7 things that happen to every family on Christmas Day

1. Someone Isn't Up

If you have a big family, you know that you have wait until everyone is up before you open presents. Your newborn will be awake, your four and eight-year-olds will have been up several times since 4 am asking 'has Santa come?', but there will 100 percent be someone who is slower to wake than the rest (maybe it's you?) 

Queue some complaining and 'hurry ups', mixed with excited squeals, as the strangler finally arrives rubbing their eyes sleepily. You can finally begin your mass dissent down the stairs or into the 'good room' to see what Santa has left.

2. Sea of Wrapping Paper

We've all tried our best to be less harsh on the environment so maybe it will be a sea of brown paper this year? Either way, we all know 'that scene'; the room you cleaned so perfectly and arranged so neatly for Santa's visit... is completely destroyed. 

You can't find your toddler, buried beneath the festive wasteland and someone is whining about a lost toy already. Christmas day has well and truly begun.

3. Something Burns/ Goes Wrong

Please do not let this get you down, mums and dads. Christmas chaos is what it is all about and everyone has at least one kitchen mishap on the big day. Last year we ordered pork instead of ham for those who don't eat turkey. This wasn't discovered until after it was cooked...ham-style.

We'll never forget my Granny's face, confused at the taste of her oddly coloured ham.

4. Someone Gets Hurt

Whether it is Dad burning his hand on the lighted Christmas pudding, or one of the kids banging their heads during a sugar rush, have the Sudocrem on standby! This will hopefully be a minor injury but there have been several Christmas A&E visits in our family over the years too.

5. Tipsy Family Member

Its almost always an aunt or an uncle who has a bit too much, serenading the family with a traditional ditty that has about 43 verses.

6. You Realise You've Eaten a  Whole Box of Chocolates

Or two. Not counting the treats you took from your kids stocking, you've consumed your weight in chocolate delights. You try to make your getaway before the After Eights are opened, but fail.

7. You Have 'That Moment'

Maybe it will happen as your little elves open presents, at your parent's toast or when you think of loved ones who are no longer with us. Either way, at some point amidst all the crazy,  you'll get a little emotional. Even if you're not the crying type, tears may come and you get a gush of joy and love for those around you.

Merry Christmas Mums and Dads. What are your special Christmas moments?

With her daughter Evie as her muse, Anna writes about mumhood and all its intersections from mental health to movies, social issues to pop culture. Anna lives in Dublin with her daughter, partner, three younger sisters and parents. She is a dreadful cook, a fair guitar player and thinks caffeine should be given as a yearly vaccine to parents - courtesy of the HSE.

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