Christmas

This is so sad. You have a 10 year old. Make the effort to make it magical. Put up decorations. I think you're being very unreasonable to not do this.

Kind of depends on what sort of Christmas you usually do. If you’ve never made a big deal of it and it’s not something you all look forward to, then the lack of decorations probably won’t make that much difference to your kids (I’d still consider 10 little enough for a child to be properly excited about Christmas, so to me it feels a bit sad not to bother with anything at all, but you know your own son).

My adult children would be really disappointed to come home for Christmas to an undecorated house, but I do it for myself as much as anyone else. Winter is a long slog, and making things feel a bit cosy and festive is something I look forward to.

But if you don’t enjoy putting up decorations and nobody else cares, I can understand it becoming just another thing on the endless bloody To Do list at this time of year. I felt the same about cards until I just stopped doing them a few years ago, which was a massive relief. You should do whatever kind of Christmas works for you and your family, but if you’re feeling a bit guilty/conflicted about not having decorations, then maybe consider whether the kids are genuinely not bothered, or whether that’s something you’re conveniently telling yourself?

Christmas isn’t just for kids but even if it was, you still have a young child!

Xmas decorating night is one of the best nights of the year. Adult DC come over with their partners. We have mulled wine, a buffet, silly games, Christmas music.

In our late 60's and no children here. Decorations all the way but not until mid December!

It's only ever been me and DH and I decorate, it only takes a few hours and makes the house so cosy and festive and I have some really beautiful baubles and decorations that I look forward to seeing every year.

I could do without all the shopping though!

I’ve always had a tree. Even as students we bought one for our house. Had one when house sharing and DH and I had one for the 10 years before kids. No other decorations then but always always a tree. My kids are all teens now and would be horrified if we didn’t put on the whole shebang. and I have certainly have no intention of stopping when they have left home.

I already have a plan for when I am too old to put it up myself. I will have a tree delivered and happily pay a local teenager to come and decorate it for me.

Just do minimum, I have a small, pre decorated tree, lights and candles… simple! Only if your 10 year old is at all bothered though, otherwise you do what feels right for you. I often think, when I see all the trouble some people go to, “ that’s all got to come down again!” however where I live some of it stays up all year round!!!

You should for the kids. It’s an hours job at mozt and doesn’t need to be perfect.

I put the tree up for me!

I put them up because I like them
with a ten year old I think you should no matter what he says he is still a child

He’s 10! Why would you not put up decorations? Isn’t he excited about Santa or is he past that too?

I live alone, very low contact with siblings, and really really dislike December and the build up to Christmas (love Boxing Day to New Years Day) and even I put up a tree!

I put the decorations up for myself!!

The whole idea of Christmas originally was to have a big shindig in the middle of winter, around the time of the longest night/shortest day. The decorating with greenery and prospect of feasting gave people something to look forward to.

So yes, I would absolutely decorate for Christmas without any little kids (you have a ten year old? That's a kid?) because I find winter bleak and depressing and the coloured lights and glitter look lovely and bright against the blackness. They serve to distract us from it until we're over the worst and the days will start to lengthen again. It's not remotely "only for little kids", the whole Santa thing is for little kids!

i have never really been into Christmas so i put up when younger but from about the age of 10 my child didnt want them up either so i dont bother now lol

You still have a young dc so of course you do!!! Although i have dc 25 and 18 and they would be devastated if there was no tree or decorations. Many of our decorations have lovely memories and really make the house feel festive. I cannot imagine never bringing them out.

Weird post. Christmas decorations aren't just for little kids. And a 10 year old is a little kid.

You don’t have to go overboard, but I think it would be a bit sad not to do put anything up.
Wait until it’s actually December though or you’ll be sick of them come Christmas. Right now in early November many trees are still green, others in autumn leaf and I got too warm walking down the high street yesterday and had to take my jacket off (ok that’s climate change, but still… definitely not Christmassy in any sense).

My 10 year old still believes in Santa so yes,I got them all out the loft yesterday,dd 25 still loves Christmas.

Do what you want. But it's a really strange question. Look around nearer Christmas at all the decorated houses and gardens, do you seriously think that's all for little kids?

My adult children would quite possibly call the Christmas police if I didn't!

I find it more worrying that you call your son 'the boy'. Shows your feelings about each of your children clearly

10 isn't grown up?! But yes I'd still do the decorations!

I love Christmas Decorations. My 18yr old is currently working in a Garden Centre over Christmas and I have put her in charge of organising our Christmas Tree this year which will be from work. She's looking forward to choosing the perfect one for us.