Can’t-be-bothered Christmas

The important thing is to celebrate Christmas the way you want and if it is "not at all," that is OK too. We have always loved Christmas but we moved in December last year and didn't have a tree. Now we do, plus cards and sparkling lights and tinsel on pictures. There will be no-one but us to see it this year but that's all right. And if everything gets cancelled we have fridge and freezer and cupboards full of food, DVDs, CDs, books and the TV. And each other, so no chance of being bored or fed up. We count our many blessings. I hope those of you who are ill get some respite and enjoyment over the next week, whatever you can manage or want.

Thank you beswitched

Does anyone still believe in Jesus Christ on Gransnet.? I am 75 yrs now, with arthritis, back, hips, knees , shoulders, thumbs,. Plus bad digestive, hiatus hernia. I tell you this, not looking for sympathy, but to let you know that I am at the same place as most of you. I still have my husband, thank God, but for me the spirit of Christmas, and the birth of a Saviour, promising to come and save us. I Don,t fully understand God , I know that he is Spirit too. But if anyone would like to contest this belief? Would you first explain to me about the universe. What is it? Is IT God ? How big is it? Does it have an end, of is it infinite? Human beings are made of energy, we are told that energy never dies, by the scientists. We know the body dies and disintegrates, but where does our spirit go? The part that makes us who we are? Can you answer these questions? Then how do you know that there is no God? Please, tell me do.

I actually do like Christmas but this year we are only having one of our daughters and family over. She has a 3 year old so we are doing the full bit mainly for her benefit. On Boxing Day we have 3 of our daughters and families coming over so that will be a kind of continuation but more casual, probably outside if it is hot enough. We always have presents under the tree for those who come, just a habit we have never got out of but they all seem to look forward to it. We did the Christmas Light run with 3 grandchildren last week. They were the best we have seen- probably because people have been home more so put more time into it. Whole streets full of houses covered with lights, angels, santas ,stars etc. Praise be for solar power! I have the feeling things are going to get a whole lot harder with Covid so we are making the most of it. I believe in God and Jesus Christ my Saviour who was born that we might live and that one day be with Him but meanwhile we have the gift of life on this earth so I'm feeling I should make the most of it.

My mum died just over a year ago so this is the second Christmas without her. I have made a good effort lights ,tree.

But when setting the table up as I have done, all I do is sit and cry at thinking of the vacant place at the table, I just cant get past it.

My mum and dad enjoyed coming to mine and I loved waiting on her, she was 85 and spritely.

I will make the best with my 2 dds 2 gns and my dad who is inconsolable loosing his best friend of 70 yrs they met when they were 15.

Yes I will be busy cooking the turkey/beef and watching gs open his pressies no doubt we will play games.

As other have said that have had bereavement and sadness it's a very very difficult time when you see families out laughing and shopping and preparing. We don't begrudge but it makes us think of yrs gone by when things were happier.

I was listening to Radio Lancashire few Sundays ago on my way to work as they put on a church service (I'm not religious but I do listen) there was lady on Bishop Jill, she said "don't be forced into saying you enjoy the festivities not everyone is in a situation, there are many many people who just cannot cope with it or don't like it. But don't let it make you feel guilty or that you should be dancing round the lamposts, it is perfectly fine not to enjoy Christmas and not to be hard on yourself.

Good post bikergran and I agree, Christmas does highlight those who we miss. I always think of my Mum and Dad and how it used to be in the UK when we went up to Leeds for Christmas. Still, I am always happy to see the young ones full of life with everything in front of them.

What a lovely uplifting message karmalady. It felt like a warm mum hug ?

I am not moping about Christmas’s past, I am sad about Christmas present.

We don’t do much, just enjoy some peace and quiet, carols, tree. I often wish I could spend the day with my lovely, lively grandchildren and their parents but it doesn’t happen for a variety of reasons.
A few years ago, DH’s mother died in November, and we moved house on 13 December that year. DH went and spent Christmas with his adult daughter who had been his mother’s live-in carer. And I spent the day with my daughter. That was probably the best Christmas ever!