For those feeling meh about Xmas and struggling to get in the spirit. Why is that? What would you do next year to try feel more festive.

[HolesInMySocks]

I'm struggling to feel festive

Were having a quieter one. As ils and parents have other plans. I normally host.
I was sort of looking forward to a quieter Xmas. But reality is I like the hecticness. And lately my nearly 4 years old has been hard work. Mainly as pre school closed due to covid 4 weeks ago! So no routine. The things I'd normally do in Xmas prep I'd do when she's there. But instead it's been rush in the evenings, online etc.
One dc hates food! So meal times are always quite fretful and stressful.

We have done so many festive things, breakfast with santa, 2 santa visits, theme park, soft play and santa, local lights, Xmas parade and a few other local fares yet it doesn't feel christmas yet! I even put my tree up later than normal.

Next year..

I'm going to buy through the year like I used to so I have the.. Ohh I forgot I got xyz that can't wait till they open that feeling. As would have had more thoight rather than 'shit I got to get that Where's got stock'

Really work on the dcs food issues to make meal times ie Xmas Dinner not awful. Altho there's nothing we haven't tried!

Put one of my Xmas displays up that I didn't do this year due to youngest probably breaking or touching as fragile. I miss that and one room feels bare.

Do my big deep clean. I didn't this year. And altuough my house is always tidy and clean. I always feel more relaxed knowing certain jobs are done. Like wardrobe cull. Kitchen cupboards cleaned out etc. ( anxiety related) again if normally do this during pre school time

@Notgettingbetter

I feel the same. I'm trying to come up with a plan to dig myself out of the hole. Starting with picking up the prescription

Put Christmas music on more loudly, more often.
Have some special sweets or chocolates and watch a Xmas film a few times on December.
Go for long walks in the cold and then come home to enjoy a hot brew.
Go to the Panto.

I have bad depression and and I'm just trying to keep going and not give into the awful thoughts. I'm hoping I won't be so bad next year. We also have no money. Hopefully I will be paid tomorrow and can go shopping and get in the spirit

@didireallysaythat I hope the meds help ❤️

@stupiduser I hope you feel better soon ❤️

The thing I'm struggling with most is covid making everything so uncertain. Not being able to properly know what's happening and plan and get excited because at any moment it might all be cancelled is making me feel much less festive than normal.

This is my first Christmas as a widow. I have primary-school aged children so have to somehow get through it without DH. I am not sure what I can do to make next year better. He will still be dead. We will still miss him.

Just not the same since losing dad two years ago...and being separated from DH for a year (which losing dad gave me the 'strength' to do - figuring if I could 'survive' that, it was certainly time to 'tackle' all the stuff with DH)... So whilst I love my home - after two decades of it being a family home/'big' Christmas day every year with dad fussing around & cooking - it's full of memories that highlight what's gone... And not been the same since & with covid of course, no invitees & all 'delicate' because of the situation between me/DH, although we are working on reconciling & it's now mostly very amicable...

What would make it better? Not sure tbh...

Actually.. maybe some time/healing... and not feeling so low...

@badlydrawnbear

This is my first Christmas as a widow. I have primary-school aged children so have to somehow get through it without DH. I am not sure what I can do to make next year better. He will still be dead. We will still miss him.

I’m so sorry BadlyDrawnBear.

I don't have any family, for the future I would prefer to be somewhere warmer and less Christmas obsessed for winter.

I’m enjoying Christmas this year but the people I know who aren’t, are all worried about money. If you can’t “afford” Christmas then it’s a bit hard to enjoy it. Sure you can economise in certain areas, but it’s still an expensive time of year. And what with the cost of everything going up, and certain industries having a hard time due to covid, it’s worrying times for people. My DSis works in hospitality and all the uncertainty is really getting her down. She doesn’t have a partner so if she can’t work she’s in real trouble. I know Christmas is just more pressure for her. When you’re having to live like that I’m not quite sure how you make things better the following year. She’s tried to find a more stable, better paying job but hasn’t had any success. I’m sure she’s not the only one in that situation.

I think maybe I don’t have to feel festive. I think it’s ok to not feel festive. Christmas is weird time with a lot of pressure. I’m just riding it out. As always.