Am I the only one whose festive season isn’t a whirlwind of parties and visitors?

[IAmAlwaysLikeThis]

The Sunday papers are full of articles about surviving the party season, having housefuls of people etc.

Are people honestly out every night of the week/having people over every night etc?

Surely most people don’t know that many people (unless they live where they grew up or have very big families, I suppose? Even then, surely it’s not actually like they are honestly going from party to party for weeks on end?)

Starting to feel like an asocial freak!

I’ve been to one party, but a great party, my friends invite everyone but open the doors at 4.30 and go out, kicking everyone out at 6.30. Everyone arrives determined to have the best time. It’s amazing how drunk you can get in two hours.

Christmas Day with friends, same friends were here last night then back over to their for NYE. That’s it.

Magazines are full of rubbish.
We had 3 days over Christmas seeing all the family (fairly big family who live close enough to visit for a day) plus one pre-Christmas party early December, night out with friends just before Christmas and we're invited to a NYE party. This to me is a social WHIRL, haven't had such a busy Christmas holiday for years, but I'm hardly out every night!

Not us! BIL came up for a weekend at the start of December. My brother and family also live away and he spends it with his in laws. Saw a photo last night on Facebook and they were having another get together. Id absolutely hate this. Eating and drinking too much and always complaining he’s fat and unfit. No brainier really. Quit the gluttony and it will change.

Its just me, DH and the kids and dad at Christmas and dad leaves before the day ends.

Gatherings would send be over the cliff.

I’m quite sociable but cannot be arsed with catering and clearing up for folk...assuming others feel the same so not a lot going on here other than a few wee family things.

Give me a nice walk and sit by the fire any day

I have friends who genuinely are at constant parties over Christmas and are out most weekends. They are very social and have a huge group of friends. I am not like that but would like to be busier than I am.

Other than DH and a phone call to mum on Christmas day the only other person I've spoken to since finishing work on Christmas Eve was the ticket inspector on the train. It's been great.

Thing is, promoting a quiet peaceful Christmas doesn't sell stuff, that's what all these articles/adverts are about. Enjoy your peace OP, I know I did

We will have had four parties over xmas and ny, one we hosted, but I didn't think we are that sociable, but maybe we are! Socialising isn't everyone's cup of tea though, i get that!

I think Christmas has been "less" this year. There seem to be fewer people putting up big outdoor decorations too.

We are having our most antisocial year ever. We're introverts, parties are always an effort and this year we've just given in and are doing what works for our autistic son.

However if you're feeling under-socialised, have you taken the first step and invited people over?

We have been SO busy! Primary school is a whirl of Xmas events throughout December. Seeing friends and family at weekends. School mums night out. Had to turn down 4 or 5 invitations as already busy doing other things.

Christmas itself was quiet but we have said goodbye to relatives who were staying and have more coming tomorrow. I have 3 unexpected guests tomorrow morning who will need lunch as a little coffee morning thing with friends I planned has spiralled. In between my DC have been to two December birthday parties.

I am shattered! I have a cold but no time to get better. I think next weekend is free though so hoping to regroup then in time for back to school and all clubs and activities to start again.

Primary school is a whirl of Xmas events throughout December

This isn't something I recognise either (ds is older now but when he was at primary we still weren't busy). Maybe a nativity play or a concert. When he was older, the scout carol service. And that's it.

Wow. We have had (2 DC here), multiple plays / performances (2 nativities, 2 carol concerts, then other Xmas performance). Parents’ night out (only one this year, usually there is one for each year group). Early finishes. Some Xmas events I have helped with in the daytime. At least one event per week in December and usually 2 or 3.

I forgot the school Christmas fair. Plus a Christmas fair in our town which is heavily advertised in school.

I think for people who are truly introverted it can be great. But I’ve had introversion thrust upon me (parents never socilaised, small family, mh problems most of my life etc.)

I could invite people round but we live quite far away from most people I know (live in huge, non-UK city), and it would definitely be hard for people to get home etc.

Even when I’m in the UK, it’s quite hard to build a social life.

I'm just a boring old fart. Or just anti social. Or both.Or I just like peace,quiet and my privacy.

Yep, I'm another one!

We threw a Christmas party on 22nd for family and friends which was lovely and has the added benefit of relieving us of extended family visits to be blunt. Last few days have been just us and the children with a few drop ins from in laws and my Mum. We were invited to a few things with friends and family (board game party, pub lunch) but consciously chose to have this week quiet as we are out at a party on New Years Eve and then flying on a city break with some friends for 3 days before we go back to work. So we have had just enough social time to be OK - could have done more but the balance is right I’d say

I don't count all the school events as parties! More like obligations. But I actually enjoy (grown up) parties. Totally understand some folks need to go into hibernation this time of year, why would you make yourself socialise if you don't feel like it?

I was out on Christmas Day then on Boxing Day then today, that's enough for me

We saw PIL for a couple of hours on the 22nd (we were supposed to see them on the 23rd for longer but they decided last minute to go away a day earlier), my parents for 2 hours on the 26th (all they can cope with due to dementia), and saw BIL2 today for a dog walk.
That's it. A bit depressing really

Yeah I’m not really counting stuff like carol concerts etc, we don’t have much of that where we live but I mean like actual parties.

I've been to four different areas of the country, had 3 Xmas 'days', 4 parties (and one tomorrow). Seen DP family, my aunts and uncles, my step family, my mum ... it's been exhausting.

Nope, no parties here. Work do was a midweek lunch. Spent 3 days with wider family over Christmas but have had nothing to do and no one to see since the 27th. Never have been invited to a NYE party, not since I went to my parent's (ie they had them at home) about 30 years ago.

I would like a social life and I keep wondering if there are acquaintances nearby who would like to be invited to spend time with us, but I doubt there are.

Maybe those of us who would like a better social life should make it our resolution for 2019!

Ok, 3 parties over the school holidays, 2 nights out, travelled to see relatives. Declined New Year’s Eve party invite sadly as already have guests.

Frangipane, I bet there are people who’d like to meet up! Most of my friends have come from things I have arranged. Then again, maybe they just say yes to shut me up .

Done a fair bit - 4 major nights out acrooss December ( work, neighbours, friends and mums) then Xmas eve afternoon buffet at a friend's then drinks at another friends in the night. I hosted Xmas Day for 9 then went to a day party on Boxing Day. Panto Friday night with DDs and another family then meal out last night with friends. Then a big walk and lunch with three other families today.
I don't feel like it's a social whirlwind - I know lots of people who do a lot more.
If you want to do more, maybe just start suggesting activities - you don't have to host - just a walk followed by a pub lunch is easy.