Part One of "THE PLAN"

I am starting to stress just thinking that it's around the corner. I hate feeling this way. I should enjoy it, but I really just dread and am always so relieved when it's over.

One of the things I'm thinking about doing is just having both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my parents (and not hubby's huge family). I love his family, but there are so many of them, and they all want to be in control of the holidays and argue about who's house to have it at, what to serve, etc...etc...etc... and make it into a huge production every year. They ask for my input, then do whatever they want anyway. I'd rather just tell them we're not available this year and get out of the whole thing.

If I had the money, I'd take my family and my parents and go to Disney World for Christmas!

Staying home and keeping things simple with just my two children, husband and myself. I'm certain we'll visit a bit with his family prior to the holidays and I'll of course talk to my own all of whom live all across the country. I prefer to keep things low-key and stress is a major no-no for celebrations.

We do a lot to avoid stress at Christmas!

First and foremost, we don't travel in November or December. If family wants to come visit at Thanksgiving, that's great. If not, we celebrate alone. Then, we save Christmas Day for just us. Our families are welcome to visit the day after, but not on the actual day. I order almost all Christmas presents online so I don't have to navigate the store crowds. And we really don't do a ton of presents for our kids. They get enough from grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, etc, that the ones from us would get lost in the shuffle. Instead, we save that money to provide presents or experiences at another time during the year.

We use to host xmas eve. Two years ago the kids had the flu and we had to cancel. While it was awful (hubby had a broken leg, kids were sick for days), it was wonderful to just order Chinese food on xmas eve. I decided last year that we would order out on xmas eve every year and not have anyone over! Again it was wonderful.

E., I'd just like to say -- BRAVO to you and your husband too. So many posts on here are women complaining about in-law stress and holiday stress and...holiday-in-law stress. But they seldom DO anything about it, and you have already taken the reins here. I think your plan is brilliant. I am a firm believer that too many people focus too much on "We absolutely, positively must be in each other's presence on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25" and get all in a twist about dates, when if you choose, you can celebrate at other times and save those days for your spouse and kids only. I hope your mini-vacation is relaxing -- and you'll be able to get away from the in-laws into your own hotel room! Well done for being proactive and smart!

ROFL.... No idea!!

We had the family Xmas Down (like you, but different... We rearranged some stuff and it worked BRILLIANT).

But this is our first Divorced-Xmas. So well see how it goes this year, to plan for next!!!

Guess I am in the minority here. I feel that the holidays and family are one.
I truly enjoy hosting everyone, eating, laughing and just sharing. This life
is not a dress rehearsal, there are no do overs so why not just enjoy. Things can change in an instant. When I put my head on my pillow at night
I have no regrets. Are there family issues sometimes yes, but I will not allow
them to get in the way.