Some questions about Christmas re work and a toddler!

[Jennisaurus]

I wasn't sure where to put this sorry.
I am working this year in the evening on Christmas Eve and Christmas day morning, I was wondering how people who did work on these days planned things?

We will have my mum and DH's mum, dad and sister staying. I know they want to open presents in the morning, but do you think its unrealistic to expect them not to open the ones we have bought them, and for DH and DD (who is only 1) to wait until I get home?

Also how did your 1 year old react to Christmas day? Did they find it very tiring and end up grumpy? I am worried that E will be a bit overwelhmed (as she was on her birthday) and I don't want that, how can I prevent it?

AND I am working when all the family services are on at Church, do you think the priest will mind if I bring a baby to a formal service?

Sorry for so many questions, I am just feeling a bit stressed and quite sad about not spending Christmas morning with DD. This is my first time hosting Christmas for our families as well!

I don't think you can expect them not to open any presents, but you should be there when they open the presents from you. Not sure what to do about dh and dd. I know I'd feel a bit left out if all around me were opening pressies and I had to wait. Maybe a few small ones for them?

My dd at that age ate far too much chocolate, courtesy of all the cousins, and didn't really notice the presnts after the first one or two.

I doubt if a priest would complain about you taking dd to a formal service, IME, it's other people who tend to tut at babies. Just sit near the door, so you can get out if necessary.

My DS1 was very nearly one on his first Christmas - he loved all the attention but really didn't need quite so many presents!
I think your family should wait until you get home to do anything christmassy and
if the priest objects you can gently steer him to the Christmas sory in the Bible where he will discover that there was actually a baby there too who, contrary to popular belief, probably did yell, poo and breastfeed. If he wants an argument about it, you can send him to me
Have fun!

I'd get dd to wait. The people who are visiting will want to see her opening their presents - but that's all she needs to open on Xmas day. Your pressies and any you've been sent can wait. That way she won't get so overwhelmed, and you'll get some lovely time opening new things with her.

I don't expect mu mum, MIL, FIL and SIL to wait to open all their presents v.unfair, but I think I will ask them to wait until I get home, which should be around 1pm, so not very late.

Oh and SIL is 13, how can I make a Christmas with boring adults and a baby in an area she doesn't know fun?

Bugger. I don't expect them not to open any presents, but I will ask them to wait to open any presents from me and DH until I get home.

That first sentance now makes some sense!!