Christmas 2023??

@Nansypansy

My eldest granddaughter passed away very unexpectedly in her sleep on Christmas morning. She was 28. It was truly devastating

So sorry for your loss.

My grandmother died a few weeks before christmas in 1979. She was in her 90s and reconciled with "meeting her maker" (her words) but her death affected me far more than did the deaths of my own parents in the late 1990s - early 2000s. None of the family celebrated that year but I have never done so since. As a family occasion it is meaningless to me and I avoid it at all costs.

Now it is just a business opportunity.

I don't usually think about Christmas until around Black Friday but recently a lot of retail web sites have had good sales. I've found some lovely organic cotton clothing for toddlers at very competitive prices, so GGD will be the lucky recipient. I'll think about teenagers and adults later.

After god knows how many awful Christmas holidays me and husband now just want to be left alone. We started last year by declaring in August that we would be on our own over Christmas, just so everyone knew and understood. Did that stop them, did it hell. My sister stepped in and invited my mother to her house, a tactical move on her part so that my mum would feel she had to accept. So far so good...or so we thought. A rather horrible set of circumstances meant that DS and GDD arrived for Christmas with a dog and a cat!. Mother, sensing she was missing out deliberately (I have no proof but I know) missed her train on Christmas Eve taking her to my sisters. Once more, sister came to the rescue and drove 2 hours to come and collect her. Then DD1 and DD2 both announced they would be arriving on the 27-31. On the 26 (a day I still consider to be Christmas and part of our 'we want to be alone ' period) DS and D GD plus dog and cat are still in residence and lo and behold mother rocks up at 11 am having spent approximately 18 hours at my sisters house. No idea she was coming and she wasn't invited. So that's 3 humans and 2 animals so far. On the 27 2 more arrive. They all eventually leave on the 30...
I'm going to try again this year..

Ps..Before I am labelled a bad mother and daughter I am absolutely not....I spend all year caring for my family and just wanted to have the Christmas we wanted for the first time ever.

Crafters are definitely thinking about Christmas!!

OurKid1

I've now sorted out my knitting yarn stash and have put proposed Christmas present projects into one (huge) box. In my defence, it was autumnal, drizzly and dark outside!

It's really dark this evening and has started raining again.

What are you planning, OurKid?

After a very wet dog walk this afternoon I put on the kettle, fire and tv. Seemed like a good idea to open a tub of Celebrations and as a result am now feeling well Christmassy. I am going to light a few tea lights too, lovely.

I've now sorted out my knitting yarn stash and have put proposed Christmas present projects into one (huge) box. In my defence, it was autumnal, drizzly and dark outside!

Nansypansy

After last horrendous Christmas I will never be able to enjoy Christmas again. My eldest granddaughter passed away very unexpectedly in her sleep on Christmas morning. She was 28. It was truly devastating.

So Sorry for you , when ever one else is cheerful .[Flowers]

I must admit it to having a rest from considering Christmas in January/February when I am rather ‘Christmassed out’! For some months following, it is a happy thought. Now, in August, it is the time when I start to give Christmas some serious thought. Summer is proving to be a wash out weather wise, (yet again) and the thought of the festive season and Halloween/Guy Fawkes Night before it is a much needed boost to my well being. My birthday is in October so I always think of myself as an Autumn/Winter person, though I love Spring/Summer too! Luckily my elder daughter shares my predilection and we gleefully report to each other what Christmassy things we have spotted in the shops. Whatever kind of Christmas I have, extravagant or more circumscribed, I know it will be wonderful!

Sara1954

Nannagarra
I simply cannot say, but it’s pink and sparkly, very big, and currently very topical.
And my youngest granddaughter’s dream.

@ Sara1954 - thanks. I think I’m onto it now and will be listening carefully to interest from my DGD.
Cheers!

Booked for our favourite hotel for three days over Christmas. Have to book early as only twenty rooms and it gets booked up very quickly.

Nannagarra
I simply cannot say, but it’s pink and sparkly, very big, and currently very topical.
And my youngest granddaughter’s dream.

I enjoy Christmas usually, but I don't like to think about it until at least October! I might buy the odd present before then, if I see something appropriate, but otherwise I ignore it until Oct. Before then I've got 3 birthdays (2 of which are in December)
and my son is visiting from Australia in November (I'm sooooo excited about that!), so I've other things on my mind rather than the festive season. Last year I spent Christmas alone, in bed, with Covid. I was meant to be going to my daughter's and spending it there with her, the GC and my partner, but the virus had other ideas. I was very upset at missing my new GS's first Christmas . The year before I spent alone because my daughter had fallen out with me! . This year, I'm hoping nothing goes wrong! Finger's crossed...

Am I the only intrigued (nosy) person who wants to know what Sara1954 and her DD have bought?
It’s purely for research purposes, mind!
🤣 😉
Tbh we don’t think about 🌲 until birthdays are over in mid November.

FNODT. There was a thread on this earlier in the week. Try going back through Chat.
It would seem many of us continue to buy as the family expands, whilst others have a cut-off point at 18 or 21.

We are having a Little Christmas with my friend, her partner, daughter and son-in-law the second weekend of December. I am enjoying making crackers, decorations, silly party hats etc. It is something for us to look forward to since our DD cut us out of her life just before her second baby was due.
Christmas Day will be much the same as any other. Luckily we have each other.

Couldn’t believe it when I saw a Christmas tree complete with tinsel and baubles when I walked into my local Asda last week. It was advertising up and coming Christmas offers 🫣😐

Christ on a bike !! Can't believe I'm reading this - it's bloody August for God's sake

I's August, for goodness' sake! Last year I was outraged to enter a John Lewis store last September to be welcomed by 'Good King Wenceslas. [shock[

I'd be interested to know people's thoughts on buying for AC once the GC come along. We have 6 GS and it's getting expensive.....

JayDee60

We’ve just moved back to the area in the middle of our families. We had been a distance away looking after in-laws but now they’ve gone we’re back. Family can now come and visit in a day. All of a sudden they want me to be cooking the Christmas dinner when before they’ve been happy to go to a restaurant or get another family member to “invite” them. Unfortunately they’re between 32-42 and none of the women can cook a Christmas dinner or be bothered too. I feel stressed already and not looking forward to the next time it will be mentioned.

Just offer what you're prepared to do and let them take care of the rest. Last Christmas we bought and cooked the Turkeys and the rest was divided up between the adult children which gave them plenty of time to enjoy Christmas morning after Santa had been. Win/win all round. Pre pandemic we've usually hosted everyone but I'm letting go a bit now and its SO much more enjoyable.

GrannySmith

Malta is beautiful, truly beautiful. I love Valletta and would love to go back there.

Im sorry Christmas time is not a good time for you. X

How dreadful for you all, Nansypansy, I’m so sorry.

Nansypansy
That is so sad for you, what a dreadful thing to happen, I’m not surprised you can’t face Christmas

After last horrendous Christmas I will never be able to enjoy Christmas again. My eldest granddaughter passed away very unexpectedly in her sleep on Christmas morning. She was 28. It was truly devastating.