Christmas

[jojojoanne]

No, Rainey. You're not being selfish at all. Tell them you'll look forward to seeing them all in the evening, but this year you want Christmas dinner to be just the four of you. Explain that you need a break.

[Beate]

You're not selfish. Just tell them that you deserve a year off too and if it's so easy to do, why don't they cook for everyone instead?

[winitfamily]

No Your not beening selfish at all. You have done more then Your fair share its about time the rest of the Family invited You over too them. Then You can relax and enjoy beening waited on. If they dont like it tough they are the selfish ones. You have nothing too feel guilty about. Enjoy Your Christmas .

[Rainey]

Thank you, I am going to try and stay strong!

[Diane65]

Thank you, I am going to try and stay strong!

You are certainly not selfish and I'm always amazed at how much people will take from others. Its not fair to go to someone's house and expect to be waited on, you have a lovely Christmas and do what makes you happy.

[Sydney_Bristow]

It's ridiculous. Put your foot down (in the nicest possible way). You deserve a break for a change. It wasn't until the time I 'did Christmas dinner' that I realised just how much effort, time, etc mum had been putting into it every single year!! Not much of a christmas for her slogging in the kitchen while we were all stuffing our faces and swigging the eggnog!

I say either have it at someone elses house for a change...why doesn't your sis do something instead of guilt-tripping you?? Or your brother? Or, you know what? Go to a hotel!! You'll have to book it quick (of course) but tell em you can't be ar$ed this year and you and your lot are going to go to a hotel because your hubby & kids insist you have a chance to relax after doing it FOR EVERYONE for so many years in a row!!!!! Bloody guilt trip them instead of the other way around! ! If they want to join you, they're welcome to do so, the more the merrier and it'll cost blah blah blah. I don't get why people don't properly pitch in for christmas dinner when one party always hosts it and the others just turn up. Sowwy, thats my five cents!

Whatever you decide, stick to your guns hon! x

[brettie]

You are obviously the glue that holds the family together, without you everyone becomes unstuck. My family unstuck years ago unfortunately and no one ever gets together anymore as it too far for people to come out of their way for one day(so its just me and my daughter as it has been every year since she was 3; I often travel abroad around this time as it is sunny and less christmasy). Maybe it is too late too do anything about it this year but maybe you could say that this is the last year you will host and tell everyone that you are going to bestow the honour on your sister or sister-in-law instead.

[McG]

Thank you, I am going to try and stay strong!

It's not easy but sometimes you just have to be a little firm. They are invited for the evening and that seems to be a compromise. You are not having to make dinner for everyone but their company is welcomed in the evening (which will probably involve nibbles, etc).
You will definitely feel better if you stick to your position.

[Octopus]

1) Rainey, you have the right to ave a quiet and relaxing Christmas. Don't kill yourself with too much work if it's not worth it.
2) OHMY. H&M is really killing me!! I received an email saying the parcel will arrive within the next two days - which is great, hoping that it will be the right one. But then, I check my account, and oh surprise: I have been reimbursed £33.94 before being withdrawn £38.93.
The original total was £42.83 (including £3.90 charge) so why did they reimburse only £33.94....?
I hope they're not charging for return cause it was THEIR fault. And I hope they're not debiting the £5 voucher (that I still haven't received) from that!!

[McG]

Sounding like more hassle, octo!