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?

You are ridiculous.

And op is being martyr.

So much ridiculousness!

You don’t need to have a gingerbread house, you don’t need to post cards in the rain, you don’t have to chauffeur guests that’s what taxis are for. Make this the last year you host and next year if no one is willing to share the load you are tired too and are just having a home Christmas with your family no ungrateful/unhelpful guests.

Christmas can be whatever we want, it really doesn’t have to be where you run yourself ragged for a perfect family Christmas. They don’t exist!

• 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" - tell them you're too tired to have people over for Xmas

• DH and I are doing all the cooking. Every. Single. Year. - as over above point. Just cook for you and dh

• No one drives so I will be the official chaffeur for the holidays - hit the cocktails early and see first point.

• I have been wrapping up presents for two weekends in a row - gift bags

• I spent an entire day making a gingerbread house yesterday and it has v predictably collapsed on itself - still tastes the same

• Pre-school party tomorrow, of course in the middle of the working day - cocktails again

• Just got soaked to the bone delivering Xmas cards around the village - does anyone send cards anymore?

Single parent here. No extended family. Just me and my children over Xmas

on paper it looks like I should be getting the violins out but in reality - it is pressure

No pressure, no tension, no whispered arguments in the kitchen between partners, no glowering looks over the Turkey.

Just me and my children, relaxing, long walks, films games and food.

but even in my scenario people like the Op would martyr themselves somehow

Presumably you invited your family? Why?
I don’t do Christmas cards anymore as so unnecessary. Why did you do that in the rain?

i don't celebrate Christmas full stop ..its just another normal day to me ..i don't go to all the cost and trouble of making a Christmas dinner , i quite happy to have beans on toast or tomato soup with a glass of red wine and some crusty bread .i don't send cards ,and i tell everyone who knows me absolutely not to buy me any cards or presents .

No, it would be completely fine and then hopefully they get the hint and you're released from any obligation you might feel next year.

You’re being a martyr. Just say no.

All the suggestions will fall on deaf ears

Why? Because some people get their Christmas kicks from feeling pissed off at being taken advantage of and go around on Christmas Day with a face like thunder wanting more help but refusing to ask / accept

Take it you don’t have children!

Go back to your parents and say you need help with childcare as you’re not super human. .

So she could feel pissed off and resentful and start a mumsnet thread whinging about it

@Eurydice84 You forgot the most important thing, namely flagging up that you were being mostly lighthearted. People struggle with humour on MN.

So you are a doormat martyr who is single-handedly responsible for global warming due to being polite and sending cards to people who sent them to you.

In fact, most of the po-faced replies just make me think: "Oh for fuck's sake".

BTW it's fine to use "fuck" in a thread title.

@Goodgrief82

Yep that’s my mother in law. Invites us round for Xmas dinner and then spends the whole time moaning about all the work she has to do, all the cleaning she has to do and she’s so busy she never had chance to eat her own dinner. I will offer to help with the dishes but she will say no of course. It’s all poor, poor me.

Needless to say we avoid her at christmas now and apparently she is sad about this.

Honestly, the folk saying just don’t do it...

Christmas is always a time of huge pressure. Especially if you’re working up until the day itself. Family, finances, forced fun...

In your OP you say you have been cooking Every Single Year

Not so if first time they’re over for a couple of years

@Eurydice84 sympathise with you on the 'I spent an entire day making a gingerbread house yesterday and it has v predictably collapsed on itself'. I made a huge balls up of the mince pie pastry yesterday...

Yabu, I think you should make your family little personalised Christmas treats. Go all out!!! Get them place settings and the lot! Are you going to be baking too? Mini Christmas cupcakes are lush! It doesn't sound you're really that overstretched tbh.

• I spent an entire day making a gingerbread house yesterday and it has v predictably collapsed on itself - still tastes the same

Just add dinosaur as suggested by pp

#crustybread

tongue in cheek rant

Sure you were 😂

So many on mumsnet do it too

I can just imagine Christmas day. Everyone walking on egg shells around mum cos she’s in a “moooood”

Pressure from whom?

On what authority?

Or else what?

I'm sorry but what? Tell them to fuck off! Where are DHs family? If they're willing to watch DS I'd tell your family they've offered to have you all so you'll no longer be hosting.

Who in their right mind makes a gingerbread house? I don't really get all this Christmas drama. I have a plan, I don't do extras that don't fit the plan and have a fairly relaxed week to go. I wouldn't dream if driving anybody anywhere, I'm doing all the catering and hosting so their transport is their problem.