Holidays

gardengirl3 · April 2016

I know it's a long way off yet but has anyone thought about how you will handle the winter holidays this year? I am leaning toward not going to any large gatherings and having a laid back Christmas/new years since my EDD is 12/16.
Or will you wait and see how you feel when the time comes?

DiFazette · April 2016

It's supposed to be our year to visit H's family for Christmas since we alternate Christmas and Thanksgiving. They live pretty far away (11 hour car ride or two flights). We'll be staying home for both since I'll deliver mid-November at the latest. If anyone wants to come to our house, they're welcome to, but only if they are up to date on their seasonal vaccines (flu/whooping cough). DS was a preemie so we had to keep him away from germs for a long time, everyone was super understanding. Do whatever feels good to you, but it's a hard time of year to have a baby that everyone wants to pass around. I asked both sets of grandparents to get their vaccines and they did so gladly. Made me feel better.

princesslockness · April 2016

H and I have decided that we aren't doing Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years. Between my moms&dads sides, H's mom&dad&step&birth families the holidays are nasty long and full of parties. So we decided to skip them all. A 16 month old, and an infant don't need to be dragged to party after party, or passed around IMO.

H4aPartyof5 · April 2016

I'm not entirely sure about the holidays this year. If my pattern stays true (my sons were born at 38 weeks + 2 and 38 weeks +1 respectively), then I'll give birth close to Thanksgiving this year. Of course, that's nothing to count on. Still, I'm inclined to skip both Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations that are out of town for either family, but we'll see what actually happens.

slartybartfast · April 2016

Yes actually - I'm Dec 18. We'll be staying home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. My BIL was set to get married on NYE in France but we won't be going to that either (it may not happen anyway)

We do have in-town family but it's a little complicated. We'll have to navigate that when the time comes...

sourlemon · April 2016

My parents live in town and my brother a few hours away and comes down. Usually I host Christmas Eve dinner and my parents host thanksgiving and Christmas although I usually cook half the food for those. I'm assuming this year we will just move it all to my parents house and I may not sign up for so much food. I'm due Dec 9th but will have a c section at least a week prior so it could easily be close to thanksgiving. By Christmas I'd probably be up for cooking at least 1 of our traditional dishes.

We will probably skip parties and the parade will be a no go since I'll probably have a few days old by then.

cgss11 · April 2016

We love across country from our parents. My parents typically travel to us for Christmas anyways because my brother also lives by me, and we have better weather. So, I expect them to do the same this year, but maybe move the trip up a few weeks and just celebrate early.

My in-laws have only been to visit us once, for our wedding (and I seriously questioned if they would come for that), so I don't know what to expect from them. It is the first grandchild for them, but we also don't have a super close relationship with them, so it could go either way.

blessdtxas · April 2016

My DS is also a December baby, so this will be round 2 with a new baby around the holidays for us! Both my and DH's parents are divorced, remarried and live in our area (x4 holidays). When my son was first born, we did a really low key Christmas and spaced the visits out and everyone came to our house. I honestly hated having so many people over due to the germs and normal stress that comes with having a 2 week old! Luckily, breastfeeding was a great escape for baby and me. I'm thinking we will do something similar this year too!

zubenescamali · April 2016

Usually I host both thanksgiving and Christmas, which has become increasingly awkward since my parents got divorced and remarried. Looking forward to using LO as an excuse to not cook for everyone this year, but Not sure how it will all pan out yet

FiancB · April 2016

I baaaarely even celebrate Christmas as it is, haha. It's fun and all but I think a lot of people put undue stress on themselves over it. I'll look forward to people getting the baby stuff instead of us and meeting up for dinner with family without being really expected to contribute much. Pretty much the only difference I can really think of. Still no Christmas tree until kiddo is old enough to appreciate it.

I usually cook Thanksgiving dinner but people will live without me.

agu1414 · April 2016

Not sure about Thanksgiving since I'm due 12/5 but I'll see how I'm feeling. We are still planning on hosting Christmas eve like we do every year...my MIL said she'll do all the cooking for me and help me prepare the house if I need it. I'm lucky to have very helpful family members.

Lisa3379 · April 2016

We usually switch off Thanksgiving and Christmas with our families. This year was supposed to be Christmas at his parents' house, but I think we'll have Christmas at our house and invite both families over. His parents only live about 4 hours away so it will be do-able. The challenge is that we have two dogs, his parents have two dogs, my parents have a dog, and my grandma has a dog! All that along with a new baby could mean a total s-show, so we'll see!

jptrumptone · April 2016

We live pretty far away from both of our families so we rotate which family we visit. This year is the year we are supposed to visit with my family. My sister is a minister so she can't travel and wants us to all come to visit her. I'm due Dec. 6th so I'm hoping I'm well enough to go see visit.

ShalomAtHome · April 2016

This year Hanukkah and New Years Eve align, which is a rare occasion, so I am really considering pushing myself through the stress of a new born and going for it. Even if it's just a small event...

bb3babe · April 2016

I have to admit, one of my first thoughts after the BFP was "sweet, I can totally opt out of any family gatherings this Christmas."

aframe77 · April 2016

My ILs do Christmas BIG every year (they have an enormous family and it can be overwhelming even when you're not pregnant) I am due Dec 18th so I'm just hoping my LO doesn't come late (like my first) so I can have a glass of wine to get me through it:)

em01092 · April 2016

I have not had my date confirmed yet but calculators have said anywhere from Dec 8-16. My ILs live about 2 hours away, and DH usually plays tuba in their church band at the Christmas eve midnight service, but I don't know if we'll be going this year. Don't know about Thanksgiving either. =/ One of his old classmates brought her baby to Easter who was only about 3 weeks old, but I don't know that I'd be up for that.

Gizmo1231 · April 2016

We will do Christmas the exact same- just hoping I can get everything done early November and relax the rest of the holidays. Since I will more than likely be having a RCS it will be interesting to see how relaxing it is.

LoveBugBites · April 2016

We're Pagan so we just do Solstice, and we probably still will. I think we're going to attempt to host Thanksgiving too, a week early.

penelope4612 · April 2016

I'm due in early Dec. If I'm feeling ok, I would like to spend Thanksgiving with my family (we were with DHs family last year). I'm hoping my brother will host as he only lives 30 min away.

For Christmas, we will probably go to my brothers house. I think we will opt out of my cousins large Christmas Eve party. DH has already said he's on board with skipping Hanakkuh with his family since they are a 4 hour drive away.

leksiL · April 2016

I've been thinking a lot about this, my EDD is 12/15. My parents are 4 hours away and DH's are 2 and don't drive. It's our turn to go to my family on Christmas but not sure I'd be up for it this year. Maybe my family (or at least part of it) would be willing to come up to visit - it really depends on how close to the DD we are - we will have to play it by ear!

bakerstreetboys · April 2016

Thanksgiving isn't an issue for us because it's in October

For Christmas though, it will be along the lines of "if you want to see us, you're welcome to come here". Both of my parents are a few hours away and SO's family is in EU. I'm not loading up the van with three kids and a newborn to drive through a snowstorm at Christmas!!

karmba · April 2016

I'm actually going to announce to my parents by telling them we won't be home for Christmas! DH and I live 12 & 8 hour drives from our parents so we'll be staying home for both Thanksgiving (like every year) and Christmas.

cantalopes24 · April 2016

We'll probably do Christmas Eve at our house, but keep it low key and I'll have someone else cook or have my husband make something simple. All our family lives close so as long as baby is healthy and good we'll visit at least our parents/immediate family, and if I'm up to it my husbands extended family. We always host a casual NYE so we will probably still do that.

lrg14 · April 2016

My ILs live on the other side of the country and my family is 4.5 hour drive. I'm going to see if I can get ILs here for thanksgiving (but not staying with us), and then maybe we would make the drive for Christmas, if I'm close to my EDD (12/1).

Zygodactyl · April 2016

Christmas is my favorite holiday, always has been. I told my mom and sister I was pregnant by asking them how they felt about an East Coast Christmas! My grandmother's birthday was Christmas day, and it was the one time of year all the family would get together, so it's just always been something fun and festive.

That said, my parents are on the West Coast and the rest of the family is scattered, so since I've moved, Christmas has been anything I care to make it. My in-laws are in the same state, but view Christmas as something ONLY for kids (I disagree vehemently), especially now that they are divorced. My parents are planning to fly in for the holidays; I'm sure my FIL will make it up to see the baby; and I would like to think my MIL would too, but she's all about us going to visit her, and with 2 dogs, 2 cats, and my severe pet dander allergies, she will have to make the trip up this year (it's not far, she just doesn't like to drive).

Also, we will be putting up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. There will be "baby's first Christmas" ornaments. It will be low key and at home, but awesome.

SchruteBucks · April 2016

We don't travel for the holidays so there won't be any real change for us. I make both holiday meals at my house and my mom, who lives nearby, comes for dinner. My husband's family lives a couple of states away so they do their own thing and don't come here.

If we did normally travel for holidays, we would not be this year.

brittnic86 · April 2016

December and Christmas are always crazy, because my birthday is the 14th (side note, super excited to possibly share a birthday with baby!), and both of our families are in town, and they DON'T get along. I'm thinking this year We will tell everyone if they want to see us, they'll have to come to our house! Both of our families live on the other side of town...and ALL of the children from both families live out near us.

MrsBinPA · April 2016

I am happy to have a solid excuse to get out of hosting Thanksgiving. After last year I swore I wouldn't do it again this year. Hoping everyone agrees to go to Capital Grill. LOL.

Christmas Eve 7 fishes is my favorite holiday thing. I am hoping that we can use our house for Christmas Day plans but stay home & have the parents do the work. Is that terrible?

talandree · April 2016

We usually take turns hosting Christmas every year. This year is my parents' turn. Might switch it up and have people come over to our house and hopefully bring food with them lol. I'm due the 17th so I don't know how I'll be feeling for Christmas. I remember the first week being exhausted last time with my daughter.

dmontgo · April 2016

brittnic86 said:

December and Christmas are always crazy, because my birthday is the 14th (side note, super excited to possibly share a birthday with baby!), and both of our families are in town, and they DON'T get along. I'm thinking this year We will tell everyone if they want to see us, they'll have to come to our house! Both of our families live on the other side of town...and ALL of the children from both families live out near us.

I'm a December 15th baby! Our anniversary is December 1st. Then there's Christmas, and baby! Busy.

I don't know what we're doing for Christmas yet; for sure we're staying home, but not sure if we're having people over or not. We'll probably at least have my parents over since they are in town. I'm so excited for baby's first Christmas!!

beff12 · April 2016

December is fun in our family! My bday is December 4, my brother's is the 22, and my due date is the 24th. My mom is already planning Christmas

we always have it at their house. She said we'd see how I'm doing at that point and based on my progress we can have Christmas a week or two early, or a week or two late. I think it's safe to say if baby #2 arrives on time (DD was born on her due date!) that we'll be staying put for Christmas haha. We do Christmas Eve at my in laws and I'm doing happy dances that we can get out of that (thanks baby!) but I'm sure we'll reschedule that too.

Kacie209 · April 2016

No clue! Since Thanksgiving is so close to the due date, I'd rather not go out of town in case something happens. Ya know? And, I know this is the year that one of my cousins is coming back for Thanksgiving (they alternate Thanksgiving and Christmas), and my sister will also be doing the same. DH doesn't take time off after like I usually do, so this allows me to travel more easily. This may sound bad, but since we've dated/been married - we've never had a Thanksgiving together. I like to see my grandparents, as they won't be around much longer.

However, with the baby born right before Christmas... again, I don't know if I want to be traveling with a newborn in winter. This holiday is weird, as I always take time off around it and DH usually doesn't. So, sometimes we're together and sometimes we're not. I have been going to my grandparents house for Christmas for as long as I can remember, so I usually do that Christmas Day and spend Christmas Eve with DH and his family (they're a lot closer to drive to). This last year, we did both together.

I'll have to see when they get closer to see what exactly will happen. I would love to be able to spend time with both families, and I am sure my mom wouldn't miss her first Christmas with her first grandchild - even if they are only a little over a week old! And we mainly travel to see my grandparents.

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