https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 17:28:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2362788 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:27:06 +0000 jetsa 2362788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: driving multiple hours on the holiday as an adult is just the worst ever. It's depressing and it causes others not to be able to spend the day as they please. Due to the locations of our families we'd have to travel on the holiday and ehh. I guess we could rotate but it's important to DH they wake up in their beds so I'm fine with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2361987 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 18:42:14 +0000 tofuwad 2361987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for this thread! We live a two hour drive from both my ILs and my family, and because they live in the same town, we tend to stay at the ILs and then go to BILs, then my family, then to DH's grandmothers for after dinner drinks and games. </p> <p>This is the first year we'll have LO and we already get a lot of grief from DH's extended family for spending the afternoon and evening with my family (I don't get why my family is somehow less deserving of our time????). Ugh, last year his aunt literally said, "But you have to be with family on Christmas!" Because my family isn't family?????? </p> <p>It's great to know what other people do because my DH hates having to drive around so much on Christmas (even though it's all within 10 miles of each other, we go to four different Christmas celebrations in one day). We plan to have a really big family so I'm dreaming of the day we'll have so many kids no one will want to see us! :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2361950 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 17:34:57 +0000 looch 2361950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, we travel, alternating between my family one year and my inlaws the other. There's no way to bring everyone together, which would be awesome.</p> <p>This year, we will not be in our house when Santa visits. But we're planning to "catch" him in the act on our security system and show it to our son while we're away. </p> <p>I kind of feel like when you're the one that moves away, you can't be all, hey, we're not traveling, everyone has to come to us. We would never expect my inlaws to trek here during the holidays, there are more of them there than the three of us, so for now, we'll continue. My son LOVES going there, he's had his suitcase packed for a month already. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2361017 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 09:10:05 +0000 daniellemybelle 2361017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jetsa: I am actually really considering this for next year. You're right about Santa &amp; the magic :) I feel like it is the only way for us to have Christmas morning at home and to still get to celebrate with DH's family when they are all together. Realistically it is easier for us to move the date, than ALL of them plus their kids are older and know. We'd fly on Christmas day and get there when when everyone else does, in the early afternoon for Christmas dinner. </p> <p>I figure we can try it when she's still pretty little and if it sucks we just don't do it again.</p> <p>Why is your DH opposed? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2359323 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 09:13:22 +0000 jetsa 2359323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: my parents moved Christmas every year. We never celebrated a Christmas at our home because my mom wanted to spend it with her family (5 hours away), we adapted and Santa was never confusing I mean he's magic and just "knows" your plans so if you say Christmas is early Santa comes early he knows :silly: and then comes at the grandparents too (our grandparents always saved 1/2 our gifts for Christmas morning to accomplish this) I never felt short changed as a child but my DH was adamant that our kids wouldn't do it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2359261 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 08:33:00 +0000 sslm 2359261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used to alternate Christmas with my in-laws and my family. We lived in the same town as my in-laws, so on their year we'd stay Christmas day and travel to see my family on Dec 26 or 27th. When it was my parents year we'd travel on the 23rd or 24th and stay for a week or so. </p> <p>Now we live in my hometown but we have a toddler, so my in-laws are traveling to us for the foreseeable future. It's just too hard to travel with our 2.5 yo! Plus I want her to have Christmas in her own house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2359240 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 08:09:52 +0000 blackbird 2359240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Driving ~5 hours to my parents house for a 3 day/2 night trip. I can't handle any longer....about 10 days before Christmas. That's it. We used to go to Mexico every year on Dec 26th. Alas, no more </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2359224 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 07:56:15 +0000 Pumuckl 2359224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: My family has traveled a couple of days after Christmas often to go on a skiing vacation. So we'd leave the 26/27/28th and then stay a week (so through New Year's). We LOVED it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2359218 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 07:44:50 +0000 travellingbee 2359218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: it's only the gifts with my inlaws so we just keep gifts smaller in size and leave room in the suitcase. We exchange all family gifts at home. My son hasn't minded it so far, but he might as he gets older. We'll see. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2359216 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 07:36:04 +0000 regberadaisy 2359216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Before kids, we would alternate thanksgiving and Christmas between our families. After we had our first, DH asked that we stay home for Christmas. Mainly because my family isn't huge into. I.e. My brother and SIL were still sleeping at 9am on Christmas morning while my niece was waiting to open presents!<br /> Anyway, so we now spend thanksgiving with my family and stay home for Christmas. We host Christmas every year and my fam knows they're more than welcomed to come spend it with us! We're really trying to convince them to come this year. When the kids are older I'm sure we'll go there for Christmas every few years just because Christmas in NYC is just awesome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2359110 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 00:09:38 +0000 Rockies11 2359110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This year we are travelling to see in-laws this upcoming week for 2 weeks, then as soon as we get home I am flying with the girls to see my family for a week, then we will be home together for Christmas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2359105 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 00:03:16 +0000 birdofafeather 2359105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We only have 2 hours to travel, but with a toddler and a newborn and DH working Christmas Eve until Christmas morning, I put my foot down and said I wasn't traveling. I know it's gonna be a bummer to spend Christmas Eve kinda alone with the girls, but I'm making plans already to start traditions I had with my parents and I'm so excited to do Christmas at our house for the first time. My in laws don't get it , especially since they are hosting the large extended family gathering this year (they at once point offered to pick my toddler up and bring her back, like I don't want to spend the day with my own kid?!). It won't be perfect, but now that R (almost 3) knows kinda what's going on, I want to do our own thing for a little bit! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2359103 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 23:59:26 +0000 daniellemybelle 2359103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Charm54: I always said that too. But then I relented because LO was too young to know. And this year, we just moved and I'm too homesick to not go home. I completely agree about wanting LO to have memories of Christmas morning in her own home like I did.</p> <p>@Smurfette: That sounds exhausting! We are not a days' drive from either family so we would have to fly which doesn't feel as depressing but not ideal.</p> <p>@jetsa: You are always losing out on something I guess :bummed: DH's family in particular is always together on Christmas and it would be fun for LO to experience that but because they live so far away we would have to sacrifice our own Christmas at home.</p> <p>I have actually thought about moving OUR Christmas, so doing Christmas morning on Christmas eve, and then traveling Christmas day to be there in the evening while all the family is still gathered. But I feel like that would only work for a few years until LO knows the real date and because we are very Team Santa I don't want to make that confusing.</p> <p>@yoursilverlining: Haha! </p> <p>@twodoghouse: So, I feel like this is going to be us. :( I know my MIL will be really, really upset and disappointed. Christmas is huge to her. She has a hard enough time alternating years with my family. I agree that it is totally reasonable but I also understand the sadness. I think I will feel a loss when the day comes that I don't see LO on Christmas no matter how old she is. </p> <p>How far of a trip is it for you?</p> <p>@gingerbebe: It does suck! I feel you completely - this is us. Christmas is the Super Bowl for my MIL too. :)</p> <p>@travellingbee: What do you do about all the gifts flying around like that? That's another deterrent for me - we can't really do "big" gifts away from home without having to figure out how to ship them back.</p> <p>@avivoca: It's nice to have one set close! That's how it used to be for us. :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2359045 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 22:19:12 +0000 Charm54 2359045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: yes, stay strong!! I honestly am so flexible and accommodating for almost everything else but this I am really firm with. I think everyone understands because as children both DH and I spent Christmases in our own homes, so neither set can really complain because they didn't travel with kids either back in the day :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2359042 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 22:09:54 +0000 avivoca 2359042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We go visit my inlaws a few days before Christmas and leave on Christmas Eve. Then we open presents at home on Christmas morning before going to my parents house. It's exhausting, but if we didn't go to my ILs, they would never see H (they won't come here). It's a 4.5 hour drive there and back. My parents live 45 minutes away, so it's not bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2359040 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 22:07:58 +0000 travellingbee 2359040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have always done Christmas Eve with my parents and flown to my ILs Christmas morning. I like it. But we tend to open our gifts christmas eve as is tradition in my family anyway. Then we get another Christmas at ILs. It's a short flight (little over an hour) and its a pleasant day to fly. We aren't going this year because I will be 39 weeks pregnant but I really don't mind the arrangement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2359039 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 22:07:27 +0000 jetsa 2359039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: stay strong. It's worth it, dragging kids around on Christmas is no fun for anyone </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2359031 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 22:04:15 +0000 gingerbebe 2359031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is a really annoying problem for us because we are the only ones in either family that live away from our folks. We did Christmas every year with my ILs so far (including DS' first at 3.5 months) but we said we would do every other year from now on. Christmas is like the Super Bowl for my MIL so she starts laying on the guilt hard and early. This is not our year to go and she's already going on about how important it is for us to come next year (with a toddler and a 6 month old). Getting there requires two flights and a layover and it's expensive so I really want to stay home from now on but I don't know how to deal with my MIL. Christmas isn't a huge deal in my family so I think they would be fine with travel before and after but yeah living plane rides away from both families sucks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2359022 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:56:51 +0000 Smurfette 2359022@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: Stay strong! SMIL texted me again this year asking if we would be there for Christmas dinner. She said oh I thought you would let her play with her toys till nap and then drive down. Um no! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2358999 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:45:16 +0000 twodoghouse 2358999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Charm54: @Smurfette: @jetsa: I'm so glad to hear you guys say that you insist on staying home for Christmas. DH and I have always traveled to both families on Christmas Day. As a result we always have to give each other gifts ahead of time and spend the day in the car rushing from place to place. We dragged our LOs around with us last year and it was miserable because they didn't sleep at all away from home. This year we put our foot (haha, feet) down and said we will wake up at home on Christmas and travel before and after. We told DH's parents this past weekend and MIL is going through the stages of grief over it, like she can't believe I would do this to them (because we usually spend Christmas Eve with them and wake up and do Christmas there). I don't think it's an unusual thing to request when you have kids, but apparently I am a monster to think this way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2358986 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:35:03 +0000 yoursilverlining 2358986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: it's harder when kids are old enough to know - but, we did it until LO was 3 and she definitely wasn't short hanged. We did Christmas at my parents on Christmas Eve, and then another full on Christmas at MIL's the day after, so really, LO got extra Christmas this way :silly: but, I really like having Christmas morning at our place now that LO is older.</p> <p>We have friends who spend Christmas in Hawaii every year and if family drama ever starts up, we will join our friends on the beach!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2358983 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:29:24 +0000 jetsa 2358983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My extended family is 5 hours from my DH family. As young newlyweds we spent Christmas Eve and early Christmas morning with my family and Christmas dinner with his. It's horrible and I do not recommend it, it's depressing to be on the road on the holiday.</p> <p>As soon as we had kids we decided we needed new traditions. We celebrate Christmas at home and allow everyone who wants to come over to do it and go see my extended family the weekend after (my grandfather doesn't travel), truthfully while its great for our kids it's not a perfect solution we miss those who travel in for the actual holiday and my family refuses to just "move" the holiday so it's just a normal visit and I miss all the holiday traditions =\ so I don't have a good answer we've been trying to figure it out. Christmas morning at home is pretty great, it's not something I ever did as a kid and I love the calmness of it but miss my extended family </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2358981 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:24:45 +0000 Smurfette 2358981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used to spend the night at my parents Christmas Eve, big family get together there. Presents and breakfast with my parents and siblings. Then drove 4 hours to the ILs. By the time we got there it was dinner and gifts and bed. It felt like we didn't have Christmas. It is hella depressing to me to spend Christmas in the car. So once LO came we said no more. We do my immediate family Christmas Eve and the whole family does church, dinner, and gifts. Then we drive home and spend Christmas the three of us. Both grandparents sets aren't happy about it but undestand( mine more so). They are all welcome to come to our house but we aren't traveling. Last year we went the weekend before to see ILs. This year we are leaving the 26th and will stay for 3 or 4 days. </p> <p>I think once you have a LO and your own family you have to do what is best for you, while still thinking about the grandparents and other family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2358968 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:08:02 +0000 Charm54 2358968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've always said once I have kids I am staying home for Christmas. Anyone is welcome to come to us, but we will be in our home Christmas morning. I stuck to this even when LO was only 3 months old...both families come to us now.</p> <p>I feel a bit bad because my parents are local and Ils have to travel , but they haven't said anything to say they mind. I always tell them we are willing to travel to them on the 26th, but so far they prefer to come to us and spend the week with LOs. They have no other family in their area and are really close with my family so it works for now. I'm not rigid on a lot of things, but I am on this. Christmas is about the kids now, and I want their memories to centre around our home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2358966 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:04:30 +0000 daniellemybelle 2358966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: I've heard good things about flying on Christmas! The only thing is I feel like LO would be really short changed to receive her gifts and then have to pack up and leave right away. I kind of feel that way about the day after. 😕</p> <p>@Oxana: Fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2358963 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:00:57 +0000 yoursilverlining 2358963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've flown ON Christmas several times and it's always been amazing: never a full flight, people in surprisingly good moods, etc. Before MIL moved here we flew cross country to see her every year, almost always after Christmas (like, the day after), or on Christmas Day itself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2358962 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 20:59:43 +0000 Oxana 2358962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This probably isn't what you're looking for, but we're going on a cruise to the Caribbean on Christmas this year (Dec. 20 - 27). Partly because that way we have a convenient excuse as to why we're celebrating with just our little family and not with parents or ILs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-travel-around-but-not-on-christmas#post-2358953 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 20:56:46 +0000 daniellemybelle 2358953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When do you go? Before or after? For how long? Anybody travel ON Christmas? I don't mean a 2 hour drive - I mean road trip or flight.</p> <p>We are driving to my parents' for Christmas this year and staying 2 weeks. Next year LO will be 3 and I want to do Christmas morning at home. It will be my IL's year. I'm thinking of either going for a long trip before Christmas and doing lots of fun holiday things with them, or going the day after and possibly staying through New Years.</p> <p>Interested to hear what others do! </p>