Comments on: Heather’s Household Truths: The Holiday Edition

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:55:53 +0000

I kind of feel like you can’t expect perfect cleanliness when you drop by someone’s home without notice during the holidays (or even in the midst of a busy workweek, for that matter). So why worry? Life is too short.

But I’m sure that depends on the family and the circumstances, too.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:14:02 +0000

His parents got into town on Christmas Eve and decided to stop in at our house. Unfortunately we were planning to have that night to prepare for hosting Christmas day. At least they gave us 2 hours notice.
Then again the day after Christmas. They called once they were on the way but we were in the shower!
Luckily we were at least dressed by the time they got there, the house still looked awful though.

By: julie

julie — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:45:41 +0000

I knew my father would arrive on Christmas Eve to stay through the weekend. I did not know he would be bringing with him a styrofoam cooler stuffed full with a thawed turkey that needed to be cooked THAT DAY. I’m a half decent cook but I only cook for two usually, and I had NEVER cooked a turkey, ever!

I made a frantic call to my best friend (aren’t best friends wonderful?) and made sure my roasting pan fit in my oven (hadn’t used it ever in this house) and tackled the turkey with butter and sage at her instruction.

It came out fine. Better than fine, actually, if I say so myself, it was damn good. I came up with some simple sides and we had a nice Christmas Eve dinner!

By: SHELLIE

SHELLIE — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:26:28 +0000

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My prayers are with you!

By: M3

M3 — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:05:20 +0000

Wow! I think it is wonderful that your relationship is close enough that they would do that for you (NOT to you!). We’ve moved 1300 miles away and would love it if one of our relatives decided to drop in! What an awesome Christmas (not quite as awesome as Tink’s grandson, but still terrific)…

By: Angela

Angela — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 03:35:04 +0000

hehehe… we can keep secretes:) I hope the kids loved the suprise!

By: joan

joan — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:05:51 +0000

The motel room does help but it’s still pretty inconsiderate.

Of course I had a MIL who cut my kids hair while she was visiting and I was at work. .

By: Addison Ingle

Addison Ingle — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:23:23 +0000

At least they had the decency to get a hotel room!

By: Heather

Heather — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 23:23:17 +0000

Oh it wasn’t as bad as some of you seem to think. My father-in-law surprised my mother-in-law with a trip to Florida via Charleston. They have a hotel room and we speak on the phone often enough for them to have had a general idea of our plans.
However, it was still very surprising.

By: Keter

Keter — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:48:12 +0000

Oh wow, Heather. That was just so rude but it sounds like you handled it with grace. I would suggest that you pick a time to discuss this with them, however, so they don’t feel like they can do this again – because my experience indicates that people who do this sort of thing will continue to do it until they are specifically given a limit. You might say something like: “we’d hate for you to travel all this way only to find that we were visiting someone else or that we all have the contagious flu…” Nothing like the threat of disease to prompt a future call before coming over… ;o)

The only surprise I got was a card from my son with pictures of himself and his long-time girlfriend. He just got back from the Middle East (Air Force) and I definitely understand that he just wanted to spend some time at home. But that’s the first time he’s sent me pictures, which was welcome.