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Original poster

Anyone’s Christmas been better than expected?

38 replies

DrunkenElephant · 25/12/2023 21:56

A thread for those who have had a lovely day today, especially if they weren’t expecting to.

I have a middle aged family member that was given a terminal diagnosis this year and is very unlikely to still be with us next Christmas. It’s been an awful few months, and after losing a sibling a few years ago Christmas has always been bittersweet for me anyway. I’ve struggled more than usual this year to get into the spirit and really wasn’t looking forward to it, but today has just been lovely.

Both DC went straight to sleep last night and didn’t wake until gone 7am instead of being unable to sleep and then awake at 5am like previous years, so we were all well rested and in great moods all day.

We don’t have huge present piles but they loved their gifts, no misses, and have played beautifully together all day. They have been on top form and had me belly laughing more than once.

We had dinner at my parents so the morning was spent in pyjamas, playing with toys and just very relaxed.

Christmas dinner was beautiful and I’ve been able to come home, have a bath with a face mask and I’m now tucked up in bed scrolling with a coffee and a box of chocolates.

I feel very grateful for what I have today.

I hope you have all had a wonderful day too, and would love to hear about it!

OP posts:
Namechangeforthis88 · 25/12/2023 22:04

Me! We have teenagers staying with us who have form for being rude, sullen and bratty AT TIMES, but they have been good company, funny, sweet and really appreciated their presents. They're not mine! I was slightly dreading dealing with bad behaviour so it's been a relief.

lollipoprainbow · 25/12/2023 22:11

Me! First time at Christmas hosting as I have a bigger flat now and it was great. Really enjoyed making a nice dinner for my brother and sister in law and making the table look nice. ASD daughter loved all her presents and thanked me a lot. Her favourite present was a mini vending machine and we have played with it all day which she has loved. Washing up and all done by my dd's dad. Dd sleepy and happy in bed. All in all a lovely day.

SleighAnotherDay · 25/12/2023 22:17

Yes! Went out for Xmas dinner. It was so lovely not cooking and I was able to actually be fully present for the day instead of half in and half out of the kitchen (ex H was always a useless cook and did nothing to help so always on me). My DC are ASD so I was worried they'd not cope well with the change but they did brilliantly. It was at a lovely pub and if I can afford it I'd definitely do it again next year. I feel so relaxed now instead of exhausted like previous years.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Christmas Events & celebrations
CloakOfNope · 25/12/2023 22:19

I did! DS2 has special needs and last year he didn't understand what was going on, wasn't interested in any of his presents and didn't enjoy all the fuss.

This year he was happy with his presents and spent the whole day playing with them all. He's been in a great mood all day too. It's the first day in about a week he hasn't had a massive meltdown. It was just a normal, lovely Christmas and I've really enjoyed it

Beckafett · 25/12/2023 22:28

Me! My dad passed away in October; it ended up being sudden but not as expected. Really didn't know how any of us would manage given my ex husbands sister has been poorly so still trying to split it all. My partner has had some horrific Decembers but...

  • kids had a lovely morning and then went to see their dad and auntie
  • I cooked a bloody brilliant Xmas lunch if I do say so myself for my mum and I
  • then had a 2 hour nap!
  • and my partner has had a lovely lovely day with his family
  • kids back with me now and tucked up whilst I drink wine
Smile
2010Aussie · 25/12/2023 22:30

Yes! DM's first Christmas in residential care. I was dreading it - guilt at her being in that situation, loneliness of not having her around (we used to live together), worry about how she was going to feel. But it was lovely.

I spent quite a long time with her this morning - opening presents and having a cup of tea together. Really relaxed at the care home. Christmas Dinner being prepared for the residents. I came home, had a sandwich, went out for a walk and spent the rest of the day by myself eating what I wanted (which didn't include turkey) and reading books. Seeing how much stress some families have been put through has made me feel very grateful.

Comethefuckonbridget1 · 25/12/2023 22:38

Yep we have had a lovely day. 2 DC (8 and 4) who were up at 7.30 rather than 5 like most of our friends children, no manic present unwrapping they were chilled and calm and appreciative of everything, have played beautifully both together and separately, not been stuck to devices. DH cooked dinner and it was absolutely immense. Got some lovely gifts, DDad and DB came over for dinner too, watched a film, played some games. I’ve just finished a baileys by tree light and about to go to bed, feeling extremely grateful and relaxed.

Merry Christmas x

Original poster
DrunkenElephant · 25/12/2023 22:39

These are all really lovely to read!

Merry Christmas everyone x

OP posts:
LollipopViolet · 25/12/2023 22:47

Me!

Three of us here, me, my mum, and my grandma. Mum is a nurse in a care home and was working 8am to 2pm, so me and grandma did under the tree presents, then I pottered about, got ready, put some Christmas radio on and then we did some dinner prep, before stopping for a drink.

I had several cups of tea, as did she, and she had a chat with one of my cousins, that side of the family is 150 miles away so we don't really see or speak, but this cousin always calls on Christmas Day.

Then we finished the dinner prep, and my mum came home and opened her presents. All she had to do was put the turkey and accompanying bits in the oven. We had our traditional prawn cocktail starter at about 3.30, then dinner at 6.30 (our normal meal time). At dinner we did our "tree" presents - these are ones that sit on the branches of the tree rather than underneath it.

I've had some lovely presents, and just enjoyed my family. My grandma was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in February, then bowel cancer in July. So she's had 2 big surgeries this year, at 78. She got the all clear on the 14th, so I was just ENJOYING her, chatting, laughing, and counting all my blessings.

I was expecting the worst on the 14th and had prepared for a Christmas tinged with sadness.

Now I'm full of lovely food, fizz and in new PJs, I will be retiring to bed soon a happy lady.

Multipleexclamationmarks · 25/12/2023 22:49

Yes, we did.
Dcs are teenagers and I thought might be a bit lacklustre about it all but they turned up in our bedroom at 7.30am laughing their heads off at their stocking contents (we do funny stocking gifts).
They had both bought us nice gifts and were really appreciative of theirs even though there were no big piles this year.
My oven broke the other week, no money to fix it yet but I'm very pleased with myself cooking a full Xmas roast in the air frier, microwave and steamer. (Don't worry dh did all the veg prep and washed up.
We've had a good mix of family time, playing games and we even got a nap while they caught up with friends online for an hour.

Altogether a lovely day ☺️

VikingLady · 25/12/2023 22:53

Much better, yes! We've removed more and more for the sake of ASD kids (and DH if I'm being honest) and this year I think we hit the right level. DD had cereal, DS had fruit salad, chocolate cake instead of fruit cake, they chose most of their own presents so no big surprises, and I managed to get entirely popular ones (phew!).

Plus I've been ill for the last week which meant DH just HAD to step up and pull his weight - for the first time in a decade. So I'm happier in my marriage too, despite feeling shitty. I think he's enjoyed not feeling overlooked by me. No risk of being criticised (which I don't, but his parents used to).

The tree is being binbagged and put into the attic as is, so next year we'll just need to put the breakable baubles back on. Unwanted presents from other people are going to the food bank along with unopened unwanted food on Wednesday, so we don't have to feel guilty about it all year.

I just wish I could have a drink!

LincolnIsle · 25/12/2023 22:53

We are staying with family and I was a bit concerned that it would be overwhelming however it was a calm day. Kids all generally played well and my baby loved the toys she got. Enjoyed watching her play. My partner and I got out for a walk and to visit some other relatives who were delighted to see the baby. Currently in bed now with a glass of wine and my new book. We have had a lot of illness in my family in the last few years so I feel very grateful to have had such a nice day and to have gotten to spend time with my family.

TerfinUSB · 25/12/2023 22:53

Me! ExH on his best behaviour, it's been the most convivial Christmas in a few years. Worth the olive branch, thank goodness

ChristmasDoDos · 25/12/2023 22:54

Me! Everyone has got through the day with no tantrums, breakdowns or arguments. Admittedly it's been a very small affair (me, DH, DD1 (22) DD2 (13) and Gran (91)) , but it's the first year for a few years eldest DD has been on an even-ish keel after YEARS of MH issues and my toxic side of the family have been kept at a very, very long arms length, I'm not tolerating their shit any more. Eldest DD just starting to realise what's good for her and I'm feeling very quietly positive about things for the first time in a very long time. DH cooked a fantastic dinner too.

ListenLinda · 25/12/2023 22:57

I was expecting to have a lovely day.
I had an amazing day, after our dinner, my aunts and cousins & my childhood friend & her toddler daughter came to my parents for drinks. We havent done this since before covid and it was so, so good. It was so good to see the next generation playing so lovely together. It really put the cherry on top of the cake for today.

PictureFrameWindow · 25/12/2023 22:58

Yes first Christmas since DH has an ASD diagnosis. We spent it at home suiting ourselves rather than travelling to suit everyone else. It's been relaxed with nobody melting down. I've been really pleased. The last few years have been difficult so it makes a big change.

Hellokittymania · 25/12/2023 23:01

Yes, me too. I had a very relaxing day, I just went for a coffee, and the coffee shop gave me a cheesecake to take home, on the house. I am severely visually impaired, live in Greece, I’ve been a new homeowner since March and lived through floods in September and fires in July, so it has been a very tough year, on top of having to get used to a new home and so many other things…

I also managed to make pasta with oil for the first time. Greeks add oil to their pasta, but because of my very limited vision and nervousness around hot oil, I hadn’t tried to do this, but I succeeded tonight. I just did a very small little feast, put on some Christmas carols, listened to an audiobook and enjoy the sunshine.

Picklemeyellow · 25/12/2023 23:03

A really nice day here. My mum has Alzheimer’s and she’s getting quite bad so we thought it would be very overwhelming for her this year but she was actually on top form which was lovely.
Sadly she won’t remember any of it tomorrow but at least we all will.

Gilead · 25/12/2023 23:04

I’ve had a lovely day with friends. Couldn’t manage a 350 mile drive or spending a week on a sofa so had to forego spending Christmas with my children. Still had a lovely day and felt thoroughly spoilt.

num · 25/12/2023 23:04

Mine has. My mum died last month and my dad was so worried about his first Christmas without her. My siblings and I rallied and we all had a really good day with silly gifts and an easy to prepare lunch so it was a relaxed day for all, and he said he actually had a lovely day, which is all I wanted.

Original poster
DrunkenElephant · 25/12/2023 23:04

Hellokittymania · 25/12/2023 23:01

Yes, me too. I had a very relaxing day, I just went for a coffee, and the coffee shop gave me a cheesecake to take home, on the house. I am severely visually impaired, live in Greece, I’ve been a new homeowner since March and lived through floods in September and fires in July, so it has been a very tough year, on top of having to get used to a new home and so many other things…

I also managed to make pasta with oil for the first time. Greeks add oil to their pasta, but because of my very limited vision and nervousness around hot oil, I hadn’t tried to do this, but I succeeded tonight. I just did a very small little feast, put on some Christmas carols, listened to an audiobook and enjoy the sunshine.

This sounds so lovely. I hope your pasta (and cheesecake!) were delicious x

OP posts:
Original poster
DrunkenElephant · 25/12/2023 23:05

num · 25/12/2023 23:04

Mine has. My mum died last month and my dad was so worried about his first Christmas without her. My siblings and I rallied and we all had a really good day with silly gifts and an easy to prepare lunch so it was a relaxed day for all, and he said he actually had a lovely day, which is all I wanted.

I’m very sorry for your loss x

You sound like a wonderful daughter.

OP posts:
JT69 · 25/12/2023 23:11

Me! Had my three adult children here for the day. DS1 still lives here but often with his GF, in September DS2 moved away for work and DD went to uni. So quite a year. Its been lovely to have them back.

maddiemookins16mum · 25/12/2023 23:18

I’ve had a great day. I feel a bit mean posting this as there are so many posts where so many other posters haven’t.

I woke early and chilled for a bit. We have two guests staying with us (couple same age as us, late 50s who we’ve known nearly 40 years).

DD is home on leave for two weeks from the Navy, DMIL was on fine form, generous of spirit and still a real hoot despite advancing years and frailty.

We had a relaxed breakfast, went to Church, then the Pub and got home at 2pm when we all mucked in to get dinner on the table for 4pm.

The food was lovely and everyone around the table enjoyed each others company. We played games, listened to music and chatted.

We then watched some telly, had a light supper and are all heading off to bed soon. Tomorrow we're all going to the local Panto followed by a buffet supper.

My lovely SIL died in April this year, we raised a glass to her and joked at how she’d have won the games, DH had a wee tear but we’ve survived and are all feeling quite blessed.

JillwithaJ · 25/12/2023 23:24

Three unmarried adults. one had been unwell for much of the year. We made a bit of an effort to do Christmas well. It has been a super time. From Friday we have eaten very well. We changed into smart clothes after cooking. Good conversation and better wines than usual.

More adventurous recipes than usual, we all cooked our 'specials' Pheasant, Venison Wellington, Duck and a fish dish. A feast of left-overs to come.
Best Wishes for New Year to all.