Holiday traditions related

Shazzie116 · August 2012

I know it's a ways out, but have you and your DHs discussed the holidays yet? Are you splitting time between families? How are you striking a balance between participating in established family traditions but also starting your own?

Our families live close to each other (~15 minutes apart), but we live 3.5 hours away, so we usually take 3-5 days to go visit, depending on where in the week the holidays fall. I want to make sure our families get plenty of time visiting with us and LO, but also want to make sure we have time to ourselves to spend together and enjoy. I have no idea how to go about this without offending someone. I anticipate a very stressful holiday season. Tongue Tied

Manx4 · August 2012

Christmas Eve with my mom's side, Christmas morning is our own "family" time, then we do Christmas brunch with MH's family. If we feel up to it - after that we go to my dad's side for a low key gathering.

watercolor5 · August 2012

DH is starting a new job, so he only has 2 weeks of vacation time a year. We've pretty much promised my family in Buffalo, NY some time over Christmas so all of my family who can't come to GA in Sept can meet the baby. (Which is pretty much everyone but my parents, who will be here shortly after her birth.) Since DH's family lives nearby, they'll get Halloween and Thanksgiving and probably another weekend around Christmas or New Years, DH's work permitting. I'm not too worried about establishing our nuclear family traditions this year- I figure that will be a bigger deal to us when she's 1 or 2 and can start to understand what's going on.

clickactual · August 2012

We've adapted many Christmas traditions from both sides of the family. Christmas eve Pjay's and the night before Christmas, and the food from DH side. This year we will spend our first Christmas here in Hawaii, since it will likely be our last on the island. then starting next year, I have NO idea how we will split it between his parents, my mom, and my dad/stepmom.... I'll watch and see how you all handle it and follow suit next year!

ellasmommy001 · August 2012

thanksgiving is always with my side of the family Christmas eve i normally spend with my side of the family christmas morning is our family time my mom usually comes over and we eat breakfast after LO opens presents. Christmas day we drive about a hour to the Inlaws home.

mrs.kapow · August 2012

Manx4:
Christmas Eve with my mom's side, Christmas morning is our own "family" time, then we do Christmas brunch with MH's family.

This is very similar to what we do, though ILs on Christmas Eve and my family on Christmas Day.

In your situation, I think I would consider leaving to see everyone either Christmas afternoon or the day after (that might be a bad travel day, though).

I really enjoy our Christmas morning with our little family.

linzeek44 · August 2012

For the past five or so years, DH and I have lived across the country from our families. We typically spend actual Xmas with one family (usually the 24th and 25th) and then spend either before or after Xmas with the other family.

Well, now we live in the same area as my mom and sister, and I was totally looking forward to having a low-key Xmas here... And then DH reminded me that this year was his family's turn for Xmas.

We are debating flying up or road-tripping it. I understand that it's not fair to his family, etc but I'm not thrilled about going on a big trip like that, especially with the weather making plans difficult (the last time we were up there, there was a big storm our flights were delayed so we missed the Xmas Eve party and thus seeing most of DH's family).

INmommy871278 · August 2012

We established this last year when we had our first Christmas together in aticipation of having a baby in the next couple of years, really didn't think it would be Christmas number two but we are thrilled that it is. Since my family is an hour and a half away we will be spending Christmas Eve visiting with them. Christmas morning will be spent at our house and Christmas afternoon will be spent with DH's family.

My dad's family celebrates on Christmas day, so we will stop and visit with my grandparents Christmas Eve before heading to my mom's side. My grandma will probably be offended, but we made it very clear last year that we will be visiting on Christmas Eve if they are home and not be there on Christmas day. I'm really not that upset that she will probably be offended because we have told her our plans numerous times and she doesn't seem to be able to get it through her head that I am now married and can't continue to do Christmas like we used to. I wouldn't worry about offending anyone, do what works best for you and your little family.

Thanksgiving is still up in the air, we will probably end up starting the day at my dad's parent's house and house jumping from there.

melody921 · August 2012

Last year, we did Christmas Eve with my side, early Christmas morning with FIL/wife and stepsister/husband. Then we had dinner with MIL/husband. A bit hectic, but it's hard when there are so many people to visit. DH's family all lives about 20 minutes from us; mine is 1.5 hours. All I care about as LOs get older is that we also have time for just the four of us to make our own traditions.

hmp1 · August 2012

Now, we kind of play it by ear. When the kids get older, it will be important for us to spend time at home. We have been going to a vacation home with my family (my parents and siblings) every other year. We are all spread out so it has been good for getting us all together. Last year, we went to the mountains. The rumor is getting started to go to Napa next year. We haven't made any plans for this year yet. I'll still be on maternity leave and DH is taking the week off. We might just stay home for Christmas and then meet my sister and her family in the mountains for a few days.

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