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Friday, October 8, 2010

Holidays Shmolidays

(First of all, don't forget to enter the giveaway I'm hosting for your chance to win $45 from CSN Stores)

Second of all, with the holiday season fast approaching upon us (yeah, that's right... in case you haven't realized, it's coming fast; I just saw my first Christmas commercial today... plus, us Canadians will be giving thanks this weekend), I've been thinking more and more about how the husband and I are going to handle the family situation we've got going.

It was hard enough before we were even together to see everyone we love during that oh-so special time of year, mom's side, dad's side, and trying to coordinate everyone's schedules was insane. Thankfully, we had our parents to deal with that for us since they were the ones sorting our who is coming over when.

But now that we had to go and grow up, plus get married, our problem has doubled. Now we're trying to squeeze in 4 families. Mom's side, dad's side x 2!

And even though there's usually some overlapping when our parents have people over so it's not too bad, trying to manage our time between both sides for thanksgiving, Christmas eve, Christmas day, boxing day and new years... well, it's enough for me to hate what once was my favorite time of year. Only not really, 'cause I don't have it in me to hate the holidays. But you get the idea.

Before we were in a serious relationship, it wasn't that weird for me to be absent from his family gatherings to attend stuff with mine, or vice versa. Two years ago, it got a little more complicated when we moved in together and really wanted to be together all the time, especially during the holidays. Then last year, it got even more complicated because we were engaged. And this year, we'll have been married for 6 months by the time Dec 26th rolls around, so the complications are even greater.

At this point in our relationship, it would seem kind of odd for us to show up to whatever family functions either side is hosting without our spouse. And that worries me slightly, because parting ways so we could spend enough time with our respective families used to be the only way we could manage this whole mess.

To make matters worse, I'm still not sure how we're even going to handle family gatherings on his side since his brother openly discouraged him from marrying me a day before our wedding on Facebook. Mr. FP hasn't talked to his brother since and I have absolutely no desire to be in the same room with him at this point...

Jeez, it's only October and this is already such a big deal. Maybe only in my head right now, but it might be an uphill battle from here.

Maybe I'll just spend the next 3 months praying that our families don't happen to schedule anything on the same night.

Wishful thinking? Maybe.

Okay, definitely. But I'm stickin' to it.

Man, being a grown up sucks sometimes.

2 comments:

Angie said...

hmm... this is a pickle. we're solving this problem by having our families over the day after thanksgiving. thanksgiving day we'll be with my my dad's family and then my mom's. i feel bad b/c his family will be in town on thanksgiving day and they are going to a restaurant on their own. i wonder if my husband should go with them and i'll go with my family.... then we'll all be together on friday? i don't know. still more talking to do.

are you 100% sure you're going to see your brother in law? maybe a conversation b/w your mr. fp and his brother needs to happen before the holiday? i'm not quite sure how to handle this one, but i wish you all the best. i can't imagine the kind of anxiety a situation like this may cause. i will say though that it is the holidays and if you're brother in law feels the need to make a joyous time feel icky, stand your ground. no one has permission to make you feel less than.

Lisa said...

ah the holidays! how much I love/dread them. me and Ryan both have divorced parents so I totally get the 4 places to be at once. its alos tricky since we are living in Ry's grandma's hosue it our 'duty' to host the 30- person thanksgiving. I have found there is always someone who will be annoyed tyou are not spending time with them. spend time with each other and alternate what family you see. but stay together, that way you will guarantee a good holiday.

happy belated thanksgiving!

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