Anybody miss the magic of their childhood Xmas's

[Halloweencat]

Not an unreasonable here, just a moment of reflection on how Xmas has changed. I remember my grandparents having big family parties on Xmas Day or Boxing day in the 70's with Grans siblings & their families. We'd see cousins, second cousins & people would just sleep on the floor in sleeping bags. Merry Xmas by Slade was a true reflection, now I find it a depressing song! Gran was the glue that held everyone together. Now the older generation have died it's down to my generation to do it; but it doesn't work out like this anymore. Cousins & sister all have their own family & inlaw commitments & the big parties do not seem practical to do anymore. Even before covid it felt like things were getting quieter at Xmas. Grown up kids are off doing their own thing instead of settling down & having their own children. As much as I appreciate everything I have Xmas Day feels like another Sunday really. Anybody feel like that Xmas cheer from previous has gone now?

Christmas was low key when I was a child, church, food, drink, TV and the same decorations appearing every year! I miss the lack of commercialisation and the beautiful shop windows that did Christmas displays in my home city Glasgow. They were stunning and a special trip was made to view them.

I said this the other day. Mum and dad were the main things of Christmas. When I was a child dad came in with armfuls of gifts from work clients, mum merry on sherry from a work party, decorations and cards made at school hanging on the walls, delivering the cards to relatives just noise and excitement.
when my kids were tiny just before mum died taking them up to help granny decorate the tree James Last played in the background and me and ex DH watched the joy on their little faces. shopping in crowded shops with everyone happy shouting festive greetings to everyone such a wonderful time

@Iamnotinterested, I used to go toy parents grave to lay flowers on Xmas Eve but it was a 300 mile round trip. Go o to the last 5 years instead I now meet up with my sister's and together we make a Xmas wreath with Xmas tree off cuts, and holly.and ivy. Then we share a Christmas lunch I stay overnight then drive home in morning. We do it first Thursday of December. I am not really an artistic person but each year they look better and it gives me a warm glow to do it together with my sister's. I just know Mum would have loved it.