Re: Xmas & relatives (was Next stage in life...)

[Guest guest]

>

> When we got married we told family that we would be spending it in our home

> and on our own. When we lived nearer, we would visit them all on Xmas eve

> and sometimes have them over on boxing day, but xmas day was sacrosanct. I

> think it was one of the best decisions we ever made, to be honest!

We have done something similar. Xmas eve is *ours* and no-one is 'allowed'

to call, Xmas morning my parents call in briefly to see the children, Gethyn

and I go round to our 'local' (with or without children depending on whether

they want to come) and have a peaceful Xmas dinner early evening - it's a

perfect day for us Boxing Day we spend with my family and the day after

with Gethyn's family so everyone's happy.

Jenni

( & Gethyn) 17yrs, Mari 3yrs (H/B)

Babi Bach: 38wks+ (Planning Home Water-Birth)

" If you don't know your options - you don't have any "

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 03/09/01 01:34:18 GMT Daylight Time,

jennihughes@... writes:

> We have done something similar. Xmas eve is *ours* and no-one is 'allowed'

> to call, Xmas morning my parents call in briefly to see the children, Gethyn

> and I go round to our 'local' (with or without children depending on whether

> they want to come) and have a peaceful Xmas dinner early evening - it's a

> perfect day for us Boxing Day we spend with my family and the day after

> with Gethyn's family so everyone's happy.

>

(With apologies to Trisha, who hates the use of the shortened form of

Christmas!)

We're looking forward to our first Xmas in our new house. I'm also hugely

looking forward to being able to cook Xmas goodies in my NEW kitchen,

complete with gas range, which is being delivered on Friday and installed a

week later when we come back from holiday.

Rob longs to invite his parents for Xmas. Thing is, his parents always spend

Xmas with his grandparents, and as no-one else will offer to have the g-p's

any year, this means they kind of come as a package deal. This was one of

the main reasons we bought this house as we have 2 spare double rooms, hence

can comfortably accommodate both couples for Xmas. I was quite happy about

the idea of having everyone here, until quite recently, when reality kicked

in, and it occurred to me how bl**dy hard I shall have to work to cater for 6

adults and 2 children, not to mention how expensive it's going to be...

So I've asked him if we can have our first Christmas here on our own, but I

think the invitation has already been issued (though not accepted yet). He

will be disappointed if they decline, because he's longing to play host to

his family.

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> (With apologies to Trisha, who hates the use of the shortened form

of

> Christmas!)

>

I was quite happy about

> the idea of having everyone here, until quite recently, when

reality kicked

> in, and it occurred to me how bl**dy hard I shall have to work to

cater for 6

> adults and 2 children, not to mention how expensive it's going to

be...

>

>>>>>>>>>>

You are right I do!

Could you not have everyone at your house, but ask for help ie his

parents bring the turkey, his grandparents the cake and mince pie?

ALso who says it has to be totally traditional. I must have said

this before, we always have Christmas dinner on Christmas eve so that

we do not miss the children opening presents etc and then Christmas

day we have a very simple meal, that does not take a lot of

preparing. You could organise everyone to have a job, like preparing

the potatoes, preparing the carrots. I always feel that mums get the

worst deal at Christmas as they have rushed around so much before

hand, done all the shopping, wrapping, card writing, house cleaning,

food shopping, planning etc and then get landed with relatives they

possible did not want and get stuck in the kitchen!

Trisha

SAHM to 3 boys