Page 6 | If men were left to organise Christmas themselves

Fiddlesticks32 · 2024-11-27T17:42:38+00:00

AIBU to think it would be an absolute disaster? And what would it look like? [wine][halo]

BadLad · 30/11/2024 10:02

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 30/11/2024 09:43

You gave yourself away as a Christmas ignoramus, @BadLad. Christmas puddings are steamed, not baked!

I bet you don't handrear your turkeys in the back garden either.

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In my defence, I’m very tired. Had to organise the 1st of December boxes. Can’t believe the OP forgot those in her list.

Then I’ll get steaming.

Dontcallmescarface · 30/11/2024 09:58

Fiddlesticks32 · 29/11/2024 23:37

What exactly is there to organise?
@NoNoNona

Not saying I do all these things but:

Visiting and/or hosting family
Writing and sending cards (at 85p per stamp!)
Christmas Eve boxes
Christmas jumpers
Elf on a shelf
Seeing Santa
Writing letters to Santa
Baking treats like gingerbread houses
Matching PJs for the whole family, including dog
Getting hold of the latest trendy item, Jingle All the Way style
Making Mulled wine and hot chocolate
Handmade decorations and ornaments
Baking a Christmas pud
Advent calendar and candle
Going caroling
Visiting a Christmas market
Attending a carol service at church and/or midnight mass
Driving around looking for lights
Buying multiple presents for family
Wrapping said presents (nicely!)
Hiding presents before and after wrapping
Buying, preparing and cooking a three course meal for multiple people
Clearing and washing up after the meal
Festive playlist
Cleaning whole house
Decorating whole house inside and out
Finding and decorating a tree
Special tableware
Special bedding
Charity appeals such as shoebox gifts
Sorting games, entertainment and outings
Writing thank you notes

I know there's more...

None of that NEEDS to be done though does it?

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 30/11/2024 09:47

Fiddlesticks32 · 29/11/2024 23:37

What exactly is there to organise?
@NoNoNona

Not saying I do all these things but:

Visiting and/or hosting family
Writing and sending cards (at 85p per stamp!)
Christmas Eve boxes
Christmas jumpers
Elf on a shelf
Seeing Santa
Writing letters to Santa
Baking treats like gingerbread houses
Matching PJs for the whole family, including dog
Getting hold of the latest trendy item, Jingle All the Way style
Making Mulled wine and hot chocolate
Handmade decorations and ornaments
Baking a Christmas pud
Advent calendar and candle
Going caroling
Visiting a Christmas market
Attending a carol service at church and/or midnight mass
Driving around looking for lights
Buying multiple presents for family
Wrapping said presents (nicely!)
Hiding presents before and after wrapping
Buying, preparing and cooking a three course meal for multiple people
Clearing and washing up after the meal
Festive playlist
Cleaning whole house
Decorating whole house inside and out
Finding and decorating a tree
Special tableware
Special bedding
Charity appeals such as shoebox gifts
Sorting games, entertainment and outings
Writing thank you notes

I know there's more...

I've been on MN a long time and that's one of the most batshit posts I've ever seen. Get a grip, woman. The world would continue to turn if none of those were done. My children (now adult) have turned out fine even though they experienced next to none of the above. We still all have very happy associations with Christmas.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 30/11/2024 09:43

BadLad · 30/11/2024 09:00

Of course the dog needs Christmas Pjs which match everybody else’s, which are presented in Christmas Eve boxes. Do you want the family to die from lack of Christmas magic?

Next you’ll be suggesting buying a Christmas pudding instead of baking one. The horror.

Show quote history

You gave yourself away as a Christmas ignoramus, @BadLad. Christmas puddings are steamed, not baked!

I bet you don't handrear your turkeys in the back garden either.

Parker231 · 30/11/2024 09:37

gannett · 30/11/2024 09:33

OK you are definitely trolling because surely no one thinks even half of this list is necessary. I'd actually hate to be in a household that did it all.

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If anyone thinks they should do even a fraction of this list, they have a problem with their life and need to find something worthwhile to do!

DappledThings · 30/11/2024 09:34

Fiddlesticks32 · 29/11/2024 23:37

What exactly is there to organise?
@NoNoNona

Not saying I do all these things but:

Visiting and/or hosting family
Writing and sending cards (at 85p per stamp!)
Christmas Eve boxes
Christmas jumpers
Elf on a shelf
Seeing Santa
Writing letters to Santa
Baking treats like gingerbread houses
Matching PJs for the whole family, including dog
Getting hold of the latest trendy item, Jingle All the Way style
Making Mulled wine and hot chocolate
Handmade decorations and ornaments
Baking a Christmas pud
Advent calendar and candle
Going caroling
Visiting a Christmas market
Attending a carol service at church and/or midnight mass
Driving around looking for lights
Buying multiple presents for family
Wrapping said presents (nicely!)
Hiding presents before and after wrapping
Buying, preparing and cooking a three course meal for multiple people
Clearing and washing up after the meal
Festive playlist
Cleaning whole house
Decorating whole house inside and out
Finding and decorating a tree
Special tableware
Special bedding
Charity appeals such as shoebox gifts
Sorting games, entertainment and outings
Writing thank you notes

I know there's more...

This has tipped over into parody now and shows how disingenuous the whole thread was from the start.

gannett · 30/11/2024 09:33

Fiddlesticks32 · 29/11/2024 23:37

What exactly is there to organise?
@NoNoNona

Not saying I do all these things but:

Visiting and/or hosting family
Writing and sending cards (at 85p per stamp!)
Christmas Eve boxes
Christmas jumpers
Elf on a shelf
Seeing Santa
Writing letters to Santa
Baking treats like gingerbread houses
Matching PJs for the whole family, including dog
Getting hold of the latest trendy item, Jingle All the Way style
Making Mulled wine and hot chocolate
Handmade decorations and ornaments
Baking a Christmas pud
Advent calendar and candle
Going caroling
Visiting a Christmas market
Attending a carol service at church and/or midnight mass
Driving around looking for lights
Buying multiple presents for family
Wrapping said presents (nicely!)
Hiding presents before and after wrapping
Buying, preparing and cooking a three course meal for multiple people
Clearing and washing up after the meal
Festive playlist
Cleaning whole house
Decorating whole house inside and out
Finding and decorating a tree
Special tableware
Special bedding
Charity appeals such as shoebox gifts
Sorting games, entertainment and outings
Writing thank you notes

I know there's more...

OK you are definitely trolling because surely no one thinks even half of this list is necessary. I'd actually hate to be in a household that did it all.

gannett · 30/11/2024 09:31

Fiddlesticks32 · 29/11/2024 22:59

So, it looks like a manly Christmas would generally be:

Mad dash to the shops last minute
Lashings of beer but not much wine
Good food but not necessarily enough of it
Thoughtful gifts for close family but not the in-laws
Dodgy wrapping
Less fuss about decorations and outings
No cards

I could live with that.

No, it doesn't. You still seem to be determined to turn this into a "lol what are men like" thread.

The 16 pages of replies should have told you there's no such thing as a "manly" Christmas because all men are different. Some are great cooks and some would serve supermarket food. Some would get organised in November and some would leave it to Xmas Eve. Some care about decoration and some don't give a shit. Some are utterly useless and some are invaluable. Just like women!

VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 30/11/2024 09:31

Fiddlesticks32 · 29/11/2024 23:37

What exactly is there to organise?
@NoNoNona

Not saying I do all these things but:

Visiting and/or hosting family
Writing and sending cards (at 85p per stamp!)
Christmas Eve boxes
Christmas jumpers
Elf on a shelf
Seeing Santa
Writing letters to Santa
Baking treats like gingerbread houses
Matching PJs for the whole family, including dog
Getting hold of the latest trendy item, Jingle All the Way style
Making Mulled wine and hot chocolate
Handmade decorations and ornaments
Baking a Christmas pud
Advent calendar and candle
Going caroling
Visiting a Christmas market
Attending a carol service at church and/or midnight mass
Driving around looking for lights
Buying multiple presents for family
Wrapping said presents (nicely!)
Hiding presents before and after wrapping
Buying, preparing and cooking a three course meal for multiple people
Clearing and washing up after the meal
Festive playlist
Cleaning whole house
Decorating whole house inside and out
Finding and decorating a tree
Special tableware
Special bedding
Charity appeals such as shoebox gifts
Sorting games, entertainment and outings
Writing thank you notes

I know there's more...

Christ there's a lot of pointless crap in there. DP and I don't do half of that between us and it means we actually get to enjoy the Christmas period rather than stressing!

baddayformeredith · 30/11/2024 09:29

@Parker231 Pretty much!
He also hates food shopping and panic buys when he does go so we end up with random crap. I like it as I buy all the food I like.
The cleaning is an ongoing pain as we both hate it but I hate the messiness more so give in earlier.

Parker231 · 30/11/2024 09:26

BadLad · 30/11/2024 09:00

Of course the dog needs Christmas Pjs which match everybody else’s, which are presented in Christmas Eve boxes. Do you want the family to die from lack of Christmas magic?

Next you’ll be suggesting buying a Christmas pudding instead of baking one. The horror.

Show quote history

Shook horror - no Christmas pudding or cake here or roast dinner - no one likes them - a cold buffet every time. How have my DC’s survived without a Christmas Eve box, the Elf, Christmas jumpers or Christmas baking? I’ve ruined their lives!!

Parker231 · 30/11/2024 09:23

baddayformeredith · 30/11/2024 08:48

We would have an amazing tastefully decorated Christmas tree (sometimes more than 1 tree), lots of booze and a few ridiculously extravagant presents (not wrapped).
There would be no Christmas cards sent, no stockings for kids, no decorations, dirty house.
Dh does always cook an amazing Christmas dinner but as I do the shopping there would be no food.

Does he forget where the hoover and supermarket is when it’s Christmas?🤣

BadLad · 30/11/2024 09:00

Catza · 30/11/2024 07:56

I struggle to see any man or woman wanting to tick every item on their list. Frankly, this is stuff of horrors. And some of those things don't need organising at all, do they? Like how much organisation does it take to attend a Mass? How much organising does it take for the kids to write a letter to Santa? Why does a dog need PJs?

Show quote history

Of course the dog needs Christmas Pjs which match everybody else’s, which are presented in Christmas Eve boxes. Do you want the family to die from lack of Christmas magic?

Next you’ll be suggesting buying a Christmas pudding instead of baking one. The horror.

baddayformeredith · 30/11/2024 08:48

We would have an amazing tastefully decorated Christmas tree (sometimes more than 1 tree), lots of booze and a few ridiculously extravagant presents (not wrapped).
There would be no Christmas cards sent, no stockings for kids, no decorations, dirty house.
Dh does always cook an amazing Christmas dinner but as I do the shopping there would be no food.

Parker231 · 30/11/2024 08:23

Caroparo52 · 30/11/2024 07:58

Despite being on a well published date, like birthdays, the day would creep up on him as a complete surprise and "no one warned him it was Christmas ". So nowt organised until Xmas eve.... basically a poor half arsed excuse with 50% stickers

Does he have the same problem with deadlines at work, date of MOT, self assessment tax submission?

LoveIsLikeAFartIfYouHaveToPushItsUsuallyShit · 30/11/2024 08:20

Fiddlesticks32 · 29/11/2024 23:37

What exactly is there to organise?
@NoNoNona

Not saying I do all these things but:

Visiting and/or hosting family
Writing and sending cards (at 85p per stamp!)
Christmas Eve boxes
Christmas jumpers
Elf on a shelf
Seeing Santa
Writing letters to Santa
Baking treats like gingerbread houses
Matching PJs for the whole family, including dog
Getting hold of the latest trendy item, Jingle All the Way style
Making Mulled wine and hot chocolate
Handmade decorations and ornaments
Baking a Christmas pud
Advent calendar and candle
Going caroling
Visiting a Christmas market
Attending a carol service at church and/or midnight mass
Driving around looking for lights
Buying multiple presents for family
Wrapping said presents (nicely!)
Hiding presents before and after wrapping
Buying, preparing and cooking a three course meal for multiple people
Clearing and washing up after the meal
Festive playlist
Cleaning whole house
Decorating whole house inside and out
Finding and decorating a tree
Special tableware
Special bedding
Charity appeals such as shoebox gifts
Sorting games, entertainment and outings
Writing thank you notes

I know there's more...

That's mental list andnowIgetwhy somany here moan about Christmas.
Self inflicted though...

Corinthiana · 30/11/2024 08:03

Caroparo52 · 30/11/2024 07:58

Despite being on a well published date, like birthdays, the day would creep up on him as a complete surprise and "no one warned him it was Christmas ". So nowt organised until Xmas eve.... basically a poor half arsed excuse with 50% stickers

So, he's completely unaware of the calendar, and other prompts like advertising, decorations, shop windows and time off work?.

Caroparo52 · 30/11/2024 07:58

Despite being on a well published date, like birthdays, the day would creep up on him as a complete surprise and "no one warned him it was Christmas ". So nowt organised until Xmas eve.... basically a poor half arsed excuse with 50% stickers

Catza · 30/11/2024 07:56

Fiddlesticks32 · 29/11/2024 23:37

What exactly is there to organise?
@NoNoNona

Not saying I do all these things but:

Visiting and/or hosting family
Writing and sending cards (at 85p per stamp!)
Christmas Eve boxes
Christmas jumpers
Elf on a shelf
Seeing Santa
Writing letters to Santa
Baking treats like gingerbread houses
Matching PJs for the whole family, including dog
Getting hold of the latest trendy item, Jingle All the Way style
Making Mulled wine and hot chocolate
Handmade decorations and ornaments
Baking a Christmas pud
Advent calendar and candle
Going caroling
Visiting a Christmas market
Attending a carol service at church and/or midnight mass
Driving around looking for lights
Buying multiple presents for family
Wrapping said presents (nicely!)
Hiding presents before and after wrapping
Buying, preparing and cooking a three course meal for multiple people
Clearing and washing up after the meal
Festive playlist
Cleaning whole house
Decorating whole house inside and out
Finding and decorating a tree
Special tableware
Special bedding
Charity appeals such as shoebox gifts
Sorting games, entertainment and outings
Writing thank you notes

I know there's more...

I struggle to see any man or woman wanting to tick every item on their list. Frankly, this is stuff of horrors. And some of those things don't need organising at all, do they? Like how much organisation does it take to attend a Mass? How much organising does it take for the kids to write a letter to Santa? Why does a dog need PJs?

BadLad · 30/11/2024 07:52

Hateam · 30/11/2024 01:37

Men aren't that stupid.

Matching PJs for the whole family including the dog!?!

Edited

Show quote history

Actually there’s far less in the household of anyone sane.

Edit - only meant to quote the long list.

Parker231 · 30/11/2024 07:42

ThisZingyBlueFish · 30/11/2024 07:35

I actually think this question is offensive and it's depressing to see that 60% of people voting agree with you! 🙄
My DH is better at entertaining, cooking, and planning than me. Assuming all men are hopeless is just rude and bloody sexist.

They aren’t in any way incapable or hopeless but some women are control freaks and their way is the only way so wouldn’t matter how well a man did the planning and preparation. It’s sad as their children will grow up thinking the same.

ThisZingyBlueFish · 30/11/2024 07:35

I actually think this question is offensive and it's depressing to see that 60% of people voting agree with you! 🙄
My DH is better at entertaining, cooking, and planning than me. Assuming all men are hopeless is just rude and bloody sexist.

mathanxiety · 30/11/2024 07:28

Fiddlesticks32 · 29/11/2024 23:37

What exactly is there to organise?
@NoNoNona

Not saying I do all these things but:

Visiting and/or hosting family
Writing and sending cards (at 85p per stamp!)
Christmas Eve boxes
Christmas jumpers
Elf on a shelf
Seeing Santa
Writing letters to Santa
Baking treats like gingerbread houses
Matching PJs for the whole family, including dog
Getting hold of the latest trendy item, Jingle All the Way style
Making Mulled wine and hot chocolate
Handmade decorations and ornaments
Baking a Christmas pud
Advent calendar and candle
Going caroling
Visiting a Christmas market
Attending a carol service at church and/or midnight mass
Driving around looking for lights
Buying multiple presents for family
Wrapping said presents (nicely!)
Hiding presents before and after wrapping
Buying, preparing and cooking a three course meal for multiple people
Clearing and washing up after the meal
Festive playlist
Cleaning whole house
Decorating whole house inside and out
Finding and decorating a tree
Special tableware
Special bedding
Charity appeals such as shoebox gifts
Sorting games, entertainment and outings
Writing thank you notes

I know there's more...

Blimey!
I test the Christmas tree lights at the end of November.
I find a tree, schlep it home on the roof rack and stick it in its stand, then decorate it.
I decorate the sitting room and dining room (takes ten to fifteen minutes).
I put the wreath on the front door.
I buy gifts in shops and online, and hide them in the boot of the car.
I do not wrap them, nicely or otherwise, because that's insanity.
I set out the Advent candle thingy with its four candles, all of which I fish out of the sideboard drawer.
The DCs wrote letters to Santa in every free moment in December when they were small. Nobody had to organise that. They weren't posted. Not sure where they went after I looked at them. These days we exchange wish lists starting at the end of November in time for Black Friday.
A few days before Christmas I run the Christmas plates and mugs, serving dishes and wine glasses through the dishwasher.
We go to Christmas Eve Mass.
I take the table runner out of the other sideboard drawer and put it on the table. I put the other festive runner on the sideboard.
I buy components (food plus beverages) of Christmas Eve festive dinner and dessert, Christmas brunch, and Christmas dinner. I cook all of those meals and wash up/ run the dishwasher and empty the dishwasher multiple times.
I play the Spotify playlist that annoys everyone until they turn on Home Alone or Independence Day.

When the DCs were in elementary school they did a school carol concert every year. They were in the church choir when they were aged 8 to 11 or 12 and all were altar servers with Christmas Mass duties most years. We sometimes went to a school Christmas bazaar. One year we went downtown to see the lights and the decorated shop windows. We sometimes have hot cocoa if it snowed.

Corinthiana · 30/11/2024 07:22

BigFatLiar · 30/11/2024 07:16

He's probably not so bothered about his clients/customers/managers options and they probably aren't as fussy or critical of his efforts.

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What sort of job is this? It sounds very easy going.

BigFatLiar · 30/11/2024 07:16

Lizzie67384 · 29/11/2024 21:58

How does he manage at work with his lack of decision making skills?

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He's probably not so bothered about his clients/customers/managers options and they probably aren't as fussy or critical of his efforts.