Christmas

[Orangeblossom7777]

All the talk of Christmas gathering - many people don't like it or are on their own at Christmas but it seems in the media people have an idealistic perfect family Christmas.

Do you enjoy it, really? Or find it stressful. I guess for most people it is a bit of both. I wonder for some people might it be a bit of a relief to have lower key Christmas.

Now there is talk of having a mini lockdown to 'save Christmas'. Think I would prefer not to do that.

[Ninkanink]

I really enjoy it and don’t find it stressful at all. We spend the day having whatever snacks take our fancy and dinner is served when it’s ready - generally anytime between four and six.

But for years and years it’s just been the 4 of us - my DH and I, and my two daughters. Every other year they spend the day with their dad and it’s just me and my DH.

I like a small intimate Christmas.

[Orangeblossom7777]

That sounds lovely Ninkanink

[SunbathingDragon]

We usually have our own Christmas but we always visit family for the days around it and do enjoy that. We’re lucky that we have children still living with us and won’t be lonely regardless of whether there is a lockdown or not. For many people though, Christmas is a horribly lonely time in the best years.

[Orangeblossom7777]

It must depend a lot on circumstance. I don't get on with my parents who are divorced and live apart, rarely see them, however DH has big extended family and we always spend it with them

it is quite hard sometimes and feel putting on an act a little as remembering my own birth family problems.

So for me, if we were told to not mix might be the first time for a small family Christmas for us, just with our children.

[divafever99]

To be honest I wouldn't mind a low key Christmas, especially after such a stressful year.
I usually find Christmas quite stressful, juggling work and endless gatherings of relatives we don't see from one year to the next but feel obliged to go!

[amusedtodeath1]

It's always low key for us just me, DP and DD. Boxing day is the only day I usually see people over Christmas. I've managed over the years to establish that we're unsociable and don't like guests.

[Squirrelblanket]

I love Christmas! We have a very low key and relaxed one. Just me, husband and my mum. We'll be doing the same this year, whatever the 'rules' are.

[Camomila]

I love it, the years we go to Italy and have a huge extended family Christmas are my favourite.
I was always lonely the years it was just me, dbro, and our parents in the UK.

Not sure what we are doing this year as if we invited everyone there'd be 9 of us (I have 2dc and a DH, DBro has a girlfriend, parents have a single friend they always invite) If the rule of 6 applies we will stay home so its a group of 5 and a group of 4.

[serialreturner]

I do like it, though I'm mega excited not to have to do a 5 hour trip to see family and run ourselves ragged trying to see everyone.

We'll save up to £1k too, not travelling, cutting back a bit and just being a bit more frugal, though I have got my M&S click ad collect in already :).

DD needs nothing and we'll just spend the day quietly eating, drinking nice stuff and in front of the fire.

We'll get a real tree as usual and deck the halls. Might make a Christmas pudding and dig up some sprouts to send to DMIL.

Aaaannnnndddd....... relax.

[Ninkanink]

Yes I think it varies so much depending on circumstances. Some people really love the mad chaos of huge family Christmases and seeing lots of people on the day. I don’t mind that once in a while but I do prefer our quiet, stress free, low key Christmases. It also means we don’t go crazy on spending - there’s absolutely no pressure to go overboard with presents for all and sundry, and no waste in the form of masses of token or well meaning but unwanted or unneeded gifts - we just get some small gifts for my daughters, both of whom have birthdays quite close to Christmas where a bigger fuss will have been made.

We see whatever family we can over the season, but for many years we’ve lived quite far away from both sides of the family so usually see people at other times of the year when we travel or they do.

Christmas is actually a very difficult time for a lot of people, whether that’s through dealing with family issues, loneliness, terrible memories or bereavements. This year will be different for many, but for some people they deal with this or something similar every year.

[Paranoidmarvin]

All I ever want to do for Xmas is stay in my pjs under a duvet all day. Each crap and have pizza and cheese cake for lunch.
My husband in the other hand loves to cook a roast and get dressed up. So. Every year we get dressed and eat a roast. Which takes hours and means he spends hours in the kitchen. And then takes ages to clear up.

I find it a awful way to spend Christmas Day. No small children here only a teenager who doesn’t leave his room.