, or buy a spare myself.
  3. Give more hugs to everyone on the big Day, I was a little stressed and actually could have done with worrying less and hugging more
  4. Or.... go on a cruise instead.

I'd have drop kicked the best mate out of the door - the rude bugger!!

Do again - have a list of items for dinner. I forgot to make bread sauce last year and was gutted. Remembered this year because of the list - I like it so we are bloody having it!

Do differently - Christmas lunch was later than planned because I went to church. I'm glad I went, I enjoyed it - but it delayed lunch more than I'd anticipated, even though I'd prepped everything and it was ready to go. I think next year I'l leave DH with instructions to be turning the oven on and getting stuff in before I get back.

Sasha07 · 27/12/2025 17:40

We have older teens. The ones that work, buy whatever they want through the year. There wasn't a single thing asked for as nothing was needed so I just bought a few 'filler' type gifts and gave money as main gift. The ones in education had three main gift suggestions. Everything was bought alongside a few more filler gifts.

Now that the surprise/magic isn't really there, and the day seems to fly in so fast, we decided to open gifts on Christmas Eve. It was so much better for us. Family gifts on Christmas Eve, followed by a games/chill/movie day, then wider family gifts opened during visits on Christmas Day, then back home for Christmas dinner. We'll be doing that every year now, it's basically an extended 2-Part Christmas Day!

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 27/12/2025 17:42

I think I got it right this year, but that's probably because I retired in November, so had plenty of time to clean the house, wrap the presents, visit outlying family members to drop presents, pre-cook some food and prep the rest, have the decorations up and the beds made. Normally I've been working Christmas Eve and Boxing Day and Christmas has felt squeezed in the middle in a frantic attempt to 'have fun' whilst exhausted.

This year was definitely better.

Bobbedhairdontcare · 27/12/2025 17:43

Book a holiday, I’m looking now to be away all over the Christmas week somewhere warm.

Mymanyellow · 27/12/2025 17:56

Tigercrane · 27/12/2025 16:50

I will halve and fry my brussel sprouts, next year.

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