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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to get so stressed in the build up to Christmas that I don't enjoy it?

39 replies

sj257 · 13/12/2016 16:18

I find it really difficult and stressful. I'm constantly second guessing presents that I've bought/not bought for my kids, I end up panic buying and spending more than intended. My kids are great and know it's not all about presents it's just me!? I'm worried they'll be disappointed, even though theyd never say if they were. I end up not enjoying it at all as I feel so stressed! My christmas tree is annoying me too, I think I feel this pressure for everything to be perfect and obviously it never is! Plas tell me I'm not the only one who is like this at christmas?!

OP posts:
Parker231 · 13/12/2016 21:42

Why not? Does your DH not live with you? There is no way I would be sorting Christmas on my own.

sj257 · 13/12/2016 21:48

Yes but he's useless with shopping for presents! He will most probably cook Christmas dinner x

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SomewhatIdiosyncratic · 13/12/2016 22:14

Christmas is what you make it. I prefer to start on it during December so it's all recent in my mind. I'd find an earlier start more stressful as it would drag out (although the year that baby was due a few days before Christmas I did all the buying early which was just as well)

We cater for ourselves then go visiting, so this year I have a duck in the freezer as it's a nice size for us. I have to food shop most weeks anyway, so buy the other parts of the roast then, along with freezer foods and easy food that can be cooked according to appetite in the following weeks.

I keep a list of who we are buying for. Our own DCs get 3 decent presents then a few stocking bits. They then get plenty enough from family.

For me Christmas is about pausing for routine, catching up with family, a nice meal and swapping a few presents. No aggro of pintrest style perfection.

I'll grant you that 35 weeks pregnant is an excellent time to stir up anxiety. It definitely shifts the boundaries of reasonableness!

throwingpebbles · 13/12/2016 22:21

This isn't meant as a dig, but whether you are religious or not I find Carol services a very useful pause and moment to reflect on what Christmas is really about and to strip away the focus on things. I always come out feeling calmer.

sj257 · 13/12/2016 22:28

That's funny pebbles, I seem to have the urge to go to church on Christmas Eve this year too. Definitely think my children would enjoy the Christingle service 😊

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throwingpebbles · 13/12/2016 22:37

Mine love christingle Smile

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 13/12/2016 22:43

sj....I have found My People. My Christmas tree annoys me too! I thought it was just me. I have to have one that's quite narrow round the bottom, so keep searching for the perfect one....the branches don't seem to be even, and I keep tweaking them. The wires on the lights are visible. That annoys me too. First world problem, I wish I could get over it...

sj257 · 13/12/2016 22:49

We got a new one this year, narrower but not sparse, the lights are LED ice white and very bright so they are bugging me, as are my decorations, I'm itching to start it all over again, but actually can't be bothered!

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HelenaDove · 13/12/2016 23:20

Im glad i found this thread. My pre Christmas stress seems worse than usual this year. Although i do find its mostly caused by Other People!

First we were victims of the most recent Talk Talk hack and we will soon be in the process of switching over to another provider. DH had a row with TT on the phone the night before his doc appointment which was last Monday so when they took his blood pressure it was a bit high. They want him back in on the 23rd to take his blood pressure again. Because im sure being out and struggling to get to an appointment in the pre Christmas rush the day before Christmas Eve will give him a nice normal reading. Hmm Utter stupidity! He has emphysema and ischemic heart disease. Yesterday we got an e mail asking to pay the new provider by DD when they had already agreed to payments by credit card so that had to be sorted out today which caused more stress.

Its the appointment on the 23rd thats worrying me. You cant get a taxi in this town ..........its a real struggle at this time of year. Plus his old mobility scooter packed up and hes had to go for a cheaper one so not as reliable. Its extra stress which will spike his blood pressure anyway. Its fucking stupid.

sj257 · 13/12/2016 23:37

Ahh Helena that is pants 😔 what is it with these appointments on the 23rd?! I have my final growth scan then, and will then find out what is happening re: being induced! Last time I was there for 2.5 hours, just what I want to be doing with my time the day before christmas eve! I hope it isn't as stressful as you fear xx

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SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 13/12/2016 23:51

sj257 - I suffer from anxiety too, and I have found that making lists really helps - I make an overal,list of the things at need doing - presents, cards, dinner, decorating the house - and then I break these down into the individual,parts - e.g. cards is broken down into buy cards, buy stamps, do address labels, write cards, post cards.

Then I look to see what I can do in advance - I make breadcrumbs, stock for gravy, apple sauce etc, and peel the chestnuts, and freeze those, so there is less work to do on the day.and freeze them. Over the years I have realised that we really don't need a starter, so I don't bother with that. I used to make a home made Christmas pudding, but hardly any of it got eaten, so now I buy one.

In December, I look to knock off big jobs nice and early - buying, wrapping and posting presents, wrapping the stocking presents, writing the cards - knowing I have ticked off some big things on the list really reduces my stress levels. And spreading them out makes them less hard work.

This year I have put the whole,thing on the computer, so all my lists will,be there ready for next year.

Over the years I have worked out what matters and what doesn't, and I only do the things that matter - and no-one has ever complained - Christmas is still a special day.

It also helps to remember that Christmas dinner is just a roast dinner - that makes it less worrying, in my mind.

Try not to worry too much - and come here and vent, if it would help.

HelenaDove · 13/12/2016 23:54

Good Luck with your scan sj and congratulations Thanks

Our surgery is being run by a private provider and there has already been cock ups in other ways. So im only part hopeful.

HelenaDove · 14/12/2016 21:59

Well i had to go to the surgery again and it didnt fill me with confidence for the 23rd.

Some poor bloke had collapsed on the floor and the ambulance was taking ages to get there because traffic was so bad.

There was an old bloke booked in for a flu jab er.......except he wasnt because they had no record of it and when they asked him to make another appointment he told them he couldnt cos he would be out of the country from tomorrow till mid Jan.

DH has just told me that he often feels faint while standing in there as its so hot in there You have to stand and wait and wait and wait and DH can only stand for a very short period. If he ends up collapsing in there on the 23rd i will not be happy. The private provider begins with a V.

HelenaDove · 16/12/2016 01:27

I tried to talk to DH tonight about my anxiety over this appointment and he assures me im worrying unnecessarily but when our surgery is happy to leave elderly/infirm ppl standing for 15 mins in a queue until they are near to collapse i dont think my fears are completely unjustified.

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