Dreading Christmas visitors

[Anonymous]

I love Christmas, but I’m really dreading it this year. I have family coming to town for 5 nights. I don’t have enough guest rooms, so either a kid will have to give up their room or an adult will have to sleep in a couch or air mattress and share a bathroom.
My biggest worry is that these relatives are old and don’t want to do anything but sit around and watch tv or play on their phones. I would like to try to think of some things to do to get out of the house so that I don’t go insane, caveat being that they cannot walk very far. Like a trip around the grocery store is taxing. Any ideas of things we can do to keep busy for at least three days? Kids are upper elementary school. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

OMG you created this problem. Either host graciously or get out of it.

[Anonymous]

Also, we JUST got done b!!hing about Thanksgiving. Can we please have a full week off before we start on Christmas?

[Anonymous]

It's ok to leave the relative at home for some outings and just take the kids. I'd have the kids bunk together, not the older adults, personally. Whose family is this? Yours or your DH? Whoever is blood related takes the lead on sitting with them and engaging them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, we JUST got done b!!hing about Thanksgiving. Can we please have a full week off before we start on Christmas?

No way I love it all. Spill your family drama friends!!!

[Anonymous]

Same girl. Dreading my elderly father visiting. He’s a hoarder and has disgusting hygiene habits.

[Anonymous]

Just take the kids out. It will give everyone a break.

For the olds, drive around the monuments at night. I think you can also drive-through the light display at Watkins Park.

[Anonymous]

Would the olds enjoy participating in a baking project? You could go to Michael's and get one of those gingerbread houses that you assemble and have them help the kids. My elderly MIL also enjoyed helping the kids put together a puzzle. I found a nice puzzle online that had cloth pieces that you could assemble and then hang on the wall if you wanted. I know I sound like a girl scout leader (cuz I was!) but is there a chance that they might like working with the kids doing something that was fun for them growing up? Like making a big paper chain for the christmas tree, or stringing popcorn and cranberries? Any chance that grandma could teach your kids to knit or crochet or something if you got some thick yarn and big hooks? I have done things like buy a big roll of butcher paper and put it on a table and have everyone decorate the 'tablecloth' prior to the holiday meal, and am always amazed at how much the college kids enjoy it, etc. One year everyone made a hand turkey, even the adults. it was pretty fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would the olds enjoy participating in a baking project? You could go to Michael's and get one of those gingerbread houses that you assemble and have them help the kids. My elderly MIL also enjoyed helping the kids put together a puzzle. I found a nice puzzle online that had cloth pieces that you could assemble and then hang on the wall if you wanted. I know I sound like a girl scout leader (cuz I was!) but is there a chance that they might like working with the kids doing something that was fun for them growing up? Like making a big paper chain for the christmas tree, or stringing popcorn and cranberries? Any chance that grandma could teach your kids to knit or crochet or something if you got some thick yarn and big hooks? I have done things like buy a big roll of butcher paper and put it on a table and have everyone decorate the 'tablecloth' prior to the holiday meal, and am always amazed at how much the college kids enjoy it, etc. One year everyone made a hand turkey, even the adults. it was pretty fun!

Thank you!!! This is so helpful! And to Pp, yes, I brought it on myself my inviting my parents and IL’s to Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just take the kids out. It will give everyone a break.

For the olds, drive around the monuments at night. I think you can also drive-through the light display at Watkins Park.

Thank you. It gets dark early enough that we can probably do this and then a dinner out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Same girl. Dreading my elderly father visiting. He’s a hoarder and has disgusting hygiene habits.

Do is my mom, so she will bring bags and bags of stuff and then put them on the counter and leave her filthy jacket hanging over the back of a chair for easy access.

[Anonymous]

Why did you invite so many people if you don't have room for them? Why haven't you taught your kids to share a room when guests are staying? Get a deck of cards and some board games, queue up the Netflix, get baking paraphernalia, fling some various magazines around the house and enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did you invite so many people if you don't have room for them? Why haven't you taught your kids to share a room when guests are staying? Get a deck of cards and some board games, queue up the Netflix, get baking paraphernalia, fling some various magazines around the house and enjoy.

Because if she planned properly and executed well, what would she have to moan about on DCUM? Some people are perpetual whiners.

[Anonymous]

As I get older, I don't do what I don't want to do (for the most part). Time is too precious to be unhappy, and that includes having guests over for 5 nights. I would simply say I am not able to do it.

[Anonymous]

You go on outings with your kids and without the elders.

You plan easy outings with elders. I wheedled my parents into a Spy Museum visit (newish location - much better layout!) and a look into the renovated wing of the Space Museum (a little disappointing, I have to say).

You get easy crafts the elders can do with your kids, if they want that togetherness. My father painted a birdhouse with my daughter. I bought all the supplies at Michael's.