RANT - I fricken HATE this time of year

I feel your pain. I also hate this wonderful time of the year because of all those issues and also the commercialism.
I would say (just my opinion) that you should not be telling/asking/expecting Megan's family to change their plans just for you. There are a lot of people involved and you are not family yet. I would say stay out of any organization, look at all the invitations and accept what is convenient for you. Politely decline the others and just tell them that you can unfortunately not make it due to schedule conflict.
Attend one event a day, most importantly the ones that you can enjoy with your daugther. Help out at the ones that you attend wherever you can, and forget about the rest. Enjoy those 3 events and politely afterwards ask the others if they had a good time and again apologize for not beiing able to be there. If they are not okay with that, too bad for them. New Years will come soon enough and everyone will continue with normal life.

Just my opinion...

 

Do what I usually do:

Get drunk.

Say "fuck it."

Put your feet up. Eat some food. Watch the shit storm around you. Play with your daughter and watch her smile at the gifts. Take her home at 2pm. Pass out.

When things get too hectic, I shut down. If there's calamity, I plop my ass on the couch with a can of Miller Lite and watch football or Rudolph or whatever is on. If people ask me to help, I say, "nah, I'm good."

 

Christmas "was" fun when I "was" a kid. Now, my wife makes it chaotic. Thank God there is beer.

 

Hi Gabe,

Same issue here. Pops lives in Timber, Mom in Hillsboro, Her family in Beaverton. We have a 9 year old son. All expect us to bring our son to see them.

Now you only have your daughter for a limited amount of time on xmas day. The families SHOULD understand that xmas is mainly for the kids. This is what I told my wife when we faced thin dilemma yet again.

My solution.

We go to pops house on xmas eve. This is where all of the grandchildren will be. We generally go up, do a stocking exchange, have dinner, etc. It is hardest for me, as I am 45 minutes from his house, and both wife and I work until 6PM.

I finally put my foot down regarding xmas day. I told the wife, if they want to see us, they can come over. I will cook a big meal, but I am NOT driving all over the county so that the family can see our kid.

My mom is absolutely fine with that. My wife is OK with it (shocking). Not sure about her family yet.

Good luck Gabe. Like I said, make it about the kids, and tell the rest that you ARE making it about your daughter. They should understand.

 

I like the holidays because there are more days to drink beer and BBQ. And baby Jesus and stuff too.

 

Yes. I don't believe in god but I still thank for him beer.