Today we had a good, large, family Christmas dinner at a local Masonic Lodge dining hall. All of the extended family members that could attend brought food to share, and nobody went away hungry. Much to my surprise, there were no family fights that I was aware of, and everyone had a good time. We sang a few songs (Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer) and played a few games. We exchanged a few gifts here and there. Everyone chipped in with setting up the tables and buffet, and everyone chipped in with the dish-washing and cleaning up.
My mother said she thought it was a lot more work than when the dinners were held at someone’s house, but I completely disagree, since the dinners have been held at my house every year for the past six years. This year I didn’t have to run around the house in a panic, cleaning, de-cluttering, and worrying about the pets being upset, or about my things being broken (or stolen) by someone.
I really hope that all future family dinners will be held there. I liked it a lot.