To feel bad we haven’t done anything festive?!

[Wombatbum]

My social media is full of pantomimes, Christmas days out etc. The only thing we’ve done really is a trip to the shopping centre grotto. I feel like I’m a bit rubbish 😣

Well there is always next year 😀

Comparison is the thief of joy as they say.
have you enjoyed time with your loved ones? That’s all that matters.

It just doesn’t really feel like Christmas, I struggle in the run up as I get really stressed and anxious 😬

I’ll feel better tomorrow I think

We've done panto and a Santa visit and it's been stressful as DH and I were also both trying to tie up work. I think the DC would have been equally happy with a film and a wintry walk!

We’ve watched lots of films!! 🙈😂

We did a father Christmas train and garden centre at beginning of Dec but I'm 38 weeks pregnant and just wanted to stay in, so I filled the weekends witb baking, movies, Xmas colouring ins ect for my other children which they have equally loved.

I bought stuff to make mince pies but haven’t even done that. Pretty sure I got ADD 🤦🏼‍♀️

Don't be hard on yourself OP. It's tomorrow that really counts anyway. Are you organised and looking forward to tomorrow?

We did a panto yesterday and son cried in fear after 20 mins so we had to leave, wish we’d stayed at home and saved the cash!

We pushed the boat out this year and did The Everything, and after me & my 9 yo spending the whole of today either throwing up or shitting through the eye of a needle I really REALLY wish we hadn’t bothered!

Enjoy your health and happiness on the big day and your kiddos being able to enjoy it all

Social media is not real life- be very wary of people who have to document all their 'joy' on social media and never compare. Tbh, the prolific posters we know generally are a bit of a joke amongst friends. Most people manage to get on and meet santa, do xmas baking, a few day trips without spending most of the day getting the best photos. These are the same people who are 'so proud' when DC is star of the week, gets 10 metres swimming etc. V grumpy and have a few of these in the family who are also forever 'making memories' 🤮

That's fine. I bet they are happy.

I remember one year reading on MN about all these plans for Christmas Eve and feeling so ineadequate as I was always rushing around shopping and wrapping on Christmas Eve while DC mainlined chocolate and slumped in front of Christmas films. So I made a massive effort to get prepped a day earlier and took them for lunch and to Winter Wonderland - ice sculptures, circus, big wheel, Christmas Market. Next year I asked should we do it again and they chorused, 'NO! Christmas Eve is for eating chocolate and watching TV.' They admitted they hadn;t even enjoyed it that much and it cost a fortune.

If you have decorated the house, bought a few treats and have TV tuned to Christmas kids TV, then you've made an effort. Children love being allowed ot laze around at home.

I was thinking about this earlier, as I haven't done a huge amount with the DCs this year. I thought back to my childhood Christmases and honestly, they were amazing, but I don't remember a single 'event'. I remember baking, and delivering cards, and watching Christmas TV.

We haven't done much either op. Don't feel under pressure - the happiest memories my dc (now early teens) have are watching the snowman/other Christmassy stuff together, playing game together, generally being together - those things matter more in our family. Don't worry about what other people are doing.

We’ve done fuck all due to illness and finances.

Poor dc even missed their school panto which I had to pay for because they were ill. Didn’t get s refund of that either

We've done nothing that costs money. Younger two have seen Santa as he turned up at playgroup. Older two have been in Christmas nativities and sang songs in Church. We've not done any grottos or pantos or Christmas markets, actually we've not even baked They have spent today pretending to be pirates together, playing with playdough, watching the snowman and snowdog while we wrapped. Then we all watched the film light-year and then had chippy chips for tea. They were very happy with that.

We've done nothing. I only finished work last night and today we had to visit the joyless in laws. No festive spirit here whatsoever tbh.

Maybe next year...

There's a balance - no, you don't need to spend lots of money, but yes some time and effort on small activities or treats or time together would be nice for most children.

I have someone on social media who literally takes their kids for a day out or away nearly every weekend throughout the year, I’ve no idea how they afford it!!

Thanks everyone, all sorted for tomorrow - I hope you all have a lovely day. I was looking at booking a panto and I was looking at least £72 for the 5 of us, I just can’t afford that at the moment. I’ll try a bit harder next year!

What's The Everything?

We’ve managed to do quite a few free/cheap things but I only have 1dc and a lot of the time just one of us took him.

Ie bauble painting at local children’s centre for a fiver, polar express in pjs at local cinema (tenner per ticket)… and then free things like sledging/wintry walks or friends over for pizza and Christmas colouring.

Its felt a bit hectic though!

Don’t put pressure on yourself. You can plan a bit more next year if you feel like it :)

New Year’s resolution- delete Facebook.

My childhood CE memories are going to the butcher with Dad to collect the turkey, leaving a mince pie and a carrot out for FC and Rudolf, being allowed a quick prod of the presents under the tree and buffet-style tea. It was great! None of this Winter Wonderland and special pyjama bollocks. Please don't feel bad and you absolutely must not take any notice of social media because that's bollocks too.

Just enjoy the time how you enjoy it. If you fancy a pantomime or Christmas lights or a market they'll still be running into January.