Does anyone else feel completely overwhelmed by Christmas.

[MidiMitch]

Has suddenly dawned on me Christmas is next week. Haven't bought one present yet and nothing in for entertaining. I know it'll all get done but feeling totally overwhelmed. Have an incredibly stressful job (often work 60-70 hour weeks) and just struggling with the mental load of being a WP. I just need a big glass of wine and be told to get a grip. Anyone else feeling this way?

no get a grip though. Just more

Just scale it back.

What are you actually doing and what do you actually need?

You have all my sympathy. Putting on the major entertainment event that is Christmas is not compatible with a FT career, IMVHO.

Pour yourself a big glass, and get your ass on Amazon Prime now. Who do you have to buy for? Tell us and we can give u ideas and have you finished with the gift shopping within an hour!

Yep Amazon prime is your friend. You can get it all done tonight and get it off your mind.

Totally do scale back. Only buy presents for children and my DS is conditioned to not expect loads (hate the excess). I do one entertaining day which is basically a piss up and buffet. Need to have a word with myself but just felt a moment of total panic

Went on Amazon is prime earlier and loads of stuff sold out. Have booked out a morning on Thurs and just going to smash it at the shops.

Amazon prime rather than Amazon is prime!

I have done most presents, but courtesy of Amazon on Sunday. No food bought or actually planned tbh. Will buy the rest locally at the weekend and do food shop on Sunday
Thankfully it's just us, and a pop to see my parents Boxing Day so pretty low key as the in laws are all away

Me too OP, my in laws a big Christmas fanatics, they do the whole works. Presents to all cousins, siblings, in laws etc (about 10 presents), big and wide variety of dinner / food etc etc. God they have even asked was film we want to watch on Christmas Day

Christmas was never big in our house growing up, never presents to wider family and a nice but simple dinner.

I just cannot be arsed, I have been very busy with work this + organising moving abroad early next year and DH has been in bed with flu this past week so only kids presents have been bought (but I still need to get stockings). I am going to hit the shops at the weekend, and I need to make various puddings to bring (pavlova, chocolate mousse and biscuits).

If you're feeling overwhelmed or panicking, stay away from social media and tv adverts! Make a list of what you've actually got to do. I bet you'll find it's all perfectly manageable. Don't feel pressured into feeling you need to do more than you can manage just because other people are!

Me too - 17 people to buy for, numerous elderly relatives who deserve cards and calls, meal to cook, school holiday entertainment to think about. It's so much stress with a ft job. Honestly, if I had a chance, I would scoot off to a small island with just my immediate family.