We are guttless. They are nutters.
Before we had DC's we did tell them were were going abroad for some sun, but didn't and pretended we changed our minds at the last minute.
We have considered closing the curtains and pretending we're not home.
MIL, adn FIL both think thier behaviour is reasonable, and the other is unreasonable.
We can't go to MIL, as her DH has mental health problems and is scared of having our chilren in his house (yes, really). We don't want to go to FIL, he's always drunk on Christmas day, and is much more reasonable on boxing day with a hang over. We usually arange to go for a meal on boxing day, but this doesn't stop him and his new wife turning up at EXACTLY the same time as MIL and her DH with his mental health problems. This happens every Christmas and most of DC's birhtdays. We think FIL waits around the corner for MIL to arrive - how else could this always happen?
I really don't want another year of MIL sobbing in my kitchen, while FIL is LOUD in the living room, much to the DC's bemusement.
The only thing I can think of doing is not letting FIL in, but how would that look to the DCs? I was brought up to believe you offer hostpitality to all, especially on Christmas day.
FIL is Catholic, and I think he believes in Gods eyes he is still married to MIL, and should see her on Christmas day.
Blimey!
So, anywhere nice you can recommend for Christmas?