I realize I didn't elucidate our stuff. For years, we tried to see everyone in both families. My parents are divorced, and while civil to each other, it still makes for more family to try to see. On Christmas, we used to go to my Mom's side's party about a week before Christmas (this year the cousin who had it gave the party Thanksgiving weekend, while most of their family was sick with the stomach flu, which my little one and I promptly caught. UG.) Then, we would go to both his family's cousin party, then my aunt's house on my Dad's side. Then on Christmas, we go to my aunt's as well. We also fit in a party at My Man's Dad's place of employment (he was a First Responder and was Chief at the time) and the village would have a huge party for First Responder's families at the Fire House every year. Then we had friends parties and then we'd have New Years Eve and most would stay over because I don't like people driving when they've been drinking.
It got to be too much. Then my Dad (Here comes the drama) had a fight with his sibs over their mother's inheritance. They still don't speak, he didn't even go to his older sister's funeral. Sad. My Man's father is dead. But, before that his parents started leaving the Chicago Area for Florida. It used to be after Christmas, but as his mother NEVER entertains (people are messy and they "mess up" her perfect house) and she started some shit with both people in HER family (who all live in Wisconsin) and her husband's family, and she started complaining that we always "chose P'Gell's family over us anyway" they started going to Florida earlier and earlier. By the time the Old Man got sick, they were gone before Thanksgiving. The reason we "chose my side" was that there were actual PARTIES on my side. Not sitting in his parents living room staring at each other or listening to his father make racist, homophobic or child beating comments. (He's pro-child beating. BTW.) or in their basement (great way to make family feel welcome. "Here, you don't deserve my house, sit in my cold basement.") trying to prevent the children from touching anything or making "messes." Then, his family (the cousins) stopped inviting US on Christmas Eve because of some beef they had with his mother. OMG, it's a mess. (They also hate my politics. Well, then they don't need to start using the "N" word and talking trash about everybody to the Left of Sarah Palin at Christmas dinner, do they?)
So, now my brother has Thanksgiving, with our Mom and his wife's mom and often other people. (But, his ex wife decided suddenly she wanted the kids for Thanksgiving, so no kids for my little one to play with, and I miss them.) We have Christmas. We usually have a somewhat quiet Christmas Eve, but there is cooking to be done. (My brother doesn't come on Christmas before due to his wife's Mommy Issues.) So, then we go to his house on Boxing Day. Then we have New Years Eve for friends and it's really the best day of the holiday season. We only invite who we want to, and it's relaxed and fun, and everybody stays over (except our next door neighbors, who just roll across the grass and drive way to their home) and then we usually go to my Dad's on Easter.
I look forward to the END of the Holiday Season. It's so much stress.