Dreading the Countdown to Christmas and the day itself.

Maremia, JamesandJon33 and Magenta8- Merry Christmas to you.

To all Gransnetters- sending warm, festive wishes 🎄🎄

Maremia Very well put.

Best wishes to everyone on Christmas day.

JamesandJon33 Ac i chi. Merry Christmas to you too.

Nadolig Llawen I chi 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🎅❤️

We are here now. It's Christmas morning. You have decided how you are doing it. Hope it becomes the very best version of what you have planned.
Winter wishes to all. ✨️

Magenta not necessarily, there are twelve days to Christmas!

Nearly there. I hope tomorrow is, at the very least tolerable.

After tomorrow that will be it for another year.

I still have some wrapping to do (grrr) but not much else now.
My present list seems to get smaller every year which is sad.

The older GCs seem rather above it all this year except my eldest GS who is in love and spent ages making a card for his girlfriend. The younger ones still seem to feel the magic.

Part of me is longing for it to be all over.

blossom14

Like some other Grans on here my first without DH. We were together 65 years.

Last year he was in Hospital and Christmas morning I had just the WI gift bag to open - so I felt a bit sorry for myself.

So completely without him this year. I will join my DD2 and family for the day and raise a glass to memories.

Blossom - you felt a bit sorry for yourself? Of course you did! Who wouldn't? 65 years. There will be tears and lots of happy memories to share. Take care.

It’s reassuring to know that others feel the same isn’t it? I’m sick to the back teeth of opening a newspaper or turning on the TV to be be told how to get the perfect party dress, cook a perfect turkey, make the perfect table decoration and stuff the perfect mushroom. Christmas is never perfect. I’m such a people pleaser, and try to be everything to everybody. It’s exhausting. Also, I know it’s nothing compared to everyone’s else’s worries, but my lovely old cat is on borrowed time and I know he won’t be here much longer. Oh well. Here we go again …… Merry Christmas to all x

Thank you Magenta - a very timely, thoughtful post with sine very touching replies. I am not looking forward to Xmas due to an estrangement which makes life very difficult but more so at this time of year when I see other families coming together but as usual, I will wear my smiley mask as I don't want to spoil the day for others. I will be thinking of everyone in this GN family and hoping you all have a better year to come.

Yes but I think Holysteers is wondering why she just doesn’t refuse. Or at least cut down the amount expected.

She said why she does it in her post Hollysteers

A timely and thoughtful discussion. Good to be part of kind, caring Gransnetters. Wishing you all peace this Christmas.

I really don't think spending Christmas day by yourself is always a bad thing. Of course if you are isolated, aching with loneliness and/or grieving it is grim but if it is a day spent doing Christmas your way without having to fit in with what other people, you don't necessarily want to be with, want to do then it can be really rather nice.

Thank you Magenta8. A very kind and thoughtful post.

I’d like to send best wishes to all who are having a difficult time , and to all who have had difficult mothers . I lost my mum nearly 22 years ago . She was a lovely mum and my best friend.

jenpax

I dread Christmas the sheer blooming expense! I struggle with it as all the usual stupid bills still have to be paid! and my youngest daughter (with 3 children) expects me to financially make up for her being a single parent by stepping into the role that a second parent would take. I have had to help with purchasing all 3 Christmas stockings (and we are not talking about few little bits and chocolates!) plus covering her Christmas food shop and the Christmas Eve boxes! I also had to pay half the cost of a panto visit, and cover snacks /drinks for the Elf emporium visit, as well as usual contributions I make to other bits the kids need.
I have 4 other grandchildren too so I really find Christmas stressful 😳.
I cant really step back or the kids would suffer. The useless ex pays zero child support sadly.

Why on earth do you do it?

I think this over-commercialised jamboree called Christmas is possibly connected to some vague character from history called "Jesus"..........but you would never really know it.

That's kind Magenta, Happy Christmas :-)

This is the first time my DH and I will be alone. My sister did invite use to hers. But it's been a tough second half of year having lost my MIL and SIL. We are thankful for each other and looking forward to a restful few days.
Next year we shall have a houseful when both our children and GC will be here. So greatful but at the same time exhausting.

I have all sorts of christmas times over the years, some wonderful, others awful, and the year my husband died, I was absolutely dreading it and wondering how I would get through it. I decided that I would move my christmas in a way. So I arranged to see son and family a little earlier than the actual day and let them think I was invited out elsewhere. Well I was, by me. I chose to make up a picnic for myself and take coffee etc and drove up to the dales and where we had loved to walk. There was actually less strain and more peace being up there, where I didnt have to put on a face for others and they did not have to tiptoe round me. I got a bit upset, but that would have happened wherever I was and I actually found the peace and quiet calming, and it made me feel a bit more in control. So I dont know if choosing to do something very different could be a preferred thing to do for someone , rather than have a very difficult day and then perhaps choosing your own day to meet up with family in the new year? At the very least considering doing something else even if you decide not to in the end will make you feel a bit more in control. Dont forget that as someone said on here GNs will be around to chat to on the day.

Some people hate Christmas .

I loved my mother,but I found her a real strain at Christmas .
She repeatedly said that she hated the season .
She moaned continuously about the cold weather,the decorations,the food and the expense .

Very thoughtful post Magenta.
Not in the least patronising.
Yes, Christmas has become an over dulgent Shopfest for a lot of people.

But l know several churches and a Good Neighbours Group near to where l live whi really have the right attitude in helping people with a Good Will To All Men at Christmas

Hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year

I dread Christmas the sheer blooming expense! I struggle with it as all the usual stupid bills still have to be paid! and my youngest daughter (with 3 children) expects me to financially make up for her being a single parent by stepping into the role that a second parent would take. I have had to help with purchasing all 3 Christmas stockings (and we are not talking about few little bits and chocolates!) plus covering her Christmas food shop and the Christmas Eve boxes! I also had to pay half the cost of a panto visit, and cover snacks /drinks for the Elf emporium visit, as well as usual contributions I make to other bits the kids need.
I have 4 other grandchildren too so I really find Christmas stressful 😳.
I cant really step back or the kids would suffer. The useless ex pays zero child support sadly.

You put it so nicely.

I fall into the dreading it a bit camp. My son in law's father always comes to Christmas Dinner and always puts a damper on the occasion with his Scrooge-like behaviour and conversation. That causes my daughter to drink a bit too much and get a bit ratty. According to recent ( awful) Tesco Christmas adverts on tv, that is what Christmas is all about !