Yep Despite the short comings listed here, we will all be making an effort. My son is getting married in early January. I don't like those gatherings either, but thankfully his wedding is only a small gathering. My eldest daughter gets married some time later in the year, however her wedding is going to be on a larger scale with relatives attending whom in all honesty I care less to know. (Nothing personal of course) My daughter is having a traditional wedding where I am expected to "give her away" as if she is 'mine' to give ... rolls eyes. Complete garbage really ... but I'll just smile and play along as best I can. I like my son in law. As for all those who only know me from gossip ... I'll just smile and nod and leave them with their snippets of info offering not much else. Is pretty much what I will be doing come the Xmas lunch.
But yea ... it nice to catch up with immediate family and also allow others the opportunity to reach out if they so wish. I grant half the time the issue is more us. Focus on what works rather than what does not ... hey? You seem like to always have a positive outlook on such things martin. Is a good way to be for as long as one has the strength. No one is perfect of course.