The bah humbug thread...

I'm always up for a bah humbug thread.
I bloody hate christmas!

I'm with you Baggs on your opening post.
Lots of people enjoy Christmas and for those who do, have a really happy time.

Sending love and to you & Gymsta xx and Hellogirl .

@Isummer
My husband died 6 weeks beforeChristmas 5 years ago and yes, it’s hard.
We all (other 2 D’s and SILs) met up at my eldest daughter’s that year, I stayed and cried myself to sleep (as on all the other nights)
DH’s 2 sisters, brother and nephew were all there on Boxing Day too, I think we were 15 grown ups- brought home to me when I came into the dining room having made tea for everybody to find them all (except me) in pairs to play Happy Families.
I took myself off to the sitting room and for the first time felt like “Granny in the corner”. That has stayed with me.
Wishing you and all those missing a special person

62Granny

I like the day itself but hate the hype leading up to it, Usually created by supermarkets who make us think that unless we are 20 around the table drowning in food you won't have that perfect day. Also the endless question by people asking " have you finished your Christmas shopping " and "what you doing for Christmas" 😡 we always enjoy but in our own way and I don't see that is needs discussing with other people .

No supermarket has ever made me think that, 62Granny, and I’m sure I’m far from alone.

I havnt celebrated christmas since 1979 (the year my grandmother died) and so I'm definitely in the 'bah humbug' camp. I run an online business so by the time Ive finished packing parcels to send to the other side of the world I am burned out. I will be closing all my shops for a full 4 weeks to wind down.

I have an aquaintance who likewise sells online but a bigger operation with his own office and warehouse. My friend hates the family christmas with crowds of relatives and kids under foot. He tells his family that business does not stop on christmas day, boxing day and new years day. So he has to go into the office because he has given his staff the time off. He tells them to just put his dinner on one side and he will warm it in the micro when he returns.

In fact "business" takes about half an hour and then he puts his feet up for 2/3 hours to watch TV or listen to music. If they try to ring him and pester he just tells them he was in the warehouse and had left his phone in the office on charge.

The aim is to get away from the big family meal and return when most of the guests have gone. Of course his family have no idea what he does. They think of him as a hard worker and a great provider (which he is).

I understand exactly how he feels.

I like the day itself but hate the hype leading up to it, Usually created by supermarkets who make us think that unless we are 20 around the table drowning in food you won't have that perfect day. Also the endless question by people asking " have you finished your Christmas shopping " and "what you doing for Christmas" 😡 we always enjoy but in our own way and I don't see that is needs discussing with other people .

I don`t usually go too much overboard at Christmas, a tree, a few decorative ornaments, and cards displayed on a holder, plus present buying of course. But as my son died just over a week ago, I don`t think I`ll bother putting the tree up this year, just the cards. It really doesn`t feel Christmassy now.

It is only 4 months since my husband died and the grief is very raw. But I am doing a muted Christmas this year for my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter who I look after a couple of afternoons a week. I will put up a few decorations, but I am not sending any cards this year ( or ever again hopefully). We are all going on a Santa train next week and myself and her other Grandma are taking her to the theatre.
My dear son is coming to stay over Christmas and Christmas Eve will be spent with my SIL and her Swedish family who celebrate on the Eve. Christmas day with my daughter and her husbands family.
To be honest I am dreading it but I will try to put on a happy face but be glad when its all over on Boxing Day.

Riverwalk

Baggs I don't do prayers but sending positive vibes in the hope that your daughter is comfortable and not in too much distress.

❤️

And I'm glad your husband is losing his excess weight! My ex used to enjoy a glass of Laphroaig - I can smell that petrol odour as I type!

Baggs I don't do prayers but sending positive vibes in the hope that your daughter is comfortable and not in too much distress.

I'm definitely in the 'bah humbug' camp. I loathe xmas and always have done, even as a child. Left to my own devices, I probably wouldn't even bother with a tree or anything, but the adult children and GS would moan if I didn't put it up, so up it will go at some point. I do love the food, however - and host our family xmas dinner every year, although as both daughter and son and their partners all work shifts, it will just depend on who exactly is there on the day.

Just so, Maw, and we'll raise our glasses to you on the day. 🥃

Oreo and Riverwalk, thank you. Sadly it's terminal though the treatment she's having is to try to slow down its progress 🙏

We always have a toast to absent friends, MawtheMerrier, whether they be overseas and unable to join us or have died.
🥂

karmalady

gymstagran, I am so very sorry.

I am definitely not bah humbug wrt christmas but am watching so many here on GN, planning huge spreads and spending loads of money, which is often being put on credit cards. Buy now pay later

My christmas will conisist of a few happy hours with family, I shall drive there and drive back in the light. A nice short inexpensive family gathering. I am glad to say that excess does not come into for me and my family

karmalady I am definitely not bah humbug wrt christmas but am watching so many here on GN, planning huge spreads and spending loads of money, which is often being put on credit cards. Buy now pay later

I've not noticed anyone posting of spending loads. But, really? Money is to be spent as people see fit, my 'not frugal as mum' daughters even know that.

Baggs and Gymsta a difficult time for you both

I love Christmas, but not the over hyped, over spent and over fed one seen in so many adverts and magazines. I have so many happy memories of past Christmases. Mr. B doesn’t, as he has some unhappy memories. We have a quiet laidback Christmas Day, just the two of us, a few fun and not terribly expensive presents, nice food, a walk, a film or whatever we feel like. On Boxing Day we’re getting together with some of our siblings, just the grownup, a nice lunch and a lot of chatter.

I am definitely not bah humbug wrt christmas but am watching so many here on GN, planning huge spreads and spending loads of money, which is often being put on credit cards. Buy now pay later

My christmas will conisist of a few happy hours with family, I shall drive there and drive back in the light. A nice short inexpensive family gathering. I am glad to say that excess does not come into for me and my family

I flashed the credit card around yesterday 😲

What makes you think that, because Gransnetters use their credit cards, they can't pay them off, karmalady?

We're not driving back, we've been invited to stay the night.

#smugorwhat

It’s hard with illness and/or sorrow hanging over you. But paradoxically I think these are the times we need those we love most of all.
Lockdown showed that it is possible to get by without big family (or small family) gatherings but perhaps also highlighted that presents matter infinitely less than presence.
But we can be together in spirit, love takes no notice of the miles between.
So I’ll join Mr Baggs in a wee snifter if I may, be grateful for the possible and try not to let mourning “absent friends” (especially Paw) cloud the blessings I am still so grateful for.

Have been putting the trees up this morning, one for sitting room, one for conservatory.

Seems no time at all we were doing it last year.

Can’t say I enjoy doing it TBH, but I do like to see a lit Christmas tree in the window, and hope it looks cheery to anyone going past.

They’ll be down the day after Boxing Day however, once that’s gone, to me Christmas is over.

No keeping things up till 12th night.

I am definitely not bah humbug wrt christmas but am watching so many here on GN, planning huge spreads and spending loads of money, which is often being put on credit cards. Buy now pay later

My christmas will conisist of a few happy hours with family, I shall drive there and drive back in the ligh^t. A nice short inexpensive family gathering. I am glad to say that excess does not come into for me and my family

Bah smugbug!

I wonder whether any other GNs are feeling like I am, this December. I've always enjoyed Christmas, and (with family members in some years) have celebrated it happily, Sadly we are a smallish family, and
smaller still since our dear Mum died last year) and we're rather spread out across England. Plus our only child and family live overseas. This year on Christmas day it'll be me and DH, (which usually we enjoy) then relatives are coming for a few nights from Boxing Day. My problem is that I can summon up little enthusiasm at all for the festive season; DH feels the same, and we don't know why. I'm going through the motions (gifts, cards, planning food etc.) But mostly, for no reason I can identify, I feel as though I can't be bothered....... DH is the same. Anyone else feeling like this? And please can anyone offer any supportive advice?

Baggs I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's health

And for Gymstagran at what must be a very hard time

Callistemon21

^I am glad to say that excess does not come into for me and my family^
Keep the chocolate brazils away from me then!!

I like a bit of excess now and then when I can afford it.
Bring on the choccy brazils and Baileys.

I like Christmas even when times are difficult, nobody need buy into the ads and how a perfect Christmas should be, it’s whatever suits you.

Marydoll

I haven't noticed any posts on GN, where people have indicated that they are planning lavish spreads, spending to excess and even worse, paying for it all 😱)with credit cards.

Each to their own, it's their business.
IMO, a tad judgemental Karmalady.

Well said Marydoll

Thoughts with all those who have lost someone dear this year who are ill or are living with loved ones who are ill, Christmas will be hard this year.

And for those with family overseas too.

We all celebrate in our own way, quietly and thoughtfully, church or not big family celebrations or a peaceful dinner.

Baggs sorry to hear your daughter has had or has a brain tumour, hope she recovers well.
Gymstagran that’s so hard