Pre Christmas support thread - if full of seasonal joy, please start your own threads

Having spent only one Christmas in the past 14 years with my daughter and grandchildren, my heart goes out to all those missing loved ones at what should be a delightful, family oriented time of year. I am fortunate as I have moved and we shall now be together.

Christmas is obviously not the mythical wonderful time for everybody because, following it, the number of people seeking a divorce shoots up.

As has been said, increasing numbers of people spend it on their own and I'm sick of all the hype that presents a misleading picture, basically just to sell more stuff.

For those for whom Christmas is a sad, lonely or difficult time, I hope that chatting with other Gransnetters can provide some comfort.

Aka

Hate this month. Saddest memories ever. Such pain and grief.

I don't have a specific reason for not enjoying Christmas, I just don't. So thank you for starting this thread JessM somewhere to come when the adverts get to be too much.

I agree Ariadne a very thoughtful and needed thread. Although I will have some of my family with me this year, on the 6th it would be the birthday of my son who was murdered and I find it very hard not to think of what might have been and no matter how many years go by it always feels like it was yesterday. Anniversaries are always hard aren't they? My love and thoughts go out to all of you that have sad memories and a hard time at this point of the year.

Finding it really hard as my emotions are in turmoil. My beloved brother in law went into the hospice yesterday and is very unlikely to be with us by next week at this time. Meanwhile my DD, DS, daughter in law and new DGD are due here in two weeks to join us from Australia for Christmas after not seeing them for more than 2 years and never having met DGD. Just don't know how we will all get through the next few weeks- but we will!

A good thread, Jess thoughtful and needed, which I'm sure will be appreciated.

I will be alone, I prefer not to be but that is the way it is so I will make the best of it. That is a lovely thought JessM

and a all round. Particularly to those who lost a loved one at this time of year.

I'm fortunate to have my family and DH but being married to a founder member of the Bah Humbug Society and evangelical aethiest, we don't go overboard at Christmas. I hate all the hype and the way the media pushes this ideal family thing. All these perfect families giving each other perfect presents. Getting on for half the population now live alone now for one reason or another and a hell of a lot of us will missing a loved one from their lives. There'll be a lot of brave faces again this year. ((hugs)) to all of you whose lives have been turned upside down and especially those who find themselves alone.

Lindy I found last Christmas awful despite everyone trying to be kind and just wanted it to be over. This one will be totally different - a non-Christmas, as I will be in Oz and I never feel I have 'done' Christmas as it's too hot to get in the mood and eating barbecued fish rather than dried out turkey, is more like being on holiday ! This year I haven't bothered with Christmas cards and have kept presents to the minimum. Perhaps this is the beginning of a new type of Christmastime? Today, my 40th wedding anniversary, I have been travelling and then looking after the gc's while DD is working so my mind has been occupied. Lots of love and {{hugs}} to everyone who will not be with those they love this Christmas.

Somewhat bittersweet for me, on 12th December it will be 5 years since my darling boy Jack died, aged 19.

Lindy thinking of you, the first is always the hardest.

Lovely thought, Jess

Dreading Christmas, the first without my darling husband. Will paint a smile on my face for our 12 grandchildren on the day, but feel completely desolate. My thoughts and a virtual hug to all those gns who find themselves dreading the coming festivities. [Flowers]

This is a kind , nice thoughtful thread !
It is not for me , but nevertheless I think it very good !!

Nice one Jess!

Kind and sensitive thought JessM
Judging by threads/posts there will be quite a few who will not be finding it easy

Thanks JessM! I find it difficult and stressing