Feeling a bit down after today

[workatemylife]

Not the end of the world, but Christmas kind of lost its sparkle today. DC1 was ill in the night and clearly struggling to enjoy Christmas. We had some lovely times, making it to the crib service before the dodgy tum started, hanging up stockings, Christmas eve hamper etc. We managed to open stockings this morning, but breakfast was a step too far and there were tears about how unfair it was to be unwell today of all days. I wanted to cancel Christmas and start again tomorrow but we had family here for dinner so dh reckoned we had to go ahead. I think we salvaged something of the day but it just felt all wrong. I'm a total Christmas lover and DCs are too. We made Christmas together with all the baking, wrapping, decorating etc and the 24hrs that mattered just didn't happen. I know it is a tiny thing in the grand scheme of life, but I've not managed to shake the sense of disappointment. DC is feeling better and will be in the mood for the new toys etc I'm sure, but really seemed upset by the whole 'this is the only time we...' Although I did say we would make another special day, meal etc once recovered. Any ideas about how to do this welcome! I can't make Christmas come again in reality, but are there magical things still left to do? I wonder about a 12 days of Christmas idea with a little special thing each day. But what?! Especially with no plans at this stage! I always thought boxing day was the worst day of the year as a child!

[abbsismyhero]

our christmas sucked to be honest my middle child has been in a strop over christmas since the start grumping and arguing about everything ive had no peace he even went into a rage over his toys today nothing was good enough and nothing was right

im taking them on the steam train tomorrow this i know he enjoys if he gives me a hard time over that im giving up!

[Imfinehowareyou]

Hope your DC1 is feeling much better now. Is there any way you can redo face Christmas dinner with your immediate family? Say, on New Years Eve?

[7Coffees]

What about New Years Eve? Could do a big day of it xx

[MargaretCabbage]

How about a twelfth night party? You could appoint a Lord of Misrule so the DCs could have some fun being in charge.

Sorry Christmas didn't work out how it should have.

[workatemylife]

HERO sorry to hear that you're having a rough time too. Hope tomorrow is fun.
Thank you everyone for your cheery ideas. We can do Christmas lunch again easily. DC won't notice that the turkey is reheated leftovers and we have the trimmings because I over catered. Just need a few roasties and we're there. No sprouts but that would be good news I think!
Twelfth night would be a nice end to the festive season. We cooked nice food last year after putting the decorations away and it was fun.
I might look online for boxing day traditions and see if we can adapt one at short notice. Might seem more positive than a repeat of Christmas that is clearly a make do and mend. Christmas food - we've not even started the cake - and a new 'thing' would raise the mood.
While I'm here, does anyone else look at the advent calendars with all the doors open and feel a bit sad? A month of excitement comes to an end. I'm a total softie clearly.

[IamFatherChristmasNOTsanta]

Op I feel the same, all is well but I was v ill on xmas eve, so not able to get into the spirit at all, crushing head ache, felt dizzy struggled to walk up and down stairs, then our guest on xmas day was in a really bad mood .

[moopymoodle]

I think sometimes we expect xmas to be magical but life gets in thr way. Best to aim for joyful moments rather then the perfect day :)

[workatemylife]

I'm in a much better mood today. As above, well worth remembering all the little bits of magic rather than stressing over the actual day as if it were all that mattered. DC well today and happy. Stockings and gifts opened yesterday and Xmas eve was lovely so all that really was missing was the whole family eating too much. Boxing day leftovers have been turned into Xmas meal number 2; most of us having ham but DC on turkey. It is a lovely time of year altogether and nothing ever goes quite to plan. Hope you're all having a lovely day today too.

[jevoudrais]

Not much else to offer but I feel your disappointment. I have been ill for over two and a half weeks with what the doctors now think is low grade food poisoning. By xmas eve I was on the right meds but stomach has shrunk and still rather afraid to eat or drink anything and v tired as a result. It does take the sparkle off x

[NeverNic]

Can sympathise op. Youngest has Hand, foot and mouth. Spots appeared Christmas Day night and confirmed with hospital on Boxing Day. House now quarantined, meaning all our post Christmas treats have been cancelled. Christmas Day was okay, but having spent the whole day cooking and dealing with a (now understandably) grumpy baby, we were looking forward to being someone else's guests. Very tempted to take the decorations down early and host a 12th night party instead

[workatemylife]

Poor you! At least we were only stuck in the house for a couple of days when there's loads of new toys and games to try. HFM is grim
I'm quite looking forward to NYD and twelfth night now. Christmas lasts for the full festive period here so building happy memories bit by bit now that I'm not sitting on the bathroom floor trying to offer comfort to an ill child. Hope your LO starts to feel better soon and you can salvage some nice family time together.

[NeverNic]

Exactly. There are worse times to be indoors and while it hasn't been as we planned, it's not awful. Boxing Day was pretty much written off, but our hosts for Boxing Day have very kindly invited us to new yrs instead. I feel sorry for you though. I'll take spots over sick, any day xx