Minimalist Christmas anyone?

Nope my foot has gone down, I am no longer doing christmas.

I have cooked for waifs and strays and people without family I have catered for my lot for the last 50 or so years.

This year my grandaughter who l brought up is in her own home with her boyfriend and I am relieved at my insistance of the palaver of providing .

The stress has disappeared and the need to decorate and buy tat has gone.

I shall enjoy the run up with meetings with friends and family and outings and meals out, and the tradition if christinge Christmas eve with my grandaughter, then Christmas day I finally can please my self with my puzzles and stack of books dressed in cosy pjs and nibble what I like.

My birthday falls on the 29th and for the first time in 71 years it wont be overshadowed by christmas with a meal out with DGD and friends which I shall enjoy.

Very much agree FGT re the comfort of lights. DH likes the ancient rainbow fairy lights that shriek 1970s on the tree in the sitting room so I leave them alone making that tree fairly minimalist, but I go to town with the led lights on the tree in the road-facing front room. I also have various led lit decorations on bookshelves etc esp in the hall. The bannister garland fell apart when taken down last year, but I was never any good at fixing it properly.
We’ve never had outdoor lights but leave the front room curtains open with tree lit until bedtime.
Trees up and lights on the weekend of the 14th ,tree decorations, all other decorations and front door wreath all up on the 20th. All down on 1 January.
I love it.

I’m not a minimalist; for me, the effort has to have a result I enjoy and I wouldn’t enjoy the display in FGT’s photo. Otoh, if people choose not to celebrate in the same way as me, that’s also fine, be they minimalist or OTT with lights and assorted razzamataz to the gunnels.

This year we’re having a fake tree as our main tree, for the first time. I’ve ordered two different ones, so I decided which I prefer. For me, the more fake an artificial tree is, the better, so I’m probably going to choose a faux-snow encrusted one. Although mention of kittens has now got me thinking as we have two young cats and this is their first Xmas with us.

My 6yo GD is a bit judgy about my fake tree so I might get a table top real tree in a pot, to cater to her sensibilities.

In our previous house we had more space so we’d have a big tree in the sittingroom and a large pop-up tree in the dining room. Some years I’d have some prelit twig affair in the family room. Our fireplace was a beauty so I’d go all out with that and the mirror above it with lights, greenery, baubles, swags and bunting. I’d have a rough theme, sometimes a colour or two, florals, woodland animals, churches. . The rules aren’t absolute, though, and the old favourites come out every year, theme or no theme.

We don’t have so much space now so I’ve had to curtail the decor. We don’t have a fire any more so I now create a ‘tablescape’ as the interior designers call it, on top of the sideboard. Last year I created a village snow scene with white ceramic tea light houses, those bristle Xmas trees in different colours and miniature people. With the main lights out and tea lights lit, it looked so cosy and inviting.

I like bunting, too, so put up appropriate strings of that. Last year i managed to pull off some of the paint from the walls when taking it down so I need to be more careful this time!

For us Christmas is a peaceful lull, a chance to meet up with old friends and have a proper chat with people we see often but just in passing.

Our house has a decorated big house plant, not a traditional tree, and the ornaments have been collected over the years. Our nativity set belonged to my G’ma, it’s not posh or valuable but it gives a comforting sense of continuity. Just a few other decorations and always a couple of poinsettias.

We are fully aware that it can be a very difficult time of year and send heartfelt good wishes to anyone who feels left out, isolated or unhappy for whatever reason. For this reason we wish everyone a peaceful Christmas.

Christmas is what brings some light and joy to Winter for me.
A real tree in the living room, artficial in the conservatory. Both dripping with red and gold decorations.
LED candles dotted around my musical Christmas toys. The nutcracker on the hearth with the dancing sugar plum fairy.
The wreath on the door is made by me each year as we collect the holly locally.
Last year I made Christmas bunting to hang over the windows and stockings to dangle from the fireplace.
For the first time I made my own reusable crackers. The GC wrote the jokes to go inside. Our Christmas party hats are made from fabric too so they will be reused again this year.
The table will be decorated in green and red. We use two tables linked together so 14 of us can sit down comfortably. Last year I used heated trays on the table so food could be brought through from the kitchen earlier and kept warm.
The fair trade nativity set will take pride of place reminding us of the real meaning of Christmas.
I will have all my family here on the big day. It can be exhausting but I love it and DH is a great help.
Sadly Christmas for some of us will not be happy or joyous. I remember the first year without my ex husband and how painful it was for us all. Memories of loved ones no longer with us can come flooding back too.
I regard myself fortunate to be enjoying my Christmas with my family and will never take that joy for granted.

True. And it must be a heartbreaking time for some. I’m sure those of us on here can appreciate that.

Christmas isn’t a celebratory time for everyone.

But devastating as that is (and it IS - of course) the majority of folk would like to focus on the festive season to relieve the unremitting gloominess of winter. Warm lights comfort, mulled wine soothes and for those who have a faith, rituals shared with others bring solace.

Donenow1

Although not in the same boat as you, I'm ambivalent towards Xmas... I've told my 2o something year old Daughter this year that there will be no tree, she lives between me and her boyfriend... Unfortunately for me Xmas died with the sudden, unexpected death of my Mother and then my Father dying suddenly a few months later... I've always done Xmas for my beloved Daughter but this year no more.. My much older frail husband who I care for is in agreement to no tree... added to this I have an extremely meddlesome kitten... woe betide any Xmas tree that he happens upon... on a serious note I know this time of year is painful for many... I know of a lady, husband killed in accident, one twin daughter died, and the other murdered... there are no other family members....for her Xmas is a lethal and distressing time.. I might counsel to anyone calling folk "scrooges" for not participating or putting up decorations, there may well be a tragic backstory behind things.

Nobody really knows what's going on do they? It can tip people over the edge. We are made to feel like failures if we don't have the party spirit.

Donenow I agree with what you are saying, I feel guilty at my love for Christmas because I know for many people it is hellish.
I have had very difficult episodes in my life, which I won't discuss, but Christmas seems to help somehow. I truly understand how you feel though. My thoughts are with anyone who finds the season hard.

See my reply further down xx

Although not in the same boat as you, I'm ambivalent towards Xmas... I've told my 2o something year old Daughter this year that there will be no tree, she lives between me and her boyfriend... Unfortunately for me Xmas died with the sudden, unexpected death of my Mother and then my Father dying suddenly a few months later... I've always done Xmas for my beloved Daughter but this year no more.. My much older frail husband who I care for is in agreement to no tree... added to this I have an extremely meddlesome kitten... woe betide any Xmas tree that he happens upon... on a serious note I know this time of year is painful for many... I know of a lady, husband killed in accident, one twin daughter died, and the other murdered... there are no other family members....for her Xmas is a lethal and distressing time.. I might counsel to anyone calling folk "scrooges" for not participating or putting up decorations, there may well be a tragic backstory behind things.

Let's keep this going, when posters put up trees, or nice decorations perhaps we can post them on here.
I love the build up to Christmas.

from that day onwards and spread the word, and so it came to pass, there were a whole generation of women who didn't give a stuff!

Well TerriBull it seems that dalrymple23 didn’t get the memo. But well done you dalrymple23 for being a Domestic Goddess. Yes, tarragon!

I’m loving reading all these posts. Thank you so much for joining in. 😊

Ziplok long may you be able and willing. And Lovetopaint a sensible decision and a good compromise. Dottydots a nice dinner with a friend will mean a lot to you both I bet. My heart truly goes out to anyone who will be alone (unless they choose to be - that’s a different story altogether) it must seem like a Sunday on Steroids.

I love Christmas but it starts and ends in December. We have outside lights in the hedges . Inside we have a very authentic fake tree as we have underfloor heating in our kitchen, living , dining area but I splurge on Jo Malone Pine and Eucalyptus room spray and diffuser . We have lots of sparkly lights inside and greenery around the mantle piece and stairs , both real and fake . Plus candles and tasteful decorations which I’ve collected over the years .
I hate tinsel and coloured lights . The lights have to be warm light .
We don’t have GC but often share Christmas with very close friends who have 3 GC and share the cooking too
This year it’s just the four of us plus my mum, but have neighbours over in the evening. Boxing Day this year we have friends of DS who are alone in London this Christmas.
As a child we had big family Christmas’s but unfortunately my brother lives in Ireland and rarely comes over for Christmas and my sisters DH insists on Christmas at their home . We do travel to theirs but they won’t come to ours .

This is last year’s tree. Not minimalist at all. Real and with some decorations from over 40 years ago when we were first married and living in Seychelles

FGT: You forgot the tarragon!! Delish. I still make them occasionally!!!

lamusica

Great to hear how you all celebrate Christmas in your different ways.
I LOVE Christmas. Carol services, Carols sung by choristers, Christmas choral music like Messiah. Decorating the house ( now a flat ), candles, special food, cold mornings when I wake and then the warm cosy feel of the house. I write and send sixty Christmas cards, lots with catch-up messages written inside. All sent with love and a celebration of lasting friendships.
Time with my sons and little grandson. Exchanging modest presents. Sharing love.
My birthday is on December 23rd and was always eclipsed by too much to do. Now my son does the catering and I can relax and better enjoy it all.
Wishing aHappy Christmas to all the Gransnet grans!

That sounds absolutely fabulous.

Merry Christmas to you and yours too, (when it finally arrives!)

I'm having a frugal Christmas this year. My friend will join me for a few hours on Christmas day, when hopefully I will rustle up some sort of Christmas dinner.

Love Christmas mine will be up on the first of December. Tastefully done and warmly received by myself and hubby.

I seem to get daily e mails from our local garden centre, exhorting us to buy trees, baubles, wreaths, have breakfast with Santa (and Mrs Claus), partake of a Christmas lunch or afternoon tea…..

They get deleted.

Just been discussing this as it has been a difficult year for us health wise and we have decided that we no longer want the tree. We will put the usual Christmas wreath on the door. We have two nativities so they will be put up plus a Christmas drummer boy, a Father Christmas, a snowman and other odd Christmas nick knacks. We usually have a lot of cards etc. We have Christmas dinner with family on Christmas Eve and I make another on Christmas Day. Just the two of us and more than likely a daughter who will bring her dog for a couple of days - another reason it is easier not to have a tree as it resides by the patio doors through which the dog goes out to the garden. We are in our mid eighties and have always gone the whole hog over Christmas but not this year and it is a relief.Happy Christmas to everyone.

I really enjoy preparing the house for Christmas. I can’t do minimalism, I’m afraid. However, nothing goes up before Advent - that’s when I set up the Advent ring and candles. Come mid-ish December, the trees come out and get decorated, along with a hearth garland and a garland for the stairs and various ornaments. DH puts up some lights outside around the front porch and the back window, and we have a fresh wreath for the front door.

Nothing comes down until 12th night. I really love it, but I imagine there will come a time when it becomes too much to do as much as I do, though the tree will still come out. In the meantime, as long as I’m willing and able, I will continue as I do now. 🎄

I stopped celebrating christmas in 1979 as I am not religious in the sense of belonging to any denomination. I dont send cards, buy gifts or decorate.

However I have no objection to customers buying stuff from my online shops where I currently have some very nice vintage tree ornaments, Sparkly rhinestone jewellery flies out at this time of year. I stock what sells for the season. Business is business.

I’m off to the sun on 1st December till New Year, so ‘wee mindings’ for the grandchildren are wrapped and their festive dosh is in their cards.
I have a pull up ready-lit and decorated tree in a box upstairs which was for the children’s benefit, but I don’t bother now.

I used to love Christmas, my absolute favourite time of year. But since my parents died, over a decade ago and the children grew up, it’s just not the same.

We still host all the family, all 16 of us. I decorate all the downstairs rooms and have trees and candles in upstairs windows and a lovely tree outside, but my heart is not in it anymore, it’s all a facade, sad really.

Shirley probably tried that recipe herself FGT when chopping one stalk too many, muttering expletives behind Sir Terrance's back in the manner of "s*d this for a game of soldiers, life's too short to stuff a frickin' mushroom" and she went forth from that day onwards and spread the word, and so it came to pass, there were a whole generation of women who didn't give a stuff!