Are we overthinking Christmas?

I love Christmas, we do it our way, it is the one one thing I do not stress about

It’s possible to have a simple happy Christmas and resist the commercialisation. I never buy new decorations, the same old box comes out every year, no new wrapping paper (reused) and as people say, one roast dinner. If you don’t like cooking and baking (I don’t) buy ready made puddings and cake. Frozen veg too. Online shopping.
It must have worked as DD makes Christmas here a high point of her year though living miles away. About time I went to DC for a change…however they cook and I provide the food. We will eat in the dining room surrounded by sheet music and art stuff, so what?
Strictly speaking, there are twelve days to Christmas so don’t take your decs down on Boxing Day, disgraceful!😁

crazyH

To quote Rosie’smaw
“My point is just that it is at best a happy time with those we love, the magic in the little ones’ eyes and the warm feeling of giving to our nearest and dearest.”
That’s my Christmas ! Merry Xmas all !

Exactly this - for those of us blessed with loved ones and little ones.
This is my 2nd Christmas without mr i. I feel slightly less traumatised and shocked as I’ve had some time to reflect on/process the 6 month period from his unexpected diagnosis and death.
I’ve put up a real tree, made a wreath for the door and set out fairy lights all over the house.
For the first time in about 40 years, I won’t be cooking the turkey, or hosting. We are all going to our older daughter. Everyone has been things to bring. I’m on two different stuffings - I’ve made as long as we can remember.
All the best to everyone 🌞

There is an extent when running a business that you get caught up in other people's angst if their packages go astray or they dont get them in time.

I was once told I had "ruined my daughters christmas" because the package got held up in customs.

Ive already dealt with two "emergencies". Ive now put the autoresponder on to deflect any messages from people who are too lazy/dense to paste a tracking number into a box. They will go into the SPAM folder and I will look at them every few days to see if there is anything really urgent.

We are lucky to live in a City centre with easy walks to several Supermarkets. They are only closed for 2 days. If we are hosting we make sure we have enough in for a glorified Sunday roast and a few nibbles. Curry sauce for Boxing Day Turkey curry. A couple of bottles of wine...done!
No baking or filling the freezer other than usual stuff.

Presents for the little ones are what has been requested. We wear the same funny t shirts and jumpers as usual and put up the same few decorations.

Less stress equals more enjoyment in my eyes.

Travelsafar, sounds wonderful. Ever good wish for your life in your new abode. What a lovely way to start a new year. Well done!

Rosiesmaw.. I don't do Christmas buy I found your post very amusing and spot on..

A different Christmas for me this year since DH died. I always waited to do the tree until after his birthday but this year I put it up early and am enjoying the lights in the evening. We haven’t ever been to anyone else for Christmas but used to have visitors though not in recent years so it was a simple day for just the two of us. This year I am invited to my son’s on Christmas Day and we will all go to my daughter on Boxing Day so I have something very different to look forward to. No stress. No work.

Cabbie - waving to you. Our Christmas similar x

GrannySomerset

Becoming a spectator rather than the lynchpin of Christmas is hard but definitely cheaper and easier. I do not want my children bartering about whose turn it is to have mother and requiring them to travel in bad weather so I have asked two widowed friends to join me for lunch on Christmas Day and will see the family at some point when they have sorted out their complicated arrangements. The upside is less provisioning, watching what I like on the television and eating unsuitable meals at odd times, so it’s definitely not all bad.

Oh GrannySomerset I do like your stance on Christmas! Sharing and inclusivity. Gathering of friends around you. Releasing your busy family for The Day and coming together as and when it suits afterwards. Your evening sounds wonderful too! Relaxing, selfish (in a very good way) and comforting.

I’m not a huge fan of Christmas to be honest. I get on with it. There are several moments during the day itself that are filled with happiness, of course. But (for all of us at our age) there are moments of melancholy too. My dad’s birthday (he died at the very young age of 47y and I have so many fine memories) was on Christmas Day.

Christmas card writing is sad too. So many crossings out in my address book. I sit there, pen in hand, recollecting past times.

Then I look at the happy joyous faces of the children in the infant school nativity play yesterday and I’m filled with awe and wonder at how times move on and that, as ever, nice people are nice people. Traditions comfort us. Long may they continue. Often they are the glue that hold us together during this turbulent times.

Happy Christmas everyone. From me to you. x

One thing I never thought I’d do, and thought people who did must be mad, was to buy special Christmas bedding. But that was before I had very little Gdcs coming to stay, and sharing a double sofa bed.
The 🎅 set was actually remarkably cheap and has been used several times now, and will be again, twice, before Christmas. Three of them now share that bed but it won’t be too long before one will have to sleep elsewhere.

I love Christmas. I can’t understand why people get so wound up about the food, which is, after all just a roast dinner. I also don’t understand why parents find it so hard to say no to their children when they can’t afford the latest cool toy or gadget.

When I hear people saying their Christmas is “ruined” because of some minor inconvenience e.g. an item arriving later than expected, it makes my blood boil. I just think about the poor people in Ukraine or Gaza or wherever who have been deprived of their homes and/or much loved relatives- now that WOULD ruin someone’s Christmas!

Minimoon- as he is the one who watched it, tell hubby to make his own pumpkin!😂

When I hear people saying their Christmas is “ruined” because of some minor inconvenience

My DGD had a student job in Waitrose a few years ago and just as they were about to close on Christmas Eve a woman dashed in and asked for vegan and gluten free mince pies.
When DGD said they didn’t have any the woman shrieked, ‘Do you realise you’ve RUINED my Christmas?’

And then added, ‘But don’t take it personally!’ 😂

I have a maximalist Christmas. Full works plus, all home cooked from scratch. However, I officially retire on New Year's Day - and that will mean a substantial income drop. So one of my tasks this Christmas - as I have both of them home, for once - is to have a managing expectations talk (Prosecco not Bollinger, etc) and suggest that one or other of them might take over at least every other 25 December 🙂.

For me, Christmas is about a few special things:
1) Christmas tree with incandescent coloured fairy lights which glow (not LED).
2) traditional yummy meal (I have done Nigella’s basic Christmas dinner every single year since 2001 (from “How to Eat”) - it works for me even though i normally dislike cooking.
3) Playing games all afternoon and evening with family & friends
4) Leftovers to snack on
5) Christmas music (pop, also carols and some classical stuff too)
6) Admiring Xmas lights in the streets.
And that’s it! No presents (apart from for children). No cards. Maybe a party or two; maybe not. Lots of relaxation and enjoying not having a routine. Heaven!

pen50

I have a maximalist Christmas. Full works plus, all home cooked from scratch. However, I officially retire on New Year's Day - and that will mean a substantial income drop. So one of my tasks this Christmas - as I have both of them home, for once - is to have a managing expectations talk (Prosecco not Bollinger, etc) and suggest that one or other of them might take over at least every other 25 December 🙂.

"...have both of ^my children^ home...."
that is.

MiniMoon

My husband watched Jamie Oliver last night (I was out babysitting) and wants me to do a stuffed pumpkin for the Christmas table.
I an disinclined to acquiesce to his request!

Mini Moon
🤣🤣🤣

I’m a bit of a Bah humbug- don’t mind if I’m on my own or have all my small family to lunch. I get a few pre lunch nibbles and a few buffet bits for evening but don’t go mad because no-one wants much. I don’t get stressed over the meal- it’s just a big Sunday dinner and if I want help I ask loudly. Family bring the wine and do the washing up. By 8pm they’ve all gone and I can enjoy the left over wine and nibbles in peace

I have always centred Christmas on Santa and children. Being of a certain age and nationality when Christmas day was not a holiday I think I have it imbedded in me that you can celebrate something without all the fuss and marketing hype grown over the years. A roast chicken dinner with trifle and cake was the way my family marked the Christian event. A pig in blanket hadn't been created.

My hubby and did xmas for many years as the youngest couple out of his siblings partners etc and having the space to cook and serve andthe income to feed them all without a second and plenty of christmas spirit thought times have changed it become xxx we very rarely get and invite out during the year let alone xmas time no gifts anymore we are in the monority who decorate a tree we are still the entertainers with games and "token" and crackers and music numerous games etc but its tiring for us now with both our ill health but its sad to say if we didnt make an effort to see people it probably wouldnt happen most people cant be bothered they would prefer to go out to a restuarant or pub but if people dont take on these family get togethers and fun times where will it all end luckily when we do have people to entertain we are met with gratitude in abundance so if we feel the pinch i ask guests to contribute with food or drink but if i can afford to do i will the only stress i have is trying to pick a date that suits everyone then for each and any occasion i book a food delivery which has everything i need in one hit anywho done it too many times now to get stressed got enough stress elsewhere lol xx

Ps sorry about the mistakes

We have decided that when our youngest of seven grandchildren gets older and isn’t interested in Santa we are going to go away for Christmas but he’s only 5 years old so I have a few years yet, I can’t imagine Christmas without children I don’t think it will be the same as I’ve either had my children or grandchildren all my adult life, but I’m getting older and a bit more decrepit now so won’t mind the rest

If overthinking means running around like a hen without its head, then yes, a lot of people are overthinking Christmas.

I love Christmas, but years ago, I decided it was only fun if it didn't break the budget, and if the preparations were well within the limits of what I could actually do during December in the few hours left each day after a full-time job.

I have never understood why so many people run around tiring themselves out with preparations, but perhaps they like feeling put-upon, tired out by the time the Christmas dinner is actually on the table and worried that their presents aren't good enough.

The few people I give presents I try to give something I know they want or at least will like. If they don't, most things can be changed these days and I am not offended if anyone wants to change a present.

Good post. I enjoyed it. Perhaps there is a bit too much overtelling about Christmas as well as overthinking.