He might not be home for Christmas

After spending 45 days in the desert, my husband vowed not to complain about a commercial airline trip for a year. But that doesn't mean I can't complain about the fact that he's on call starting Christmas Day (through 12/28) and will most likely get called thanks to some jackass who decided to bid for that day with the knowledge that he can just call out with no consequence.

Last year, my husband got home late Christmas night, so we just celebrated on 12/26 and it worked out just fine.

But this year, we're a little confused as to what to do. If he gets called on an international trip, he won't leave until late in the day, so it's pretty easy for us to celebrate as is.

However, a domestic trip will require him to leave early in the morning. So, if "Santa" comes on Christmas Eve, which in some families he does, he will need to make a mad scramble to get things under the tree, and "Mrs. Claus" will need to figure out where the hell to put the children while Santa works his magic on 5pm on a Thursday evening.

We could always postpone until the 28th, which would mean I'd need to treat my kids like they're on Big Brother and not let them watch any television or leave the house for three days until he returns.

Sounds fantastic, huh?

Then we'd get to open presents with my in-laws, which would mean I'd have to hear them drill my kids on "Which present did you like the best?" (hint hint ours because the only way we can show love is through material things with lots of batteries).

Seriously, I cannot explain to you how far back my eyes rolled when my MIL called my SIL to tell her that HER AWESOME TOY was Quinlan's favorite.

I politely reminded her that it was actually Santa's toy.

Ahem.

Of course, we won't know any of this until Christmas Eve day.

So aside from patenting a special military/pilot Advent calendar with write-in dates, and accepting a gracious offer from a bloggy friend to enjoy Christmas with her family and her mother-in-law (who happens to be from near where I'm from), I'm a little miffed as to what to do.

Any ideas?

Comments

[mom-101]

Is a trip to NYC a possibility? Because I vote for that one.

[Deborah]

Be Italian, and celebrate the "Beffana" (6th january). Sounds like a pretty long delay, but maybe santa could come while daddy's away, then have a big family christmas meal on the 6th??

[kootnygirl]

I think that Christmas Eve is the way to go, but later, after supper. Do you have a neighbour who could help you out? The family could go for a drive to look at Christmas lights, and the neighbour could fill the stockings (or you could fill them early and the neighbour just lays them out).

We couldn't get away with one of the family staying behind...the kids would probably clue in.

[julie @ Mommy Said What?]

The truth is, it doesn't matter. I love the idea of telling your kids that Daddy has to help Santa (if you need to explain why he's going away during Xmas), but whatever date you pick will work out just fine. Kids don't think like we do. They won't question it.

Enjoy the holidays. Together.

[JPgal]

I started my childhood in Switzerland, where everybody opens presents on Christmas Eve in the late afternoon or even after dinner. In my family, we would sit down for an early dinner and then go out for a walk. One of the adults would stay behind "to finish up the dishes" (i.e., put presents under the tree and light candles). When we came back from the walk, the tree would be lit up and the presents would magically have appeared. In Switzerland children think that presents are brought by angels on Christmas Eve. It's really nice to open presents when it's dark outside; it feels really cozy to sit together, sing carols, open presents, and munch on cookies.

Good luck!

[Asianmommy]

I like that idea. Christmas Eve is perfect.

[Aimee Greeblemonkey]

Ugh! I am sorry!I hope it works out. (Merry Christmas!)

[Secretia]

Play it by ear and you'll make the right decision.

Secretia

[Bill]

If he has to work, tell the kids Christmas is canceled and you're taking the toys to goodwill.

What?

Oh, okay. I'd plan to do it on the 24th as well. Tell the kids that sometimes Santa makes early deliveries so that families can be together when they open his gifts. You can even say something about how it's because family time/love is the most important thing about XMAS.

[Ruth]

Why not just do it early?

[Julie @ The Mom Slant]

What Susan said. Exactly.

(And I'm sorry. This sucks.)

[Margaret]

Celebrate the day before. On years when my husband has had to work on Christmas, we just pushed Christmas up a few days as needed). Now that they are in school, we push it back when needed (he's home this year so it worked out fine)

[My Kids Mom]

I think I'd make my decision early-- like now--and then convince your own brain that it Really Is Christmas. Because if you feel it, the kids will too. The actual date is irrelevant whether you're celebrating Santa or Christ.

[victoria]

anything that includes lots of rum.

[Amy]

I'd do everything Christmas on the morning of the 24th, too.

If your husband does have to leave on Christmas, you could always make up a story about Santa's sleigh breaking down, and Daddy being the only one who can help Santa get all the toys to the good little boys and girls in China and Australia, because he's the best pilot in the world...

[Susan Getgood]

Chiming in to agree -- arrange to have Santa come the night of the 23rd so they get their Santa gifts on the morning of the 24th. Hold any gifts from the two of you. If your husband is home the morning of 25th, open them then, and if not, save for when he gets back.

[Jane]

We are on the "Early Route" here, which means that Santa delivers our gifts in the wee morning hours of the the 24th.

[Jeni]

I vote wake up to Christmas on Christmas Eve. We did Christmas 2 days after Thanksgiving a few years ago when hubby was home from a year long deployment. Then we turned around and had three more Christmases with each set of grandparents. I'm still recuperating-yeesh. But the kids are still at an age they won't realize it's early, and then you can spend it with your whole family.

[Trista Evans]

I vote Christmas Eve as well. My husband used to be a firefighter. (You know...24 on, 48 off) and when his 24 hour days fell on Christmas, we'd either celebrate on the 24th or the 26th. Just tell the kids that Santa is coming early to make sure that Daddy is there. Put the presents out on the 23rd and get up Christmas Eve morning and treat it just like Christmas morning.

[Jill]

I like the idea of Christmas Eve morning, too. Christmas is a season, so if you celebrate for a few days, all the better.

[Mom on the Move]

Santa could come on Christmas Eve, eve... so they see the loot on the morning of the 24th. We are facing a deployment and I decided that if he was going to have to leave before the 25th Santa would understand and make a special trip here for our military family... I just didn't want DH to miss out.