Does anyone feel sad on Christmas Eve

[backonceagain2]

I love Christmas and the build up to it but every Christmas Eve, once the children are in bed, I get this overwhelming feeling of sadness and I don't know why

I think it’s because Christmas Eve is so exciting and Christmas Day is over in the blink of an eye.

Yes! It’s strange isn’t it? It’s sort of Christmases past thoughts…

I think it's all the.build up plus awareness that your children are getting older. This is probably our last year of kids believing which is quite sad!

I went to mass this morning and cried. Thankfully had a mask on and I have a fringe.

I know what you mean

I cry a bit during the Kings radio broadcast, as my late Grandmother adored listening to that. It would have been her 109th birthday today. Happy Birthday Nana.

I'm a bit like that tonight. We've been doing lovely days out, crafts and baking for the past few weeks, and it'll soon be this time tomorrow and Christmas will be over. And we've still a long winter to contend with. (Scotland!)

Yes, and not just Christmas Eve but at random times during the build up to Christmas. I sometimes think about family members who aren’t with us anymore, and how one day we’ll be gone too (sorry that’s quite morbid!). I actually love Christmas and put loads of effort into making it nice but sometimes there’s a kind of «what is it all for?» feeling.

I've had episodes of sadness all day. Blaming it on hormones though, being 22 weeks pregnant! Missing my dad who died 2 years ago, knowing he won't be part of the new babies future, knowing this is the last Christmas as a 3, (excited for next Christmas as a 4!) Hoping my 7 year old will stay as happy and excited and have as much belief in magic in years to come. It's such a mixture of feelings it can be overwhelming. Take time with your feelings and accept that they are natural. Look after yourselves in this busy time xxx

Yes, kids are in bed, reading, and my dd is sad the elf is going back to the North Pole. I'm sad because I just know next year she will not 'believe' anymore in either the elf or St Nick. So I'm lying here on my bed, shedding a few tears 😢

I’m feeling sad.
I think it’s because there’s no excitement now my kids are grown, but there’s still the expectation that something will make it special. I suppose I’m always thinking that others are having a fun time and I’m not.

I lost my best friend a month ago to cancer, she was mid forties. I'm so down that l cannot juggle work, kids and boyfriend. I have put distance between us as a coping mechanism- things are very tense between us. I cried on the drive to work this morning. Feel like running away from myself if l could.

I am. First Xmas Eve as a single parent. So happy to be spending it with my DC though

Sending you all massive hugs. X 🤗 x 🤗x 🤗x

I usually love the time after the kids go to bed. Everything is done and I can relax.

This year, mum died on the 2nd December. We haven't had the funeral and all that's on my mind is how I will never get another Christmas with her. She won't see the kids open their presents again. Some of which were her idea.

Thinking about how dad is alone tonight. He wanted to be. But it breaks my heart.

My 17 year old has gone to bed, a little sad. Ds (10) is sat with the dogs, feeling down.

Sending my love to everyone else feeling sad tonight.

My mum will guarantee say these two things every year -
Xmas eve "I feel sad now that it's nearly all over"
Xmas day after opening presents "well it's over now until next year".

Bless her, she loves Christmas and gets so disappointed when it comes to an end! I'll be feeling a bit blue tomorrow when things wind down!

Yup. I think from about 35 onwards I started feeling more melancholy about Christmas. Lots of reasons some to do with my own child (learning disabled/autistic) and not being bothered about Christmas/actively disliking the change of routine, some to do with thinking about people no longer with us. I find it tough but have learnt to just go with the flow with it and not stress about it.

Ah, be kind to yourselves... I find Christmas eve is such a cosy, dark time, and we have such a picture perfect image of Christmas ingrained without realising - how many films and books have people falling in love, being proposed to, righting wrongs etc at Christmas, and I think that the chasm between this unrealistic romanticised Christmas and Christmas eve and the boring mundane nature of our own lives can make us feel like we are missing out, which is daft, but easy to succumb to!

I always miss my mum on Xmas eve - she passed away from cancer a few years ago. She made everyone feel so welcome and loved every minute of it.

Raising a glass to all of you missing special people tonight

First year in the house alone. Elderly family nearly all gone, just two blood relatives left, only one of whom I’ve seen all year. No kids in the house. No presents to unwrap in Christmas morning as haven’t seen my friends to exchange then due to covid infections and waiting for pcr results. Negative fortunately.

Yeah it’s pretty shite. However the cupboards are full of biscuits and crap I don’t usually eat and I’m intending to gorge before going to my relatives house for dinner tomorrow so it’s not all bad :-)

I am sitting in here with my husband and sister, have read The Night Before Christmas to my daughter before tucking her in - all very lovely.
But l can't stop thinking about various friends who have had a terrible year so l have messaged them all to say l hope they are OK- both sat at home in their own and l know they will be feeling like shit (both recently split up from their partners) and just feel so sad for them.
So l get it op x

Yes, brings lots of things back does Christmas Eve, loaded with emotions. I have always had the most vivid memory of my grandfather standing in the porch, raising his hat to my mother. It has always felt "off" and I've finally remembered that was because I was sent back inside and wasn't allowed to go and hug him, as I would usually. I was his "little pal" and absolutely adored him. This would have been because (I know now) he was guarding/hiding a bag of presents behind him.

Love to everyone feeling a bit down today, whatever the reasons xx

I thought I would feel sadder as my long term partner and I broke up a few months ago. But actually I'm starting to realise how much stress and work his family caused me over the festive season. I've had a lovely day and am hosting tomorrow - and looking forward to it.
Big hugs to all feeling sad xxx

I do find Christmas Eve a little bit of a sad day because up until then it’s just prep, prep, prep and days out here, there and everywhere. The build up is just so huge and Christmas Eve is really that peak and by Christmas Day you’re kind of already on the downward slope aren’t you?

Funnily enough I bet men don’t often feel this way!!

I think it's the current climate and all the uncertainty. Plus the feeling it will all soon be over. The build up to Christmas is always the best bit

Yep, I have a lovely home, family, not skint, the fridge is full, the house is clean, tidy and comfortable. Tomorrow will be a lovely day.
BUT, I want my Mum back, I want to hear her voice.