Can’t be bothered, 🎄 fatigue.

Exactly the same nanna8

ourjude well done, you've made someone else's Christmas 🙂

the Festive Pie looks rather good! I shall look out for one, perhaps for Boxing Day as we're not home on Christmas Day.

I was just about to moan about the decorator turning up at such short notice, (when I particularly said, i’ll leave the rest till the spring), but after hearing some of the real problems some of you have, I am humbled. Hope everything turns out well for you all
P.S. just couldn’t send him away, because he is related to my d.i.l.

Eeh I thought it was just me!

Just a small point re sending Christmas cards. Last 2nd class post is Monday 12th. Last 1st class post is Friday 16th. These are the new guaranteed for Christmas dates.

Me too. I am going through the motions but wishing it was all over. So much bad news and grief around this year, I find it hard to get all 'Merry and Bright' when so many people in the world are hungry and homeless, it overloads my social conscience. Just travelled back from visiting in a care home and saw all Christmas trees in windows and pretty lights. I commented to my DH that I wish I had the 'enthusiasm for Christmas' gene, but it is sadly, missing.

I didn’t feel like it until very recently. I did present shopping online and am wrapping a few each day, just in brown paper tied with raffia and the greeting written on the paper, no tags. A few cards sent but still quite a few to do. Have made the Christmas pudding, part of my contribution and the bread sauce which is in the freezer. Haven’t made a Christmas cake this year, instead, I made a much quicker, easier orange and almond cake, also in the freezer. My son and his girlfriend are coming on Christmas Eve and staying overnight so I’ll have to cook for that but at least I don’t have to do the full Christmas Day lunch. I think I’ll enjoy it as it gets closer. Hope you all do too. 🎄🎄🎄

We can do as much - or as little - as we like, though, as there are no rules. I never did enjoy writing cards or wrapping presents - and always hated going shopping. The grandkids get vouchers or gifts sent direct to their places. Everything's ordered and I haven't set foot in a shop (except a corner shop) for years!

Christmas just never dos it for me, I'm just getting the grandkids presents, my own kids I've told them not to bother with gifts for my partner and I, we have everything we need, we are having a family gathering and meeting up next summer so I've told them to keep the money to enjoy then.
I've also posted on Facebook that I'm not sending Christmas cards, the postage costs and waste of cards and time I've finally bitten the bullet and called a halt to it all. And I'm now feeling much relieved.Yay!!🤣

Dianehillbilly1957, yes we can feel really good about avoiding waste and being kind to the environment, too. The family gathering is the only important thing to me these days. I had decades of doing it all - for the children - but now they do it for theirs!

What a gorgeous cat. Our first cat was a British Blue called Misty.

I’m so sorry for those on here with real problems and sorrows this Christmas.

I’m very fortunate in that I’ve lots to fit in before and around the big day, including having all the family descending on us on Saturday. I still love Christmas and really can be bothered - I’m planning a big buffet, Christmas games, a treasure hunt for the grandsons, a special cake for one who’s got a birthday coming up. The trouble is my get up and go’s got up and gone. Everything seems to take forever, and there’s just so much to do. Perhaps it’s time I started to rein in my ambitions and kept things simple.

Though for the first time ever I haven’t made a Christmas cake, a pudding or even any mincemeat, haven’t got my tree up yet or written my cards…. The spirit is still willing but oh, it’s all such hard work!

This thread has surprised me. I thought I was the only one who hates Christmas. It’s such hard work. However, this year I am counting my blessings. Started early and cards mostly done. Son asked me to please do one last Christmas as he loves it. He trained as a chef before going on to something more suitable for him career wise so has offered to do the roast, although he’s never done one so I will be the sous chef whilst he lifts the turkey out to baste from our low oven. It would do my back in. OH might be working so after lunch I will have a nap and leave son and partner to watch whatever on our comfy leather sofas. This morning, when looking in our stationary cupboard for Christmas stuff, I found photos of him as a little boy next to the Christmas tree and suddenly realised why he finds it so special. Next year? Tenerife maybe?
I know it’s very hard work as we get older. Agree with you all.

One Christmas a few years back we went on a cruise, just the two of us. It was magic cruising the South Pacific, going to parties , dancing and meeting people from different countries. I don’t think I would do it again since Covid and it is one of those things you just do once in a lifetime.

Oh thank goodness I'm not the only one that feels like this. I usually do a little home baking for my 5 immediate neighbours. I am struggling to get it done this year although I have got my cards done and posted. It's the parcels for the rest of family I am struggling with at this time. Now I'm being told, because of postage problems they should be posted by Monday or Tuesday at the latest. I better get my finger out over the weekend. Best wishes to all who are struggling.

I don’t hate Christmas but this year I have lost some of my enthusiasm for it. I posted my cards on Monday but, as yet, no tree or decorations are up. We keep talking about getting them down from the loft but nothing happens. Admittedly we’ve just come back from 5 weeks abroad but I just feel disinterested in Christmas this year. Shame really.

Unless there’s a good reason for feeling tired and miserable, and I know that many on here do, I wonder what’s causing all this cba stuff?
Christmas lights, a bit of sparkle, friends getting together, a few treats, what could be nicer?

Oreo

Unless there’s a good reason for feeling tired and miserable, and I know that many on here do, I wonder what’s causing all this cba stuff?
Christmas lights, a bit of sparkle, friends getting together, a few treats, what could be nicer?

I think some of it is just overload, after the pandemic Christmases, which were quiet, everything is back on full throttle this year, but we aren’t used to it any more.
I’m really looking forward to Christmas, but I went shopping this morning, and didn’t stay long enough to do everything I wanted - it was just too busy, too many people and long queues everywhere. I was glad to get back in the car for a bit of peace.

You could well be right Casdon as I can’t see any other reason for it.

Still, you can keep Christmas more simple but still enjoy a few things.If you can’t be bothered to dress a tree, buy a garland and put some lights on it, easier.Buy the pudding and the cake and a few ready made things.Don’t accept more invitations than you really want. See friends for coffee and a mince pie rather than prepare a meal.

Maybe lots of people were fed up with the mad pace of Christmas before lock down but didn't realise it. Then they enjoyed their quiet Christmas at home and now don't want to go back to all the panic.

During lock down lots of GNs said they were enjoying their quieter lives with no guilt about staying home and doing what they wanted, rather than feeling they had to run around and do what other people want. Christmas can be a bit like that for some, feeling they have to do things to make family and friends feel good. IMO if anyone wants to step back from it and just have some peace and quiet, that's what they should do without anyone accusing them of being miserable.

I was doing so well - cards written (nearly), presents bought, food organised - and then yesterday DD said she and her OH think they should be proper grown-ups now and not have a stocking this year. Feel really deflated.
Will put their sugar mice and shower gel into the local 'Christmas in a Box' extras pot tomorrow, and then work on getting a sense of perspective back!

I don't like wrapping gifts. Or writing cards! I will only do the minimum.

The treat food I bought early has been eaten, so I will not buy more til nearer Christmas.

The thing is, as Mums and Grandparents and Daughters- we are people and it's our Christmas too. Some of us have hated Christmas for years, just because it's a time when we have to do everything and wait on multiple generations. I wish my Mother had not been such a martyr to the kitchen, that she refused help- and feel sorry for her that she felt she needed to be.

I think it's ingrained into us as women- and it shouldn't be. It's our Christmas too.

PS

My mother's Christmas = do everything, refuse help, mutter under breath, resent everything and everyone, ruin atmosphere- (leaving me to hate Christmas and wonder what is the point? ) Additionally, have unrealistic expectations and get upset when disappointed that the unrealistic expectations were not met, have argument, throw pans.

Mine= allow others to help me, realize it's everyone's Christmas and that I am not a lesser person for allowing my family to help. Do things together. Enjoy the day, make the best of it. Relax. Expect nothing. Appreciate everything.

Feeling terribly bah humbug! Moved house two weeks ago - both exhausted and still sorting stuff out. Tired but happy and tbh always glad when Xmas is over, it makes me feel very melancholy and I’ve never really understood why .

I'm in the CBA camp this year but just had my plans for scaling back scuppered by youngest GC. Every year my husband plays Father Christmas for the grandchildren and we turn an old stable in the garden into a magical grotto for them. It's a lovely event and has made lots of happy memories for them and us. This year however my 5 year GD has informed her schoolfriends that she sees the "real Santa" and has invited them to come along. My daughter asked if that would be OK and I agreed. reasoning that a couple of extra little ones wouldn't be a problem. Well, it now turns out that GD has invited quite a few more than a couple of friends and ditto her older siblings who thought it was a great idea and didn't want to be left out. My daughter has said judging by the number of messages she is getting about directions and times, she estimates about 40 little ones are likely to turn up! So now I have to brave the crowds, buy and wrap suitable small gifts for children who could be boys or girls or dare I say it, non binary, quadruple the mince pies and mulled wine for parents and try and work out some parking arrangements.
So to summarise, my scaling back on Christmas chores could be going better.