I feel for you all!
We stayed at my parents overnight on Chrristmas day (thay doesn't really make sense...), so it's Mr Mule who has to tolerate the in-laws. Fortunately he loves them as much as I do.
There was a very touching moment this year when Mr Mule (who has disowned his own father - for good reasons), had a few drinks, forgot himself, and started calling Mr Mule Senior "Dad" - totally spontaneously.
I nearly shed a tear 