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

Louisa, excuse my ignorance but who/what is a DP?

I think DP means 'dear partner'

DH and I enjoyed our Christmas quietly at home for many years just the two of us as he would not go to any family. Since he died the positive is that I can go to my family, the last two Christmasses being the first for many years that I have been able to do so.
However last year I was at my son’s in time for their exchange of presents for the first time ever and I was stunned at the amount of gifts, especially for their young adult children, nothing cheap or tacky either. I dread to think how much it all cost. Way out of my comfort zone.

do gransnetters feel it might be helpful for us all to set up a new thread in chat on chrtismas eve

or is chatting about it now enough?

if useful, suggestions for a title, and also a tactful way of suggesting its not for general c mas chat, but for those of us who might need a bit of support

A thread for Christmas Eve is a great idea Wyllow. You can be with others and still feel alone and even if you're with someone who shares your pain, you don't necessarily want to talk about it in case doing so makes it all the harder for them too.

The OP could be something like 'A thread for Christmas Eve for anyone who for whatever reason finds this time of the year particularly difficult, because they cannot have the Christmas they used to have, or will never have the Christmas they always thought they would.'

^Late DH was like Father Christmas himself, open door to the world and loved every minute^😢”.
Mine too! He absolutely adored Christmas. I was the grinch😁! I am spending Christmas Day with DD, SiL and GS. It’s a mixed blessing because although it will be a lovely day, they will not allow me to lift a finger to help in any way, and so I feel like a spare part. When I host, everyone has a task, however small, and pitches in.

Could you maybe ask to bring something very special cooked by you/made by you that brings late DH through the door as to were to join? Or just something only gran can do?

Smileless we need a sort of more concise title 🙂

If we dont want to say anything, we can post a short poem or short bit of music.