I'm just not feeling Christmas this year

[mashandgravy]

I usually love getting ready for Christmas. By this time last year, I'd decorated the house and had all the presents wrapped under the tree. I put a lot of thought into them, spent weeks buying them, starting in September.

This year, we only just, reluctantly, put the tree up last night, and I just wasn't fussed. I'm procrastinating buying presents because I can't be bothered with it all. I just don't feel Christmasy at all. It's surprised me. I don't know why!

This Christmas will even be my baby's first Christmas so I really don't know why I'm not more excited. I feel a bit jaded by it all.

Maybe it's too early?

Does anyone else feel the same? Or have any tips on how to get into the Christmas spirit?

Very much so. It’s my first Christmas without my lovely Dad, we have just moved house, the DSS’s step mum is causing endless issues, and I’ve been ill with flu and ear infections and god knows what for what feels like months. I’m usually a huge trimmer upper-it’s sort of my thing. This year I’m finding no joy in it at all. I did a bit yesterday as we have friends coming at the weekend but my heart wasnt in it at all. I’d honestly sooner not bother with any of it this year.
Im craving a bit of peach and solitude this year I think-not sure when im going to get any of that. But I think that would help me. Is there anything you really fancy doing op? And could you do it if there is? (Rather than the stuff you HAVE to do or everyone expects).

Yes. I've always been the one that's really excited for Xmas and this year it just feels like more stuff to sort out. I've been ridiculously busy with work, ex-husband being a pain, feel like I'm just drowning in stuff to do. It's also first Xmas with one DC at uni so feels different anyway (will be putting tree up without her).
Doesn't help that most people I buy for don't really want/need anything.

I felt like this last year and it was mainly due to being exhausted, we had so much going on and mentally I had nothing left to give so I really understand what you mean. I decided to be kind to myself and rephrased my thinking and decided to have a rest and restore Christmas. So really cut back on the things I thought i should do, did not feel guilty for shutting the door and watching rubbish tv, gave gifts but did not over think it. It was a huge relief to let go of it all and was actually a lovely time. So look after yourself.

Maybe it's too early?
It is early. Plenty of time to get into it if you want to but nothing wrong with you if you don't. I wouldn't have decorations up until about the 20th if it was up to me and that would be in plenty of time for actual Christmas so you have weeks still for a gentle lead in.

It's possible you are also picking up vibes that "baby's first Christmas" needs to be a massive magical thing. I never got that. Until they are at least 2 and able to understand a bit of what's happening it doesn't really mean anything so don't get sucked into thinking you're doing something wrong if it doesn't feel special just because you have a baby.

I’ve really noticed this year how early people have put up their lights/decorations in my local area.
it’s causing me anxiety as I feel like I should be getting ours up too, but with house renovation/stressful living situation at the moment, I feel drained and like time is just running away.

You've got a baby under a year old. Of course you're tired! It's not fun trying to put decorations up, or even thinking about it, if you're physically and mentally exhausted. It's still early yet so there's plenty time, and if a bit is done at a time rather than trying to get it all up in one fell swoop then it'll seem more manageable. You could also definitely do with delegating as much as you can to someone else, take the director role and have plenty of tea breaks.

If you decide not to bother with decorations, that's OK too. Do Christmas how you want it, nobody's judging you. When I had my baby, I didn't do any gardening for two years. Not even picking little weeds. Sometimes the baby is just all encompassing for a while, it's just the way it is. There will still be festive things that you can enjoy, like other people's Christmas lights. Pare it back and enjoy what you can, do what you feel like doing.

Hi & thanks for the thread, @mashandgravy.
I’m just coming to terms with not feeling it this year, basically because of elderly parents & in laws who, unfortunately, aren’t likely to see another one.
I know this means I should try extra hard - and I probably will, eventually - but at the moment it’s just not here.
Its not for lack of effort to convince myself: I bought Christmas pyjamas for a friend’s young children, and a few tasteful new baubles for the tree.
And as most of the family either want cash or nothing, there won’t be many presents under it this year!
So seasons greetings, if I must!

eta:
Sorry so many of us feel anxiety from other people’s actions. Tbh I feel it’s a bit artificial when outside lights are displayed from the start of December, it’s like the residents are enforcing jollity, which to me feels so fake it removes the real joy underneath it all. Goodness knows what it’s like on Christmas & Boxing days if anyone dares to feel anticlimactic!
There’s no real need to put any decorations up if we can’t find the time or energy, or to be super-sparkly when that’s the last thing we feel like doing.
Take care of yourselves, and encourage others to help join in with your babies, children, pets, partners and parents 💐

Feel exactly the same. Rubbish or repeated adverts, horrible weather, no sense of build up as it has been all over the place for weeks already and quite frankly, I just want it to be January already.

Me too.
Ive got no good excuse like a new baby or poorly relatives. I am tired with a new job with early evening hours but that's no big thing.

If anything i feel like i've done xmas for the family for SO many years now that i'm too efficient at it and it's become formulaic. I've made all the mistakes it's poss to make in the past and now it's a long series of tick boxes.

I have an appreciative family who chip in with help - but the whole xmas atmos is mainly down to me.

I've decorated the house but this year i can't be arsed with the outside lights and that's very NOT me. Our house is quite a landmark and people look forward to our lights going up and all i feel is mild resentment this year !!
<< bah humbug>>

I hear you all. Mum died earlier this year and I've had some ill health and frankly couldn't be arsed doing anything. When I was working , I was extremely organised, presents and cards sorted, food ready in the freezer etc. However I didn't put up the tree until much later and presents weren't wrapped either. Now I'm retired, I spread things out more. So today I have cleaned all the glass and windows and tidied my grandsons ' room. Later I'll wash the floors. That means I'm ready to decorate at the weekend. I've written a list of what I still need to buy for presents and organised it by shop. That is helping my head feel more present. It's doing it in chunks these days for me. You can only do what you are able to.

You've got a new baby and so you are probably knackered and the baby doesn't care about Christmas! DS is now 4 and I can see the magic for him now.