The second to last straw: my SIL and I recommended we celebrate X family Christmas on January 1st. No custody agreements, less travelers on the road for National Hangover Day, the tree is still up, very chill. We did that for exactly one year. My MIL complained THE WHOLE TIME. "It's not even Christmas!" (2/4)

I hear that! My ex in-laws were so awful to spend time with that even my ex avoided them. There were five “holidays” every year with mandatory attendance- Christmas, their birthdays, Mother’s Day & Father’s Day. If I tried to do anything with my own family, they would just show up. We didn’t have children and have no children in our family, so we tried to take a vacation for Christmas one year and they lost their mind. I regret giving them any deference, NOTHING you do will ever be enough

I am sorry that’s a thing. It should never be about the day on the calendar. It’s being with familyand friends and enjoying each other’s company.

I swear to never, ever make my kids miserable for going to their in-laws home for Xmas, or for starting their own traditions. I love them all and am just fine being alone on Xmas if necessary..

I grew up with my immediate family doing Christmas early (Santa taking a test flight and delivered to a few houses) because we traveled to Cincy for my extended family. The 24th with my dads family and the 25th with my moms family