Just taking a little poll. Now that we have kids, we are not leaving the house on Christmas. We don't want to take them away from their toys. We still see everyone as we do the in-laws on Christmas Eve, then my parents come on Christmas day for brunch or dinner (mom and dad alternate as they are divorced).
We have family night on Christmas eve, just us. Usually crab and bread for dinner or soup. And we have a special CD/book set we read every year and watch Polar Express and hang out. It's nice because it's not about the presents. Then open presents at home in the morning and go to my family for early dinner. In-laws live too far away, but my hubby's parents often come between Christmas and New Years.
This year will be the second year we have Christmas at our house. We always had it at our parents house but my Dad passed away Jan 09, my mom no longer wants to have Christmas at their house. My mom makes a breakfast casserole. We eat then do presents.
After that we go to my MIL's house around 1 to open gifts and we just hang out, watch football and relax for a while. The kids play with the toys Nana got them until we get home.
Usually we do a dinner on Christmas Eve with my family (that's my birthday) but this year they're throwing me a surprise birthday party! Shhhh!!! Don't tell them I know about it!! :)
Just stay home.
Kids love being home and with their new stuff.. and staying in pajamas all day.
We do Christmas Eve at my MIL's and this year my parents are coming to our house on Christmas day. Now that we have a child, we stay home and make our own traditions.
We go to my parents house. My mom makes a big deal....gifts, dinner, family. It is fun and nice. HOWEVER, this year we are going to MIL house. Should be a fun change.
When I tried doing it at my house, I stressed out, hated the mess and clean up and just enjoyed myself more at my dad's.
We normally do travel 3 hours to get to my in laws and 3 hours to get home. We finally put our foot down this year and said no more. It is too hard with the kids. They see their presents and then we have to rush to get in the car. We also have pets, and i dont feel right asking for the neighbors to let them out and feed them-and I am not going to pay $150 to kennel them. This year the family is coming here. I would love to be home Xmas day with just my husband and kids, so we can stay in our jammies, but beggers cant be choosers I guess.
If everybody had the "If they want to see us, they can come to our house" mentality, then nobody would see each other on Christmas! I have fond memories of traveling when I was a kid. We were at home everyday anyways, so it was actually pretty boring the Christmas's that we did spend at home.
Christmas Eve
My office is open until 2:00 and my husband's is closed. He is home with the kids and gets them bathed and dressed and loads up the car with all the stuff we'll need for the long day/night. Then he takes the kids over to his mom's house after lunch. She and my FIL host a big party that night, we can't go. She at least gets to see them. We head to my parent's house before 4:00. We eat, play games, open gifts, etc. and we are home by 10:00.
Christmas
We open gifts and play with our favorites and I pop an egg bake in the oven and crank up the xmas tunes. We are on our way to my in-laws by Noon and we hang out there until 6:00 or later.
We have two post-Christmas events; one week or so later with my FIL (DH's parent's are divorced) and then w/ my mom's extended family sometime after the new year.
Busy Busy Busy. Wouldn't have it any other way. Because the other way means my family is dead and I have no where to rush to.
We stay home on Christmas Day...anyone wants to see us has to come to us....we travel every other holiday but not on Christmas Day.
Always home Christmas Day when kids were little. Grandparents came
to us. Now that they have their own families I do Christmas Eve and
go to their houses Christmas Day. Works very well.
We see my parents Christmas Eve 2 streets over
Do Christmas morning at our house. Breakfast. Lazy showers, etc.
Head to the inlaws around 1p for their presents and Christmas dinner.
We actually started that tradition as newlyweds, before kids! That way it wasn't as much of a crisis when the kids came. Anyone is welcome to come over Christmas, but we stayed home.
The 'kids' are now 20 and 16. And with the exception of maybe a handful of times, we were able to keep them at home and started our own traditions.
Good for you! As a child who never spent Christmas at my home and was dragged off to 4 different aunt and uncles homes all day on Christmas and into Christmas night immediately after emptying my stocking -I'm all for families staying at home and letting others come to them -especially when the children are young! I don't think it would be too bad to go for a short drive to a relative or friend's house for dinner late in the day, but it sounds like you have a good plan!
We stay at home! Sometimes family drops by or comes for dinner. My father and my MIL spend Christmas eve with us and Christmas Day. It's nice to be home and to make memories in your home with and for your children!
