Seriously, f*ck Christmas!

[Eurydice84]

• I am working until Xmas eve. My entire family is staying over, but my Mum/Dad/bro refused to babysit when I will working because "they're too tired"
• DH and I are doing all the cooking. Every. Single. Year.
• No one drives so I will be the official chaffeur for the holidays
• I have been wrapping up presents for two weekends in a row
• I spent an entire day making a gingerbread house yesterday and it has v predictably collapsed on itself
• Pre-school party tomorrow, of course in the middle of the working day
• Just got soaked to the bone delivering Xmas cards around the village

Hitting the Bailey's hard today. How is this the most wonderful time of the year?

Like many others here, no sympathy from me. You're a martyr, you're doing it to yourself, and you have no-one else to blame but yourself. Christmas is as busy, as expensive, and as 'stressful' as you make it.

YABU @Eurydice84

Don't wrap. Buy reusable bags and put everything in a bag. If it comes in plain packaging (eg Amazon boxes) just tie big bows round them.
Tell family they need to budget for taxis apart from short and specific journeys.

If they are in your house and you have to work? they are babysitting or they're not invited.

And this is the last year they are at yours.

Decide what you DO actually want to do.

Inform everyone else that that is what is happening, if they want other things to happen, they'll need to arrange that themselves, in a way that does not impact upon you.

So if you want to play with the kids, have a rest, get smashed, bung in some frozen stuff that all ovens at the same temp...that is what is happening.

Then the others can offer to help, or not, their choice. You're too tired/too pissed/not doing it.

You are being a martyr and being taken for a complete mug!

Your mum, dad and brother won’t babysit even though they’re staying in your home and being catered for!

Between the 3 of them the babysitting will be very easy.

Next year go to theirs instead.

Another martyr post. You’re doing this because YOU’RE choosing to do so.

Love that op has changed this to “lighthearted” when she’s clearly a martyr but she’s getting zero sympathy.
@Eurydice84 your title is not lighthearted. Quit being a mug then moaning about being taken for a mug.
happy Christmas

Remind your family that while they are staying - your home is their home and they should treat it as such.

Then delegate chores, child minding, food helper, toilet cleaner.

Either they will chip in and it will be fine, or this will be the last time you have this problem.

You are choosing to do all of those things and playing the martyr.

Of course it's stressful but it's all things that can be fixed.

I don't send them back. I think they are the biggest waste of money. Finally this year people have taken me off their card list, must be because I've never sent one back! In this day and age a text or phone call will do or even better a meet up face to face! 😅 Next year cut out a lot of this shit if its gona cause you so much stress and unhappiness ❤️

Most definitely.

A lot of the people saying 'martyr' are missing the point - for better or worse there is a lot of expectation/ obligation at Xmas but the presents and hosting and parties and kids craft hopefully bring a lot of happiness too which sort of makes it worth it (after the event!!)

Tell them you're not chauffeur and give them the number of the local cab company.

1. Cancel the gingerbread House.
2. Stop delivering cards by hand
3. Next year book.your family I to the nearest Premier Inn.
4. Buy fewer presents - anything for adults goes in a gift bag - used to pay the teenagers over the road to wrap the presents - worst Job in the world.
5. Xmas from M&S - everything bought from the gravy to the sprouts.
6. If family won't babysit, ask for them to chip in towards a babysitter.
7. Why can't they drive?

I'd tell them they have to pull their weight and babysit, seeing as they are staying in your house and you're working. It isn't up for discussion - they can either do it or stay elsewhere. CFs.

PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · Today 15:10

"Make this the last year you host everyone. Next year, have Christmas by yourselves"

Yes this 100 percent. Just stop being a people pleaser. Just stop offering to cook for everyone, no need to send cards to everyone. Give yourself less to do next time.

Whilst it is not nice you do choose to do these things, if you don't like it then don't do it. Hope things get easier for you.

I’ve been sat on the sofa all day and am looking forward to Xmas. Why are you making gingerbread houses and writing cards for people you don’t care about and delivering them in the rain. You’re being a Martyr

Mum/Dad/bro refused to babysit when I will working because "they're too tired"

DH and I are doing all the cooking. Every. Single. Year.

These two one after the other stuck out. Selfish fuckers. Too tired? Then you are too tired after working up until Christmas Eve to make a dinner for them when they can’t even be bothered to babysit.

cancel them. It’s not your problem, let them deal with the consequences.

Its too late now but don’t invite your family next year, then you won’t need to cook for as many people either. Ask them to help with washing up.
Dont drive them around, they can get a taxi. You don’t need to drive them around just because they are staying with you. Not your fault they don’t drive.
Not much you can do about wrapping presents and you didn’t have to make the gingerbread house or deliver the cards.
If your family weren’t staying with you and you didn’t have to cook for them all I’m sure you’d be less stressed about everything else.

MARTYR ALERT

So you don’t do it every single year then OP! If you haven’t seen your relatives since before the lockdowns.

Get down off the cross,stop being a martyr.Say no.

I mean, sorry but I agree with this.

Tell your family to contribute, stop being their taxi service and definitely stop with the gingerbread and the cards.

Madness.

They should have it in June when the shops are quieter!

This. No sympathy from me. People treat you how you let them.

I’ve cancelled our usual pre-xmas visit to my sister this year. She can never be arsed to come to us despite being invited, she wants us to do the long journey with our toddler and not be able to have a drink etc. fuck that 🤷🏼‍♀️

This: DH and I are doing all the cooking. Every. Single. Year.

isn't consistent with this: As for my relatives: they are coming from abroad and I didn't feel like saying no after two years of pandemic and not seeing each other.

Do they expect you to run around after them every year or not?