Family Gatherings for Holidays?

[Moonface]

With tomorrow being Thanksgiving and this year looking like the smallest gathering of people I'll be part of for it this year, I was curious if anyone here does or did do any gatherings of family for holidays such as that one, Easter, Christmas, etc.?

When I lived with my parents I know we rarely had family gatherings for holidays, with most happening when I was younger and then it usually just ended up being a grandparent coming over on Christmas Day to visit and that would be it.

I dunno how many other people in the UK actually still do big gatherings for Christmas and stuff but I always wonder if there's actually a lot of families that don't bother with that as much anymore if it could happen to something as big as Thanksgiving in the US where people don't really care about it as much.

[Mr EliteL]

It wasn't really a full family gathering, I seem to have only been to one actual full family gathering ever but it wasn't a Holiday, can't remember what it was for.

Christmas when my Dad's parents and sister were still around were honestly incredible, well when we had Xmas and Boxing Day as a two-day celebration. First on Xmas Day with my parents and brother and sister, but really Boxing Day was the main day for us when we went over and visited our grandparents and aunt. Their home was perfect for the Xmas feel, decorations everywhere, huge tree, countless presents under it, cozy fireplace and my Nan made the best Xmas roast dinners. Those days though would slowly fade when my grandparents passed, my Aunt did try to keep it up and kind of succeeded but then soon we'd grew up, then just stopped after she came down with her illness. My Dad still lives there currently and still has good feel to it. Meet up does sort of happen still just less of us, Boxing Day is when we see my brother and his wife.
For my mum's mother and step-dad we'd just meet some time in December beforehand as their home was kinda too small for such a big thing. I've actually forgotten what we did with my mum's dad, think he'd visit us then when he went into a home myself, mum, brother and sister visited him I guess around Christmas too.

There was no other holiday we did really other than Xmas.

[queenzelda]

Usually, we tend to gather with my side of the family with my mom and dad, but my dad ended up going to the hospital because his foot was hurting. Due to complications from having sepsis on his left foot he had a few toes amputated a few years ago. Thus, over time he needed to get his foot amputated. He's in the rehab hospital learning how to put on a prostatic foot and walk with it on. Then learn how to take it off. Mom said he won't be home for a while. He seems to be doing ok though. My mom is doing well, she's just without my dad being at home with her atmo. So, we had to cancel our plans with them to go over.

We usually have some sort of Thanksgiving with my husband's sister, but she got sick of her husband's side coming over and not visiting with them while she did all the cooking. Thus, no holiday with them, even though she wanted to. She just didn't want to hear them complain about cooking for us over them even though we tend to visit with them every time we come over.

Idk if we'll be going to my side's place for Christmas Eve, since that's usually what my mom wants to do. We always spend most of Christmas day at his sister's place. So, we might have Christmas on New Years like we did last year when my dad was in the hospital due to his having low blood pressure then.

Anyway, I guess in time we'll see. I'll try to update on this when I can. Or if I remember to. XD

[paintbucket]

thanksgiving used to be a big thing for my family during my childhood and teen years. nowadays, though? i rarely see extended family, and it's changed so much that it's basically a regular day. i don't really mind as much because i don't tend to talk to extended family anyway and i mostly keep to myself, but it is a rather stark change to how things used to be.

[ShiraNoMai]

It's hard to tell, based on what I'm seeing others say here, if it's a "times are changing" era-wise or if we're all just getting different kinds of old, and so are our relatives. Either way, it's kind of sad to think about.

I do hope to keep the tradition alive somehow, even if it just comes to friends in the end. The gathering in and of itself is always the highlight, for me; the food/presents/knickknacks tend to just be accessories to the main event.

[queenzelda]

I think for me, it's that my parents are getting older. My parents both have their own health issues, its just that my dad has been in the rehab hospital more often then not. I'm just glad he's able to get in when he needs too.

For Christmas my husband and I will be going over to see my dad at the rehab hospital to give him his gifts we got him for Christmas which isn't much (I feel). I really just want to visit with him. My mom and brother will be seeing him on Christmas Eve. I have no idea when. I'm guessing in the morning sometime. Usually on Christmas Eve my husband and I spend the day together if he has it off. On Christmas Day we go over to his sisters house who has A Christmas Story marathon playing when ever we visit with them. u-u Usually she has ham for Christmas and I make some fried chicken since I have really never liked ham much, and yes I've tried it once. I still don't like it. 🤷‍♀️ We usually exchange gifts before we eat, which is usually pretty nice. Her in laws usually stick around for the food give the kids their gifts then head home when they're done. So usually they leave before we do.

[ShiraNoMai]

That actually sounds like a lovely time, queen. I hope all of it happens as planned

We're having a catered Christmas Eve this year, which is a first. My great aunt had booked catering for her 90th in July but it wound up not happening, so the restaurant gave her a credit for her deposit to use it any time before the end of the year, so I guess now's a good a time as any.

@Animemoongirl is in town for the holidays so I'll be seeing her over on Christmas Day which is nice I'm excited to see some gift reactions to the folks I got things for :3