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Original poster

Working Christmas Day (NHS) how do others celebrate?

36 replies

Fillyfrog · 09/10/2024 09:17

Working Christmas Day for the first time in my NHS career - I know I'm very lucky, and I know I need to do my fair share so I don't need any comments about that.

I just can't help feeling so upset that I'll miss my kids Christmas day, I feel like there's only so many Christmases where its 'magical' and I'm gutted to be missing it! We go all out and have big family Christmases usually. We spend morning at our own house and go to DM's in the afternoon for Christmas dinner, games etc. I know ill definitely be missing that because it's not like they would change it to another day just for me 😅

Just wondering what others do especially those with children if they're working all Christmas day - current plan is to wake them up early to open their presents before I have to leave at 7.30 (won't have any problems with that I don't think!)

Thank you xx (dc are 5&9)

OP posts:
EmmyPankhurst · 09/10/2024 20:34

Speak to your family. Mine moved Christmas around loads of times (and continue to do so). We are having our main family meal and present exchange on the weekend between Christmas and New Year.

It's all part of loving someone who works in a 24/7 industry.

AffIt · 09/10/2024 20:49

Slightly different scenario, but my dad was at sea when I was growing up, so we would have 'double birthdays / Christmas / Easter' etc and celebrate whatever he had missed when he got home again.

It was great!

Clevs · 09/10/2024 21:44

I've worked quite a few Christmas Days and we've just celebrated it on the 23rd, 24th or 26th depending on what my other shifts were.

When my son was younger and not really understanding of the day we just pretended it was Christmas Day on another day. Now he's older and aware of what day it is we get him to ask Santa for his presents early because Mummy is working.

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Christmas Events & celebrations
florizel13 · 09/10/2024 21:56

I was extremely lucky that when I was a ward nurse, I only had to do one shift during the day on Christmas Day...a late shift. This was because I worked with a lot of European nurses who couldn't make it home in time, so liked to work together on Christmas Day. When I did this late shift u was there in the morning to see my kids open their presents etc. but I felt so sad having to gong into work just when my partner was laying the table for Christmas dinner. I was in charge of the shift, and brought Christmas music to play and nibbles and pretend wine! We only had a few patients, who had been too poorly to discharge on Christmas Eve. 😞 we actually had a cardiac arrest that shift. It did put things into perspective

Destiny123 · 10/10/2024 06:53

florizel13 · 09/10/2024 21:56

I was extremely lucky that when I was a ward nurse, I only had to do one shift during the day on Christmas Day...a late shift. This was because I worked with a lot of European nurses who couldn't make it home in time, so liked to work together on Christmas Day. When I did this late shift u was there in the morning to see my kids open their presents etc. but I felt so sad having to gong into work just when my partner was laying the table for Christmas dinner. I was in charge of the shift, and brought Christmas music to play and nibbles and pretend wine! We only had a few patients, who had been too poorly to discharge on Christmas Eve. 😞 we actually had a cardiac arrest that shift. It did put things into perspective

Mm oncall for anaesthetics/icu we go to many arrests. Stopped wearing antlers as inappropriate. Being oncall for theatre is much better - pts don't want to come in, surgeons don't want to operate on non essential. Means boxing day is mad tho

Soccermumamir · 10/10/2024 07:29

I think you've been very lucky. This is the thing when you work for the NHS. It's 24/7 52 weeks a year. I would celebrate the day before and the day after if you're not working those days.

Deathraystare · 10/10/2024 07:40

I normally do the 2-8 shift on Christmas Day. Although I like Christmas, as I am on my own I don't really celebrate it. I have only missed it twice. Once I was on holiday in Vietnam and the other time I had Covid! Thanks Covid! Woke up on Christmas Eve to see a positive for Covid text (all the receptionists went down like nine pins thanks to a porter who had it and would not go home until specifically told to!). The only problem is waiting for the (booked) taxi there and back.

EnfysHeulenEira · 10/10/2024 07:41

Soccermumamir · 10/10/2024 07:29

I think you've been very lucky. This is the thing when you work for the NHS. It's 24/7 52 weeks a year. I would celebrate the day before and the day after if you're not working those days.

Yeah I agree with this. Op has had at least 9 years of not working Christmas

Not surprised you've been given a long day tbh

HollyKnight · 10/10/2024 07:54

I actually didn't mind working Christmas. There was a nice atmosphere in work for once because we were spending Christmas together. At home, we would just do Christmas the next day and that was kind of special because it was on our terms rather than when we are "told" to celebrate Christmas.

Christmas is about traditions and traditions are things you make.

Original poster
Fillyfrog · 25/10/2024 16:43

EnfysHeulenEira · 10/10/2024 07:41

Yeah I agree with this. Op has had at least 9 years of not working Christmas

Not surprised you've been given a long day tbh

Show quote history

Just wanted to say there's no need to be so rude. I put in my post that I know I've been very lucky and I know I need to do my fair share. I've worked for the NHS for 15 years but for a different team who didn't cover Christmas day. Christmas eve night, Christmas day night yes. But not the day. Been on a new team for 2 years and they cover every day. It's not like I've been swindling my way out of christmas since my kids have been born 😅

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Original poster
Fillyfrog · 25/10/2024 16:44

Thank you for everyone's lovely suggestions xx

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