This is all a bit crap, isn't it? Or is it just me?!

[lookatgiraffenow]

I haven't seen my parents and family since last Christmas and, due to the various tiers and rules, I won't see them this year.

I'm lucky in that we have food in the fridge, presents for the kids and a comfortable house...but Christmas feels so flat this year. I've cried in bathroom twice today. Getting on with the prep for tomorrow and trying to be smiley for the kids but it's all shit and I can't wait to get back to work on 27th. If DH tells me to stop being grumpy one more time I will explode.

Bah frickin' humbug.

Right there with you. Had a little cry just now. I am better off than many but there's really not much to celebrate this year.

Yes it's shite. I'm going to get thoroughly shitfaced tomorrow.

It is a bit crap... in the grand scheme of things I'm very lucky, we have a Christmas tree up with presents underneath it and lots of food in the fridge for tomorrow, but it's my second Christmas without my mum and we can't see my dad because he's shielding. It's just me and my younger siblings tomorrow and we're in our early 20s, so feels very strange having a parentless Christmas but we're trying to stick to all the usual traditions.

Yes, it is all fine, I'm blessed etc, but it is still all a bit crap.
Not cried in the utility room yet, tbh that happens most Christmases anyway so maybe this one will be easier and stress-free in a weird way. (Looks at grimy house and there is no one to judge, hey)

I’ve had a little cry. Saw my parents for a couple of hours earlier but made me feel more emotional as won’t be with them tomorrow . Kids are will be back with me in morning so hopefully will feel better then . Sorry to everyone else having a rubbish time .

Yep. My 10 year old just told me it feels a bit rubbish this year and not Christmassy. He's got a nice house and food and presents but Christmas for him has always been at the grandparents house with masses of family and celebrations for 3 days. In comparison, it feels like a Sunday with a tree in the house currently. I miss my family 😢

It is a bit flat. It feels like an ordinary day of just lounging around the house (of which we've had many this year). It's also my birthday today - a big one that I once had lovely plans for.

However, I will enjoy having a more relaxed time than usual, I will drink the champagne we have and will enjoy the special food we have. I know it's a bit of a cliche, but this year I will be grateful for everything we do have.

Happy Birthday @Lindy2

It’s awful. I feel really depressed today & am trying to pull myself out of it.

I think Christmas has just highlighted the reality of how crap life is at the moment.

On the Bailey's tonight to commiserate, there's nothing to get excited about. Putting a front on for DC tomorrow, but just not getting into Christmas spirit this year.

Lockdown from Boxing Day.

Yes it is utter shite. My boyfriend was due to come over from Scotland to spend Christmas with me (just the two of us, we only ever "bubble" with each other and are moving in with each other next year) and then at the eleventh hour they made travel illegal. I didn't get out of bed for two days. I had planned a little party food feast and we were going to go for a nice Boxing Day walk and just be together and happy and now our Christmas has, in fact, been totally cancelled (I hate all that patronising CHRISTMAS ISN'T CANCELLED YOU'LL COPE!!! bullshit, for some of us we actually now are totally alone and not having a Christmas). Not sure when I'll get to see him again either, we are due to get the keys for our house at the end of January but I'm worried that now they've cancelled all flights and ferries once they'll do it again. Everything is shit.

Also lost the rag several times today with 5yo. Looking at all these days looming ahead still. Very depressing.

Even though I don't participate in Christmas, it's impossible to escape it completely but I've really noticed a difference this year. Today didn't feel like Christmas Eve at all until a FONLAC came on the radio at 3pm; it just felt like an ordinary winter weekday when I'm not at work. I'd normally be in the pub at this time on Christmas Eve but that's not happening - Tier 3 and all that. However, I am not complaining one bit because I know I am having 'it' so much better than many. I am furloughed for now but I still have a job, I am solvent, I have food and drink, a home of my own with central heating, a car to take me out. And I have my health too. Can't be bad.

Merry Christmas all.

I didn't think I was that bothered, but then my dad popped over earlier for me to put his birthday gifts in his car. It's his birthday today, sad just to have a cold conversation on the pavement and no hug. Also a bit cold still!

I was fine until my sister came over to give the kids gifts, standing in the garden, peering through the window to see them opening them.

Took myself off for a cry, I’ll pull myself together but I’ve not seen either my family or my in laws for the best part of the year, nor good friends who live a good distance to me. I’m feeling the isolation of it all.

It is sad. My children are grown up but they're still a part of my christmas - we always spend christmas together. I'm lucky that I will see my 2 daughters (one of them lives with us) but I have only seen my son once since last christmas and I was so looking forward to seeing him today but now sadly we won't be meeting up. Don't know when I'll be allowed to see him again

I just got back from my daughters

Sat in the garden watching my grandchildren open their Christmas presents as I'm on a 12 hour shift tomorrow
And lockdown on Boxing Day!

Happy Christmas everyone
Stay safe 🎄🎄🥂🥂

Yes it's all total shit and the sooner it's over the better. I'm not religious but I'll pray to anyone that this time next year everything will be back to normal. Haven't seen anyone that I am related to for a year now as they all live 2 or 3 hours away, we normally go and stay most school holidays. My nieces and nephews are growing up, my lo isn't able to see his cousins or grandparents and life like this is just awful. Fortunately we are fine financially but what good is money when you can't go anywhere or see the people you love?

It's crap. We’re going through the motions because ”it’s Christmas” but I want to forget it.

I haven't seen my daughter since January. She lives 300 miles away, we normally meet up April, September and go away for a week or so but Lockdown saw to that.

This year I've had a cancer scare, my dad died, my FIL is in a care home shortly to be transferred to a hospice and I just can't summon up anything to be festive about.

I have been incredibly lucky this year and have had the problems many people have but I’ve still felt low. I said to DH last night “ I feel like I need a really big cry” and he said “ Me too “ .

@Lindy2 Happy Birthday! Sorry it isn't a better day but I hope you do enjoy your champagne etc.
I am so sorry to so many of you who are separated from their family and people they love right now, it's horrible. Like everyone else I just want all of this over so that we can once more be with people again. to everyone

@lookatgiraffenow Not to sound like a cow just to put it into perspective for you, you have ALL your family around you this year when alot are separated, you have a healthy happy Husband and Children, that's more that what some people dream of for Christmas so stop sulking and appreciate what you have BE GREATFUL and the rest will follow i promise ;-)

Have been feeling very grumpy lately but booked into a hotel for Christmas for 2 nights with DH and, on mysecond gin and feeling more relaxed than I have in months!

Totally agree - a bit flat here and binging on chocolate. In half a mind to just tell my parents when they do a door drop of presents tomorrow to come for lunch as I can't bare it..we are in tier 4. Of course I won't.

All the brexit news is for the first time making me sceptical. We've been following a person stupid enough to think brexit is a good idea all year!