A few years ago I took over Christmas Day from my Grandmother as she was getting to old to do everything, and her place was getting to small for the growing family. Our first Christmas here we had 13 around the table consecutive years it has slowly dwindled down which has put a dampener on things a bit.

Last year (prior to xmas) we found out that My IL's wont come to chistmas at our place anymore cause they don't like my parents. Has to all be about them, never mind their son, or their grandchildren who they now miss out on seeing Christmas Day.

So I spend all Christmas eve (day) cleaning the house, christmas eve (night) after the kids are in bed I set the table for the 8 of us (Us, my parents, my grandmother) and I have the carols on as well.

Christmas morning kids have to be dressed and had breakfast. They then get their presents. After that I start preparing the vegetables for lunch. Mum brings the Turkey and my grandmother brings some sort of meat as well. I generally do the beef as well. So lunch is the traditional lunch with all the trimmings. After the main meal, it is pudding and custard and then when the dishes are done, we all sit down for the present opening. We also have a present hander outer which changes each year.

After that we just sit around the table and talk, kids go off and play. At tea time it is left overs with fresh salads.

Last couple of years my parents and grandmother have all gone home by 8pm. So once they are home Christmas is over. We now have had to go to the IL's on Boxing Day since they don't bother to join us anymore.

I usually put the tree up when our pageant happens which is generally early November. Last year however by the time Christmas Day arrived I was sick of looking at the tree, and it came down on Dec 27th. This year I am now going to wait till the first weekend of Dec to put the tree up. I might enjoy it more.