((Nancy))
I'm no help with figuring out why you and I seem to be doing all the work (smile). That definitely is the same with me, and 3 times the usual dishes. But would recommend SOMETIMES a menu of paper-plate-friendly things. Between T-day and more than one group of Christmas gatherers at my house, I am ready to insist on paper plates for something!
about family disappointing us - my ds told me he'd be good with a get-together schedule of suppertime, then after dstepson's family had gotten that all worked out with their schedule, ds changed to needing to come for lunch, when dstepson and dstepdil couldn't. I really had to bite my tongue - useless to get upset since he was saying it was work-related and he couldn't help it, but it caused extra trouble. Why couldn't he have tried harder to make certain of his schedule in advance. Also dstepgd and ds' little boy 2 years old missed their chance to see each other and bond with each other. They have barely had any time together at all, and hardly remember each other.
I'm not sure the family understands that what's important to me is that we ALL see EACH OTHER for once, not just happening to run into each other if we're lucky. I'd like to get photos of all the children together, not leaving someone out, etc. Would rather have that than the finest gift.
Maybe you could keep dgs's attention by only turning on music, not a tv show that day. Or one of those fireplace scenes on the tv instead.
Wonderful that you had scripture before presents.