so.. was it worth it?

[peachesandclean]

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

I managed to do most of my present shopping online, wrapped as I bought, one early morning shop to get the Xmas food with dh and the two kids which wasn't even very busy.
I have trouble sleeping myself so was so awake at half 3 yesterday, dh woke at half 4 and we woke the dc and 5/5.30. They were so so happy.
I put the Turkey in the oven at 6 and it was ready at 8. We visited dps family in the morning, then back home for 12 for Xmas dinner and my family called up for dessert. The baby was amazing and in great form even though two teeth started to cut through.
A great day with no dramas, kids in bed by 8.30, in bed myself at 9.30 and I slept right through until 7am so well rested now for a lazy day and a bit more visiting today.

I think what really helped this year was going out for dinner on Christmas eve. I didn't have the stress of cooking, didn't have to clean the kitchen and have a full dishwasher. It was just ideal.

We had a lovely time. We still are.

We don't overspend. I lay on a lovely Christmas lunch because I want to. I plan ahead and prepare early to make the cooking on the day as straight forward and relaxed as possible.

All is good. Roll on next year. I'm happy to do it all again.

We stayed at home until 12.30 with DS, DD and baby, then walked to PIL. Lunch at 2 - PIL, DH's grandma, SIL, BIL and their DD. Came home at 5 - DC bit tired by then. It was all lovely. They are going to SIL today but we are going out for a walk then staying at home.
The only bit awkward thing was DS (5 next week) dropping a piece of carrot on the floor and saying 'Oh cock! Grandma my carrot has gone on the carpet'. MIL looked straight at DH -it is one of his expressions. He told DS it isn't a polite thing to say and DS, predictably, said 'You say it Daddy.' At that DD (almost 3) said 'Cock, cock, cock a doogle doog' and DH began a conversation about animal noises in which he baaed, meowed, trumpeted (elephant), barked an squeaked (guinea pig apparently) and snuffled (giraffe). It was slightly surreal. At the end of his menagerie, DS said 'You do say that naughty word Daddy'

It's only the Second Day of Christmas, to be fair. We make the most of the 12 days. Yesterday was really lovely.

We all had a great day, definitely worth it

Christmas is always worth it and it's always low key. We usually start spotting suitable presents in the summer and buy as we go along - it'll all be done by early December. No elaborate meals either, just a few simple tasty things and a lot of chocolates on the table. We bake - that isn't stressful, it's relaxing. I did my food shop including Christmas stuff on the 20th so no last minute stuff, and we don't do arguments. At all.

After the horrendous Christmas of 2017 when I threw my abusive alcoholic husband out of the house once and for all, it's just me and DDs (and this year a friend of DD's and her mum) and we enjoy being a happy family.

Christmas is what you make it.

Worth it here. The DC loved it. I could take or leave it but got some lovely gifts this year.
I spent less this year and no one noticed which has given me a boost.

Nope. Not worth it. I spent hundreds of pounds and god knows how many hours trying to make Christmas lovely. H got me nothing. Not even a token gift from the kids. Apart from “I didn’t think we were buying for each other” he hasn’t mentioned it. I feel so flat. It was hard to keep a happy face through the lovely family day we had.

We had a lovely day - but children are adult,I do remember how much more stressful it was when they were little.
No arguments,no M and S,no early mornings,shopping and cooking all shared anyway (DH and DD shop - I hate shopping for food,present shopping done by me online!)

It's not over for us by a long way yet. Relaxing at home this morning while the kids play withtheir presents then spending the rest of the day with my parents, aunt, uncle and cousins, which the kids will love as they will play board games for hours and I will love the cold cuts, cake etc. DH has a few days off now so we'll do lots of walks and pub lunches etc. Looking forward to spending New Year's Eve daytime with the in laws and the evening with special friends.

My kids were thrilled with their presents and we feel very grateful for everything we have.

I'm sure this reads like a very smug post but my point is that the pleasure of Christmas is far more than just one day.

I also agree with PPs that none of the 'stressful' things you mention have to be stressful.

I'm not saying my christmas was like that, i was actually working for most of christmas day so mine was completely different, but I've been seeing how everyone elses pans out and from a lot of the posts on this website, I was wondering whether everyone thought it was worth it

Idk why some of you are giving me an attitude I'm only asking a question 😂 please chill

I've had a wonderful Christmas thankyou OP. Shopped throughout the year so not skint, infact funds have been replenished by very generous parental cash gift. I don't expect 'perfect' so am never dissapointed, and my family are all lovely, no opinionated tossers etc. Even managed to get back on my diet today after only one day's lardification.

I have scaled down Christmas and it’s so much better. Just me, DH and the DC (who are preteen/teen). I picked up stuff with the weekly shop during Dec where possible. One fresh stuff shop.

Frozen pastries in the oven for breakfast which meant the oven was pre-heated for the meat. I cooked and DH cleared. Loads of left overs and party food for today so it will be help yourself and fridge raiding for food.

I do think there is often a huge pressure felt by women to produce the perfect Christmas but for me a perfect Christmas is a relaxed easy going one.