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Help me cheer myself and my family up.

6 replies

Justonemorecoffeeplease · 01/12/2025 15:13

Nothing overly wrong but my family - two late teenage children, husband and I are all a bit miserable at the moment. Nothing dreadful but we've had a few years of close bereavement and exams and everything just feels a bit 'meh'. We do usually get on but lately there have been flare ups or we simply hardly see each other.

We'll be having a small Christmas at home rather than travelling to Wales as my FIL is off to see my BIL's family overseas which is great but I feel a little sad. As a teacher I've had the luxury of taking a bit of time over the Christmas period off and just enjoying being together. My daughter has retail job now in her year out and is working most days over the holidays but she too said life isn't very 'special' at the moment. I know that we can't be happy all of the time but where do I start? House is cluttered, in fact so much so I think it's a problem and there's loads of stuff to do/fix/sort.

Usually make my own Christmas cards but haven't bothered this year as my Mum's friends who used to love them have mostly gone now. Sorry - I'm depressing myself here. Anyone got any suggestions? I'm thinking of trying to walk the dog more and spending half an hour a day chucking stuff or putting it away! I'm off to see a friend this weekend and am planning to make some orange short crust pastry for my mince pies to put in the freezer...Anyone got any other suggestions?

We do volunteer at children's groups and try and be kind to our neighbours but I'm not feeling the cheer at all this year,😔

OP posts:
Whereismyfleeceblanket · 01/12/2025 15:16

We have had a rubbish year. Lost 3 dpets who were so precious to us. Tonight the whole family are dragging festive decs from the loft and getting stuck in...
Best bit I haven't told them yet!!

Pancakeflipper · 01/12/2025 15:19

Any Christmas Fayres? Any carol.singing services? Any cathedrals near you doing events like Christmas lights/concerts?

Can you book Panto or a seasonal play at the theatre?

Get a good board game for Christmas Day

shellyleppard · 01/12/2025 15:20

@Justonemorecoffeeplease sorry you aren't feeling the Christmas spirit yet. I would concentrate on declutter one small thing. Maybe just a desk drawer or a cupboard. Every little bit helps, its how I'm getting through Christmas x

AppropriateAdult · 01/12/2025 18:12

I think declutterring is really good for us psychologically - you’re right to prioritise that. The house will feel much nicer by Christmas.

Another thought - could you sit down together and draw up a sort of Advent calendar of little treats for the family for each day between now and Christmas? Nothing expensive or elaborate, but just some little bright spot in each day you can all look forward to - hot chocolates after school, a takeaway pizza for tea, a family walk with a pub lunch at the end?

kerstina · 01/12/2025 19:07

I lost my Mum recently and I know Christmas Day will be really difficult but it has made me determined to make more of the Christmas period than I usually do as life is too short. What I have done so far that I have enjoyed or helped. Declutterred and taken stuff to charity. Bought another lovely pre lit tree from John Lewis the twig one but a smaller version to the big one I already have. It is so pretty and really cheered me up.
went to the local village green for the countdown to the Christmas tree light switch on.
watched a few Christmas movies that have already been on . Like Last Christmas, the holiday and Bridget Jones .
I am looking forward to seeing everybody’s decorations up and I have asked DH if he will take me to the Cotswolds for a drive somewhere like Broadway to see the lights. I hope you can find your joy this Christmas 🤶Ps forgot to mention beauty advent calendars are great fun if you got one for yourself and your daughter?

Justonemorecoffeeplease · 01/12/2025 19:50

Thank you for the lovely suggestions. Panto is booked in a couple of weeks. We are really lucky as it’s usually a great production and very funny. Also, I’m singing as part of the staff choir in our Carol Concert. I think it’s just when I get home and it’s dark and rainy and the house is a state and I really can’t be bothered.

I too love Christmas lights and live in the Cotswolds so next time it’s not tipping it down might get in the car and take my dog to see them! 🤣 Got home and my daughter had made paper chains. 🥰

I think I’m missing my folks - selling their house and breaking away from where I grew up has perhaps made me a bit morose and a lot of our clutter has attached memories so quite hard to actually say goodbye to. I’m going to make a sit now for stuff to do tomorrow.

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