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[quote=Anonymous]DH and I and our kids (tween and teen) live with his parents.  We moved in for pandemic related reasons, and then stayed, in part because DH has developed a serious illness, which has caused permanent disability.  We are still adjusting to that.

DH's sibling used to live far away and came home with her kids every year for Christmas, staying with my in laws.  Of course last year was different due to the pandemic.  This year they moved back to the state, and live close by.  They have more kids than we do, and their kids are younger, including a young baby.

Last week I sat down with all of DH's parents and siblings and we made a plan for Christmas (DH is really not in a place to do this, due to illness).  We agreed that we'd each do Christmas morning at our own house, and then meet at another sibling's house in the afternoon to exchange gifts, play games and have a feast.  I like this plan.  DH's stamina is a huge issue, and he gets overwhelmed by kid chaos.  So, allowing him to focus on our kids in the morning makes sense to me.  Plus my in laws are older, and one has major health issues that make covid a high risk despite vaccination.  Gathering for a shorter time period with masks seems to make sense to me.  Our plan was to either eat outside with heater, or if it rains to move inside and eat in family groups.  Other than the baby, everyone will be masked and vaccinated.

Today, DH's sibling announced that this plan is "unfair".  They feels that the house is theirs as much as DH's, and that their kids are entitled to sleep over and wake up at Grandma's for Christmas, just the way they've always done.  They think DH should suck it up, and can handle one day.  I am actually not sure he can without relapse.  Plus, that doesn't address the covid concern.  We don't have enough bedrooms to do this without doubling up kids from different families, and of course they can't sleep with masks.

I've proposed that they come here, and we go somewhere else (hotel?).  I've also proposed that they invite grandparents to their house.  But apparently the tradition is waking up with grandparents and cousins (we used to go for a sleepover on Christmas Eve), so neither of those suggestions was acceptable.  DH's other siblings either have adult children, or no children.

DH's parents initially thought the plan made sense.  They live with DH, so they have a better sense of how he's doing.  But they don't like seeing any of their kids upset at Christmas so they are hoping there's some compromise.  [/quote]

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