Over stimulation or Christmas ruined by overcommercialised, high expectation December?

Yes the lead-up seems to get longer each year.

We live Down Under, so it is also end of the school year and everything that comes with that on top of Christmas. December is absolute madness.

I agree, my children are older teens and I don’t remember Christmas being this pressurised when they were younger. We did Father Christmas but it was quite a simple and nice visit not a massive experience which has doubled in price. I think putting Christmas trees up in November too much and takes the shine the off Christmas. It becomes a two month build up which is a sixth of the year. It should be a shorter special period. I think it is looking at what makes you happy, which for me is a relaxing day with family, some games and a nice meal and focusing on that and ditching other things.

I’m shocked at some of the posts about taking the thermostat and temper tantrums, that is abusive and my heart goes out to the families experiencing this. I think Christmas amplifies what is happening anyway but with fewer safety valves.

I suppose I live a fairly quiet life as I had a fairly peaceful run up to Christmas, but then I don’t buy into all the hype and advertising of all the things we are supposed to do for Christmas! I actually enjoyed making some mince pies, a Christmas cake, because I wanted to. Last Christmas I had a pretty serious mental health issue and didn’t want to do anything so it was lovely to feel I wanted to cook again. Just the things I know my family enjoy. We had a lovely day yesterday with two daughters, and the third is visiting today with her partner and their 4 week old baby, my first grandchild. Perfect !

I can remember being a child at Christmas and getting absolutely "whipped up" (not sure how else to describe it) with excitement at Christmas and the problem was that reality always fell short. I wasn't even a particularly difficult or tantrummy child but remember getting these emotional crashes around that time of year.

Even in my adulthood I've suffered really badly with January blues and seen other adults in tears the first day or so back at work after Christmas. It prompted me to do a lot of soul searching.

We've really scaled back in some ways during December. I try to keep the weekends a bit quieter as they do so many Christmas activities at school. I don't go all out for Christmas dinner anymore, keep it like a roast with a few extras. We spread the festive activities up to New Year's day so as not to make it all about the build up because I don't think that's healthy.

I get exhausted listening to all the things some people do in December. Social media definitely doesn't help.

I understand your point here and think we have to be really careful to label who is at fault properly to avoid adding to any guilt for the people who are already suffering and struggling - I think it is down to so many men treating their families (partners and children) appallingly (abusively).

I was thinking this too. It's been weeks of eating too much, drinking too much, parties, work socials, not enough sleep, stressing about presents, stressing about hosting duties, writing and posting Christmas cards, baking and feeding the Christmas cakes, debating whether or not to have turkey which everyone hates or beef which isn't traditional ... I could go on! It was a relief to wake up this morning and realise it's all over for another year!

The build up is driven by shopping imv-the longer they can advertise and push products the more money will be spent

I never start threads on here but was just about to because I am so sad to read thread after thread of women having had a terrible Christmas Day almost exclusively because of their husband or partner. I get that the pressure for a perfect day can lead to disappointment but so much of what I have read is abusive or borderline abusive.

My only wish is that these women use this as a catalyst for change and remove themselves (and, crucially, their children) from these homes for next year. Children should not have to be cold because their arsehole of a father has taken the thermostat away as punishment to their mother.

I don’t think it can be attributed to the general madness of Christmas. I think it is down to so many women living in appalling relationships and their children suffering as a result.

I agree, I think this is due to the focus shifting to the 'build up' and for many people, it being all over on Christmas Day (see threads about decorations coming down on Christmas/Boxing Day).

It may be that I have rose-tinted nostalgia, but I'm sure it usen't to be like this 40/50 years ago in my childhood. I remember Christmas lasting right through till past the new year. Putting your tree up 'early' in those days would be putting it up on 1 December where that seems fairly standard nowadays.