Its Over Thank God - Who else feels like this

Iam, 💕 Happy Christmas to you too!

I have been quite unwell again recently, now everyone in my family is ill with a bug, but I still love the joy of Christmas.
It does not have to be commercialised, it is what you make it.

I don't understand why some of those on this thread, who have endured troubled times themselves in recent years and yet, are offering so much uplifting support to others, are the ones being by reprimanded by some for joyfully making the best of the time spent with their nearest and dearest at Christmas.
Yes, they are fortunate, as am I, but "please tread softly because you tread on my dreams". (Yeats).

Christmas has not lost the point for many. DH is a cathedral chorister and has sung at concerts and services for several weeks now, attracting huge audiences. Generous collections going to hospices and children's charities. Why is that meaningless?
He will be preparing for Easter services in the New Year, which I am sure many of you know is actually more important than Christmas, and when families will once again enjoy the festivities over 4 days. The point has not been lost completely.

Thanks Marydoll. Posters who ‘know’ us will recognise we know a thing or two about living with chronic pain, with the exhaustion that accompanies our auto immune conditions and the uncertainty about what tomorrow may bring.
I never expected to outlive my lovely, happy, healthy husband. But here I am -missing him constantly and especially during the festive time he loved. I’m living the best life I can and thanking God for blessings
Happy Christmas Marydoll and one and all

Iam, I am of a similar mindset.

It hasn’t lost the point in my family or friendship group. I expect we all do more in many areas than necessary but there’s a lot of joy amidst the sadness, loss, ill health, hard times that we all endure every year.
This one is tough for me and many of my family and close friends. There’s something to be said for the power of positive thinking. Apologies to those who get irritated - for going Pollyanna

Agreed, far to commercialised now, seems to have lost the point completely

Fae1

Nanato3 - you give, for the pleasure of giving, not to receive something back !

What a very unpleasant thing to say to someone who is simply feeling rather sad that no one thought to give her a gift at Christmas.

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 !!

Sending good wishes for a complete recovery🌸💐🍰❤️

No your certainly not the only one, it’s just became too commercial but your also right it’s definitely for young children.

I think that is absolutely lovely, as Christmas or any change of routine can prove such an overload for anyone on the spectrum children & Adults.
So glad you all enjoyed the day.

Thinking of all of you who are struggling with health issues, missed loved ones, being let down by others! It is a stressful time for all and , women in particular!!!
We are now back in our own home after three nights at my daughter’s where we were looked after and spoilt ! However, there is no place like home , the cat is happy to see us and , if you haven’t done so, watch Gavin and Stacey! Totally brilliant !!!

STRONG tea - growing up in Birmingham with soft water. the hardness of Lincolns water was particularly noticeable in their tea !

I remember childhood Christmases back in the 50s & 60s, many after an arduous train ride from Birmingham to Lincoln,initially by steam power then diesel. My brother & I ate bags of ' Niblets ' & cartons of Kiora. Christmas was a wonderful chaotic whirl at Gran's House then armed with our presents in sacks made from old green brocade curtains we walked from house to house showing them to aunts, uncles & cousins before tea with grandma, an enormous table groaning with home cooked meats, pork pie, tinned salmon ,bowls of salad & vases of celery, followed by her home made Christmas cake & cups of stro g sweet tea. Later Christmases were spent at home , parties with neighbours, church & Sunday school where paste sandwiches & stiff jelly were served. Very removed from today's quiet affairs, presents. a simple meal of nut roast & fresh vegetables & a walk along the beach as the sea ripples & the sun sets.

I am havingca lov

Pammiel Best Wishes for a full recovery. Wouldn't matter what your Christmas was like really, you are what matters.

62dg 👆

How wonderful that your whole family went for a Boxing Day walk - a very close family indeed 👌

We were invited to our sons about 1.5 hours away, we stay with his in laws and they are lovely , but this year our elderly dog is on her last legs and we weren’t keen on going as she cough day and night like an Old man! However they made us feel so welcome and it was easy we had a lovely time , some time the imagination is worse than the reality

I think perhaps as we get older some of us don’t like what they see as disruption and faff.
Fair enough.
They’ve done it all over the years and just feel jaded by it nowadays.
We are all different. Good job really or life would be pretty boring.

Fairlandia

It’s not just ‘one day’ though is it? It’s always been a season, ‘12 days of Christmas’ and all that. Speaking personally, I arrange things all through December right through till about the first weekend in January, when we go to our final panto! I love the ebb & flow of the Christmas period and am glad to have people to put in the effort for.

I think people have forgotten what Christmas is.

It's about the people you love and value in your life, and celebrating the family despite the problems we all face.

We had a family death too on Christmas Eve but we celebrated for the kids and for each other.

Don't let the darkness win.

I haven't enjoyed Christmas since losing my DH over 2 yrs ago. The sadness of choosing and buying gifts on my own, writing cards with just my name and the whole enforced jollity followed by much of the same for New Year just makes me want to hide under the duvet. Family do their best and I put on a brave face but there's no pleasure or excitement anymore just, as they say, an empty chair.

I came out of hospital on Christmas Eve. Husband not too well either. I am on a soft food diet so had cancelled all the christmas food I had ordered. Didn't bother with anything, apart from opening Christmas cards on Christmas Day. I dread it more and more each year. Nobody got any presents because I hadn't got around to buying any. A distinct lack of interest in Christmas. Waste of money.

I am glad it’s over as it was my first Xmas on my own, dealing with a chronic illness that restricts my time seeing people. It was a very different Xmas from previous years. I felt very sad yesterday as my whole family 19 of them went for a Boxing Day walk. I was unable to join them due to my health and it was hard seeing them all together. The plus side was my daughter sent videos of my grandchildren opening their presents. They were all gratefully received, and my daughter sent me a lovely message saying how much she appreciated the thought that had gone into her gifts. I am hoping to be well enough on Sunday to see her and my granddaughters for an hour. It’s such a lot of effort and thought for the one day isn’t it? This time next week we will be in. 2025. I am glad to read of so many happy family times.

I feel exactly the same. Every year I feel like I hold my breath from a week before Thanksgiving until the day after Christmas and then breathe again. It is analogous to going under water.

It’s not just ‘one day’ though is it? It’s always been a season, ‘12 days of Christmas’ and all that. Speaking personally, I arrange things all through December right through till about the first weekend in January, when we go to our final panto! I love the ebb & flow of the Christmas period and am glad to have people to put in the effort for.