For those who stay at relatives over Christmas ...

[likessleep]

... what are your tips on maintaining 'peace to all'? I do love our families lots, but sometimes it gets to the end and I just think 'thank god its over!'
I just make sure DH, DS and I go on lots of walks. Little half hour breaks every so often just seems to help.
I just wondered what others do?

Sit in the corner with a bottle ......... .

Seriously, definitely agree on getting out for some fresh air and let the kids run around a bit.

I guess I must be lucky, cos on the whole we all get on - the kids amuse themselves - until there is an argument about something but that is normal anyway!! The adults just sit around drinking and eating!!!!

Visitors and fish. Don't keep either for more than three days.

Yeah, I couldn't do alcohol last year as was b'feeding. Our families get on, but I just find I get this need to have our own space after 24 or 48 hours, I just find it all too much to be honest. I think it's because we stay for a good 3 days.

Maybe we do stay too long. Maybe it would be easier at ours, but the in-laws can't visit for various reasons.
I do feel lucky to have a big family (on both sides), but sometimes I have this dream of running off abroad for just 1 christmas. Maybe when the kids are a little older (she dreams!)

Definitely time out of the house! And don't even try to do everything together. Lots of fresh air - regardless of weather - and plenty of space between bonding sessions!

Offer to help.

We stay at PIL - usually for two weeks. (Am having to psyche myself up or this now we have children.)
Personally I refuse to be quiet once the boys are up (7am every day). I switch on all the lights, open curtains, have a shower etc. Talk to them normally, telly on once dressed, do the washing up, flush the loo (!) etc. If PIL can't stomach it tough! (Probably a cow for this, but it really winds me up.)
Also go for a walk to the newsagents once straight to get papers and milk if needed etc to get some fresh air.
I also cook lunch (for 12-12:!5 - so usually an hour or so after PIL get up and while BIL is still in bed) so effectively I have control over how the day unfolds (otherwise lunch would be at 2:30 and soups, flans etc every day rather than proper and varied meals) and naps happen for ds2 when he needs them and I also do the boys tea and snacks.
There are 30 minute - 1 hour stretches in the day where the boys are free to play. Then I tend to leave them with their gps and disappear to get my headspace.
Dh relaxes completely and also sleeps a lot and doesn't socialise much leaving me to do all the talking with his family, so given the chance I disappear too. It's not me they really want to spend time with after all.
At the end of the day I go to bed on time too (10pm) after all I have to get up the next day. Everyone else stays up 'til silly o'clock.
Still love getting home again. Feel I can't properly relax in someone else's home. Find Christmas knackering even if it is nice to have a change of scene for a while.

we stay in v cheap motel down the road. Gives everyone a cut off time (7pm) so old can regroup for next day.
But hate the sitting around inside all day long - I need air more than the dc usually, but they are good excuse for a walk - x needs a nap - what will I do when they are all too old

Definitely don't try to do everything together.

I usually make an announcement: "Dh and I are going for a walk/to the beach/to the shops in 10 minutes. Does anyone want to come?" If they do, great, if they don't great too.

Make sure you offer to help. It works best IMO if each person is responsible for one thing.

If you all kept buggering off for walks while staying with me, I'd be v.pissed off. Offer to do something for your hosts too. Eg. babysitting for them while THEY go off for a walk.

Sorry, can you tell I've got 50m people coming to stay with me this Xmas.

We do help, and to be honest, DH does most of cooking whilst I look after DS.
Thanks for all of the ideas, will definitely remember to pack the buggy!!

Take DVDs, magazines and books for everyone so you can all have quality down time together.