Overall, I was pleased with how things went. The weekend at the cabin is always great, but I cut back the food this year, and it was much more manageable. I made most of it ahead and only had to heat it. There were too many "goodies" though, and I threw away an entire cake! So, either fewer goodies and a cake or no cake and same goodies. Only make 2 makings of Chex mix. Made 3...still have some left. DH dipped a lot of things. He thought they would really go for the peppermint flavored dipped stuff, but not so much. DH's niece and I did talk about doing a progressive dinner one night, moving from cabin to cabin, eating a course at each. We'll have to talk to the others about that. She said her mom spent most of her time cooking...don't want her that have to do that. We rent 3 cabins. DH's brother's family eats at theirs (about 16 people). Our family eats at ours (9 people). We want to rent a lodge instead of a cabin next year...need to check on that.
Only my family ended up going to my mom's for lunch on Christmas. Neither of my sisters were at my mom's that day. One was sick and the "Texas" one always has some excuse to not come home at Christmas (or any other time she says she's coming). One niece didn't come and the other didn't come until late in the evening and didn't leave my mom's until after 6. So, my mom had all of that to clean up alone because I had to come home to get ready for my family to come for gift opening and Christmas supper. I'm not sure if we'll continue to do it on Christmas night or not. It seems like too much in one day to me, but my family thinks it's fine. I just hate to leave it all for Mama to take care of after lunch because she wants to wait and see if anyone else is coming or not.
I ran out of wrapping stuff and had to buy - at full price - stuff to finish out! But, I have taken care of that already. I need to not wait until December to buy tape, though. I need to buy it earlier and put it up. I laid everything out on the bed and took a picture with my phone so I can remember what I have.
I bought several tins from Hobby Lobby before Christmas to put the goodies in. I need to remember that they put stuff on sale the week before Christmas at 50-66% off.
Stockings...I have to work on stockings. I didn't do a very good job with them this year. I also need to make DDIL a new stocking. By the time I thought about it, all the Christmas fabric was gone, so I need to do that early next year.
I NEED TO STICK TO MY BUDGET!!!!!! DH and I both love to buy at Christmas, but enough is enough! Even though I saved to buy, we still went over budget.
Christmas felt good this year. Calm. Relaxed. We enjoyed family and being together. Even though it was hot compared to our normal weather, it was a little nice to not have to bundle up every time we walked out the door nor while we were shopping.
Well, that's a book and I may think of some more. All in all, things went well.