Second First Christmas

I’m getting ready to spend my first Christmas somewhere other than my parent’s house. I’ll see them on Christmas day but I won’t wake up at their house.

I got married a year and a half ago and my wife and I alternate Thanksgiving and Christmas between our families. We live four hours away from both of our families so it’s not feasible to wake up at our house and then travel.

We spent last Christmas Eve night and Christmas morning with my parents. It was pretty normal for me; the only difference was my wife was there. This year, we’re spending those same nights with her family.

…

Well, Christmas was three days ago.  It was strange.  I woke up at my wife’s family’s house and it felt like Christmas but not.  I got up and exchanged gifts with a family, my family but not my family.  I’ve known these people half my life but it didn’t feel like Christmas with my family.  That’s ok though.  It’s not going to feel the same and I don’t think it’s supposed to.

I found out that my wife’s family doesn’t do things a lot different than mine.  They all say good morning and Merry Christmas.  They open presents one person at a time.  The main difference is that they get into their stockings before opening presents.

All in all, it was a good experience.  I got to experience new things with my new family and it prepares me for when my wife and I have children.  We’ll be doing this for real when we’re bringing our children to our parent’s homes for Christmas.  Now my wife and I have both spent the major holidays with each other’s families.  We’re ready for the future.