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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If You're off for Christmas

328 replies

Foxes157 · 19/12/2019 23:33

Not to brag. Essential services are working.

Non Essentials like retail, events and hospitality are working.
We get it you have 2 weeks off. Please have some respect.

OP posts:
Pfefferkuchen · 21/12/2019 19:16

I prefer to take 3 + weeks off in the summer than 2 weeks at Christmas, can I brag then? Grin

Babyroobs · 21/12/2019 19:17

I worked 30 years in Nursing so never had a significant amount of time off and worked Christmas day or Boxing day most years. Now I have a 9-4 job and have 10 days off as our workplace closes down. I'm not going to keep quiet about it !

Cirmhor13 · 21/12/2019 19:36

Aibu to expect my ex to pay CM for the first 3 months of our split before CMS agreed a value. Ex thinks as was out of contract at the time they dont need to and CMS wont backdate!
Its nearly £900 and i was willing to accept instalments. Also hasnt paid last 5 weeks but promises will pay next week. Screwed up xmas for me and kids as had to use my xmas budget to compensate. And yes i work full time but i still have 3 kids to look after and pay bills on one wage.
Now has cut contact and i dont know if i should escalate with CMS or wait and see.
Total is now £1200. Thats alot of money in my world!

CalleighDoodle · 21/12/2019 19:39

@Cirmhor13 he is clearly a dick. Go straight the cms.

Cirmhor13 · 21/12/2019 19:40

Sorry i posted this in wrong place

ktp100 · 21/12/2019 19:42

How would I make my 2 weeks off 'disrespectful' exactly? Make a billboard for the outside of the house? Knit a Christmas jumper with 'I've got 2 weeks off' on the front? Obviously it would be harsh to rub it in someone's face who's working Xmas day but someone who'd do that is likely to be a dick all year round, not just at Christmas.

dudsville · 21/12/2019 19:43

Weird thread op.

PrtScn · 21/12/2019 19:44

I have a little over 2 weeks off*. You’re welcome.

*We have to save 3-4 days holiday to take off between Christmas & NY or it gets treated as unpaid time off. Work closes 24th Dec and opens 2nd Jan. I’ve taken leave 20th Dec - 6th Jan.

Zipperdidoodaa · 21/12/2019 20:03

I worked every Christmas Day for 25 years and New Years eve too and I will be working Christmas Eve this year but then I’m off until the kids go back to school. Now I don’t have to work Christmas I’m definitely not going to apologise for it. I feel sorry for people that do have to work but it’s what you make of it. Merry Christmas op I hope you find some time to enjoy yourself

FurbabyMama · 21/12/2019 20:05

You get to take holidays at non-peak times and get cheap holiday deals. Please have some respect for those of us who don't have that option HmmHmm

AuntyElle · 21/12/2019 20:27

I know referencing OP’s posts on other threads is usually avoided, but in this case...

OP apparently “bragging” in a thread about summer holidays 2020.

If You're off for Christmas
heartonastring · 21/12/2019 20:32

I earned this time off and I need a break. Who are you to say otherwise?

Lovely13 · 21/12/2019 21:01

I’ve worked Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, Easter, most of the bank holidays. Late nights too. But got lots of days off when life was quiet to go for a walk. Or to shops. Or a museum etc. And weird shifts meant I could join in on school trips, helping there etc. It’s swings and roundabouts. And Christmas is not the be all. Plenty of other days in the year to be kind and celebratory with people we care for.

sleepingkat2020 · 21/12/2019 21:06

I don’t think anyone gets two weeks off these days except education sector.

me and DH are. I am legal sector and he is finance sector. Both off from 20th December - 6th January. Same every year.

Booksandwine80 · 21/12/2019 21:10

I’ve done years and years of working shifts over Christmas and new year. This year I have the whole time off.

Going to shout it from the roof tops. HTHBiscuit

Ibizababyy · 21/12/2019 21:10

Wow bitter much OP?!?!! If your that bothered and cant be happy for other people then get a different job! That’s what both me and my dh did- this year we have a whole 6 days off together, and I have even longer for the first time in a decade. We are overjoyed so whilst not bragging yes you may hear us mention it because it has been so long awaited! Some years in the past we worked so much in the festive period we didn’t bother putting decorations up etc. Either change your circumstances or keep hush. Sorry if that comes across harsh but I can’t be doing with people who moan about circumstances they have every control about and so nothing to change it. Just makes for a negative atmosphere!

Biancadelrioisback · 21/12/2019 21:17

It's absolutely pathetic to tell people to be respectful of those who are working.
I worked every Christmas for years but I not only changed jobs, I changed sectors too and have started from the very bottom all over again, mainly so I could have time off when I wanted it. Previously I worked in hospitality and events so I had no annual leave from 1st November until mid January. When I fell pregnant I knew that it was important for me to have time off with DS, so I did what I had to do.

Cluelessbeetroot · 21/12/2019 21:34

I’ve got 2 weeks off, finished yesterday and will start again on Jan 6th.
It’s my only proper time off this year and in fact every year for the last 10. I’ve got my own (smallish) business which means I’m on call 24/7 all year round and if I do manage to steal a beach holiday in the summer, the laptop comes too. I can’t remember a single weekend this year when I haven’t had to do at least one work related task and I definitely can’t remember any holiday when I haven’t worked. Xmas/NY is the only time when everything shuts down.
I think I should be allowed to be happy about it.

VK456 · 21/12/2019 21:48

I’m sorry that whatever is bugging you or causing pain is a feature in your life, but really??

nannytothequeen · 21/12/2019 23:54

My parents often worked at Christmas. Dad was a firefighter and mum worked in hospo. I spent a few Christmas days sitting upstairs in a restaurant with books and coloring in and snacks whilst mum waited tables downstairs for people who chose a restaurant Christmas lunch. I quite liked it actually. Once the customers had gone the staff would have an amazing dinner and once hosted all the firefighters on my dads watch. The fire engine parked outside! They have both gone now and I would give up so much for another day, working or not working. As for me, I work in education down under and I finished work on Friday for 6 glorious weeks of Christmas and summer. I am knackered after a long year and have no intention of keeping quiet about one of the benefits of working hard for relatively little money that is used to single handedly raise my kids.

eloquent · 22/12/2019 02:20

Considering the running around i do monday to friday as a single mum with my three kids at three different schools. I work and study with a commute of an hour and a half, and i don't drive.
So excuse me for being pleased i have a couple of weeks off this and wish to celebrate that fact.

Of course we're all thankful for those that do provide essential services over the christmas period, that doesn't mean those of us who aren't can't be happy about it.

BritWifeinUSA · 22/12/2019 02:38

I’m thrilled I’ve got two weeks off. It’s the first time in 20 years I’ve taken annual leave at this time of the year. I work in an industry that never stops. I’m flying to England for Christmas. First time I’ve spent it on the same continent as my family in 5 years.

We all choose our career paths. Work at a bank if you don’t want to work over Christmas.

mrbob · 22/12/2019 03:16

I work every Christmas and don’t mind hugely- don’t have kids, do a job I love and get paid well for it. I also knew what I was getting into. I do think some people have NO understanding of the fact that not everyone has Christmas off. Some people look so shocked that I work Christmas “but surely you don’t have to work Christmas?!” Who the fuck do you think is running the emergency department when your kid sticks toys up their nose or your poor grandma has a heart attack on Christmas Day?!
I think the media increases this whole idea that everyone works Monday to Friday 9-5 and has holidays off to spend with some loving family and 2.4 children seeing Santa and unwrapping piles of presents. It is not representative of most of our lives

aurynne · 22/12/2019 03:25

For those that have two weeks off, I say enjoy your festive holiday in the cold and damp, stuck visiting relatives on the motorway and not being able to get through the shops because of the sales. 😄 no envy from me.

Dear nasty person who seems to only be happy when she thinks someone else is miserable: I am in New Zealand, it is Summer here, we are spending not 2 but 3 weeks off in an area with zero traffic, sunny warm weather, amazing views, stunning beaches and great company. Some friends are coming all the way from Europe to see us to show us how much they love us and miss us. We are going to love it and are looking forward to it. Can't wait to start eating delicious food, drinking bubbly, sharing time with loved ones and relaxing.

Happy miserable Christmas to you!

Rubyupbeat · 22/12/2019 07:13

Sorry. My husband has 2 weeks off, When I worked I usually worked Christmas day, I didn't resent him or anyone else who had longer holidays.
You know when you accept a job, what the holiday situation is.