Its Over Thank God - Who else feels like this

Kate1949

Nanato3 That's very sad.

Thank you @Doodledog. Feeling a bit more like myself now.

Dickens

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 !!

You went through it and came out the other side .

Sincere best wishes for the coming year. I like that you've laid the groundwork for next Christmas - no fuss and no marathon cooking. What's not to like!

Thank you for your good wishes @Dickens. Definitely laid the groundwork for next Christmas - half the stress and all of the fun. Don’t know why it took me so long !!!

No, I’m really enjoying the whole Christmas thing. I still have some Christmas books to read, films, a walk round to see neighbours’ lights, love the food and the way midwinter comes alive.

Strictly speaking, there are twelve days to Christmas, so pulling down decs today or before then, is sacrilege to me!

All the best Pammiel (been there myself) Nanato3 and Primrose💐

What do you mean it is over. For us it has barely begun. DD was with us yesterday, and we had a quiet fairly low key Christmas, just exchabnging presnets between the three of us. But tomorrow DS and family arrive and we have Christmas all over gain with a present exchange and bigtime chaos.

They will be with us for a week, so for me it is not all over until 2nd January.

We are still in the throes of it and do enjoy it all but I do like to get back to normal.

So far, it has exceeded expectations. Yes, cooking the dinner was a chore. (Despite M and S doing most of the cooking and wheeling out the Echo hostess. I hate cooking). The upside was that the two DGC (both autistic) who usually spend all their time holed up in their rooms, spent all of the Christmas Eve and Day with us downstairs and joined in charades, board games and other games. Almost a Christmas miracle!

I'm finding it all a bit odd this year, to be honest. Don't me wrong, it was lovely not to have to cook the xmas dinner this year (we went to my son's instead), but I am missing opening the fridge to find all the lovely leftovers.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Try not to worry exDancer but try to talk to his GP and see if he will call him in for a check up.

Sending big hugs to pammiel hope you’re feeling a bit better daily. Such a stressful time for many. I like the build up and will hopefully be retiring next Christmas hope I’m doing the right thing after working so long. Having some time is nice but having all the time feels a bit daunting. Hugs to all that need it. X

👀NOT OVER … JAN 6th - The FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY for us Christians …

I had my family visit on the 22nd December, and we all went for a nice meal at the Brewers.
Two sons, daughter in law, four grandchildren and myself.
I live alone , so the family travelled over 75miles to visit me.
I had a birthday 79 yrs on December 20 th . Christmas eve one of my son's came back again with a lovely Christmas dinner made by my daughter in law.
Eneough for two or three days.
I spent Christmas day on my own, but had so many lovely presents to open for Christmas, and cards too, that I considered myself extremely lucky.
Photos have been exchanged on my smart phone, and a video call from my daughter in USA , grandson, and son in law
I couldn't ask for more kindness from my family . I really feel so lucky . I have fibromyalgia and a chronic pain condition, but the family gave me every reason to enjoy Christmas. I hope the New year will be good for all .
Back to my knitting soon . XX

mrswoo

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

Same! No pressure, no shopping, lots of lovely leftovers to eat up. And no rush for anything.

BA69

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

We spread Christmas meals for our 4 daughters and theirs over the 4 Sundays and Advent. Lower numbers (each near 20) make for pleasant meals.

Christmas lunch is for us, after Church, also quite pleasant - eat what we want, walk a lot, talk without interruption - glorious.

Today was everyone (78 people) bring bits to the tables - noisy, and again lovely.

Christmas ends, here, on Epiphany.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Reported.

Wishing you a full and speedy recovery Pammie1. Sad that you have been so hurt, Nanato3 by your family. I have had difficult times with past Christmases, and can empathise with those who have had difficulties and losses. Wishing you all good health and happiness in 2025.

Primrose53

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.

Primrose53

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.

I know that feeling - where it's almost as if you are watching something unfold that is not actually happening to you.

It's self-preservation from shock.

I hope your husband is improving. Keep us posted - people care. It's nice that you have good friends and neighbours.

Good wishes for the coming days, and the future.

Yeah, it's over again until about September.

I wonder how many are nursing a heavy dose of anxiety and regret - plus the physical downside of a hangover - looking at their collection of credit cards and thinking "Oh. My. God!"

Positive thoughts to posters suffering isolation or poor health. Primrose I thought of you yesterday. I’ve a little experience of the shock to every atom of our beings when our husband suffers a life changing stroke. It’s good to see your update and also that you have good support. I hope his recovery continues well

Well I m not "relieved" it's over ! Actually it isnt- as I am staying with D1 and family until Saturday and we are being joined by D2 and family this evening, D3 and family tomorrow, DH's sisters and brother, a nephew and niece also tomorrow!
IMO any justification for seeing my AC and GC and being together and not alone deserves a celebration Paw loved his family and they meant everything you him I just hope he was looking down and smiling to see what lovely young people they are growing into.
As for any "hype" - if I don't let myself get hyped up there's no let down
God knows I'v got another 5 1 and 1/2 weeks of the year to "enjoy" my own company, let's be grateful for the spread of a bit of love and joy.

Just the two of us. We laid the table nicely, silver cutlery, napkins and a glass of wine, then a film, doze, call the midwife and bed.

Best Christmas for ages.

Sorry for everyone who has been ill.

Oh RosiesMaw, I identify and empathise. We like other gransnet posters lost our husbands, our life partners after tough times caring for them. I hosted my first big family Christmas get together and the big lunch/dinner yesterday. I felt a bit stressed and anxious in the build up. Stunned by the butchers bill , worried I’d taken on too much on my own. Mr I loved a big do at home, we shared the prep, the shopping, the cooking and hosting and the big clear up.
But - it all came together, everyone got on well and contributed love and fun and a bit of cooking/washing up. My two digs were lovely, daughters doodle also. Then after most left, I watched Wallace and Gromit with my youngest D, her partner and their two boys - my grandsons. I’m blessed and I know I am

I used to enjoy Christmas but five years ago my DH died three days after Christmas Day.
It has never been the same since. My DS2 lives with me and I am very glad for his company. I have a visit from two of my grandchildren, of the other three I hope to be seeing them over the next few days.
Tomorrow my DS1 is visiting me and we are going to see my sister whose birthday it is on Saturday.

I was all over it after Christmas lunch yesterday.
Normality beckons.