We are trying to have a stress free Christmas this year, not that they are total stress but there have been moments the first Christmas me and hubby had together, i was 7 months pregnant and because the house we were renting was big enough we had my dad’s family over for lunch i think it worked out 11 of us in the end, it was all going to plan until the roast potatoes decided not to cook. We ended up having lunch about 5 o clock and when we finally did get it on the table everyone had eaten there’s before we had even sat down (topping up drinks).

The second Christmas was a special one, our first one with Horatio. This year we had hubby’s family over, only four of them but boy did it have an impact. i told them all on Christmas eve that i would be getting up early to open mine and Horatio’s present – anyone with young kids knows that you’re up anyway – i wasn’t rude and said if they wanted to get up i would wait a little bit, no one said anything so i left it at that. i must also point out, not only did i want to enjoy Horatio’s first Christmas, i also had five horses to muck out and make comfy for the day oh and cook dinner (with hubby’s help) ok that’s not true he generally cooks it but if I’m not there to hold his hand he can go into a bit of a meltdown -this year i am going to write out an action plan for him to follow- he he. Anyway his family didn’t get up and hubby had a bit of a meltdown anyway saying we should wait…. as you can imagine it was a bit tense in our house and after all that i found out they had already opened their presents to each other in their bedrooms. grr.

By the third year we had moved to our current house, which isn’t as big as before but still has one nice open plan room, which is lovely for big crowds the only downside is there is no escaping into another room (except the toilet) we again did lunch for my dad’s family this was a fairly relaxed Christmas, if you don’t count the keeping 11 people topped up with food and drink.

Last year we went out as a group for lunch, this again was non eventful and not very memorable, i didn’t enjoy the meal or the overcrowded squashed in restaurant, one of the main reasons for going out is so we would have more space and not have a disjointed lunch. to make up for the lack of atmosphere on Christmas day, we decided to do lunch at ours on New Year’s day…. hubby was desperate to try goose, never again.

This year we have five full days of Christmas starting on Christmas Eve when we pick up the turkey and visit family, Christmas day we have 10 adults and 3 kids, Boxing Day will be a minimum of 5 guests. On the Monday we have hubby’s family 8 adults and 2 kids here for a buffet all finished off with a meal on the Tuesday.

i can’t wait, i love Christmas i really don’t get the bah humbug people, i used to think it was just because people don’t have the money to enjoy it, not that I’ve ever had any money it’s just i prioritised Christmas over the bills… (Wrong I know) it’s the same this year we aren’t as flush as we would like to be but then who is. So rather than making it miserable we’ve put a £10 cap on presents for the adults, this is for two reasons one because we just don’t have the money this year and the other is the last few years it’s been heading up to almost £50 per adult and i swear I’ve never seen anything we’ve ever bought anyone again! So much so I’ve actually asked for it back if they don’t intend to use it. This year they are getting novelty fun gifts or even some smelly’s, as for us footing the food bill that’s not going to happen, last year they all paid £60 a head to eat out so this year they can all contribute towards the food.

We all know Christmas shouldn’t be about the money, but it’s hard not to focus on that when you are skint lol. Nor is my Christmas about the religious side of it, obviously as Horatio grows up he’ll know that side, but i won’t take him to midnight mass or anything like that, i feel for me that would be hypocritical i would only go for the Christmas carols. And it would be the only time of the year other than weddings that i set foot in a church. We all have our own beliefs and i celebrate it in my own way. Horatio will have to find his.

My focus for this year is to start building special memories for the kiddies in our family, like the ones i have of Christmas. It’s about spending time with family and friends, enjoying a board game or two, a feel good movie and of course a whopping lunch followed by a tonne of sweets. For me it’s about having fun and enjoying the one day of the year everything stops, no shops no cold calls. And even if it’s because they have to be everyone is in a happy mood.

 We’re getting our tree today; house should look like a grotto by the time we’ve finished. Seeing as we got 6 tubs of decorations from last year and 2 full of new stuff we’ve bought this year. We’ve also got a drawer full of Christmas goodies which is rather tempting, this year though I have vowed to make more stuff rather than just buy the overpriced processed cakes and nibbles you can get at this time, I will admit they do still tempt me. And sometimes I still buy them, 99% always disappoint.  We are usually on the go right up to Christmas Eve when I nearly always have to dash out and buy some last forgotten present.  It will be different this year, I’m pre planning the meal itself and stocking the freezer with homemade nibbles and cakes. As well as taking time out to sit and read Christmas books to Horatio and snuggling on the sofa watching a film. This is all in between keeping up with taking the dogs out on long walks and getting the house ready for the onslaught of guests.

My diet isn’t going to stop either. i’m going to stick to the same principles and if i have a day where i have a bit to much then i’ll try and cut back the next day or try and do some extra exercise. i’m also keeping the fruitbowl full and will make sure i have at least one piece a day regardless.