Are we overthinking Christmas?

I married a man who was an excellent cook and soon learnt it best to let him get on with it. In due course - after 4 kids - we parted company but it was always clear that I didn’t cook. Now the children are adult - all excellent cooks etc so they share the cooking and just send me a list of commodities needed! Now at midnight I have just finished ordering everything on line. A list has been drawn up of who’s doing what and I believe it should bode well for a seamless Christmas. After divorce I had several Christmases completely on my own and went to the Salvation Army hostel in Cardiff. That soon cured any depression and made me realise how lucky I was. The situations of some men there who had been locked out etc were unbelievably awful.

I certainly don't over-think it, I'm more 'Bah humbug)
I don't do a tree or decorations, I buy cards and gifts for 3 people, i spend 'the holiday' on my own and don't speak to anyone.
I shut the door on 23 or 24 Dec, and refuse to open it again until at least 27th.
I try my hardest to sleep through a much of those few days as I possibly can, so double-dosing meds and painkillers is my annual ritual on 24th.
There are pizzas, pies, allsorts, in the freezer, there's always a pot of stew on the go throughout the winter, so I just decide what I fancy, about 30mins before I want to eat.
I generally don't even watch tv because I don't want anything to do with the outside world for at least 3 days.
New year is just as bad, so I'll hibernate fit another couple of days ago I don't have to see/ hear anything about that too.
I'll eventually venture out again on about 3 or 4 jan

I loathe Christmas and am a grouch from the moment I see the first signs appearing in shops in September to the last slice of dried-out turkey. My particular hate this year has been the loud and distracting sound of carols being broadcast non-stop in my local Sainsburys since 1st December. I refuse to be drawn into the farce of exchanging Christmas cards with friends and neighbours whom I see day in day out. We give presents to our DDs and grandsons only - a simple bank transfer. No wrapping involved. I get tired of the banal Christmas TV offerings, and despair of the endless howls about overspending at Christmas. I'm usually ok by the end of Boxing Day and absolutely smiling by the time the first snowdrops appear.

with you all the way DJM and Lizzie..roll on the Spring

DeeJaysMum

I certainly don't over-think it, I'm more 'Bah humbug)
I don't do a tree or decorations, I buy cards and gifts for 3 people, i spend 'the holiday' on my own and don't speak to anyone.
I shut the door on 23 or 24 Dec, and refuse to open it again until at least 27th.
I try my hardest to sleep through a much of those few days as I possibly can, so double-dosing meds and painkillers is my annual ritual on 24th.
There are pizzas, pies, allsorts, in the freezer, there's always a pot of stew on the go throughout the winter, so I just decide what I fancy, about 30mins before I want to eat.
I generally don't even watch tv because I don't want anything to do with the outside world for at least 3 days.
New year is just as bad, so I'll hibernate fit another couple of days ago I don't have to see/ hear anything about that too.
I'll eventually venture out again on about 3 or 4 jan

Oh how very sad to hear this, there are obvs reasons for this behaviour, but it sounds a really joyless time for you.

I love Christmas, I am seeing my Grandson Christmas Eve, I enjoy two days with my partner, Christmas Day and boxing day, see family on the 27th and they will come to us on the 28/29.

I hate new years eve always have done and we will be staying in. I loathe making new years resolutions so do not do it.

RosiesMaw, this has been a great thread. Seems a lot of stress comes from expectations (real or imagined) . I find the less I plan to do the more I am able to do!