Where do you go for Christmas

7 Nov 2008

As it says on the tin...
where do you go ?
For those of us who are couples.....Do you go to your parents or do you go to your partners parents ?
I ask because we usually go to the outlaws as my family has not been around for a number of years but.....
In the last few months there has been a minor reconciliation betwen some of my family and me so now I have family to consider as well...
Now the outlaws have on the whole been very good to us and I wouldn't want tp upset them as the relationship is not the most stable and its all rosy in the garden at the moment but I kinda fancy spending some time with my side of the family over Christmas and I am dreading an invite for Christmas dinner by both parties :shock: as to choose would be difficult.....
I realise this will only be pertinent to those with families and for those who haven't I appologise if this upsets anyone as that is not my intention...
I suppose what I'm after is a bit of advice confused

7 Nov 2008

Quote by Steve
As it says on the tin...
where do you go ?
For those of us who are couples.....Do you go to your parents or do you go to your partners parents ?
I ask because we usually go to the outlaws as my family has not been around for a number of years but.....
In the last few months there has been a minor reconciliation betwen some of my family and me so now I have family to consider as well...
Now the outlaws have on the whole been very good to us and I wouldn't want tp upset them as the relationship is not the most stable and its all rosy in the garden at the moment but I kinda fancy spending some time with my side of the family over Christmas and I am dreading an invite for Christmas dinner by both parties :shock: as to choose would be difficult.....
I realise this will only be pertinent to those with families and for those who haven't I appologise if this upsets anyone as that is not my intention...
I suppose what I'm after is a bit of advice

The best advice I would offer Steve is to do what you BOTH feel is right. I have heard the saying " you can't cut yourself in half " many times, especially over Christmas time.
We tend to stay at home for Christmas dinner and then go to my Sisters where my family are. Then on the Boxing day Mrs777's parents come over late afternoon and my kids come over in the morning.
My ex wife moans that I should have my kids all day on Boxing day, but then I would upset mrs777's parents. It sometimes can never be a win win situation.
We try to do the best we can and sometimes I wish we could just naff off abroad somewhere, to escape. I would love to do that one year. The trouble is people get into routines over Christmas, which can be difficult to change, if ones family circumstances change.
Good luck though Steve whatever you decide.

7 Nov 2008

I've always spent Christmas Day with my parents even when I was married ( no in laws ) but I know the difficulty of sharing time from my son either with me or his Dad. The only way we got around it was to alternate - one Xmas Day with me and Boxing Day with his Dad then change over the following year.
The alternative would be to have Chrsitmas dinner at your place and invite both sets of parents biggrin

You'll figure out for yourself what's best for you and your families and enjoy it :D

7 Nov 2008

Quote by Sassy-Seren
The alternative would be to have Chrsitmas dinner at your place and invite both sets of parents
:D

I would atleast suggest this possibility.
Sounds to me like it might be a good idea... and help the reconcilliation process...
afterall... what is Christmas for?

7 Nov 2008

I got sick of the mad rush of xmas day when it became about everyone else and the kid missed out on having a nice day at home with all his new toys, It had got to the point of going to my parents for dinner (an hour away) then another hours drive to his parents for tea then an hours drive home confused

:? which really wasnt much fun. So i sacked it (upsetting both sets of parents) I spend xmas day with dek and the son at home and invite or get invited to the parents/in laws for boxing day.
Im sure the in laws will understand the situation though and even if you do get 2 invites, I personally wouldnt worry about upsetting them, its yours, your wifes and your childrens christmas.
If it means fall outs how about inviting both sets to yours for tea, slightly less trouble for yourselfs than a dinner but saves any bad feeling?
Not a easy thing though :?

7 Nov 2008

We seem to have it sussed perfectly now....we moved away from everyone lol

:lol:
Seriously though as it can get too much trying to please everyone and the children only being comfortable at home to enjoy their pressies...we have come to the perfect conclusion
We each do our own thing on xmas day and for the new year we have everyone to us and we go to a new year bash at a local sports club which was great fun last year,and then we all came back here with our friends as well as family to carry on celebrating :silly:

7 Nov 2008

lol......I go for a long walk over the chase.
I don't have my daughter until xmas evening and so don't consider it xmas until then. I always get invited to my sisters, where my mom goes...but sis has kids and just reminds me I don't have mine. now please don't think i'm sad about it..because I'm not...I love takeing myself off for a few hours and walking in what quite often has been, nice, crisp, wintery but sunny weather.

7 Nov 2008

The kids are grown up, the wife fucked off with the postman so it's just me and the pooch.
It's brilliant, he doesn't give a toss about Christmas which suits me down to the ground. So I'll treat myself to a roast dinner (corn-fed chicken most times) for which Tosh will get some, then it's off out for a nice long walk in the local country park then home for a viewing of a DVD/Blu-Ray/HD-DVD.
Perfick! biggrin

7 Nov 2008

Steve
You have to do what is right for you and your family, and only you can sort that out, I suggest one family for one day, and the other for the next day / weekend.
I got fed up with it many years ago, family arguements etc etc, and now get on a plane and go else where in the world, the countdown has already started, tickets have been booked for months, injections sorted weeks ago, the car parking sorted, hol ins sorted, collection from airport at the other end is sorted, and even the arrivals 'committee' is sorted, in the form of a 5 year old, who 'thinks' I am bringing santa with me, on the plane. biggrin

:bounce:

7 Nov 2008

All being well, I am going to work biggrin

7 Nov 2008

we used to do christmas dinner at my mums then another christmas dinner on boxing day at Mr Bones mums.....
now we dont talk to more and its all to much of a bind to try and extricate 4 kids away from their prezzies on christmas day, so we have christmas dinner at home and then all go to my mums for a boxing day buffet where the whole family gathers (mum, partner, me and 3 sisters, 4 other halves and 10 grandkids....and a partridge in a pear tree!!)

7 Nov 2008

I always spent xmas day at home with the kids - was their day to enjoy. Boxing day - both sets of families were invited for lunch, high tea, supper - breakfast next day - whatever they wanted to do! If all local family turned up it made 36 people (plus friends popping round) so normally turned into a party in the evening with bodies everywhere the next morning :lol2:

7 Nov 2008

We alternate it. Christmas at one then New Years at the other.
Dave_Notts

7 Nov 2008

Last year we spent Christmas quietly in the wilds of France and will be doing so this year too.
The good thing about Christmas in France is that there is not the massive build up - in your face - gotta spend massive wads of cash you don't have - twattish behaviour we got so fed up with in good old blighty!
For two weeks before, the bit in between New year and the week after we could hardly get any sensible food shopping done without standing in massive queues or go about our business activities with anyone. In the morning, most were preparing to go out to office parties and in the afternoon were too pissed to do anything coherently.
Here, entire families spend a simple Christmas eve together with aperos and then generally Christmas day on their own. There is no Boxing Day PH, the shops are open and life goes on with a sense of normality, just like it should do.
The nearest I have ever found to that in UK is Golders Green...
So Steve, my advice (for what it's worth) is break with tradition and invite family from both sides over for a simple Christmas Eve soirée avec aperos à style l'European and spend the rest of the holiday relaxing.

7 Nov 2008

colorado ... :P

7 Nov 2008

christmas diiner at pub with immediate family then hopefully home for a cup of tea with them
later will watch telli with gary and anyone else still at our home and have a drink and eat choc lol
bliss smile

7 Nov 2008

Quote by GnV
Last year we spent Christmas quietly in the wilds of France and will be doing so this year too.
The good thing about Christmas in France is that there is not the massive build up - in your face - gotta spend massive wads of cash you don't have - twattish behaviour we got so fed up with in good old blighty!
For two weeks before, the bit in between New year and the week after we could hardly get any sensible food shopping done without standing in massive queues or go about our business activities with anyone. In the morning, most were preparing to go out to office parties and in the afternoon were too pissed to do anything coherently.
Here, entire families spend a simple Christmas eve together with aperos and then generally Christmas day on their own. There is no Boxing Day PH, the shops are open and life goes on with a sense of normality, just like it should do.
The nearest I have ever found to that in UK is Golders Green...
So Steve, my advice (for what it's worth) is break with tradition and invite family from both sides over for a simple Christmas Eve soirée avec aperos à style l'European and spend the rest of the holiday relaxing.

Where?

7 Nov 2008

I think you should go to Shireens family because it wouldn't be fair just to stop seeing them now things have changed. But I would ask if you could call in with your family later Christmas day or even spend boxing day with them :thumbup:
Either way, I am pleased things have changed lately kiss

7 Nov 2008

Christmas day, just see the kids and their partners, then go to a pub for a boozy lunch
I have a small place in south of france, so last year flew out there on boxing day. This year going to do the same, its a brill place to relax.

7 Nov 2008

Quote by essex34m
All being well, I am going to work

Yep. I love working Christmas Day, the atmosphere is brilliant :thumbup:

7 Nov 2008

Quote by kentswingers777
Last year we spent Christmas quietly in the wilds of France and will be doing so this year too.
The good thing about Christmas in France is that there is not the massive build up - in your face - gotta spend massive wads of cash you don't have - twattish behaviour we got so fed up with in good old blighty!
For two weeks before, the bit in between New year and the week after we could hardly get any sensible food shopping done without standing in massive queues or go about our business activities with anyone. In the morning, most were preparing to go out to office parties and in the afternoon were too pissed to do anything coherently.
Here, entire families spend a simple Christmas eve together with aperos and then generally Christmas day on their own. There is no Boxing Day PH, the shops are open and life goes on with a sense of normality, just like it should do.
The nearest I have ever found to that in UK is Golders Green...
So Steve, my advice (for what it's worth) is break with tradition and invite family from both sides over for a simple Christmas Eve soirée avec aperos à style l'European and spend the rest of the holiday relaxing.

Where?

I think he's referring to Hanukkah :twisted:

7 Nov 2008

Quote by Cherrytree
All being well, I am going to work

Yep. I love working Christmas Day, the atmosphere is brilliant :thumbup:
When I was on the ambulances I used to love working Christmas Day. All the casualties had a spread on, all the staff were in a great mood and it was almost like a private club sort of atmosphere "we're working on Christmas Day so we're all in the same boat" sort of thing.
The incidents tended to be more interesting too.

7 Nov 2008

i worked many christmasses and hated them all :cry:
just wanted to be home instead of in hospital !

8 Nov 2008

Unfortunately my job is 24/7 so I can be working on Christmas Day. This year however I've got four days off so will be staying at home, then going to Glasgow to see my family on 27/12 and back at work on the Monday.

8 Nov 2008

Several "votes" for all at my house :lol2:
There isnt enough room for the 4 of us let alone another 8/10 people and 4/5 dogs :shock:
Will have to wait and see what transpires.....
It might not even come to making a choice but I like to try and stay 1 step ahead ;-)
Thanks all :thumbup:

8 Nov 2008

Quote by Steve
Several "votes" for all at my house :lol2:
There isnt enough room for the 4 of us let alone another 8/10 people and 4/5 dogs :shock:
Will have to wait and see what transpires.....
It might not even come to making a choice but I like to try and stay 1 step ahead ;-)
Thanks all :thumbup:

You could always tell everyone that you've decided to go abroad for xmas... then when they think you've gone... stay at home and have the nice quiet xmas that you really want. :twisted:

8 Nov 2008

Quote by Peanut
You could always tell everyone that you've decided to go abroad for xmas... then when they think you've gone... stay at home and have the nice quiet xmas that you really want. :twisted:

The kids would grass us up thats a cert :lol2:

8 Nov 2008

Quote by Steve

You could always tell everyone that you've decided to go abroad for xmas... then when they think you've gone... stay at home and have the nice quiet xmas that you really want. :twisted:

The kids would grass us up thats a cert :lol2:
:lol2:

8 Nov 2008

This is one of the reason's I hate christmas!
TBH if I was married and had kids I would stay at home and let the parents/in-laws come to me.
I would be more than happy to help out in the kitchen with the cooking.

8 Nov 2008

my mom n uncle come for christmas ..... its hell. They moan, dont like there pressies dont like the new carpet dont like the neighbours , the turkey is overcooked the sprouts too hard ..... last year i was determined to cook the perfect dinner in my new kitchen in my new oven ffs i turned the oven on to grill the turkey was black on top n raw every where else, the veg were cooked and sprouts boiled to pulp.
i decided that i was exhausted in the afternoon and had to go to bed funny the lap top was in bed room so i chatted to u.
mind i got it sussed this year. mom cant get upstairs any more so we took the down stairs loo out she will have to go home if she needs a wee..