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Original poster

so.. was it worth it?

114 replies

peachesandclean · 26/12/2019 09:01

The money, the stress, the time spent organising and shopping, delivering, the effort of wrapping and cooking, the shopping, the early mornings, the elbow shoving in M&S, the countless arguments everyone has seemingly had,
was it worth it to you, or are you waking up today feeling deflated and poor

OP posts:
Purplecatshopaholic · 26/12/2019 10:26

We had a lovely time. I just don’t do stress or pressure at Christmas - it’s one day FFS. Chilled with family, we all mucked in with food, had a secret Santa for the grown ups and pressies for the kids, no dramas. Why people work themselves up over it all I just don’t understand

Sofast · 26/12/2019 10:28

We had the best day, I loved the lead up and I loved the day. Totally worth it, although worth what I'm not sure because I didn't feel stressed once and I saved up throughout the year and didn't spend more then £500 all in so dont feel I've stretched the bank either

headlock · 26/12/2019 10:29

Sadly not for us as we've all been ill. It's been a total non event. ☹️

MilkTrayLimeBarrel · 26/12/2019 10:31

I just feel such a sense of relief that it's over at last! Thinking about booking some holiday breaks for next year this monring.

Happygoldfinch · 26/12/2019 10:33

Lovely day - but then we keep it tiny with literally just the five of us. When our DC came along we advised family that this would be our arrangement, and we are fortunate that, except for a few self-pitying comments from (divorced) MIL which we resolutely ignored, people have understood that this is the day when we 100% prioritise our DC who prefer the familiarity, routines and comfort of their own home. We've promised our DC that wen they have their own families there won't be the expectation to include us at all. It might seem odd to family-orientated people (and I am a bit jealous of those extended families who get on so well and who fit around each other like water) but it really works for us. There is no tension, no stress, there are no arguments, no egg-shell-treading, and the house can be regularly tidied up so the mess doesn't become invasive. I always, ALWAYS regret overspending by about £200, though!

birdsarecute45 · 26/12/2019 10:37

Our day was a bit disappointing. DS1 was sad about some of his presents and that was really upsetting for me. But then I realised why, it was because he was watching one of those bloody awful You Tubers who was boasting about what they got (inclduing something that was DS1s heart desire) and he was jealous. So we have actually had a gentle family talk and loads of cuddles and discussed the whole issue of youtubers and what is real and what is not and talked about values over possessions and everyone is much happier and I have a better understanding of him now and so I would say it has been a great Christmas and totally worth it. I was saying differently last night!!!

Today is a day of dvd watching and making chocolate cake.

OneTooManyBathtimes · 26/12/2019 10:40

I cant be sure because this Christmas has been marred by my PND. I usually love Christmas but this year I've not enjoyed it at all. I'm really sad about that and couldn't sleep last night because I was so sad.

CactusAndCacti · 26/12/2019 10:42

All good here too. DH does most of the wrapping, but he is at home so he has plenty of time.

House is a tip now though.

Ronnie27 · 26/12/2019 10:42

I spent loads of money and did loads of running round and fussing over presents. Totally worth it for those happy little faces. Also fussed over dinner, everyone fed and happy and went home, less worth it as I’m stuck with the clean up today. And I’m ill. But at least I’ve got a week off. Grin

Snog · 26/12/2019 10:42

Dd was told that she has lost her job at 4pm Xmas Eve at end of her shift (retail) which really took the shine off for us all.

Other than that, great presents, great meal, fun games.

onlyoneoftheregimentinstep · 26/12/2019 10:42

We had the best day. Shopped for presents and food online, DH wrote all the cards and wrapped most of the presents. We had DD and family to stay and all visited DS and DIL and her extended family for the morning. DIL had organised a lovely present for DH and me from all the DC and partners and everyone was happy to be able to spend time together.

Ronnie27 · 26/12/2019 10:43

Onetoomany I’ve been there and it sucks. Hope you’re feeling more like yourself soon. Flowers

Beautiful3 · 26/12/2019 10:44

I had the christmas groceries and presents delivered, in november. A small fresh shop was delivered 2 days before christmas. I only bought gifts for my children. Parents, grandparents and in laws received token unwrapped gifts, lindt santas. We didnt host, so christmas was stressfree for me

ghostyslovesheets · 26/12/2019 10:44

Yes totally lovely Christmas here - not over yet - got a second one starting tomorrow when we go to my family

Kids behaved well - happy jokey and nice - loved their gifts - washed the dishes post dinner!

No stress no over spending - shopping for gifts done by end Nov - food delivered - no fighting or elbows required

Loved it

Betterbegoing · 26/12/2019 10:45

ha. Well. The day ended with us leaving my family’s house at 11:45, me in tears (I’m not a crier) and sitting and getting drunk together on gin until 3am, just because my husband desperately didn’t want our first married Christmas to be remembered as that shit, and that unpleasant.
Feliz navidad Hmm
As it goes, we had a great laugh last night, and have promised each other that we’ll only ever do Christmas exactly how we want it again. No grinning and just bearing it. I love Christmas normally!

oabiti · 26/12/2019 10:47

The money, the stress, the time spent organising and shopping, delivering, the effort of wrapping and cooking, the shopping, the early mornings, the elbow shoving in M&S, the countless arguments

I didn't encounter any of that. Maybe you're doing it wrong?!

oabiti · 26/12/2019 10:48

A stress-free Christmas. It was a wonderful day!

Tetran · 26/12/2019 10:49

Yep. Saw family Christmas Eve, did a food shop for frozen bits a fortnight ago and picked up fresh bits early in the morning a few days ago which was stress free; presents were toys which will last throughout the year so we have left some downstairs and the rest are in the cupboard so he isn't overwhelmed and means we won't need to buy any for the rest of the year. Was a lovely day, we didn't spend too much, and lunch I just did a roast but with a turkey crown and some pigs in blankets which was fine.

Smelborp · 26/12/2019 10:50

I didn’t have elbow shoving or arguments. We wrapped presents, everyone enjoyed them this year thank goodness and we had a lovely time.

JaceLancs · 26/12/2019 10:50

Didn’t have any of OP issues
Had a lovely day with my close family - good food - thoughtful presents - even managed a toast to my recently deceased Dad without bawling my eyes out

Ceejly · 26/12/2019 10:58

The money
I spent what I wanted to. Saved for it. It was a lot but I gave the gifts I wanted to and the dinner we all wanted.

The stress
I'm a teacher so yes Christmas is stressful, especially organising good events for the kids but I knkw what we did was meaningful.

The time spent organising and shopping
Started at the beginning of Dec which nade this manageable.

Delivering
None of that for me this year.

The effort of wrapping and cooking
I like wrapping with a Christmas film on and a glass of prosecco personally. My dad's prima donna behaviour while cooking Christmas dinner is basically a tradition now.

The shopping
This was tricky. DP is bad at this and puts it off so the 22nd was a tricky day for us but we treated ourselves to a nice lunch and a drink which made it manageable.

The early mornings
No more so than usual tbh.

The elbow shoving in M&S
Not for me, though I admit to giving the finger to a woman who pushed me in John Lewis.

The countless arguments everyone has seemingly had
None of these on our end luckily.

Yes, it was worth it. I enjoy the season and the build-up. I had a wonderful day with my family. I gave and received thoughtful gifts. Looking forward to going back to plainer and less indulgent food now though.

Yarboosucks · 26/12/2019 11:03

I had a great time! There was some stress before hand, but that is largely self-inflicted, trying to be organized when I am more prone to being chaotic!

Had a fairly mellow day with some of the people that I love most - they loved their presents, they gave me marvelous presents that I really like. Best was my DS bought me a jacket that I had been lusting over but did not buy because I really do not need it. I had not mentioned it to anyone at all; DS saw it and thought it was something I would like. It even fits!

Today, my family are coming and I have bought my DSis something that I hope she will love and I cannot wait to give it to her.

So Christmas Dinner take two today, then no cooking till New Years Day!

LadyTiredWinterBottom2 · 26/12/2019 11:07

If it's stressful maybe you should re-evaluate for next year..? It's been really relaxed. No arguments, no elbowing, wrapping was done as quickly as possible as no one likes doing it, ben adding bits to weekly shopping for weeks..no seeing anyone who pisses us off..big thumbs up!

ChrisPrattsFace · 26/12/2019 11:07

Lovely day/days here too. MIL slightly ruined it but trying not to let her get to me anymore.

DickDewy · 26/12/2019 11:08

It was worth every penny.

Mind you - I don't do any of the cooking as that's my husband's area. We did loads of clearing up yesterday and he finished it all off early this morning.

We spent a fortune but did all of the shopping online and we did the wrapping together in about 2 hours.

No stress and now we get to enjoy the lovely lazy days before new year's eve.