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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think your life must be pretty empty if you're celebrating Christmas already?

427 replies

MerryMarigold · 02/12/2018 13:45

Maybe it's me, but I think 2 weeks before Christmas and one week after, is ample time to have your tree/ lights up, be watching Christmas films (if you're that way inclined), listen to Christmas songs, have Christmas nights out/ dress up in Christmas jumpers etc. This weekend my Facebook has been inundated with 'Look at my lovely tree' statuses and today I've just driven past about 30 Santas power walking, my kids are begging me to get a tree up (which will be dead by Christmas). I just think you need to enjoy life now and not always be looking forward to the next celebration.

AIBU and a miserable git, or do i have a point?

OP posts:
purplecorkheart · 02/12/2018 17:24

I choose to wait for nearer the day as December is very busy at work so I prefer to wait until the bulk of work is done.

I know people who put up their decorations in October and to be honest I never give it a second thought. Each to their own.

SauvingnonBlanketyBlanc · 02/12/2018 17:28

Yeah it's definitely you with the problem.Hth

puzzledlady · 02/12/2018 17:28

My grandmother is dying so we’ve put the tree up early, she loves Christmas and we want her to see as much of it as possible. Is that ok and a good enough reason for you?

You’re an asshole of you think people’s lives are empty if they put their god damn tree up early if they put it up 2 weeks before @MerryMarigold. Maybe let people do as they please with their trees? HTH.

Original poster
MerryMarigold · 02/12/2018 17:30

Sorry if I touched any nerves. I'm not actually irritated by people that put their decorations up early (though I think I do get 'Christmas fatigue' around Dec 23rd when it all kicks off so early!). I was more thinking that I feel way too busy to be doing Christmas so soon and that for me it makes it less special the earlier it is as it just drags on and on. But, I recognise that's me personally and that I must have a short attention span.

OP posts:
Original poster
MerryMarigold · 02/12/2018 17:33

(Also, got to love all the posts saying I'm not celebrating until Dec 24th. I did say in the OP 2 WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS).

OP posts:
Stompythedinosaur · 02/12/2018 17:34

I think that if it doesn't hurt anyone else people can do what they like!

I'm just back from taking the dc to a Christmas party (organised by their childminder) and it was nice. We might put a Christmas film on in a minute (but no decorations yet). My life actually feels quite full!

ScribblyGum · 02/12/2018 17:37

Today I have watched and supported dd2 participating in our local Santa Dash this morning which raises funds for the local hospice. It was great to watch nearly 2000 Father Christmases of various ages and sizes running through our city.

Then as a family we went to the local Christmas market and had a great time drinking mulled wine, eating sausages and looking at all the lovely stalls.

This afternoon dd1 and I made the Christmas cake following which we all attended the Christingle service at our local church.

I'm now sat at home about to start reading The Box of Delights with a gin and tonic and a mince pie. I'm celebrating advent, not Christmas. It’s been a great day, much needed by our family.

AriadnePersephoneCloud · 02/12/2018 17:58

Mine went up Friday because the kids were away at the weekend, and will come down 31st December as we have an early Jan birthday and so it seems right. I have an (overly) full life with lots of children, work, friends, husband and dog, I just really like decorating the tree with the children, twinkly lights and the lovely feeling of Christmas. Am trying to do reverse advent this year and donate something everyday. Have managed to forget today and yesterday so will make up for it tomorrow. Full life. Not miserable. Enjoy December 😁

Teedeepie · 02/12/2018 17:59

We have put the tree and decs up in my house today as it's my last weekend (before the festivities) with the kids when I am off work and they are not with their dad. It's simply something we have to pencil in on the best available weekend, however it falls, as we all want to be together to contribute (even if I have to secretly relocate baubles). But each to their own Smile

PurpleCrazyHorse · 02/12/2018 18:10

We've put the tree up this weekend because we're away next weekend (in fact we're having Christmas Dinner Part 1 with my family), then we're away some of the weekend after, then it's the weekend before Christmas (and we're only here until Boxing Day and not back until way into the New Year).

If I didn't put it up now, we'd only see it up for a few days before Christmas and a few days in the New Year. It's not our preferred weekend to do it, but we just had to fit it in where we could.

WinterfellWench · 02/12/2018 18:13

@MerryMarigold

Sorry if I touched any nerves! Wink

Are you kidding me? For you to 'touch a nerve,' people would have to give a shit what you think, and nobody does. I certainly bloody don't.

Sorry to disappoint you.

Because of where out house is situated (high up,) and because it's detached and on an end, our 1000's of outdoor lights can be seen for about a mile. We are really proud of them, we love them, and we have compliments on them every year. In fact, we sometimes see people driving around just looking up at them........ Kids especially love them. So we like to show-off a bit. So what? Wink

I wonder what happened to you, to make you so miserable and soul-less? Sad

WinterfellWench · 02/12/2018 18:14

Because of where OUR house is situated, not OUT!

FGS mumsnet get an edit button! Hmm

BitchQueen90 · 02/12/2018 18:14

I put my tree up yesterday. I enjoy Christmas and I think that people who moan about decs being up too early are just miserable!

I don't like having them hanging around after Christmas is over so I take them down early. I just really enjoy the Christmas build up.

keely71 · 02/12/2018 18:17

We have a real tree with lots of white lights & baubles. Lovely garland over the fireplace & garland on the bannister. A few white lights around the hallway mirror just to add some sparkle, & that’s it.
Nothing outside, apart from a gold & silver bauble wreath on the front door.
We do it all around 15th December as any earlier we’d get fed up looking at it Grin

sprinkleofsunshine · 02/12/2018 18:18

I've put mine up this weekend which is early for me. I've also already had one of my Xmas parties.

It does seem a bit early but I'd never write a post about what other people are doing and that there life must be empty. I get the point about living for right now but it's come across a bit harsh!

rumidumi · 02/12/2018 18:36

People act like it's a new things to be celebrating Christmas in early December. It's not! I went to church as a child and th3 first Sunday we'd start Christmas stuff. For me, I work long hours Monday to Friday, next weekend I have friends visiting, the weekend after is my only chance to Christmas shop then it's driving to family for Christmas. So yes, my tree went up today. I want to be able to enjoy and get festive at home before leaving for family!

melj1213 · 02/12/2018 18:41

I've had my tree up since last weekend. Tbh I don't care when or if anyone else puts decorations up.

Last week was my week with DD (she alternates weeks with her dad and I) and I was babysitting my preschool aged nephew and neice on Sunday. We had planned to go to the park and visit a Christmas market but it was horrendous weather and my nephew was full of cold so we were stuck indoors. To prevent them watching tv for 6 hours cabin fever I pulled out the christmas decs and the kids had a great day decorating the tree, making gingerbread, building the nativity and terrorising the cats with tinsel generally wondering over all the christmas ornaments.

My tree is up 2 weeks earlier than planned (I had planned to do it next weekend when DD was back with me after her week at her dad's) but the three of them had a great afternoon and it has zero impact on anything except my electricity bill

Chocolatecoffeeaddict · 02/12/2018 18:43

I normally put my tree up on the 1st December as I don't like it being up too long, but this year I put it up on 29th November as husband was off work and wanted his help. I put it up early for the kids, so they can make the most of it as they enjoy it and it's fun for everyone. My life is great and very full, but thanks for the concern OP.

AlwaysWantedToBeATenenbaum · 02/12/2018 18:49

So the grinch has a mumsnet account 😂

Huntawaymama · 02/12/2018 18:55

Well my life is not empty, we put our tree up yesterday. DD helped and we'll be doing loads of Christmas things on weekends in the lead up. We usually do things like bake and crafty things together on a Saturday but through December it'll have a Christmas theme, ie a ginger bread house and make christmas cards. So many people's winter moods are improved by Christmas cheer, it's lovely

AaahhwoooooOOOOooOOOOo1 · 02/12/2018 19:18

Pretty empty 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

GoldenBuns · 02/12/2018 19:22

I go all out Christmassy in December, but as soon as New Year comes around, I am DONE! Decorations go away the day after New Year's Day.

SoyDora · 02/12/2018 19:31

Also, if someone’s life is ‘empty’ for whatever reason, having someone slag them off online isn’t really going to help is it? Someone having an empty life is a sad thing, and if celebrating Christmas helps them to feel happy then great. Kind of what Christmas is for.

BlancheM · 02/12/2018 19:48

What if their lives are 'empty'? Kick people when they're down eh instead of accepting they might want to cheer themselves up and spread a bit of joy around.

OftenHangry · 02/12/2018 20:26

My life is at the moment full of fairy lights, fluffy green garlands, glitter and tea.

Tomorrow is a different story with deadlines, amount reading I never thought is possible and weekly shop. But knowing I will come home to this while outside is grey and rainy is just so nice.
Note, my house is always comfy, but this is a different levelGrin