Gransnet forums

Christmas

Its Over Thank God - Who else feels like this

(241 Posts)
Primrose53 Thu 26-Dec-24 12:00:14

Love and hugs to Pammiel💐 for a speedy recovery.

I am just sitting down for 10 mins after preparing turkey lunch for 5 minus husband in hospital. We were with him yesterday so today we are having our Xmas lunch at home.

I have cut back a bit …. Turkey crown instead of whole turkey and not bothering with bread sauce as only myself and husband like it. Have made forcemeat balls, cocktail sausages, roast potatoes, carrots, red cabbage, peas so it should still be nice.

It doesn’t seem like Christmas at all without my husband. At first I was in shock and extremely worried as they said his condition was very serious indeed. As the days went by I had very mixed emotions but at the moment I feel like this is just a dream or it’s happening to someone else.

Anyway, the nights are slightly lighter, we have food and drink and I have been overwhelmed with cards and good wishes from friends and neighbours so in many ways I am fortunate.

JaneJudge Thu 26-Dec-24 11:55:07

I hope you feel better soon Pammie flowers

sorry to everyone who finds Christmas hard

Doodledog Thu 26-Dec-24 11:52:15

Nanato3

I'm glad it's over too. After all the stress of choosing and buying presents for my family I never received one gift back !! Feel so hurt . I've suffered with very poor health for the last 3 years , spend a lot of time in bed .
I won't be bothering next year if I'm still here !

I'm sorry to hear that, Nanato3. flowers

mrswoo Thu 26-Dec-24 11:49:46

Boxing Day! My favourite day of the year. The pressure's off and there's lots of leftovers for bubble and squeak.

Homestead62 Thu 26-Dec-24 11:49:25

Pammie1, wishing you a good recovery. I know how gruelling the treatment is. I'm glad Christmas is over, mines was a disastrous day and I have a close family member going through treatment like yourself. I just didn't ' feel' Christmas this year, but did our best to celebrate( though it kinda fell flat). Hogmanay I will be in my bed, next year won't be a good year for us either. Anyway, going to stop now. I hope everyone else is having a nice time.

Millie22 Thu 26-Dec-24 11:46:00

Nanato3
For you 🎁

Kate1949 Thu 26-Dec-24 11:45:30

Nanato3 That's very sad.

Doodledog Thu 26-Dec-24 11:37:13

All the best for a swift and full recovery, Pammie.

I agree that there is a lot of hype, weeks of build up and too many expectations for one day. Add in differing family traditions, personality clashes, alcohol and the stress of a bigger meal that we want to be perfect, and it's a lot to do.

I've enjoyed it, and ours was quiet by many standards, but two adult children with different work patterns, partners doing their own thing, distances between us all (and the ensuing travel arrangements), different diets, different bedtimes, different favourite TV shows - it all adds up.

Then there's the fact that we are still in the town where they grew up, so they have friends here who have come back for Christmas with their own parents, and they want to go out to catch up with them, too. All of this has to happen over a couple of days before they have to go back to work, which can make for a stressful time.

I've had houseguests since 21st, and I'll be quite relieved when I get the place back to ourselves, if I'm honest. After a while I'll have forgotten the frustrations and be looking forward to it all again though. I think this contributes too. If we remembered and looked at it without the rose-coloured glasses it would lower the expectations.

Ho ho ho.

Pammie1 Thu 26-Dec-24 11:36:52

Cossy

Pammie1

I just didn’t do it this year. Was diagnosed with breast cancer in April and after the hormone treatment and lumpectomy I had in November failed to deal with the tumour, I opted for mastectomy and the only date the surgeon had for over a month was 18th December. I got through it fine but I really thought Christmas would be a disaster. We scaled back our plans and had a lovely quiet Christmas without half the fuss and marathon cooking, and it was really lovely - much better than I anticipated. I’m doing the same next year !!

Wish you a full recovery flowers

Thank you so much. Considering it’s only been a week I’m feeling much better. Had my first shower yesterday after they took the drain out on Tuesday, and feeling more human now !!

Athrawes Thu 26-Dec-24 11:36:33

I too BA69 am glad that it's more or less over now and we can relax once again. I was lucky this year though as when we pootled over to see my daughter's family in the evening we were offered to enjoy a Christmas lunch. It was such a relief not to have to cook it. My granddaughter and her fiance were out and about much of the day working and also visiting family and I had no idea when they would return. It all worked out well in the end though and we all watched the last episode of Gavin and Stacey smile. Today we're relaxing having opened our gifts. It's OVER! Anniversary and birthdays are next on the Agenda

Nanato3 Thu 26-Dec-24 11:35:43

I'm glad it's over too. After all the stress of choosing and buying presents for my family I never received one gift back !! Feel so hurt . I've suffered with very poor health for the last 3 years , spend a lot of time in bed .
I won't be bothering next year if I'm still here !

Cossy Thu 26-Dec-24 11:18:05

Pammie1

I just didn’t do it this year. Was diagnosed with breast cancer in April and after the hormone treatment and lumpectomy I had in November failed to deal with the tumour, I opted for mastectomy and the only date the surgeon had for over a month was 18th December. I got through it fine but I really thought Christmas would be a disaster. We scaled back our plans and had a lovely quiet Christmas without half the fuss and marathon cooking, and it was really lovely - much better than I anticipated. I’m doing the same next year !!

Wish you a full recovery flowers

Cossy Thu 26-Dec-24 11:17:43

No stress here at all, our new DiL currently lives here, is a chef and took over all prep and cooking, it was lovely x

Kate1949 Thu 26-Dec-24 11:17:02

I agree. Although we are having 8 family over tonight for a buffet. I can't wait for tomorrow. That's when it will be over for us.

Pammie1 Thu 26-Dec-24 11:16:17

I just didn’t do it this year. Was diagnosed with breast cancer in April and after the hormone treatment and lumpectomy I had in November failed to deal with the tumour, I opted for mastectomy and the only date the surgeon had for over a month was 18th December. I got through it fine but I really thought Christmas would be a disaster. We scaled back our plans and had a lovely quiet Christmas without half the fuss and marathon cooking, and it was really lovely - much better than I anticipated. I’m doing the same next year !!

BA69 Thu 26-Dec-24 11:13:08

First of all I hope you all had a lovely Christmas Day however you celebrated. But speaking personally I am relieved it is all over, all the pressure and hype starting in November, just for one day. I suppose as I am on my own it makes a difference, but even as a youngster I was never that keen, Somehow it never quite lived up to the expectations, sorry for being a Grinch, and it's lovely for the children, but surely I can't be the only one who feels like this- be honest