A simple Christmas thread, alone or with a partners - whether by choice, or necessity

Monica, we can never know what is in others hearts. what difficulties they may have, what terrible family situations may be going on, or the pain of Christmas without that special someone?

Yes Cabbie its difficult that areas of health care stop over the period, it was a nightmare one year when my now Ex required sudden high levels of MH support - all had just kicked off just before c mas -
But my easy going gym, where a lot of my acquaintances/friends are, is only closed 2 days.

but I would like to suggest however, since this thread is a general share all, that a Christmas Day thread as per my O/P might be for those alone or struggling.

The big happy family Christmas’s like you see in the adverts are very fake in my opinion. I’ve had Christmas’s where I’ve had 15 people for dinner ( all family ) and whilst it’s enjoyable ( in parts ) it’s stressful and exhausting. I remember our Covid Christmas when it was just me, dh and our youngest son. It was bliss. And I felt guilty for feeling like that.
I love my grandkids, but I’ve had enough of all the noise after 3 hours.
I love a quiet Christmas

Okay then, I have never made a Thread before, will have a go on Christmas Eve, cos that's my favourite time. All the magic and the anticipation. Join in, if you wish, when you wish.
Yes, it is exhausting

Madeleine45, enjoy your TV operas/ballets/concerts. I have recently retired and love music. At least a couple of times a month I set aside an afternoon for just watching a concert - and when it's interval time I pour myself a glass of wine, and try to treat the experience as if I was in the theatre (to ensure I don't get up to just do that little chore). I'm looking forward to seeing The Nutcracker ballet and there is a brilliant recording of Handel's Messiah on you tube. I've downloaded Bach's Christmas Oratorio and will be listening to that during Christmas week.
DH isn't so keen, so he finds something else to do and ensures I am left alone to enjoy the music.
Our 2 adult sons will be with us on Christmas day, so any film or music will be constantly interrupted; so I enjoy the run-up to the big day listening to my favourite music.
I'm also going to the local cinema on my own, to see the ballet Cinderella being live-streamed. DH will probably be
watching sport on TV!!
We're very lucky to be able to choose to have that quiet time alone.

I feel very blessed as I know I will be spending Christmas day with either one son or the other son. We haven't made plans yet, and often don't until nearer to the day.
For all of you who like spending Christmas alone, that's fine.
To all who don't, my heart goes out to you.
I like to make it simple. Sometimes I think it's all got a bit out of hand. But I don't want to be a wet blanket; most people love it and that's great.

Maremia

Is there ever a Good Morning, it's Christmas 🎄 Thread on Gransnet?
We could do that.

Mick will start a Good Morning thread on Christmas Day as every day.

It will just be me and my friend for Christmas. I'm not up to doing a proper Christmas dinner any more, but I will still have plenty of easy food to offer him.
He's rather fond of pigs in blankets, so I have them all ready in the freezer.

I think it depends what some have to accept and adjust too Monica.

It will be the two of us and our dogs, which is how it's been for a good few years now as our DS is in Aus. and we're estranged from our youngest and only GC.

We make the best of it, decorate the house inside and out and have a traditional Christmas dinner but it is for us the hardest time of the year and for some infuriating reason, never seems to get any easier.

Thank you Kitty. Will look out for that.
Who is Mick?

Maremia

Thank you Kitty. Will look out for that.
Who is Mick?

Mick is Michael12 and you’ll find his Good Morning posts under the Chat forum. He posts everyday with day and date so you’ll always be able to find him 😀

Nowadays I find the build up to Christmas exhausting with shopping,cooking, sorting and wrapping gifts etc. My husband is semi retired but helps out more than he did. We have one child who invites us round for the big day. I would love nothing more than to just stay home and relax. DH and I are agreed whilst the GC are small and love the magic of the season we will go and make it an enjoyable day for them and us.They grow so fast it won’t last for ever.

Chat...thanks, will be able to find it.
Thanks.

Yes indeed Monica everyone should celebrate as they see fit or not celebrate at all, if that is their choice. This year we are going out for Christmas lunch it is our treat to ourselves as there is just the two of us. There are lots of different family traditions around Christmas and lovely if people can come together if that is what they want. If not then just treat it as another day and eat what you want and do what pleases you.

Kandinsky

The big happy family Christmas’s like you see in the adverts are very fake in my opinion. I’ve had Christmas’s where I’ve had 15 people for dinner ( all family ) and whilst it’s enjoyable ( in parts ) it’s stressful and exhausting. I remember our Covid Christmas when it was just me, dh and our youngest son. It was bliss. And I felt guilty for feeling like that.
I love my grandkids, but I’ve had enough of all the noise after 3 hours.
I love a quiet Christmas

i think big Christmases can be exhausting, but it does not mean that big happy Christmases are fake.

The most people I have had is 8, but, it is only my nearest and dearest, who can be ordered around and set to work as required and I have cut Christmas lunch to essentials, the meat, in all its forms roast potaoes, sprouts and gravy. Also everyone present is actually staying with us for up to a week.

Every big Christmas alternates with a small one with only us and DD. So I get the best of both worlds. None of my big happy family Christmases has ever been fake, but not perfect either. I am not sure that i would want a perfect Christmas. It is the imperfections of each Christmas that make them uniquely ours.

My third Christmas in a nursing home, staff are great, family will FaceTime, the one day in year when I miss many

I have had my share of big family Christmases with 12 or more for dinner. I loved it but it would be too much now and I no longer have my large house.
Since I moved to my little flat I haven't hosted a Christmas but have been invited to different family members homes. I can't drive far now so wondering what my Christmas will be this year.

I am expecting to have an op just before Christmas so dh and I have opted to be on our own this year.

We have had 23 people once and if we had the whole family now I think it would be 25 - i am not up to doing that.

If all goes to plan I’ll have a pre-Christmas trip to my Mum’s, then home for Christmas Eve. Family all coming Christmas Day, and then just OH and myself at home after that. The family will be off to visit the other GP’s.

We enjoy a good long walk and eating left overs in the time between Christmas and New Year.

DH,DD and me. Plenty to f champagne, a nice meal and a few movies. Sorted.

Kandinsky

The big happy family Christmas’s like you see in the adverts are very fake in my opinion. I’ve had Christmas’s where I’ve had 15 people for dinner ( all family ) and whilst it’s enjoyable ( in parts ) it’s stressful and exhausting. I remember our Covid Christmas when it was just me, dh and our youngest son. It was bliss. And I felt guilty for feeling like that.
I love my grandkids, but I’ve had enough of all the noise after 3 hours.
I love a quiet Christmas

Unbelievable...

We agree.

(falls off chair)

🙂

I have no idea! I just wait and see how it turns out........🤣🥱🌲

i will celebrate christmas alone again. 5 years ago my daughter disassociated herself and her daughters. she died 2 years ago and i haven't seen my grandaugters since the funeral.
as a result of my daughter's death my son disassociated himself 2 years ago and i haven't seen or heard anything from him and his 2 daughters ever since.
i don't have many friends unfortunately and they are tied up with families over christmas.
so i shall enjoy my day eating and drinking when and whatever i want and i'll watch whatever i want to watch on tv.
but i'll have the decorations up and the tree so i'll feel christmassy and enjoy my day.

on my own by choice and now having to listen to my mother moaning about being on her own from now till christmas.

Since my husband died two years ago, I have spent one rather unsatisfactory Christmas dinner with one friend the first year. Last year, I asked her in good time if she would like to come to my place, and was told rather abruptly that she had made other arrangements. So I had a couple of younger friends staying over Christmas, which was fine.

They have parted glad rags since, and son and DIL are in a long distance relationship. As yet I do not know if she is coming home to him, or he going to her, but I doubt they will be coming here.

I feel hesitant to ask single friends this early what their plans are, but realise that I may by leaving it, find myself spending Christmas quite alone, which I would rather not.

Might try volunteering to help out at Salvation Army or the like.

I thought of that too, AuntieE, if I have the energy.. Try the local food banks too, they may be running things. (maybe even kids involved)

You'd be in the company of some good people who volunteer and help people out too - there will be all life there too - cheer, and sadness, stories to share and yours too.