Anyone’s Christmas been better than expected?

[DrunkenElephant]

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!

Yup. Just me, dog, DM & DSF. All with stinking colds we caught off each other so pretty low key.

We’ve had some horrific family Christmases in the past, mostly with my less than ‘D’B. It’s been tense, argumentative, aggressive, just all round shitshows which made me dread Christmas for 11 months of the year. Then a few years back I went NC with him. It’s been emotionally bumpy, but having had such a peaceful and delightful argument free Christmas together without him, I’m so glad for making the decision I did.

DM & DSF off to see him tomorrow, fine by me, I’m off back home with a hamper full of super tasty leftovers & my dog. We’ll be chilling on the sofa with a glass of something lovely soon and they’re welcome to him and all of his nonsense!

I've had a great day - it was only DH and I - our first Christmas with 'just us' for many years - and stress-free. He got me exactly what I wanted/had asked for as a present, plus a couple of other things I love but hadn't asked for - he really showed his thoughtfulness - which, as an ex-forces grumpy Yorkshireman, is not always that apparent! He also liked what I'd got for him, and has spent the evening trying to solve a murder mystery :)

I cooked my first-ever Beef Wellington, and it only went and bloody worked! The meat was so tender, pastry was crispy, duxelles flavourful - a definite success. I've also cooked a turkey breast for tomorrow, when we have a friend coming round for our traditional Stephen's Day salad. No stress there either, cos the ham was cooked yesterday, all I have to do is mashed potatoes and make some stuffing.

Just about to go to bed, as I'm finally deflating enough to sleep - we've both spent the day feeling stuffed! Bubble 'n squeak for breakfast tomorrow, and then the salad late in the afternoon. I also get to play with my new Smoking Gun (food smoker) and my neck massager, and we'll probably watch The Wizard of Oz.

All good here!

Mine was nice. The DC were reasonably harmonious, dinner was nice, small family group, very relaxed. A win I think. Now I'm the only one up finishing the fizz.

@Inextremis , Well done with the beef Wellington, ours with was good, added more to the duxelles to give extra moisture because we had venison and cooked it for a little longer. We think it is certainly worth paying extra to get loin.

We've had a fabulous day

Buck's Fizz for brunch

Lovely dinner

Played card games and quizzes

Cried at the last Ghosts

Such a lovely day

Yes. We generally have great Christmases but we had some really tricky relatives over last night and most of today (because it may well be the last Christmas of an elderly family member).. everyone was dreading it, the chances of tensions erupting were fairly high..

And it was fine. Everyone behaved and had a good time.

Now thank fuck they have gone and we can have a chilled Boxing Day (before setting off for some not exactly tricky but slightly stiff rellies on the 28th.)

These are so nice to read. Tinged with sadness, as life can be bittersweet, but what a joy to read.

My day was fab, my children are with their dad this yr and I miss them so much, but this morning I stayed in bed until lunchtime, had family round, we made a massive dinner, had a few drinks, dancing and singing and now I’m off to read my book in bed with another lie in tomorrow. Heaven.

Lovely day with a baby and toddler. Granted I still crashed out at 3.30 but it went miraculously well. Toddler behaved beautifully. In laws took care of lunch. Obviously dh and I had a row because that's traditional surely and I cried but it was fairly brief.

I had a lovely Christmas because I was very seriously ill last year and things felt very dark and strange.

This past year made me realise how tremendously adaptable we are. It's also taught me to cultivate gratitude and to rest and pace myself. I love reading about the happy days for people, while still being mindful how difficult the festive season can be for people.

Wishing love and hope to you all.

My 13 yo made my Christmas. He and his brother (16) live with their dad the majority; ex-husband is very wealthy, now husband and I are most definitely not. Ex lives in 1 million pound plus property, we live in small privately rented etc...you get the gist.
One son came home with a new coat worth just under £400 and another told me about his brand new VR headset.
Despite my hubby and I both working ft we can't afford anything near this level. I often feel like a failure.
13 yo said tonight before bed that all of the (small not expensive) gifts I had carefully chosen for him were "amazing" and that he loves them all so much ❤️

I wasn’t sure how this year would go as my mum died earlier this year and my dad a couple of years ago so it was mine and DD’s first Christmas just us. Turned out to be a truly lovely day. Lots of laughter, lots of fond memories of my parents, a ridiculous amount of food, an unexpectedly thoughtful gift from my crush and plenty of chat over text with my awesome friends. Couldn’t have asked for anything nicer. Feel incredibly lucky and grateful after a truly shitty few years.

Me! We hosted for the third year running, but moving house earlier this year meant we had a bit more space that made all the difference.

Teenagers were lovely, and the food was great - if I do say so myself!

Yes!!!
Was absolutely dreading it -toxic divorce could not bear the lead up or wanting to make any preparations. Guilt towards kids (in their 20s) that I just couldn’t go through the charade this year. Exh has moved toxic girlfriend and her brood of kids into our old marital home where did all those lovely family Christmases when our children were little.
Solit this year with man who helped me get over my marriage break up.
Feeling rock bottom and worthless.
Joined a Facebook group of people who do extreme day trips (ie fly to somewhere and back for a day) Took the plunge and booked a flight to a European capital on my own in a country I have never visited and don’t speak the language and walked around just enjoying looking it.
Then spending the evening on my own in a quiet hotel in the centre of the city watching old movies on TV.
Slept like a baby and woke up feeling empowered and Christmas is over!!
Really feels like I’ve had therapy and can face 2024 with confidence.