What to do on Christmas ...

Peggy - posted on 12/26/2008

Please have your husband talk to his mother. Maybe if she hears "his" concerns she will start acting a little more fairly with the presents for her grandchildren, then you should speakto your family and let them know that you would like them attend your kids b-day parties, that you will invite them and that you hope they can make it. After you speak your mind, then you have to let it go. Let them know they are always welcome over your house, then just live your life. You can't make people (even family) be friendly. It's their loss, not yours. When your kids get older it will bemore about their friends, and who they want to invite. Good luck, and don't let this bring you down, alot of families are like yours.

Mira - posted on 12/26/2008

You just gotta love the holidays. Not

Anissa - posted on 12/25/2008

thought i would let you all know what we ended up doing.. I stopped at my sister here in towns house at about 1 She was on her way up to my Sister's who is 1/2 hour away.

Idropped of a few things with her anyways..She said I could take the pj's she had made for Kyrrah but the ones she was making for Nicholas weren't done yet I said I'll wait until NIcholas's are done so they get them at the same time.They will notice ones has and one doesn't .(She does work some crazy hours so it doesn't surprise me.) We then came home to grab our camera and a couple things we forgot and headed to the in laws. where life was all comotion.. as My MIL only had the oppourtunity to last minute shop.. and wrap. I told her that next year she is to give me a list and a $ limit per person with ideas and i would shop and wrap for her .. She can write out tags.

and one thing that bites my butt is she got my sister in law a fairly expensive things and I got cheaper stuff... I'm thinking because I cannot afford expensive stuff for her she is thinking i shouldn't have the pricier gifts either. I am so tired of being second best. or at least feeling it. She shops baby gap for that grandchild and Walmart for mine.. Don't get me wrong I shop anywhwere and everywhere for my kids.. But this is clear favoritism.. I have yet to see her buy any Baby gap for either of my kids..unless it is from a lawn sale.( i do those too!) but you get the jist of it. My kids aren't good enough to buy brand new name brand stuff for. So next year I am definately staying home next year and they can al;l stoip over when they get a minute or not. I really don't care.. I GIVE UP!! As for my sibling I don't smoke and they do. so yeah at my house they arenot allowed to smoke in the house..It makes me lutterally ill. other than holidays My kids birthdays are in warm weather and the two sisters who have yet to make mor ethan one childs birthday out of 7 between my two kids and the two of them . Whom I have offered to go get and bring home so they could be here.. to h- with them too. They all have asked for ideas of what to get the kids and Ihaven't been listend to yet ... that i can deal with because the kids don't care... Clothes wise I wish they could listen to size.. MIL has yet to figure out why Nicholas who is barely a size two hasn't worn anything she has ever bought him.. Simply he isn't in the 3's you bought him yet.. and oh yeah the two's with the old fashoned elastice waist fall off as he needs the adjustable waist you find at Old Navy or Baby Gap or Get him a belt oh yeah they don't make them in a 12-18 months size.. and finding suspenders well they again don't make them his size either.. small parts/lead paint??? So yeah he is in the size 24 months overalls you bought him last year as they still fit.. Sorry I need to vent some here ..God forbid the MIL listen and just get me a gift card for his clothes. or take me shopping with her..a visa one will work wherever I need it to. or a check I can drop into the bank...feel the need for him to open something besides a card with a check get him a hotwheels or a matchbox.. Heck just the $1 cars would be better than something he won't wear for over a year because of fit...I really don't have room to store stuff...yeah this has been an on going thing for awhile with his side of the family and mine as well.. I don't expect exspensive gift but dopn't give someone else one in front of me I careless what they have.. I have what i need...or will as soon as i earn the money for it mysefl.. or tax time...

Maria - posted on 12/25/2008

6:00 pm Mass.

7:15 pm Mom-in-laws house. We have dinner & open gifts (auntie & uncle gifts) until 1:00 am drive home 5-7 min. drive.

Put the kids to bed. Watch Santa put the gifts under the tree go to bed.

6:00 am WAKE-UP! Kids open gifts enjoy coffee/hot cocoa.

9:00 am go to my mom's house about 5-7 min. drive. Visit have breakfast exchange gifts.

1:00 pm Christmas Day finally home. Tired kids play with toys/games, etc. I take a nap or put things away.

3:30 pm get started on my little family Christmas Dinner!



Very Blessed to have our both families in same city. a few miles away. But, boy are we super tired. Gotta love the Hoiliday's. We do!

Peggy - posted on 12/25/2008

You really NEED to tell them that it hurts your feelings that they don;t come to any of the functions you invite them to. After, they know how you feel about it, it will then be their responsiblity to decide which functions to come to. Maybe they don't know how much it means to you that they come to other get togethers. Don't assume they know what you want them to do.

Anissa - posted on 12/24/2008

It's not so much the gifts they give it's that they do not travel to my house for other get togethers they expect me to run every holiday to thier homes and they do not bother to show up for anything I invite them to at my house... they are half hour to an hour or so away. except one sister is just across town... again I travel there ... I have even planned things so they could be here and they still fail to come.. most of what I have gotten my kids is Dollar Store or clearance stuff this year except a few things... So no it isn't the gift the kids love everything..I'm just tired of running after them.. They whine abouyt the price of gas well It isn't any cheaper for me to run than them...

Emily - posted on 12/24/2008

we spend xmas eve at my dads and then open presents from santa in the morning at home on xmas and then go to my moms for breakfast go to my dads for presents and then go to my inlaws for dinner. i have no problem with it because ive been running around my whole life on holidays but my husband thinks its a bit hectic.

Anna - posted on 12/24/2008

When my three were little, I decided we´d stay at home on Christmas day since it wasn´t fair to drag them away from what they had been looking forward to for so long! Sometimes we had family around, sometimes not. Boxing Day became the big family gathering day which in a way became as important, as the years went by. Kids are now quite big so it doesn´t really matter anymore but we stick to the same routine anyway because now it has become tradition! We enjoy our close family on Christmas Day and relax with the extended one on Boxing Day: everyone helps with the food and it´s less stressful than Christmas Day really.And I always felt my kids could easily part with their new presents for that day which meant we didn´t have to drag them with us:loose something during the day or having someone breaking something. We can never please everyone anyway so just do what is right for your own new family.

Gail - posted on 12/24/2008

Just do your own thing. Tell them you are having your own family christmas at home this year and they are welcome to drop in at any time if they wish.. As its time to start your own family christmas traditions for your children. So its a good thing to start telling them all today what you plan for next year and remind them every so often through the year.



It worked for us and really took the stess out of christmas .... Warning Never mention that you no longer want to do the running around as this puts a a bitter taste as they then instantly makes them think 'bitch" she wants me to do the running around...Get them thinking tradition and this will put the guilt trip on them. Good luck Gail

Ivy - posted on 12/24/2008

I declared when I had a 4-week-old, an under-2 and a 3-year-old that I was not ever traveling again. We welcomed anyone who wanted to visit but we simply didn't go anywhere again. We have four kids (13, 17, 18, and 20 now) and I've never regretted my decision.

We also stretch Christmas out for the full 12 days and that helps make everything less frantic, I think.

Lesley - posted on 12/24/2008

We have an annual Christmas Brunch and Christmas Dinner follows. We invite family and friends, some come for both others come for one event. Nevertheless we get plenty of holiday cheer all day long. My husband and I share the cooking on that day. I do all the cleaning.
We spend the early morning with our children watching them open gifts. That's the best part of all watching their faces light up and the thanks they give. Our children range from ages 22, 20, 5 & 1 years.
On Christmas Eve we get together and wrap trim the tree, wrap gifts and make cookies. Nothings better than that for us. So I wish everyone a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

Colleen - posted on 12/24/2008

Your post is hard to follow...

From what I can see - why don't all stay at your homes - to open gifts....play for the day, then meet up for the meal? Do you buy for all the family, including the adults...if so, you just have to wait.....and the other side your saying that they give your kids "inexpensive" gifts and you don't want to purchase gifts for them? Thats not the real meaning of Christmas - it is family and getting together....it sounds as if you are concentratiing solely on gifts instead of family and getting together.....It sounds as if you don't even want to be with your family??? If that is the case then, you are going to have to figure that one out on your own.

Peggy - posted on 12/24/2008

If the meaning of Christmas to you is playing with nice toys, then you really should reconsider the meaning of Christmas. Toys, trees and all the material things we have for Christmas isn't what we should be celebrating. Family, ( whether we like them or not) is what we should be celebrating during this holiday. If you have to split the week up, then do so, but don't begrudge your family because they don't give nice presents, or spend time with you the rest of the year. Be grateful they see your children at Christmas time.

Laura - posted on 12/24/2008

Christmas at our house is OUR family holiday, meaning my husband and son, who is 11 yrs old. We always celebrate Christmas the weekend before with our families so then when it's Christams day, we stay home and play games, eat all day long, and just relax and enjoy the day. You stress enough around the holidays' why stress on Christmas...it shouldn't be stressful :)

Le'Ann - posted on 12/24/2008

Remember the reason for the season it's not about toy's. Spend the time with your family. Family will not be around forever. Teach your children about giving not about receiveing.

Jeanette - posted on 12/23/2008

Well my family always gets together on Christmas Eve to open presents and eat and have a good time. Christmas Day we usually just spend the morning with our own families and my dad(I lost my mom on Mothers Day this year) cooks a dinner and we unite then. My husbands parents we have no more contact with except his mom that will come and deliver gift cards for her beautiful Grandchildren that she knows nothing about( How sad)!!! Anyways, maybe you can start a new tradition with your family and try to do the other Family things on Christmas Eve, it works well for our Family. Thank you and good luck! Merry Christmas! Jeanette

Kelly - posted on 12/23/2008

We do Christmas Eve at my mothers house and open all of their presents that they bought for the kids. We eat there and hang out there most of the day. We then go home and finish our Santa stuff. We always call my parents as soon as the kids get up and they come over in their PJs and watch the kids open their gifts and then open their gifts that we got them. I make breakfast then everyone heads to their own homes and relaxes before they come to my house for Christmas dinner. Now that my brother has a family he and his family stay the night at my house on Christmas Eve so they are already there on Christmas morning. I am sure this will change once his child gets older and they will want to do it at their own house and then my parents will have to decide whos house to go to. We are lucky at Holidays that my in laws live in a different state so we dont have to do the running around. We miss them but it makes life simpler. I know my husbands family all go tired of the running around and finally all just said we are doing it at our own homes and whomever comes over then thats great. But they do a family Christmas at the first of the year so they all still get together and do not have the stress of Christmas Eve or Day.

Jennifer - posted on 12/23/2008

We're doing a sctricly at home Christmas this year, and I couldn't be happier with our decision. It's our first year doing this, and yes I felt guilt at first, but this is an enormous load off my shoulders.

It's your family, so do what you want~!!

Charisse - posted on 12/23/2008

My side of the family always celebrates on Christmas eve from mid-afternoon until bedtime for the kids. All the kids are so tired, they usually fall asleep and my husband and I can take care of our "chores". On Christmas morning, each family with young children stays at home to enjoy the kids. The grandparents make the rounds to each house. I have a little extra work because I invite the grandparents and great-grandparents to breakfast, and the other families invite them to lunch and dinner...so they travel, but no kids have to leave their new presents and parents don't have to fight!

Dawn - posted on 12/23/2008

Why don't you just invite everyone to your house. All that aside...are you really saying you don't want to spend time with your family because if the quality of gifts they give? I hope I'm misinterpreting that part of your question. I know you wouldn't want to teach a lesson of selfishness to your kids (i.e. "if someone gives you a cheap gift, they're not worth considering...").

Menchie - posted on 12/23/2008

Just tell both your family that you have decided to stay home this christmas. You can invite them for coffee and cake in the afternoon, after the kids had opened their gifts and played with them. You are entitiled to make your own christmas day celebration.

Merry christmas.

Kay - posted on 12/23/2008

just tell both familys that you have decided to spend christmas day at home with your husband and children, and if they wish, you can spend boxing day morning with your in-laws and the afternoon with your side, thats what i used to do and if no one likes it - tough!!!

Diana - posted on 12/23/2008

We have 5 Christmas'!! YIKES! Luckily my mom always does Christmas the weekend before (so that no one has to run to someone's house), my m-i-l hosts her 60 member family on Christmas Eve so we are always there. But a couple years ago...I put my foot down and made it known that Christmas Day we stay at home. Any and all are welcome to pile in their cars and come to see us but I refuse to rush my little family's Christmas to please adults. Then we do Christmas with the in-laws on another day...and my dad on yet another day. It sounds crazy but spending Christmas day at home lets us recharge and enjoy the day for what it is intended--relaxing and realizing how blessed we are for each other. (Lets not mention that I am on-call every other year!) The secret is to discuss it with your husband....make a decision that satisfies both of you....and announce it as a unit. And then don't apologize. You are allowed to make traditions for your family as well as honor old traditions. We do ours this way because it allows us to enjoy each others families without watching the clock. But you will find a compromise....just make sure it pleases both of you!!

Denise - posted on 12/23/2008

We agree to a holiday schedule prior to getting married and having kids. One year we do my parents for Thanksgiving and in-laws get Christmas and then the next year we switch. We always go to my grandma's for Christmas Eve. It has worked out great. I am 3 kids into nad too tired to run all over creation to see eveyone. Oh, when it is my in-laws Christmas we do my parenta onother daya dn the samw when it is myparent's turn.

Good luck!!

Barbara - posted on 12/23/2008

I have had this exact problem in the past. My in laws used to insist we be at their house at 6:30 AM on Christmas morning, and then we'd have to rush out by 10 to get to my Grandmother's by noon who lived 2 hours away. After we had our first child, I just realized that we had a decision to make. Either we could keep the peace and make our child miss out in their own Christmas morning fun or we could take a stand and say no to the in laws. After talking with my husband and discussing alot of options, we finally worked out an amicable solution where we would go to the in laws house on Christmas eve, have a nice dinner, open gifts and visit for several hours. That way we could stay home Christmas morning, and still went to Granny's for lunch. Afterwards we stayed to open gifts and came home that night. We allowed the kids to take 1 or 2 gifts with them when we went, and I always made sure to give them a good travel gift like a color wonder book and markers, or a new handheld video game, or new book for the car. We have since moved closer to my Granny, but further from the in laws, and now we open our gifts with my parents on Christmas eve, and we also let the kids have all their gifts from us. On Christmas morning we do Santa's gifts and the stockings, then head to Granny's. Holidays will always be hectic, but you need to decide what will work for you as a family with your spouse and kids. What is most important is that your children experience a good friendly Christmas! Your family, and your spouse's should understand that your lives change with children and that sometimes your family holiday schedules have to change as well. If you approach it with honesty and sincerity hopefully you can find a solution that will please you all.

Anissa - posted on 12/23/2008

Iguess I wil just have to make mysefl happy this year and all the others to come as If we planned for my family to do Christmas Eve we still have his side to do that night as well. Plus one sister of mine has his side to do on CHristmas Eve.. So my side does Christmas Day so she can be there except my little sister who has decided to have her own meal on CHristmas Day. My older sister also here in town has a big meal planned that day. And of course My hubby's side has the wholel afternoon planned for Christmas Day.. All of course for the same time :) Thus being my biggest issue. and why i just want to stay home. "Ant Flo" is here and that may be a great excuse to stay home... I have endo and my monthly puts me immobile...

Laverne - posted on 12/23/2008

Did you decide to invite this year. It all begins with planning, next year plan for Christmas at your home. Introduce the idea at dinner this year.

Renee - posted on 12/23/2008

maby you can work it out to go and see the family on christmas eve that was waht we did as kids saw all the family christm as eve and then on christmas day we just stayed home with our toys

Mira - posted on 12/23/2008

This might seem rude however I am going to post it and we shall call it an out of the box thought that perhaps has a lot of truth to it. Here goes. The holiday season is filled with trying to please a lot of people, that perhaps a person has nothing to do with the rest of the year but because it is "Christmas" or maybe "Thanksgiving" people feel that they must absolutly get together. They don't get together at other times just when it feels like society is saying this is what we do because it's that holiday. I think it sucks. If you don't get together regularly and because you want to spend time together the rest of the year then I will never understand why people go to such lengths and rearrange what they really want to do just to fit in getting together with people that don't get together at other times. This is how it is with my husbands side. It has been that way for 12 years. So, instead of trying to please everyone why don't people do what pleases and works for them. That might mean alternating like many people have posted on here, or maybe splitting up the days, or maybe it means staying home and spending the day focused on the important family...... yours. The family that grows together thru the good times and bad ones alike. Happy holidays everyone:)

Lea - posted on 12/23/2008

You can do what we do. My family is spread out across the country so we all gather on one day in December (NOT Christmas day) and celebrate then. That way everyone can celebrate together and still visit with the other half of their individual families or have their own private celebration at home on Christmas morning and not have to go out in the weather just to travel from house to house. I've never been big on the Holiday House Hopping thing so I was glad that my family created this little tradition.

Emily - posted on 12/23/2008

merry christmas

Emily - posted on 12/23/2008

We've always divided Christmas Eve and Christmas day up to visit the different families and I wouldn't dream of not seeing my family on Christmas - I want my kids to learn that Christmas is not about the presents and toys you get. Christmas Eve we have dinner and spend the night at the in-laws, then we wake up early and do stockings from Santa and family gifts to each other. Then, around noon Christmas Day, we pack up whatever we want to take with us and play with and head over the my parents house for an entire afternoon of unwrapping, eating, and family time. My oldest is 6 and she has never once complained about having to go somewhere else in the middle of Christmas Day.

Jessie - posted on 12/23/2008

we see the family on christmas eve. we do the 7 fishes (italian) and open presents. then on chrismas day it's just us. ofcourse we still do some of the traditional italian stuff, like homemade ravioli, but we can do it in our pajamas if we feel like it!

Tammy - posted on 12/23/2008

Hi All, this is what we have been doing for the almost 13 yrs, its a bit extreme and not to many people can do this, but I decided to do it this way so that no one has hurt feelings, Xmas Eve we are at my side, till about 11:30 pm Santa comes earlier as the family has many kids under the age of 6, they all get 2 gifts then we leave to come home, once home we put up the cookies and milk, then off to Bed, at about 7:00 am, the Bells are ringing and its time to open the gifts, it takes about an hour or so, Then we are off to the mother in laws, for another Xmas morning, which will be different this year as my brother in law and sister in law has a new baby of a couple of months, my husband will not make this stop him, he will ring their doorbell till they open the door to come down to my mother in laws, so that we can have Xmas morning... the two oldest boys* husband and brother in law usually will start the day with a wrestling match to see who will get the first gift* they are both bad, oh yeah forgot to say my oldest son 12 started joining in this tradition last year on Xmas morning, so this year what a blast this will be if my daughter of 6 decided she is having the first gift we will see..lol. Then by 10:00 am we are back in the car to drive 15 minutes, so that we can celebrate with my parents and sister, we have a brunch then off to open the gifts from Santa once again, Anyways we are usually back at our house by 12"30 or 1:00 for relaxing time till around 4:00 then we are off again to mother in laws for supper. So I understand about not wanting to leave your house I live on the road that day so the kids can play at home with there toys, but you must all remember that this time of year, it is for family regardless if they come to your house or not, its how it is spent, and enjoyed, I made the decision many years ago to go with the flow and it works out because usually by 7:30 or 8:00 all the kids are in bed and its all over the gifts have been open the tears have been shed and a new day is upon us before you know it. So my advise is to go with the flow and enjoy your family and kids, because this year I realized that my babies are no longer babies but a young man and a little girl that it will be the last year she will believe in Santa, So this year I will cherish it and hopefully remember this when I am old and grey.....Anyways have yourself Happy Holidays and remember to enjoy the time that is spent with Family and friends.

Janet - posted on 12/22/2008

When friends or family send gifts beforehand, we let her open them when they arrive. She may have a day or a week to play with them. Then we spend Christmas Eve at my in-laws until late. To save time in the morning, when we get home, my husband and I put the baby to bed and exchange our gifts to each other. She's too little to know the difference. Then, we have a slow morning, watching her opening gifts and eat breakfast. We leave about 1 or so and head over to my parents house. We're going to let her pick one gift to bring along. When I was a kid, we used to spend Christmas day at my grandparents house, and we'd be allowed to bring 1 gift with us to play with. It also taught us that it's not just about the presents, but about spending time with the family, whether the gifts are expensive or cheap. You could always spend Eve with one side and invite the other side to your house!

Nickie - posted on 12/22/2008

I don't really do much with being seperated, so I have to split my holiday, but a friend of mine....they stay at home and let the kids play with their toys, etc. and what she does is has something cooking in the crockpot, some sides, munchies, etc. and invites everyone and when they come, they come. It's an open invitation to stop by whenever suits them, that way, they get to see everyone and the kids get to stay home with their new toys. And the ones that don't show up, their loss.....unfortunately, you can't please everyone!! Hope this helps and Merry Christmas!

Shannon - posted on 12/22/2008

We started the tradition of Christmas breakfast when I was only 11 days old in our family... my parents still do this. We have breakfast, presents are opened right after.... the kids get a few hours to play, and then we go to my aunts for a big dinner around 2pm.... BTW, breakfast is at 9am...

I feel you shoul do what is best for your family... what about in future years doing an open house at your own home?? Letting your families come and go through out the day... and the older members that can't get to you, go see them individually on a different day... that way you would get more time with just them anyway... Just a suggestion, take it as you will

TaTanise - posted on 12/22/2008

I faced the same situation myself. What I did one year was grace both families with a phone call telling them that we were staying home as a family that year and extended the love that we felt for them. Surprisingly, they were very understanding. While my family saved the presents until New Years, his side brought them over and sat with us for an hour.
If you find it difficult to stay at home (due to nagging family) I'd say split the holiday. Spend Christmas with one family, New Years with the other..or perhaps Thanksgiving with one...whichever way suits your immediate family (you, your husband, and the kids) best. Good luck.

Karen - posted on 12/22/2008

growing up i never went to bed in my own bed on christmas eve nor woke up in my own bed on christmas morning. i really hated it. always having to give up my room, share the toys, or skip the nap. as a gift to our kids my husband and i decided, when they were born, if the grandparents wanted to see them on christmas then come to us. it has worked out very well for the last 18 years. oddly enough the grandparents agreed they were the ones that can travel the easiest over the holidays.

Robin - posted on 12/22/2008

Christmas eve is spent running around to different houses & on christmas my son opens his gift & I make a early dinner for family & friends to come over our house.. I will not go anywhere on Christmas day but our door is always open..

Julie - posted on 12/22/2008

Your kids, your family. It is totally OK for you to start your own Christmas traditions. if you want to stay home than that's what you should do. We are doing gifts with my family on Christmas eve and his family will come to our house with their gifts for us. I think kid should have fun family memories and thay will remember rthier time t home with you and their toys. Don't let amyone make yo feel guity about looking out ofr your family.

Kathy - posted on 12/22/2008

I know its stressful, but it is also a blessing to have family nearby. Our parents were in the states for the last four years and we were unable to fly down to see them. This year, my folks are back in Canada, but we still decided to do our own family Christmas tomorrow before we drive down to their place Christmas Eve. There's not rule that the 25th has to be the only magical day :).

Kara - posted on 12/22/2008

We have 7 family Christmas parties to attend, and then our own Christmas celebrations at home! It keeps us busy for a week but we have to spread them out!! We had last Friday with my aunts, saturday with my husband's cousins, sunday with my husbands siblings and parents, tuesday we'll have christmas with my siblings and parents, wednesday with my dad's parents, thursday (Christmas) we have christmas morning at home then that afternoon we head to my mom's parents, and home all day friday, then saturday christmas with my husbands aunts and uncles!!! Its a crazy time of year!! Good Luck figuring something out!

Julia - posted on 12/22/2008

Some of it is...too...how long have you been doing the family gatherings this way? I think the longer they get in-grained...they become tradition, and then someone won't like a change. But, do what's best for your own family (you, hubby & the kids) without completely alienating the extended fam. My family has always done Christmas Eve with my side of the family, and Christmas Day with hubby's side. He also has a huge extended family that meets on the Sat before Christmas to exchange gifts amongst the younger kids (under 18). But, we reserve Christmas morning for us and the kids - and this year it's extended until noon before we have to pack up gifts and go to family. After all...it's you and your husabnd that have to make the final decision - and live with it. I say, it doesn't hurt to ask someone to move.

Denise - posted on 12/19/2008

We started when ours were young. We would spend Christmas Eve with one side and then Christmas Day with the other side. Track it on a calendar then switch it the next year. No matter where you are......BE HOME for nap time.....this excuse will get you home sooner and give time for the little ones to play with their toys at home. OR you need time to rest up for the next day......or recover from the day before! Good Luck!

Kylee - posted on 12/19/2008

We also have our families close enough to spend time with both families. However since this is our little ones 1st Christmas we have told them we just want it to be the 3 of us. It will also be our 2nd Anniversary. As it turns out my Dad is going away to spend Christmas with his new girlfriends family and my mother in law is working. So we are having dinner with the mother in law on Christmas Eve then catching up with my Dad on New Years Eve.

Anissa - posted on 12/19/2008

here is the off thing my 5yr old has her Biological facts family she would love to see this year. as well. later in the day of course... that would be worth the travel for. His sife takes all day to eat and open presents.. my side not so much we sit around and chat. and therte are family members on both sides who have had a rough 2008 and we are lucky they are still with us..my mother and his grandparents..(in thier 80's). Oh and we spned Christmas eve with his family as well. I'm thinkiong maybe I will bring ththier gifts from Gram & Bumpa here Christmas eve if they will let us and they can open them here on Christmas Day. I do know i would like to go to my sister's at least for a little while. Ezspecially because we spend alot of Christmas Eve with his family as well.hmm maybe eat with mine then go to his family.. teh only thing I don't like about Christmas is this Dilema... Thnaks for all the help[ though :)

Natasha - posted on 12/19/2008

i have a four year old and we split the time between me and my husbands family as well. on christmas eve we go to my moms side and get to open one present early. and then on christmas we get up early and let jacob (my son) open his gifts at our house. then around noon we go to my husbands family and stay there for a couple of hours and then we go to my moms around 4:00 or 5:00 and stay there a couple of hours. plus your children will have so many toys it probably wont bother them to leave them at your house and then go to the in laws. they will still be there when you get back. and on top of that you never know when your last christmas time with some family members could be... let them cherish your children to. i know it may be a pain but it is only once a year.

Tara - posted on 12/19/2008

When I was with my husband, we used to alternate. One year we would have christmas eve with his family and christmas with my family. The next year we would switch. It's only once a year and the kids have a whole year to play with their toys.

Ann - posted on 12/19/2008

My family has always done Xmas eve and my husband has always done Xmas day so it works for us, this year we are not waking up early to go to his mom's we are now keeping Xmas morning for our family and will do his family later in the day. You could always try to see if one side is willing to do the eve, worth a shot, I do the traveling on thanksgiving and I hate it!!!