Quick Survey

[Nanto2girls]

Enfys, no you're not a grumpy old woman.If I had my way,decorations would go up day before Christmas eve and would come down on Boxing day.

[Oma]

Enfys funny you should say about your DH wanting to go away for Christmas , on Sunday when we were out for lunch SIL`s Father said why dont we go away for Christmas, honestly you would have thought he had suggested murdering someone everyone gasped and he got it in the neck from all sides , he got kicked under the table from his wife and a stern dont even think of it , SIL was Dad how could you, our DD was Aghast ,and we were no your not James . DD loves us all for the whole of Christmas day she loves the planning and cooking although she cooks far too much , We used to do 1 year us 1 year DD and next year SIL`s Parents but then we downsized to a shoe box and so did SIL`s parents and DD upsized so she took over Christmas day as we dont have room for a big table now .

[Gemini]

Oma, as it is aways just me, OH and my mum for Christmas Day now, I would love us to go out. My 'real' Christmas Day is Boxing Day at DD2's. All the family there, full of life and company. December 25th is so quiet. My mum would react as your family did however. You may as well suggest devil worship as going out for Christmas Dinner! !

[Nanto2girls]

I think we would go away for Christmas if hubby's parents were gone. At the age they are,i always think maybe this is the last Christmas we will see them.i know we shouldn't think like that,but it is always in the back of my mind.

[Plantaholic]

I would love to take all the family away for Christmas but fear it would be too expensive. I used to do CD but my DD has now taken on that role. My OH and I used to love Boxing Day, we were usually on our own, we used to light the fire, watch the television and eat cold turkey and the usual left overs. My OH used to start on the nuts and port. Makes me feel warm to remember it.

[Enfys]

That's what we do Plant, the day after Boxing Day. So nice to be on our own after the family has gone and we can just chill our, eat what and when we want..lovely.

[Gemini]

Aww. Lovely memories Plant

If we had a family Christmas Day we would probably do that on Boxing Day. I don't see my DDs or GC until 26th however, so we have a 2nd Christmas Day, minus the presents!

[Oma]

You may as well suggest devil worship as going out for Christmas Dinner! !
Hahaha that is so true with us Gem

[Shemadee]

We went out to eat the Christmas before last and I would happily do it again but I think there would be mutiny amongst the troops led by my DS. At least they are all prepared to help and I think this time I will take them up on it. It will need some thought though!

[Avo]

Not sure what we are doing - need to find out about DILs shifts (midwife) first, she has worked that last 4 Christmas Days ...... (), other DIL has to speak to her parents and then we will be told whether we are hosting or what arrangements are going to be ...... I don't mind whether I do the cooking or not, and we also do another 'Christmas Dinner' on Boxing Day anyway if DIL works.

[Nana]

I used to love Christmas Mass as it signalled the start of Christmas celebrations. (Not any more since becoming a lapsed Catholic). I sometimes take mum to the service @ 10pm, as the midnight one starts earlier now. I do like the incense laden air & carols.

Sis & I share mum at Christmas. This year it's her turn, so OH & I will probably dine out. DDs do their own thing. A couple of days after the big day we have DDs & GSs round for the day, their partners have never come, even tho I invite them every year. They've just never wanted to do it...no ill feelings, just their choice. I love Christmas decorations in moderation & keep them up til the last possible day.

[Daisy]

It's interesting how we are all finding that things change. Last year DS1 and family didn't come on Christmas Day. They came down on Boxing Day and stayed overnight, which was lovely, and in some ways it was easier having the whole family (DS2 & Co came too) on boxing Day. The real pressure for me is definitely the cooking.

[Nana]

You'd laugh Daisy because when DDs come after Christmas for the meal it's somehow become tradition to have cooked cold meats, pickles & 'real' chips. Real because I have a deep fat fryer. We all have oven chips throughout the year , so it's a treat for us to have 'real' chips .

[WeeGranny]

Over the years we've celebrated Christmas away from home, so haven't got into the thing of having relatives round or going to them. For many years we had our CD when DD and DS had time off from work ( Both were in the hospitality industry). We've had our CD on a boat on the Murray River in Oz also on the beach there. Celebrated Dutch style with Sinterclaas coming on 5th December. Eaten on our own ( had an M&S cold fish platter between us!) had lunch out on our own and with family. It really doesn't bother us that much though I am looking forward to this year as we'll all be together for the first time in several years. We do have something special on New Year's Day...that's because of my Scottish roots.
New Year somehow seems more important to me because it was the time when the men were off work. My dad and Gran'dad worked C Day when I was a child and although we had a special meal, the main celebrations took place at New Year and Hogmanay.

[Daisy]

WG- My OH grew up having a relatively low key Christmas Day. Their main celebration was Christmas Eve, although Christmas Dinner was on the right day. OH's dad was a vicar and CD was a busy day for him! I do hope you enjoy your family Christmas this year.