I love our Christmas at home. We agreed a few years back that we would neither travel nor have guests on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. That we would attend our own church and not entertain. I am so glad we did that. These are the things that will shape our kids memories for years to come.
Now don't get me wrong I am not antisocial or unwilling to cook or host for a group of friends and family. I do that all the time, I just don't want to do it on those 2 days of the year.
I noticed a few years ago that we seem to get so focused on cousins or us adults on the other adults, that we rarely spend face time with the 5 members of our family when we have company. We didn't want to miss out on any opportunities to be face to face with these boys especially as we try to celebrate Christmas in a way that would honor Christ's birth.
We open gifts on Christmas morning, 3 for each kid and lounge around in jammies and eat, nap and play. Great family time.
