The bah humbug thread...

I am definitely not bah humbug wrt christmas but am watching so many here on GN, planning huge spreads and spending loads of money, which is often being put on credit cards. Buy now pay later

My christmas will conisist of a few happy hours with family, I shall drive there and drive back in the light. A nice short inexpensive family gathering. I am glad to say that excess does not come into for me and my family

I flashed the credit card around yesterday 😲

What makes you think that, because Gransnetters use their credit cards, they can't pay them off, karmalady?

We're not driving back, we've been invited to stay the night.

#smugorwhat

Baggs and Gymsta a difficult time for you both

I love Christmas, but not the over hyped, over spent and over fed one seen in so many adverts and magazines. I have so many happy memories of past Christmases. Mr. B doesn’t, as he has some unhappy memories. We have a quiet laidback Christmas Day, just the two of us, a few fun and not terribly expensive presents, nice food, a walk, a film or whatever we feel like. On Boxing Day we’re getting together with some of our siblings, just the grownup, a nice lunch and a lot of chatter.

karmalady

gymstagran, I am so very sorry.

I am definitely not bah humbug wrt christmas but am watching so many here on GN, planning huge spreads and spending loads of money, which is often being put on credit cards. Buy now pay later

My christmas will conisist of a few happy hours with family, I shall drive there and drive back in the light. A nice short inexpensive family gathering. I am glad to say that excess does not come into for me and my family

karmalady I am definitely not bah humbug wrt christmas but am watching so many here on GN, planning huge spreads and spending loads of money, which is often being put on credit cards. Buy now pay later

I've not noticed anyone posting of spending loads. But, really? Money is to be spent as people see fit, my 'not frugal as mum' daughters even know that.

We always have a toast to absent friends, MawtheMerrier, whether they be overseas and unable to join us or have died.
🥂

Just so, Maw, and we'll raise our glasses to you on the day. 🥃

Oreo and Riverwalk, thank you. Sadly it's terminal though the treatment she's having is to try to slow down its progress 🙏

I'm definitely in the 'bah humbug' camp. I loathe xmas and always have done, even as a child. Left to my own devices, I probably wouldn't even bother with a tree or anything, but the adult children and GS would moan if I didn't put it up, so up it will go at some point. I do love the food, however - and host our family xmas dinner every year, although as both daughter and son and their partners all work shifts, it will just depend on who exactly is there on the day.

Baggs I don't do prayers but sending positive vibes in the hope that your daughter is comfortable and not in too much distress.

And I'm glad your husband is losing his excess weight! My ex used to enjoy a glass of Laphroaig - I can smell that petrol odour as I type!

Riverwalk

Baggs I don't do prayers but sending positive vibes in the hope that your daughter is comfortable and not in too much distress.

❤️

It is only 4 months since my husband died and the grief is very raw. But I am doing a muted Christmas this year for my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter who I look after a couple of afternoons a week. I will put up a few decorations, but I am not sending any cards this year ( or ever again hopefully). We are all going on a Santa train next week and myself and her other Grandma are taking her to the theatre.
My dear son is coming to stay over Christmas and Christmas Eve will be spent with my SIL and her Swedish family who celebrate on the Eve. Christmas day with my daughter and her husbands family.
To be honest I am dreading it but I will try to put on a happy face but be glad when its all over on Boxing Day.

I don`t usually go too much overboard at Christmas, a tree, a few decorative ornaments, and cards displayed on a holder, plus present buying of course. But as my son died just over a week ago, I don`t think I`ll bother putting the tree up this year, just the cards. It really doesn`t feel Christmassy now.

I like the day itself but hate the hype leading up to it, Usually created by supermarkets who make us think that unless we are 20 around the table drowning in food you won't have that perfect day. Also the endless question by people asking " have you finished your Christmas shopping " and "what you doing for Christmas" 😡 we always enjoy but in our own way and I don't see that is needs discussing with other people .

I havnt celebrated christmas since 1979 (the year my grandmother died) and so I'm definitely in the 'bah humbug' camp. I run an online business so by the time Ive finished packing parcels to send to the other side of the world I am burned out. I will be closing all my shops for a full 4 weeks to wind down.

I have an aquaintance who likewise sells online but a bigger operation with his own office and warehouse. My friend hates the family christmas with crowds of relatives and kids under foot. He tells his family that business does not stop on christmas day, boxing day and new years day. So he has to go into the office because he has given his staff the time off. He tells them to just put his dinner on one side and he will warm it in the micro when he returns.

In fact "business" takes about half an hour and then he puts his feet up for 2/3 hours to watch TV or listen to music. If they try to ring him and pester he just tells them he was in the warehouse and had left his phone in the office on charge.

The aim is to get away from the big family meal and return when most of the guests have gone. Of course his family have no idea what he does. They think of him as a hard worker and a great provider (which he is).

I understand exactly how he feels.

62Granny

I like the day itself but hate the hype leading up to it, Usually created by supermarkets who make us think that unless we are 20 around the table drowning in food you won't have that perfect day. Also the endless question by people asking " have you finished your Christmas shopping " and "what you doing for Christmas" 😡 we always enjoy but in our own way and I don't see that is needs discussing with other people .

No supermarket has ever made me think that, 62Granny, and I’m sure I’m far from alone.

@Isummer
My husband died 6 weeks beforeChristmas 5 years ago and yes, it’s hard.
We all (other 2 D’s and SILs) met up at my eldest daughter’s that year, I stayed and cried myself to sleep (as on all the other nights)
DH’s 2 sisters, brother and nephew were all there on Boxing Day too, I think we were 15 grown ups- brought home to me when I came into the dining room having made tea for everybody to find them all (except me) in pairs to play Happy Families.
I took myself off to the sitting room and for the first time felt like “Granny in the corner”. That has stayed with me.
Wishing you and all those missing a special person

I'm with you Baggs on your opening post.
Lots of people enjoy Christmas and for those who do, have a really happy time.

Sending love and to you & Gymsta xx and Hellogirl .

I'm always up for a bah humbug thread.
I bloody hate christmas!

Hellogirl I'm really sorry about your son - please accept my condolences .

So many sad mothers

I m a bit in the bah humbug camp
Family spread all over even the wrong time zones for phoning although we do, but one’s going to bed as one’s getting up haha
I detest the canned music in shops the dreadful adverts that take over and the shops that are full of ‘Christmas cheer’ in October/ November
The actual day will be fine a Christmas Day swim in the North Sea a warm up drink afterwards dinner and tea with one daughter (who did escape but is back) 2 grandkids 21 and 19 who ll be socialising on their phones or in their rooms, most of the time love them to bits and they ll pop in and out for food Maybe a game or two a nice meal then home to bed and the same next day
Then hooray it’s over
We re a small family my Mum and Dad and all aunts and uncles gone, no siblings and two kids and 5 out of 7 grandkids overseas
I think Christmas is lovely for big families
Most of my friends who spend Christmas alone can’t wait for it to be over

Roll on 2023

I'm another one who only does it for the kids, although the lights are very welcome on gloomy days like today.
I've always advocated celebrating every 4 years like the World Cup!
Bah Humbug indeed....

Baggs, I am really sorry to hear the news about your daughter.
Sending you kind thoughts

And to Gymstagran

Christmas can be a difficult time for many for so many reasons.

Oh I have just read about your son, Hellogirl.

I am so sorry to hear that, truly.

Isummer I remember your husband, and I just wondered the other day how you were.

I do hope you both find a bit of festive cheer, somewhere.

Did you swim today Bluebelle - what was the temperature?

I can't get over swimming in the North Sea - it's cold!

to all those going through difficult times this Christmas.

Oh Hellogirl just seen your post just cant say anything except how sorry I am for to hear this Sending a big hug your way and to all the other grans who have lost family or have ill family, such a difficult time for so many ❤️