Are you doing EXACTLY what you want at Christmas?

I shall be on my own at Christmas and am fine with that. I am looking forward to it.

Not 100% what I would choose though.

I would like to go to miller Howe for Christmas but we are having the sofa bed option at dd2 and SIL . The other grandparent will be there and is rather sad and bitter so we've decided to kill her with kindness love bomb her call it what you will but we are going to try.

I had a great Christmas with my late father. He had planned to be at ours, but became too frail. My mother- in- law offered to provide dinner ( I use the term loosely!) for the Bodach and the children. Meanwhile, Daddy and I dined on M& S finest on trays on our knees, watched really bad telly, and tanned a bottle of Southern Comfort!

It's never EXACTLY what I want, because that would mean someone else missing out on their perfect day... so it's got to be about finding a compromise that's gives everyone i.e. 5 adult children, 8 grandchildren and various in laws enough but not necessarily all of what makes for their idea of a good time. It's never simple and I fear life as an only child was poor preparation, a course in negotiating skills would have been more useful !!

I remember having a lovely day last year, on my own, beans on toast for Christmas dinner

Yes, a big family Christmas. We all muck in so no one is left with all the work. Love it and consider our selves very lucky that we all want to be together. 10 months old to 85 year old.

That's nice, far north, I'd like to be like you.

I'll be on my tod, totally happy about it, maybe doing nothing, maybe starting on the spring cleaning Who knows.

Always happy to raise a smile twot !!

Anya, not Tanya.

Tanya, ? I like the way you're looking at it! Cheered me up (a bit)

I don't get to do EXACTLY what I want at any time of the year so why should Christmas be any different?

I do get to do what I want sometimes, and at other times I go with the flow. That's life!

Yes, and really looking forward to it, cooking for dear friends and spending the day with them and my family here.
I'm making lists of the lists now.
Very excited.

Oh I see kitty, thanks. Yes, re-reading it you are right, lol.

Yup, its just another day for me, but Im open to offers

Yes we are. For the first time in our married life we are having Christmas lunch on our own, DD and SIL will visit in the afternoon probably.

I am opting out this year as got no relatives near and I'm fed up!

We are having a pre-Christmas meal with presents on 23 December at DD's and family. Then travelling to DS's in Essex on Christmas Eve to spend 3 days with them before returning home (PLEASE let the M25 be free moving).

DD and family are coming to us on New Year's Day and possibly will bring DGD's boyfriend along too. They are both 15 and in the throes of first love and he sounds to be a nice boy so I told DGD that she can bring him if she wants to. We'll see!

Really love spending time with my lovely family at Christmas and we shall certainly drink a toast to absent friends and remember all those loved ones who have gone before.

For the first time in my life I shall be spending Christmas on my own (with dog). I had wanted to be alone last year, as it was the first without my darling DH, but for various reasons I ended up having to host ex son in law so had to make an effort for him and DGD.

This year, all my offspring will be elsewhere, so I can do exactly what I want which is to be by myself. Having lost my sister two months ago, I don't feel much like enforced jollity and will be glad of a day to reflect on happier times.

Hope you all enjoy your festive season, no matter how you decide to celebrate.

I don't think I'd change much.

We ARE the old rellies

First time at our daughters for Christmas Day , so for the first time in 40 years not cooking the full monty for 12+ people. But they are all coming to ours Boxing Day AND staying over !!

But we have cracked it Greyduster , like you we don't do blow up beds well, so a taxi will arrive for Grampy and I at 11pm and we will be sleeping in a nearby hotel !! Then we'll get up , have leisurely coffee , breakfast etc before driving 10 mins back home.

Every bed , sofa and spare space will have been taken up with all the people we love most ( and a few strays who need a family).

Then on the 29th I'm going to the panto with our Grandaughter.

And on the 30th , all my brothers, sisters and their family will come to us for part 2 !!

It's tiring, sometimes hard work but it's worth every moment for the memories we make .

Exactly Kitty I meant that I wouldn't change a thing, and yes, I will be mega busy but it will certainly be worth it.?

kitty sounds great

We're at home no "oldies" to worry about, D and her SO will be here Christmas day. Just H, S and I the rest of the time. What would make it near perfect would be to see GC at some point

I am lucky enough to be doing exactly what I want this Christmas. The children and their families invite themselves and since OH and I are the crusty old rellies I am so happy that they still want to come here. ?

We are going to DDs this year and picking up SiL's aunt on the way. She lives on her own and has health issues. She will have to be taken home at some stage, but I would not mind abstaining and neither does DD. If I could change anything it would be that DH and I had not agreed to stay overnight, as sleeping on an inflatable mattress took its toll on both of us last time we did it, and DH does like his own bed. We will all transfer to ours (minus Auntie) on Boxing Day when DS and DiL come down, and do the whole thing over again.

gj, I think roses is saying she wouldn't change it not that she is doing nothing. I suspect the opposite will be true - unless I've misunderstood!