How to have a harmonious Christmas Q&A

I agree too much hype and an expectation that families will all put aside their problems for a while. Not going to happen, we are living in a stressful age and it takes its toll. Like Izabella we are having Christmas at home and leaving the families to it. Parcel of new books, bottle of Baileys and whatever takes our fancy to eat, bliss.

Are people really silly enough to try and live up to the 'standards' of glossy magazines and TV ads? If they are, what the fuck do they expect except disappointment?

Of they are, they need help to build some feistiness, which roughly translates as "farting at fashion fads".

No sherry? What are we going to put in the trifle?

How to have a harmonious Christmas

Don't let the Grannies loose on the sherry.

I think Cari meant the turkey that they are going to cook on the GN site for all of us, so far they have only given us roast chicken

Well spotted MiniMouse! ?

#baddayattheoffice

When is all said and done, it is only a roast. We often have a roast chicken with say a steamed type of pudding, so this is really like Christmas without the decorations. This year there will be 6 of us so not unmanageable, just a relaxed and pleasant day, with son, dil, her mum and my mum.

Boxing Day is the dogs Christmas Day with a long walk and family -3 dogs- and then back to ours with present exchange with daughter and sil and grandsons, and a buffet and perhaps board games or a film. Nothing elaborate or ambitious just a cool time!!

I never buy the Christmas editions of magazines. Every year the headlines are 'your best Christmas yet' or some such nonsense!

All they do, is make people feel inadequate.

Ahem Cari - site? Or sight?!!

I really think these adverts of a perfect Xmas have a lot to answer for, real life isn't at all like that. Too much hype, and brainwashing going on. My advice to myself this year is to chill and lower my expectations.

Don't expect it to be perfect. The things you see on the adverts aren't real.

We shall resolve ours by staying at home and leaving them to it. We shall no doubt hear about the shenanigans in due course.

I could stay off GN for a couple of weeks.

Oh - that's not what you mean