Christmas stress

PS while at our DDs house for Christmas lunch, I watched the behaviour of our DDs inlaws, who were predictably clingy with the DGC, smug and sanctimonious about life.

The joy of their predictable behaviour is that it is predictable, and after ten years I’ve pretty well learned to ignore it - I (mostly) didn’t get wound up by them yesterday, despite being left out of group photos, ignored in games, etc, etc.

We didn’t stay over, left fairly early, using the traffic as an excuse to get home to peace and quiet and to quite a few Christmas puddings ready to be frozen!

Someone earlier in this post quoted Raymond Briggs, ‘Christmas has blown over’ and normal life resumed. Yes, I agree!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous Boxing Day. ????

I had the best Christmas Day for years: only one visitor and DH sober and in his best mood. Food perfect with no hassle. Left to tackle washing up alone, but I am OK with that.

Just had a slightly hurt DD on phone, because I didn't answer yesterday when she phoned! I have still only two hands!

wished I had taken a photo of my best SOLO prepared xmas dinner for 8. Top tips - a turkey crown cooked from frozen in a roaster bag, a ham joint to accompany , 2 amazing veggie options with mushroom , and tomato sauces.put all plates serving dishes through dishwasher - come out piping hot for serving, followed my timing instructions to the letter, told all when starters would be served - dinner 1 hour later, latecomers absorbed into finishing starters. Excuse unashamed boasting, Gransnet the only place I could happily do it!! Happy Boxing Day x

Christmas Eve mayhem with son, partner our two grandchildren and one step grandchild, roast beef lunch. Did find that slightly stressful but when they departed we sat down and watched carols from Kings peace was restored although the living room looked like a bomb site. Christmas day was just the two of us we went to mass which was lovely and then returned home for a smoked salmon, scrambled egg and Prosecco breakfast. Roast turkey and all the trimmings, followed by wall to wall Christmassy rubbish tv and too many Cadbury's Roses. Today our other son and girlfriend arrived with wine, presents and bits and pieces from a Fortnum and Mason's hamper (work related they didn't buy it) later we will have cold turkey, a glazed ham, salad other bits and pieces and a homemade vegetarian cannelloni for lovely step daughter who is also joining us. Homemade lemon drizzle cake and raspberries to follow. Son and girlfriend will stay the night. Haven't fallen out yet....and it's back to normal tomorrow.

Thankyou to all of you who owned up to a less than perfect day - God bless you one and all (to misquote Tiny Tim!). Ours too was a bit stressful (thanks to ex-SiL) but today DS, DDiL and DGS arrive and I’m cooking another Christmas dinner! But actually I’m really enjoying it and can’t wait for them to arrive and cause the usual mayhem! I’ve come to the conclusion that I prefer the run-up and the wind-down to the actual day itself. DH has gone off for a bike ride on this bright sunny day and I’m boring you lot - time for a small glass of something I think!

For the first time in 35 years just me, DH and dogs. Went for lovely walk on the beach, drink in the pub then DH cooked dinner and it was fantastic! He wouldn’t let me in Kitchen to clear up either so fantastic day yesterday!

DH lost the duxelles, wrapped the crust round the beef, found the duxelles and decided we would eat laboriously made dux on toast bits. The wine gravy, which could have used dux, had A "chunk" discovered by usually grumpy dd3. The gc and ggc turned the conservatory into a hovel. The puddings were "too much". Apparently we should have starters of cucumber wedge, nuts, olives and no other course all day. There is always December 31.

Just glad the so called 'festive season' is almost over.
I too am alone, by choice I might add.
DS and family all in New Zealand, so shared GS's excited present opening via Skype on Christmas Eve.
I've had my time of huge festivities, often as 'braai's' (BBQ) on the beach in hot, sunny South Africa, many good memories to be thankful for.
Quite like the quiet and peace, the aloneness is actually OK!

Well, we've upset DD because we gave DGC a 'better' pressie than DD did. Now we're feeling miserable as DD is making it clear we've done wrong.

Norah what are duxelles I m sure I should know but can’t think what duxelles on toast could be

Sorry to be smug but no stress here, busy busy Xmas day at work, lovely lunch with my mum and other strays then another lovely lunch with my husband and son, good pressies and just a smiley day. Today work again but easy and at last sitting down with the cold stuff, wine and husband watching crap on tv, loving it.

DH got the grumps, didn't like his presents and didn't try to hide it from DS and DIL. That plus rubbish on the telly led to a very quiet evening with DH on laptop in his own little world. Trying not to say much about it until after DH, DIL and GD leave tomorrow, don't want to make matters worse.

OP, what's with the "Who touched a tap handle after peeling carrots (!)" ? I've never heard of this prohibition, how else would you wash your hands before starting the next job...?

Henbane ,I don't know either !! I'm going to start practising for next year , would Pilates give me the ability to turn on taps with my feet ? But then I'd probably get into trouble for ripping me gusset !

I was so intrigued I googled for it but nothing came up!

Yes, I wondered about that too.
DH has had man flu for the last week but managed a little bit of dinner. Did not very well either so aeverything down to me. I thought I had done the easy thing by getting preprepared veg from s..... Turns out not so good. Roast potatoes, (supposedly in that dreaded goose fat, Not so Old) never crisped up or browned despite ages in oven, parsnips hard and uncuttable.
Better day today. Cold turkey with home made roast potatoes and parsnips, delish.
P.s. so upset by inedible veg. actually emailed to complain on Christmas Day!

Makes me very sad that our 2 DSs cannot spare us any time at Christmas. They are always far too busy with their own families and their in laws.... We do get facetime briefly but it's not the same. I just wish they could each do, say, one Christmas in 3 with us.

I think one in three is very reasonable - maybe suggest it for next year?

Saw my family christmas eve then over to my new partner's house for dinner. Roast lamb and all the trimmings. Beautiful day full of love.

I’ve just checked with DS.
Apparently my behaviour was impeccable

Tiredoldwoman apparently I yawn too loudly now

Bluebelle - you've won first prize ! A week in the Land of Nod .
janeainsworth - you've won a fousty old , licked by the dog brussel sprout. That'll teach you !
Getting ready to watch Little Women - a treat for us all for doing so badly yesterday !
All your funny stories have made me laugh - thank you ! x .

Apparently I'm obsessed with opening a window to let steam out after a shower. Everyone else spends 15 mins steaming up the whole room while forgetting to turn on fan and open a window. AM I odd?

My dil has not spoken to my other son since his wedding last year when she refused to speak to ANY ONE in both families the night before the wedding.Not sure why. Today she ignored him and wife the whole day except for answering 1 direct question.
AS MY OTHER DIL says we're lucky we only have to see them twice a year.

So ... , own up.....how many of us really enjoy Boxing Day, on our own or with a 'Significant Other' eating cold 'whatevers' with bubble and squeak, a peaceful bottle of wine of choice and tv catch-up or favourite radio prog?
I love my DD , her partner and my DGS dearly but 24 hours of Scalextric, Minecraft and Jeremy Clarkson is enough for this ole gal. Oh. the bliss of one's one little home and bedroom, to which I will retire er' long with the dawg,a brandy and soda and 'The Minatuarist'. on TV.