We always used to have Cuban-style roast pork and frijoles negros for Christmas Eve at my mother's parents' home and then later at my mom & dad's. Everyone else brought various side dishes. We still do Christmas Eve at my mom & dad's but after my dad's bout with cancer and my daughter's illness seven/eight years ago (which had everyone frazzled and stressed), my mom has had all the food catered.

Christmas day we usually end up at my husband's parent's home with his siblings and my MIL will either have a thoroughly roasted turkey (as in over-cooked and dry) or a ham in a similar state. I love her but she's so paranoid about getting sick from food that is undercooked that she will flat cook everything to death.

This year, the inlaws will be getting together the day after Christmas so we are planning to smoke both a ham and a turkey.

Though we always split time between the two families, we don't have far to travel as both my husband's parents and mine live in the same county as us albeit at opposite ends. All of my five brothers and their families are also in the area and three of my husband's four sisters are within an hour or so of here.