What do you do for Christmas?

It’s November now and Christmas is getting closer. We do much the same every year and throughly enjoy the season.

Christmas Eve

Before lunch we drop off presents for everyone we’ll be seeing at my parents the next day before setting off to Roy’s parent’s and spending time with everyone there. There is always a festive feel, much noise and laughter! Roy sees his siblings, cousins, nephews and niece and we all get a chance to catch up. Usually there is a “help yourself” buffet set up (which adds to the festive feel), and we do… often! Before it gets too late we set off back home which takes 40minutes to an hour depending on the weather.

Once home, after a light supper and warm drinks, it’s time to set out stockings, leave mince pies, carrots and milk out for Santa and the reindeer and off to bed.

When the coast is clear we bring everything out of their hiding places and arrange it before snuggling up for some quiet time for us and a fun film.

Christmas Morning

I am always first up, shortly before 5am. This is no different to any other day of the year but on Christmas morning I am up with a spring in my step. I love Christmas! I usually accidently wake Kieran who in turn accidently bounces on Roy until everyone is awake and we can go downstairs. Stockings are opened then it’s time for breakfast. The adults always have bacon sandwiches, Kieran always chooses an egg bango and I’m guessing Taylor will have weetabix.

Then the rest of the gifts are opened, with Xmas music in the background and we just enjoy our morning together. By about 10.30am we are all showered, changed, wrapped up and ready to walk to my parent’s home.

Christmas at the Magee home.

I love Christmas at my parent’s house, everyone does. It really does have a magical quality to it. I am one of six siblings and most of us are married or have partners and children. It gets busy! Once the grown-ups have had their coffee we all decamp to the front room where Mum sits under a beautifully decorated tree and hands out presents to us all. There is alway much fun and laughter and Dad always gets to play bin man, a standing joke, as he sits by the door with the bin bags and we all gently pass (throw when Mum isn’t looking) the wrapping over to him.

After all the gifts have been exchanged and we’ve had a natter and taken photos we are kicked out. Yes, Mum tells us all it’s time to leave! Since we all started having children and the house has got fuller and fuller we’ve all gone home after the morning fun to spend our own family time in our own homes (we are all local) and get a phonecall when it’s time to come back for Xmas dinner. This works brilliantly and gives Mum & Dad a break from the chaos!

Once home, we slump and the kids play. Christmas TV is on and we just have a relaxing afternoon and a small lunch.

About 3.30pm we get “The Call” and hightail it back to Mum & Dad’s for Xmas Dinner! You have to understand something here. Mum’s Xmas dinner is legendary, and Roy starts talking about it mid-October. There are crackers, and jokes and delicious food. We always have Shloer as well as more adult drinks and it’s a great occasion. Shortly after tea we all start to filter off home. The kids are tired, the grown ups are tired but everyone is blissfully happy.

We love our family Christmas’s – they really do capture the magical of the season.

What do you do on Xmas day? Do you stay at home, have chinese for dinner, go for the full traditional day? I’d love to hear!