TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHRISTMAS DAY

[Daisy]

I bet we all celebrated (or maybe 'endured') Christmas Day in different ways. Tell us all about it here.

[Enfys]

I'm afraid I endured it! Must be getting old. It's just not the same now we have no small children in the family. We had a lovely dinner with DD, SIL and GS but, to be honest, I could than have easily come home and put my feet up. We played a board game with GS, dd was feeling tired having just recovered from a heavy cold and SIL, who is a cyclist, was preparing for a big time trial race this morning. It was all very peaceful but we were happy to come home at 10 o'clock. Had a cuppa, looked at our new Christmas books then went to bed about 11.30.

I am a very light sleeper and was woken up at 1' pm by a lot of noise in next door's garden (our bedroom is at the back) so went into the conservatory and got the fright of my life when a huge dog tried to,get in. It was next doors daughters new rescue dog who,had broken through our hedge and got into our garden. By the time I had shouted over for them to come and get him I was wide awake and it toke me ages to get back to sleep. I feel shattered and we have 9 coming round later . Phew....what and end to Christmas Day and now we have to check that DD's doggie can't get through to next door!!

[Oma]

We had a lovely day , opened each others presents then sorted pudding out we were taking to DD 2 Baileys trifles and enough Profiteroles to feed a small army . Waited for Brian,s brother to arrive then off to DD boot full of presents , She made the most wonderful starter and Christmas dinner far too much food as usual presents exchanged ,games played, lots of laughter , one of Joshua friends came at 11.30 said he had already had his lunch by 11 am but we were not sure as he has a very bad upbringing parents are big drinkers so another place setting was squeezed in and he tucked in with the rest of us 😊 by the time we got home we were worn out but happy , waiting now for DS and other two grand babies to come for there presents then we out again at 2 for buffet at SIL,s parents

[Plantaholic]

So sorry Enfys, I have to say I had a lovely day with the family, being only next door I didn't have to travel. All the family were able to be there, DS and his family came Christmas morning morning to open presents. Lunch was very good prepared by DD and her elves and we were stuffed. We are going to DS and DIL' house later today for a feast of curries, he is a good cook especially curries.

[Gemini]

We had a nice quiet day. Our usual Christmas Day breakfast of scrambled eggs, smoked salmon , toast and orange juice (it used to be Bucks Fizz in the days before I had to drive to collect my mum!)
OH and I opened our presents and had time for a little try out of the Tipping Point game one of my DDs gave OH before I went for my mum.!
Just OH, mum and me for Christmas dinner. It all went well.

I took mum home around 6.30, and OH and I settled in to watch the soaps and Christmas Downton episode.
Then off to bed my my tissues and Olbas Oil!!!

[Qwerty]

Chaos reigned but in a nice way my Christmas dinner was superb even though I say it myself no leftovers Sil took it for his breakfast fry up yuk. They left at 6.30 DD worse for wear lol and for the first time in my life I watched Downton I loved it wished I had watched it from the beginning now! I never had a nap yesterday usually do at some point. I do agree with you Enfys although we have little ones I would want to be home with pjs on our lead up to Xmas was so busy I couldn't think straight and then to start a massive catering job the next day phew looking forward to tomorrow I love my kids to bits but we need some us time lol
Today we await 2poorly babes hope when they see their presents the will liven up buffet today again I have made too much!!

[Glammanana]

We had an early start out with a brisk walk with Poppy it was dry but crisp and really woke us up for the day ahead,we had to give her a good walk as we where not taking her with us during the day.
We spent a good couple of hours with DD and the eldest DGSs x 4 and had a good few laughs remembering Christmas's from yrs ago when they where small and took some nice photo's for the album we all exchanged presents and the youngest DGCs arrived back home after visiting their father we then sat through a fashion show with DGD showing off all her new clothes.
After DDs house we drove around to DS1 & his wife's house parked up the car for the day and night (taxi home) and I helped her with the starters and lunch which for her first time was excellent she had gone really out of the way with the table decoration and couldn't be faulted,so a really good day and home by about 6.30pm to find Poppy had pulled down the iron from the shelf in the spare room and broken it,must be her way of making us pay for her being "home alone" so this afternoon I had to pop into Asda and buy a cheap replacement until I can get to Liverpool and go to JL to buy a new one so while in store I spied some sale items on the baby range and stocked up on 3-6thmth pink stuff for GGD due in March I just couldn't resist so cute.

[Oma]

I don't know about you lot but I'm so tired DS came with the children this morning then DD and her lot turned up with the dog who went crazy when he saw all the wrapping paper and the children Sophia terrified of him as last time she saw him he was a little pup now at almost 5 month he's huge , so she screamed her head off dog went even more hyper he thought it was a game started howling like a wolf so he was put outside with his toys , it was raining so he was happy with that then Sophia wanted to go out to see him but had to have uncle David to carry her, got her coat and shoes on he took her out then she wanted to come straight back in this went on for 10 minutes in then out in then out finally got her to stay in bribed her with crisps (naughty nana) then they all went after being fed and watered , DD & SIL left Josh and Storm while they went to B&Q picked them up on way back home by this time it was 1.15 we were going out for 2 pm to SIL,s parents for tea . Got there 10 mins later they trooped in Dog and all finally got away at 5 came home to a messy but quiet house pure bliss 😊 my head is thumping . Apart from going for milk and bread I'm doing nothing tomorrow I'm too tired to do anything else 😲

[ZIZI]

I was up at 7am, husband a little later. Got ready, put all the stuff we were taking (fruit, cheeseboard, champagne, wine, main presents for the children - very pink guitar for Sadie, Xbox controller for Ben, Xbox game for Joe, table presents which were an assortment of things for Joe and Sadie and L'Occitaine hand cream for the ladies and shave balm for the gents) stuffed it all in the car and drove to youngest son's house. Eldest and middle sons were there, eldest with J & S and middle on his own (recently split from partner of 12 years). We were estranged for a long time and I do not see him often so that was nice, children were very appreciative of gifts. Joe and Ben have their own You Tube channel (no I don't understand either) so were filming for that using Joe's new (exceptionally expensive) camera. Had to endure husband's ex and her husband for about half an hour. It was fine, I just tend to concentrate on he children and let them get on with it.

Eldest son was cooking the lunch at his and was very loud about it telling us he has got it taped, he has a list of timings etc, etc. We all laughed as we knew it would all go to c@ck. Eldest and middle (two Ds) went off and we followed half an hour later with Joe who was too busy filming to go home with the others. Drove to theirs and, as predicted it was complete chaos. Turkey crown was burnt, D the elder got a bit annoyed with himself. I pointed out that as the food was going to be plated in the kitchen due to not enough room on the table nobody needed to know. He liked that idea but went ahead and told everyone anyway! After lunch we all had to have a tattoo which were in Sadie's table present bag. Some were more successful than others. I had a fairy in my forearm but after fifteen minutes it started itching and I had to remove it. We did a quiz. Sadie chose me and her maternal granny as her partners, we came second, Joe chose his two grandfathers, elder D had younger D and a friend who was there - they were uniformly useless it has to be said so the grandfathers and Joe won which we didn't hear the last of, not even today.

Middle D (natural son) went outside for a smoke and I went to talk to him to ask how he was getting on. I won't repeat the whole conversation but suffice to say I ended up in tears. Why does he feel the need to belittle me and be nasty? Anyway, I had a littl cry, elder D was annoyed with him but I told him we didn't want big fallings out and that I shouldn't be surprised. Got home just before 8 in a taxi. Fell asleep after two gulps of wine and missed Downtown and everything else but that is fine as did catch up this afternoon.

Everyone came to us today for buffet breakfast and opening of presents, children were very excited, paper everywhere! Middle D gave me what I have taken to be a sort of an apology when he came into the kitchen and gave me a big hug and a big kiss. No words, just hugs and kisses. They got here at 10.30 and we're all gone by 1pm. Elder D drove my car back and has parked it over the road. The man whose house it is outside came and complained this afternoon insisting that I move it but I pointed out that a) I had drunk a glass of wine and b) his guests don't seem to be bothered about parking outside my house when they visit (they are in a cul de sac). When I said that there appeared a kind of resigned look on his face. My car is still there and I might just leave it there tomorrow as well just to be bruddy awkward.

i got some lovely gifts, a Waterman fountain pen from husband (I do love a fountain pen), Clarins products, some "ear jewellery" - yes sort of earrings but not, I will take a picture tomorrow to show you, a lovely cashmere jumper, a white towelling bathrobe, truffles, champagne.

Husband is back at work tomorrow, I have a few things to do, he is on an early so I might just stay in bed until I feel like getting up,

Oh and the Snow Queen on the top of the Christmas tree decided to do a suicide jump from the top of the tree. Very odd and random. No-one was near the tree and it just threw itself on the floor! Perfectly OK, not broken, Snow Queen safely back on the tree.

[Libra Gran]

We had a quiet day yesterday, saw eldest DD and family for a short time. Girls were thrilled with their gifts. Had a zany game where you put on a cap with velcro on and your partner threw balls you had to catch on said hat. Got some very good, if funny pics of hubs. Today we went to youngest DD's and had lunch, did gift exchanges had champagne with lunch. I'm not a huge fan of champers a tad dry for me, so I followed with my usual tipple. Only stayed couple of hours and we taxi'd home. I too had some beautiful gifts from everyone, a pandora "I love you " charm and an orchid charm I have had my eye on for a while. I had other bits and pieces from hubs including my fave Boots sanctuary smellies. Amazon vouchers, books. Hubs and I were thoroughly spoilt. Tomorrow is going to be a quiet day as I'm back in work Monday.

[Grauntie Mag]

All bonkers here yesterday, culminating in a very silly game called Pie Face. A bit like Russian Roulette but messier and involving squirty cream. Some went, some stayed, eventually leaving at lunch time today.
This afternoon was bliss, peaceful and lazy. Just had email from Sister in law saying a similar thing. We are feeling our age, poor old grannies! We will go to other brothers Tuesday and exchange gifts which we couldn't do before Christmas.
Decs will start to come down as from tomorrow, but I leave one ornament until 12th night.

[Daisy]

We enjoyed our Christmas Day. It started with what for me passes for military planning to get the turkey and all the trimmings cooked and not burnt! DS2, DIL, GDs and dog plus DIl's parents were due about 1 pm for dinner, but somehow it got to be about 2.30 when they arrived! As always meals seem to take a long time in our house, and after starters and main course we were all too full to think about Christmas pud etc. So we had a break - opened presents. GD2 (nearly 2) opened the first one and continued to play with it until she decided 2 Satsumas were more fun. GD1 had a My Little Pony with a long mane in rainbow colours, which she can style. At least, I think that's what it was, but she was thrilled with it. Hairdressing is a bit of an obsession with her at the moment. I waas pleased, because I didn't have to have my hair 'styled' into her latest creation!

I was fairly anxious about Eva, our new doggy, being ok with lots of people and another dog in the house, but she was fine. She and Midge spent a few minutes trying to work out who was dominaant (putting their paws on each other's necks) and seem to reach a conclusion that worked for them - they enjoyed having a good run round the garden - on what used to be the lawn!!! She didn't startle at crackers, and was totally fine with the girls. However, both dogs chewed their new toys to destruction. Fortunately the girls were more gentle with theirs.

Then we went back to the table and had Christmas Pud - the girls loved seeing it flambeed (OH's party trick!) More playing with GDs, chatting, and generally relaxing.

Everyone had gone by 8.30, and OH and I sank into our chairs, feet up, a final glass of wine, and reflected on the Day.

Today I've been getting ready for the family gathering tomorrow, but still have a lot to do. I'm too tired to to do anything else tonight, so I think I'd better set the alarm for an early start!

[mamma-mia]

Lovely Christmas Day. Went to my sons in the morning to take GC's presents over. Stayed for a couple of hours. Then home to collect dog and more presents for daughter and more GC. Got to daughters, she was half way through cooking dinner, she didn't want help so sat with GC in living room. Eventually got dinner at 2.45pm. Lovely turkey, beef and honey glazed gammon, and of course all the trimmings. We always have our presents after dinner so got cleared away and then GC do the job of handing out the mounds of presents that are under the tree. Seemed to go on forever, as usual they got loads and that was us ''cutting down''. I think the wrapping paper and any packaging almost filled the wheelie bin for recycling. By 7.30 I was beginning to flag so got my bits together and got my dog and came home. I was in bed and asleep by 9.30. This morning I have no energy at all and am supposed to be going to watch football match this afternoon. Local derby colchester united v southend united. Proper grudge match.

[Gemini]

Lovely to read all the Christmas Day accounts
Boxing Day was our big family day at DD2's house, and went well. We all brought different components of lunch and tea, and all pitched in with preparations and washing up etc. Nevertheless by the time we gathered my (very tired) mother up to take her home DD was looking very tired. Despite all our help, her being 6 months pregnant and supposedly taking it easy due to the pre eclampsia in her first pregnancy, she can't sit back. Part of her job is being an events organiser, and it carries into all aspects of her life!

GD at a party this morning, and is an easy child anyway, so I hope DD has a really restful day today.

We shall be having one

[Enfys]

Had a lovely day yesterday. I think I like Boxing Day the best . Had a relaxing morning then friends here late afternoon joined by the family. Had a great time chatting and catching up with all their news, a lovely tea and then playing silly games all evening. Fell Into to bed at midnight after a really great day. Just a bit of tidying up to do this morning then...relax

Lovely to hear all about your festivities....pleased that Eva has settled in well, Daisy. We had DD's springer with us yesterday and he was so good. I was very pleased with him as our friends are't really doggie people but even they were impressed. He earned himself a few extre treats