simplifying the holidays

[Guest guest]

When my husband and I first got married,

the first year was difficult as we had to figure out how to navigate three sets

of families (his two + mine) as well as start our own traditions. His

respective families were pretty cool about it as they’ve gotten used to

him not participating in things, but my mom…oh boy. As we looked at

calendars and tried to find dates, the stress grew. I finally put my foot down

and said I don’t care what we do so long as I wake up x-mas morning in

our bed and have our own celebration in our house. But we still had the juggling

of families. Last year, we picked a weekend and sent out open invitations for

an open house type party to our family and friends. We would provide food; if

anyone wanted to come (only rsvp’s we asked for was if children were

coming), we asked them to bring drinks. We had lots of food and if family came,

we exchanged presents at that time. But we did not travel.

 

Ok, what was simplified about it –

the no travel for us. Also, we elected to give everyone (adults) the same gift,

so we got a discount on bulk buy (off the internet, no mall); and given that I

have fibro, I was able to rest.

 

What was not simplified –baking was

last minute for me and that was exhausting. Also, I decided to be creative and

cook different things everyday. Prepping a lasagna/casserole type item that I

can set up in advance and freeze for the day of and then doing a crock pot

another day is perfect. And I’m cutting back on the baking and handing

out recipe cards instead of giving everyone something to take home. And we will

probably go with bulk gifts again.

 

If money allows, I would like to have

professionals clean the house and groom the dogs.

 

Leslie

 

 

 

 

 

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Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.22/1111 - Release 11/5/2007 4:36 AM

[Guest guest]

Sounds like a great solution. A lot of families would have fits about that, it is good you are able to put your foot down.

Cyndi

 

In a message dated 11/5/2007 1:11:32 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, leslie writes:

 

 

When my husband and I first got married, the first year was difficult as we had to figure out how to navigate three sets of families (his two + mine) as well as start our own traditions. His respective families were pretty cool about it as they’ve gotten used to him not participating in things, but my mom…oh boy. As we looked at calendars and tried to find dates, the stress grew. I finally put my foot down and said I don’t care what we do so long as I wake up x-mas morning in our bed and have our own celebration in our house. But we still had the juggling of families. Last year, we picked a weekend and sent out open invitations for an open house type party to our family and friends. We would provide food; if anyone wanted to come (only rsvp’s we asked for was if children were coming), we asked them to bring drinks. We had lots of food and if family came, we exchanged presents at that time. But we did not travel.

 

Ok, what was simplified about it – the no travel for us. Also, we elected to give everyone (adults) the same gift, so we got a discount on bulk buy (off the internet, no mall); and given that I have fibro, I was able to rest.

 

What was not simplified –baking was last minute for me and that was exhausting. Also, I decided to be creative and cook different things everyday. Prepping a lasagna/casserole type item that I can set up in advance and freeze for the day of and then doing a crock pot another day is perfect. And I’m cutting back on the baking and handing out recipe cards instead of giving everyone something to take home. And we will probably go with bulk gifts again.

 

If money allows, I would like to have professionals clean the house and groom the dogs.

 

Leslie

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[Guest guest]

I used to leave the country at thanksgiving

(aka Baja) to get my family to understand that I didn’t want to participate.

Took years for mom to get a clue. My sister’s family brings new meaning to

chaos and mayhem. You have to be able to tune it out or reflect it; otherwise

you’ll be a basket case. Hubby doesn’t do so well. So we try to keep him to

small doses. Especially since my coping mechanism is to disappear into her

kitchen and clean. And no, I don’t rent out. J Leslie

 

 

 

 

 

RealSimple [RealSimple ] On Behalf Of cyndikrall

Monday, November 05, 2007

8:21 PM

RealSimple

Re: [RealSimple]

simplifying the holidays

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sounds like a

great solution. A lot of families would have fits about that, it is good you

are able to put your foot down.

 

 

 

Cyndi

 

 

 

 

 

In a message

dated 11/5/2007 1:11:32 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, leslie (AT) obrien (DOT) net

writes:

 

 

 

When my husband and I first got married, the first year was

difficult as we had to figure out how to navigate three sets of families (his

two + mine) as well as start our own traditions. His respective families were

pretty cool about it as they’ve gotten used to him not participating in things,

but my mom…oh boy. As we looked at calendars and tried to find dates, the

stress grew. I finally put my foot down and said I don’t care what we do so

long as I wake up x-mas morning in our bed and have our own celebration in our

house. But we still had the juggling of families. Last year, we picked a

weekend and sent out open invitations for an open house type party to our

family and friends. We would provide food; if anyone wanted to come (only

rsvp’s we asked for was if children were coming), we asked them to bring

drinks. We had lots of food and if family came, we exchanged presents at that

time. But we did not travel.

Ok, what was simplified about it – the no travel for us.

Also, we elected to give everyone (adults) the same gift, so we got a discount

on bulk buy (off the internet, no mall); and given that I have fibro, I was

able to rest.

What was not simplified –baking was last minute for me and

that was exhausting. Also, I decided to be creative and cook different things

everyday. Prepping a lasagna/casserole type item that I can set up in advance

and freeze for the day of and then doing a crock pot another day is perfect.

And I’m cutting back on the baking and handing out recipe cards instead of

giving everyone something to take home. And we will probably go with bulk gifts

again.

If money allows, I would like to have professionals clean

the house and groom the dogs.

Leslie

 

 

 

 

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4:36 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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