Can’t-be-bothered Christmas

I think plenty of people could take or leave Christmas, watermeadow. At least you are honest about how you feel. :-)

Perhaps you could do what I do. I have chronic fatigue so know how you feel. I have a tabletop tree which stays decorated, I just put it away in a spare room wardrobe with all the decorations on. I tied the decorations on so that they won’t fall off when the tree is moved.

Why do anything if you don’t want to ! It’s not compulsory

Polymyalgia is miserable, watermeadow, I feel for you. Mine has turned to Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is quite well under control so no excuse for feeling that I can't be bothered with Christmas. I have bought no gifts at all. GCs are grown up so are happy with money only. I have decided to spend the day alone apart from a local walk some time during the day with DD1 and family. I shall cook a mini turkey breast with a few trimmings and I have bought some nice cheeses and crackers which I look forward to snacking on in front of the TV.
I hope everyone is able to have the Christmas they wish for, quiet or otherwise.

My arthritic aches and pains aren’t as bad as your Polymyalgia but I feel the same as you watermeadow as regards Christmas. At least you’ll get to see family - all mine are thousands of miles away. Mind you, perhaps I should think of that as a relief not to have to ‘do’ Christmas.

You do what’s right for you*watermeadow*and enjoy being with your family on the day.

Watermeadow Just take your time during the day,enjoy being waited on at your Christmas meal then come home and relax with your Christmas picnic.
My half Christmas tree gets taken from the hook on the wall and put back in the box with the lights and baubles in place ready for next year no pressure involved at all.

I'm sorry about your pain and fatigue watermeadow and I hope you have some lovely times with your family at Christmas.

I have just spoken to my brother who will not be doing anything re Christmas other than cooking a turkey crown not because he or his wife are ill but because they cant be bothered. They spend their lived being bored senseless, never go out, never do anything having moved to Dorset to enjoy the lovely coast and countryside they never go anywhere but complain of being fed up. I find it exasperating.

I am very arthritic now and still trying to recover my walking ability after my slipped disc in October but I love the distraction from the ordinary that Christmas brings so we do everything. The house is full of twinkly lights, cards food and drink. Presents for all the family and each other wrapped and waiting. These things help me beat my ever present tendency to depression. DH thank fully goes along with the overspending and overconsumption as its only a few days and then we are back to normal.

Well said Bertha

I too also have arthritis and it takes me all my time to wrap presents. I bought the Christmas bags they are brilliant no pain just open bag and drop gift in and pull ties as for a tree I’ve not bothered this year but I’m going to my oldest for Christmas and youngest for new year’s so didn’t see point not that I can be bothered anyway but that’s more to do with my condition than any thing else. Trying to explain to ppl why isn’t easy as they don’t understand why you feel the way you do.

We don’t do Christmas at all. We are not scrooges as we give lots of presents when we see something or something is needed. I like giving. But we are not religious and therefore can’t see the point. So on Christmas Day we enjoy a quiet meal and all friends are welcome. It is nice that most of them have the same day off so we can meet up, but there are no decorations, cards or turkey. I think my husband would be happy to go to work, but I insist a day off is good for him. Our family have got used to it, we just do as we please and if anyone doesn’t like it they don’t have to come round.

So do what you like not what others expect you to.

Christmas is cancelled here ,we have my MIL's funeral tomorrow and another on Tuesday with a third on Friday.Hardly puts you in a festive mood .
The presents were all wrapped weeks ago so no one will do without but its just my OH and me here on Christmas day ,for the very first time in 47 years .Anyone who thinks we should party can go give their heads a wobble

I'm sorry about your MIL, paddyann; DH had to go to a funeral last week, couldn't not go although I didn't, another one in the NY of a friend. There have been so many in the last couple of years and none, that I know, from Covid.

I haven't decorated yet but feel I should make an effort today. The grandchildren could have come and decorated the tree but we're being careful, hoping all will be well for Christmas Day.

Last year I put out decorations just for us, enjoyed them, then put them all away again but not in the attic so at least we don't have to clamber up there.

I don't feel Bah Humbug, just a bit down in the dumps.

Right! First I have to clean

watermeadow I hope you have a lovely Christmas with you family.

Trees are not compulsory and were only introduced relatively recently by Prince Albert!!

I wish I'd bought an 18" one in a pot this year

As you read - there's a big club of us who do not bother much with it. Only lasts a few days - just drift along and we'll be in 2022. It's the 'meeja' hypes it up and that's just to get you buying junk.

I also do not feel Bag Humbug but the 25th will be a pleasant but normal day. I no longer have any relatives so there is not much to celebrate but if anybody wants to, please feel free.

I will do what I like when I like and I will have a pleasant meal of duck in orange sauce with trimmings watching TV in the evening, having opened a bottle of wine.

If it hadn't been for the GC, I wouldn't have bothered getting a Christmas tree at all this year. As it is, they enjoyed an afternoon decimating decorating it so worth it for that.

Bertha, I so love your attitude. Such a cheerful heart. Bravo! Quite made my day. Thank you??

The huge, pre-lit tree remains in it's box in the garage. The tiny real tree (last year's substitute) sits in it's little pot in the back garden. I can't be bothered either, watermeadow. I've no excuses, plenty of time, strength and good health - still, can't be bothered.

We had our big Christmas dinner here last Saturday. Did I decorate the house, make a door wreath, put fairy lights and candles on the table? Did I heck.

I'm going to my daughter's place for the big day itself. She has a husband and three children, a job, degree study - and an energetic dog to cope with. Will her place be decorated - yes, perfectly, as always!

A fellow retired teacher keeps her tree, fully assembled and decorated, in her garage, covered with a dust sheet. Her neighbour helps her to move it into the house, then back, for Christmas. Clever woman!

I love decorating the house for Christmas, as I love the cheer it brings during these dull and dismal days. However, I do appreciate that for some, this period is a difficult time for them and being “jolly” and “festive” just doesn’t feel right, so understand why they don’t want to decorate. Others just don’t have the energy nor the enthusiasm, for many and varied reasons, and I understand that, as well. We all have to do what feels right for us. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.

Christmas can be whatever you want it to be. Had to spread the decorating out over three days this year, just didn't have the energy to do it all at once like I used to. But there's a bit of extra sparkle in the room now which cheers me up every time I come into it.

I actually don't know anyone who has huge family get togethers anymore, although I am sure there are some. Most people I know seem to prefer their own homes for Christmas or to go away to a hotel or cottage.

Horrible feeling isn't it watermeadow ?

Got the decorations out, looked at them then decided to polish the furniture first and clean just one window and one patio door which now look more smeary!

The Christmas musical box is in its usual place so it's a start

A fellow retired teacher keeps her tree, fully assembled and decorated, in her garage, covered with a dust sheet.

Oh, what a good idea!

I thought of going out and buying a pre-lit LED tree