Share with Aunt Bessie’s why family gatherings are the best - chance to win £300 NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

We all know family gatherings can sometimes be a bit stressful but that in the main they are a great way to catch up with loved ones. The team at Aunt Bessie’s would love to hear how you make your family get togethers work for everyone - from the youngest member to the oldest. What role does food play in your gatherings - who does the prep (and who washes up)? What about location, do you like to visit your MILs or do you like hosting yourselves? How often do you get a family gathering on the go - once a year at Christmas or every week?

What’s the best thing which has happened in your family gathering and what memories do you have of gatherings when you were a child? Do you have any traditions you have stuck with or new habits you have come to enjoy?

Aunt Bessie’s say “a proper family gathering is about more than just food – it’s the shared experiences and the bringing together of loved ones that turn a simple meal into something truly special. So we’d love to hear your stories and traditions!”

Add your story for great family gatherings below and you will be entered into a prize draw where one person will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

Thanks and good luck

MNHQ
Standard Insight T and Cs apply

[CGORST]

Now my parents and sister have died, family gatherings are few and far between. However, I still get together with my older sister and her family on Christmas Day and we have a lovely meal. I am in charge of bringing the Christmas crackers - the more the better because we all love the daft gifts we get!!

[GeorgeW78]

My MIL swears by Aunt Bessie's so we have a lovely Sunday lunch and then clear away, do the washing up & drying duties, then take the dogs for a walk before coming home to hot drinks and board games!

[Helsbells68]

My siblings live in different parts of the UK so when my mother was alive we used to have to take it in turns as to who she visited and when over Christmas. This meant we could really spoil here when she visited us, otherwise it was a really quite time for just the three of us.

[danigrace]

All the tales of long ago and truly knowing and caring about each other makes for extra special company

[CJ2008]

I find family gatherings work well when people are assigned roles (how formal this is perhaps depends on the family members/size of gathering) and everyone mucks in. The nice thing is to reminisce about them with family later on. Making memories you can share in years to come.

[wintertime94]

Boxing day...my extended family all get together and share presents after a (second) Christmas dinner!

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

We're a quite informal family so don't tend to get too het up if there's a disaster in the kitchen etc if everyones hungry just eat more chocolate and wait!

[Stephgr8]

We prefer family gatherings at my mums house because she really spoils all of us plus unlike the rest of us she is an amazing cook. We all go to my Mum's for Christmas although none of us enjoy travelling to her home (long way). She does all the work but that's how she likes it and guess for us it's a tradition!
we also meet in restaurants throughout the year to celebrate birthdays but there's nothing like my mum's hospitality!

[tishist]

We draw lots as to who does what (within reason!)

[ilovekitkats]

Small family gatherings are great, just the immediate family. For Christmas there will be around 11 of us which is plenty. I only really see extended family when there is a hatch, match or dispatch.

I see my parents/siblings a lot and the in-laws are now ex so don't see them at all now.

A roast dinner is a great way to spend time with family and it is usually my parents who host.

[Candyperfumegirl]

I love a good family gathering
We love all the doffer entry generations coming together it's lovely

[Cintacmrs]

My Mums everyone arrives and pitches in - we have a few allergies and intolerance so we all make a effort to bring something that everyone can eat. My Dad always washes up no matter who starts he takes over. I always set the table with my Grannys best china

[Hopezibah]

food really brings people together - it's important to make sure the meal includes food that everyone loves. It's a time for laughter and fun and vulnerability as you open up and talk about things you may rush through the day and not talk about at other times. it's a time when the kids learn about togetherness and about good food.

[nerysw]

It's just lovely to spend some time with my family, my parents are great so it's not stressful, consider myself very lucky.

[Maiyakat]

DD loves spending time with her cousins, the inevitable fallings out are usually short lived! Biggest issues are when someone tries to be helpful and puts all the washing up away wrong place....

[cathwarbur]

I love family gatherings most of all, especially at Christmas. All the wonder of the little ones to the adults relaxing. I do Chistmas dinner but I love doing it!

[Kickassname]

We have a small family gathering at my Grandma's house every few weeks. It is my absolute favourite place to be on earth! My mum helps granny cook - it's usually salad based over summer and a roast dinner in winter. They can make the most gorgeous Yorkshire puddings from scratch but they sometimes use Aunt Bessie's instead. Same with the roast potatoes. My mouth is watering just thinking of it 🤤 I was just there this weekend. We had chicken this time, it was gorgeous, lots of gravy.

It's never ever stressful at all, just a fun and happy place to be. I used to go every Saturday as a child. They would make apple pie back then, and this crazy looking Black Forest gateau. I always had vienneta though.

No matter how low I feel I always feel better when I'm there. Familiar surroundings, old music and movies on the tv, and lots of laughter. I wish it could go on forever. Dd absolutely loves going to 'gamba's' house too, she plays hide and seek in the exact same spots I used to! She also has the same obsession with the toilet paper 'dollies' that I did. They must be older than me! She even plays with the same ornaments, lots of porcelain ladies in big dresses. It's so cool to watch her, like going back in time.

[ForTheLoveOfSleep]

We have two big family gatherings on Easter Monday and Boxing Day. They are held at my DSis' house but all us siblings pitch in to prep for extended family arrival.
It's not done as a sit down meal but a buffet type gathering as we find it easier with so many young DC running around.

[WonderLime]

This year is the first with our baby, so I can’t wait to start new traditions.

We will be spending time with the parents in law this year and everyone will happily play with the baby whilst we can have a break. I think it will be a lovely Christmas!

[AnnMumsnet]

Dormouse1940 wins the £300 voucher!