How Christmas day has changed for my family

I thought I'd share a bit about how Christmas has changed for us over the years as we have realised that we need to redefine what a family Christmas looks likes for us.

In the past we would have family round on Christmas day - now we stay at home just the four of us in our PJs.

In the past we would go to other family in the evening on Christmas day - now we invite family to us on Boxing day for a couple of hours.

In the past we would make one son wait to open his presents until his brother got up - now he opens them as soon as he wakes up.

In the past we would try to get my eldest son to sit at the table - now he eats his nuggets and waffles on his own in a separate room as usual.

In the past we would try to encourage my eldest to open presents - then we got used to letting him open them in his own time weeks after Christmas - now we accept that he doesn't like presents and instead buy a 2 night stay at a hotel with swimming pool and print off photos for him to see on Christmas day.

In the past we would tell my younger son that his presents were a surprise (we obviously let him ask for things but he had to wait and see) - now we tell him exactly what we have bought for him as he has so much anxiety around this.

In the past we would have Christmas cards up in the front room - now I read them and then put them in the recycling as they overwhelm one of the boys.

In the past I used to make a special breakfast and then homemade Yorkshire puddings and special roast potatoes for lunch - now I really can't be bothered! It's not just about looking out for the kids' needs, it's about looking after me too and so I keep it simple.

In the past I used to feel sad and frustrated that my family Christmas isn't how I imagined it would be - now I still feel a little sad but it gets less and less each year.

In the past my husband spent most of the day snoozing as he owns a bar and so Christmas is crazy busy - now he does exactly the same as always!

I realise that this isn't everyone's idea of a good Christmas but it's ours! I hope you are able to make Christmas day exactly how you and your family need it to be.

Happy Christmas!

Hanna