How do you do Christmas with step children?

[3nough]

Just that really, just wondered how everyone else does Christmas when they have step kids.

DH and I have a toddler DD and he has a DD from previous relationship age 9.
We tend to do a Christmas day out as a family to see santa in the weeks leading up to Christmas, then we always pick up DSD Christmas night and have her for boxing day.

Christmas day we tend to open presents at home with DD and then go to see my family., she will open presents from my family and the presents my family have bought DSD we take home for her to open Christmas night after we pick her up.

Boxing day is Christmas day number two and the kids get up and open their presents (DD has half her presents Christmas day then half boxing day) and then we see DHs family.

Works for us as both children (and adults) get two Christmas days.

Father Christmas only does Stockings in our house too. DSD is aware we buy the main presents. The kids love it atm having to Christmas days, and tbh so do I. Who wouldn't love two Christmas dinners.

I used to think this, but now I think there are so many occasions children of split families are negatively affected, and miss out on things, that I can't get too upset about Santa coming twice for my kids

Me and OH both have children from previous relationships but not together.

He is never allowed to see his kids on Xmas day so has them either Xmas eve or Boxing Day. This year he has them Xmas eve.

Me and my ex split Xmas so Xmas eve until Xmas day at 1ish. Then Boxing Day. This year they will go to their dads Xmas eve prob 5ish and come back at 1 on Xmas day. Then they go to ex again at 1 on Boxing Day to do their dinner with him and usually see his family.

We don't have 'two Christmas's'. They have Christmas dinner whosever house they are at and then something else on Boxing Day. They do get two lots of presents though, obviously.

Through gritted teeth 😬🙈

I think your Christmas sounds lovely. Make the most of it as before you know it the teens are working Christmas Day, not interested, sleeping until late and wanting to see girlfriends / boyfriends. Lots of people split Christmas and hold back presents for the evening or the next day.

I think this is why I love ot so much. As a nurse for over 10 years I always worked Christmas, so to me Christmas day doesn't mean the 25th, it was always the nearest day I had off. Now I'm in a job where I'm off over Christmas why not enjoy 2 whole days of been in a happy family bubble.

We have SC on Boxing Day.
Our joint children will have Santa stocking and presents from us on Xmas day and have a normal Christmas Day.

SC opens our presents on Boxing Day. Joint children & SC get presents from DH family on Boxing Day.