Christmas Plans

We are not in contact with our boys' bfamilies. If we were, it would be great. We do pray for them and hope they are safe, happy, warm, etc.

Hi Kathy, I think it's great you all can get together. I've given bson my schedule and will leave it to him to decide if and when we get together. I'm not going to be disappointed as I know Christmas is the hardest time of year for everyone - trying to "fit" everyone in. I'll wait for the new year. At the same time, I'm realistic a call on Christmas Eve or Day would be very uplifting!

My bson and I have been together long enough that we've established a 'tradition'. We get together on Christmas Eve Day. Depending on what day of the week it lands on, some years they have come the day before and spent the night. Then we have all day on Christmas Eve. Other years they come early in the morning and spend the day. We open presents in the afternoon and have dinner. They leave around 7 - 7:30 so the boys can get home to bed. That way they have Christmas Day with his aparents. It works quite nicely for us.

Distance is definately an issue for us. I am sending a Swedish package to my bsons family house though. :-) Maybe someday...

I have no plans for the holidays that include DD, obviously because we don't have contact :) Last year I had sent an e-mail out wishing the family a Merry Christmas, and had planned on doing the same this year, but with everything that has gone on recently I sent my best wishes already. I'm still trying not to overwhelm. Maybe next year we can be at the point where we can exchange cards.

This is our first Christmas since reunion began. Geographic distance and J's workschedule make it difficult to be together Christmas Day, but he and his girlfriend will be joining us for the weekend after Christmas for the annual family gathering at my parents' house, which is located between our home and his. The siblings spent the weekend together here in November, but this will be a first f2f with the extended family, grandparents, etc. We've booked hotel rooms for J and his girlfriend and my husband and me, so we plan to have a "little Christmas" with just immediate family there. We're bringing a Christmas tree to surprise him. The hotel will also give him a place to go when the "family time" gets to be too much. The situation with his aparents is pretty tenuous at present; he's had years of struggles with them and reunion with me sadly seems to be creating further alienation. I hope it can be different next Christmas, but for now, he wants to keep his two families pretty separate and I have to respect his wishes.

We have no plans to incorporate BD or her parents into our Holiday gatherings...last year I sent her a package stuffed full of 'meaningful' gifts...this year I think I'll just send a photo album of pictures I gathered up for her recently...that and some cash - she's a college student so although I think she will like the snapshots I think she'll enjoy the money more!

I visit my kiddo sometime in December or January. I'm not included in their holidays and they aren't included in ours. Kiddo is only three, so that impacts things, but so do the dynamics of our relationship.

This year is a bit different from the last 2 because D & wife J have just had a baby (3rd in 3yrs). They're planning to keep the season pretty low key. Maybe that's why I'm having trouble getting into the "Christmas Spirit!"

I'd love to invite my daughter to my dad's for our christmas get-together.