Early January dead time or still joyful Christmas season?

[SnuggyBuggy]

AIBU to be feeling a bit ugh at this time? I mean technically it's still the Christmas season but no one feels Christmassy, people are going back to work, I'm on mat leave and none of my regular stuff starts till next week.

Are there people who still manage to keep the Christmas feeling until 12th night?

I like a change of pace and mood in New Year. I keep up any white fairy lights but take down the coloured ones. Take down tinselly decs and put up bowls of hyacinths, narcissi and snowdrops. No more fatty foods and alcohol but loads of fresh brightly coloured salads and infused waters or botanicals. Lots and lots of crisp wintry walks, jogs, cycle rides etc and a trip to the theatre. That kick starts the new year for me.

The kids are still off and I've guests arriving today so we are still in holiday mode.

Hate the beginning of January and going back to work.

I have just booked myself a weekend away next weekend so that I have something to look forward to.

I'm glad to get back into a normal routine really. I like Christmas but as the winter weather hasn't really kicked in yet I'm fine and not feeling gloomy.

We have 12th night fondue!

Got to eke it out as long as possible...

I love this time.

Quiet, stark, cold. No fuss, no expectations.

It's the first day back at work for me today and I'm really struggling. It's so tough suddenly having to deal with spreadsheets, deadlines and the like again, not to mention having to concentrate hard when your brain feels like total mush after almost two weeks off. Plus there's no prospect of a glass of wine at the end of it as I don't drink during the week. Ugh!

It's a "thank fuck that's over and let's get back to normal" time.

Hate Christmas. January is a return to normality, the days are getting longer again and Spring is on the horizon.

Still joyful sort of Christmas season here, until after Twelfth Night and probably until the gloomy dasharound-back-to-reality night before the schools reopen.

I never felt Christmasy this year. Probably because I worked it, but I know a lot of people felt the same.

I am sad about the kids going back to school tomorrow though.

I actually find January harder once the decorations are down and the schools go back. Although being slightly tidier is nice, I miss the colour, lights and indoor Nordic forest greenery.

As DP and I are both retired, post-Christmas doesn't hold such horrors as going back to work. We both have courses starting that we're looking forward to, and my choir starts again on Tuesday. And right now we're away in beautiful south Devon. But the first few months of the year are quite hard with cold, short days and the garden looking sad.

Also, certain things I've managed to avoid for at least a couple of weeks will start snapping at my heels again, so I'd rather stay with my head in the sand in our Christmas bubble, thank you very much.

MacarenaFerreiro

You've cheered me up a bit now, I love the spring time!

Bit of both.

Decorations still up though I took the cards down, took off washed and put away the ‘Christmas’ tablecloth and have changed the bedding back from the Christmassy set.

I’m off work till Monday so trying to enjoy it, though DP back today and it does all feel a bit flat. On the other hand I’ve still got more chocolate to get through and we’re having sprouts with dinner tonight I’m also reading a Christmassy murder mystery (Ngaio Marsh Tied Up In Tinsel) and still got the ABC murders plus other Christmas telly we recorded but not got round to watching.

It's my daughter's birthday on the 4th of January so it always feels festive until then. After that it's back to normality for us.

I always feel sad at this in between time of year. Times have changed, people are back to work straight after New Year's Day and the 12 days of Christmas thing is becoming a bit irrelevant to most people. I always feel a bit lonely and sad, I've no idea why as I'm generally a positive person. It's just like there's this great feeling of togetherness in December then in January you're standing on your own looking round at the decorations when the party is all over.

I always cheer up in time for February though

I love January.Quiet,a fresh start and I have felt positively joyous and energised today.DH always does dry month and the snoring that increased over the festive period stops and I sleep like a log compared to normal.We will have to be frugal this month,but then I like cooking meals creatively and although the bank balance took a hit at Xmas we didn't spend a crazy amount.But I like my job,only work part time and outside so see every hour of daylight,and don't face a commute to work on congested roads in the dark.I can see why some people dread the return to work and find it a tough month.

My decs still up but we only decorated mid December (16th). Id have had it down before i start back at work but we have been away a lot and not had time. Will do it at the weekend. Binned all the Christmas cards yesterday and keep having good clear outs. Lots of tat to take straight to charity and encouraging me to bin other things too. January is the only time I feel like a clear out.

I would be planning my August holiday (May already sorted) but stupidly mentioned going with dh family and now regretting it.

I love this time.

Quiet, stark, cold. No fuss, no expectations.

Nice comment @speakout. I do want (and need) to embrace the quietness after party season. Time seems to pass a lot slower in January, in a good way - probably because there are so few distractions compared to last month. It makes you feel that there's more time to get things done!

Mind you im glad Christmas is over. Kids are with in laws. Dh is working away so i went back to work today and tomorrow thus week. Im going to the theatre tomorrow and hopefully do something with the kids Friday. Not feeling Christmassy. Just relieved to get past it and keen to start planning more for 2019.

Super happy that Christmas is over TBH.

We still have our decs up and have bought enough table crackers in the sales for 12th night, birthday, Easter, Christmas 2019 and New Year. I am still enjoying the bustle. WIsh I hadn't had flu before Christmas then it I could have enjoyed it more. twas all a bit shoe horned in, in the end.

I am missing Christmas - there i've said it.

No, it's depressing, there's still no sun, dark all the time, cold outside, nothing to look forward to. It's bloody crap, I have always hated January. And I miss my vitamin D!

Hello all in the Winter Blues Department! Christmas and NY are well and truly over.

Normal service resumes. And I am happy that is so.

There is an awful lot of stress involved over the Season, so it is nice to get back to routine again.

But TBH the season lasts for far too long, well the run up does, and then it's one day and then what?

NYE is the biggest con job in history. Same as every year before.

Follow the money folks!!