I Dread Christmas, 2012

Merry, I meant...

On the way to the shops this afternoon I turned the radio on - for some reason it was tuned to Heart - only for my ears to be assaulted by a burst of 'So here it is, Merr C...' by Slade!
Not just too early, not even true!

"wisewoman" Snap! My sunny little boy was born a month before Christmas 71 and I refused to do anything about Christmas until after his birthday party thereafter. It was a rush particularly as I always seemed to be the Christmas hostess in the family. But it was great, I loved Christmas. Then as my sons grew into teenagers, we started doing 'the meal' on Christmas Eve, all dressed up in glam clothes with candles on the table and Pictionary afterwards. That was lovely too. Nowadays, we go to the UK and shiver in cold rented cottages and visit the children and grandchildren and 'the meal' mainly comes from Waitrose or Sainsburys because this generation works and doesn't have time for all the preparation. And my offers of help are perceived as interference and the children get overindulged with plastic junk and then get stroppy and we come away saying, 'next year, we'll stay home in France'. So this year we're doing just that and now I'm sad because I won't be with them! Perverse, thats me.

OH qualified at UCH in 1969 - so a bit too early to have helped with the birth.

boomer you sound like a very positive upbeat sort of person

If I found myself alone at Christmas time I think I would go and volunteer somewhere where there are loads of people and it's noisy and warm, like one of those places which serve a good meal to the homeless in London. I'm told the camaraderie is wonderful. After my ex left, ten years ago, my grown up children rallied round. Now one daughter is in Oz and the other has my lovely granddaughters in deepest Wales, but I'll be going there after Boxing Day. My son thinks he may come over but I suspect he'd like to be elsewhere with friends.
I'm very lucky though and met a super man seven years ago, moved in with him, happy ever after...very lucky! We've been looking forward to Christmas Day on our own together and are resisting his large family do, at least until Boxing Day!
Get out there girls, there are plenty of lonely men around!

If you were in UCH 38 years ago, chances are that my sister could have been your midwife!

On the actual Christmas day 38 years ago while I was in UCH with our newborn, my elder daughter (2 yrs) had to go to my parents' house as my policeman husband was on duty. When he got home all the family came to our house and his sister (no kids) fed our 2 yr old with choc mints which made her sick all over her cot in the middle of the night.DH was not best pleased. Had our next baby on Halloween.I like to pick an occasion!

I had DD2 on 17th December, 1974. The whole family came for Christmas and I remember soaking nappies in Napisan while everyone roared with laughter at Morecambe and Wise.

I had one on 13th December 30 years ago and when i left hospital I felt as though all the decorations were there just for us. I still decorate the tree on or just after his birthday (it always used to depend on when he had his party). I agree that it helps to make the season more special.

I had one on 18th December 1971, I had the whole family for Christmas day plus the midwife, he was born at home. Now I go and look after his children while he and his wife go away and celebrate his birthday.

I had one 8th December 1972. He was two weeks early, thank goodness.

I had one ten days before Christmas 41 years ago. We had a tradition that Christmas preparations didn't start until after the birthday was over which made life a lot easier. No tree up on 1st December, no talk of presents, Santa etc. It helped stave off some of the hype.

Oh! I've got to get him a present!

That's lovely johannapiano. I had one three weeks before Christmas Day almost 32 years ago. Made Christmas very special that year.

I had a baby half-an-hour before Christmas Day almost 38 years ago.We love Christmas !

celegran

Xmas can be so damn hard to some of us, I am sooo lucky have great son and his new partner has invited us to spend it with them.

Previous times our oldest friends have hosted xmas lunch before the estrangement from my daughter and afterwards.

However much I adoremy son my heart is always heavy missing my daughter and little grand daughters.

However must be thankful have fantastic husband and my son, far luckier than some to any one on here sad this Xmas for whatever reason.

Even if things were ok with my family I would still dread the commercial hype of it all!! I enjoy xmas meals, cards from people who do not see etc etc but please the continual adverts and gift idea!! abhor them.

jane x

Nanad (((hugs))) for you too.

soop (((hugs)))

For all of you...

Ana thank you, so are a very kind person

Yes, there is comfort to be had from sharing those thoughts with like-minded folk! I can't moan too much to DH about Christmas because he loves it! If it wasn't for him I'd just have a small tree and NO decorations!

soop you are no glumster this thread is for us to let of steam about the silly season ,hopefully we can feel less guilty by letting our feelings be known instead of wearing a grin and pretending we like it,and having done that actually enjoy some of it...if you get my meaning .xxx