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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed Christmas is on a Monday

323 replies

Outandabout43 · 11/12/2023 18:41

I'm feeling very irrationally annoyed at Christmas being on a Monday this year. Normally you break up on the Friday the week prior to Christmas and have a few days getting into the Christmas spirit, doing Christmas activities and getting the last bits ready.

This year I break up on the Friday and then BAM Christmas day and it's all over.

AIBU to be really annoyed about this?

OP posts:
Hazzoura · 13/12/2023 07:16

I know what you mean. Schools are breaking up really late meaning kids have two weeks off after Christmas. I prefer to have a bit of a build up then 1 week after to enjoy post Christmas leftovers and presents. Two weeks after could get tedious.

ToffeePennie · 13/12/2023 07:18

I personally adore it. Break up on 22nd - go out for a festive treat meal, 23rd go visit grandparents, 24th is Christmas Eve!
no time for the kids to whine and moan that it’s Christmas but not yet!

RachelSTG · 13/12/2023 07:20

doitwithlove · 11/12/2023 19:24

@Outandabout43 - Try working in the health & social care - there is NO CHRISTMAS day for these workers 👎🏼

Very true, I've done 14 years of working in this sector. This year is the first time I will have Xmas and new year both off.

Pipistrellus · 13/12/2023 07:24

eastegg · 12/12/2023 20:46

I know. 10 days before Christmas? The schools don’t break up that early. And even if they did, what’s all this ‘we’ business?

I think what’s really behind the few complainers on this thread is that they are the ‘start Christmas on 1st December and finish it at bedtime on the 25th, if not sooner’ brigade. Christmas needs moving back to where it used to be. From that point of view, the timing of the holidays for many schools this year is perfect.

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This is what I was thinking. Decorations up in November, Christmas everything in Advent, then one day, and it's over? That's why the rest of Christmas time is 'meh'. It's how people have chosen to celebrate, but they can change that if they just choose to.

Doone22 · 13/12/2023 07:25

I'm working all the way up to. But I'm also committed to doing a Christmas thing every day this month. Yesterday it was watching a Christmas film, today its going to a Carol event, tomorrow the pub Christmas quiz. That all helps

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 13/12/2023 07:28

Must be your school/area, our schools break up on the 15th, so a week before xmas and a week after and back to school on the 2nd.

So maybe aik your anger at your school/local authority who have chosen those term dates

Makkacakka · 13/12/2023 07:29

Quite nice for me this year! My colleagues and I work weekdays and weekends. Luckily the Saturday and Sunday before christmas day is not my one to work. My last day will be Friday 22nd, then back in on 27th.

Coffeeismyfriend1 · 13/12/2023 07:34

I understand the stress about buying presents without getting your December pay, I’m guessing you get paid on the day you break up. Unless you plan to order everything online though you could go on the Saturday (although I get it will be very busy).

I’m a little confused by everyone saying the entire population needs to do their shopping in the 6 hours on Xmas Eve. Most products have a shelf life of a few days so you can buy them on the Saturday too or the Thursday or Friday if you aren’t working those days/you could go after work on those days. I can’t imagine everyone will shop on Xmas Eve, not everyone does their weekly shop on a Sunday in a normal week and the only difference at Christmas is we buy a bit more, surely? DH usually does our weekly shop on a Friday then walks to the local coop for bread/milk on a Tuesday, can’t imagine why Christmas shop will any different except fridge space may be limited and we might need to go on 27th/28th to restock.

erinaceus · 13/12/2023 07:44

Can you do something special this coming weekend? Doesn’t have to be big, but any small thing and call it a Christmas thing. (Anything: a family walk, a special shopping trip, a floor picnic, anything. Put the tree up?) Make this your personal “Christmas has started” moment and try to stay in a festive “zone” some of the following week.

It’s tough when routines change (you mentioned working in healthcare before) but take a positive mindset and try to make a new tradition/have some new fun.

hamptonedge · 13/12/2023 07:45

I thinks it's because I won't have time after pay day to get last minute gifts so will have to try to squeeze them all in this pay.’

& you didn't realise that Christmas in an annual event & planned to complete your shopping in the 12 months prior🤔

DarkForces · 13/12/2023 07:48

Do you think we should change the date we celebrate Christmas or the entire calendar?

CharlotteBog · 13/12/2023 07:51

I can take 3 days annual leave and get 10 days off work (weekends and BHs).
Suits me.

DS2 finishes school 19th. I finish 22nd.
I'm back 2nd and DS2 back 3rd.

bengalcat · 13/12/2023 07:51

I’m quite happy - not working the weekend before so have four days off and back on the 27th - 31st inclusive . Booked a food delivery for the 24th so avoiding the shops .

Thefaceofboe · 13/12/2023 07:53

I usually have to work up until Christmas Eve at 6 6pm if it’s a working day, but I’m thrilled I don’t this year as Christmas lands on a Monday so I can ‘break up’ on the Friday and actually enjoy time with my children.

BeavisMcTavish · 13/12/2023 08:01

’usually’ break up for Xmas? What industry are you in as most places don’t just stop functioning.

best timing ever as far as I’m concerned as I’m getting a 4 day break that wouldn’t usually happen.

Stressedmumoftwoteens · 13/12/2023 08:15

Oh poor entitled you only gets two days to enjoy Christmas prep. I'm working until teatime Saturday 23rd and back at it Boxing Day but that's the joy of working in hospitality. (Next year I've booked annual leave from 21st Dec to Jan 4th!)

Tokek · 13/12/2023 08:17

devondad1 · 11/12/2023 19:26

The day Christmas falls on changes every year. You take the ups and the downs. You are being unreasonable to be annoyed with the calendar.

Instead, feel sorry for me. I work in France where, with a couple of exceptions (e.g. Easter Monday), public holidays have a date and they are recognised on that date irrespective of what day it is. None of this "bank holiday Monday" stuff like in the UK. So when both 1 May and 8 May (which are public holidays) both fall on a weekend, those holidays are recognised on the Saturday or Sunday with no day off work at all.

Don't know you're born!!!! 😫😫😫

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Yeah but surely that's balanced out by your greater amount of bank holidays? We have so few in this country we have to preserve every one we've got!

Tokek · 13/12/2023 08:20

whatausername · 11/12/2023 19:29

Life is so hard.

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I guess it depends if they have to take this period off as part of their annual leave, or if it's extra. If extra, it's indeed a bit disgusting to moan about it.

deplorabelle · 13/12/2023 08:22

As a church choir member, Monday Christmas is a bit of a nightmare because it means the carol service is bang on Christmas instead of having a gap and Christmas Eve is triple church. Plus the Christmas Eve service will be crowded beyond belief because fewer people will be working.

Tuesday Christmas is the worst because normal Christmas prep can't be done on the sunday because so we'll end up making 250 Christingles on the morning of Christmas Eve instead.

littlebopeepp234 · 13/12/2023 08:23

Pipistrellus · 13/12/2023 07:24

This is what I was thinking. Decorations up in November, Christmas everything in Advent, then one day, and it's over? That's why the rest of Christmas time is 'meh'. It's how people have chosen to celebrate, but they can change that if they just choose to.

Show quote history

Agree. So many people starting Xmas shopping in August, putting their tree up in November and then by a few days before Christmas Day they post on Facebook saying things like “can’t wait to take this tree down now, fed up of seeing it” then proceed to post a picture of their bare living room on 26th December saying “Xmas over, tree down”!

Tokek · 13/12/2023 08:23

TiredandLate · 11/12/2023 19:48

I've had two '9-5' jobs over the last 7 years and both closed for Christmas, this year it's 22nd-4th Jan. Before that I worked in pubs and restaurants and loved the Christmas shifts, loads of tips back in the good old days of cash bars.

What industries were these?

TeamGeriatric · 13/12/2023 08:37

I'm with you on this, I've got one breaking up this Friday and the older one breaking up at lunchtime on Dec 22nd, they are at school in different local authorities. We're off to London on Friday, but rushing back late Sunday in order to be back for the oldest to go to school on Monday. Last year we were able to come back on the Monday. I'm taking my youngest and my Mum out for a festive outing next Wednesday, which I am having to sell as being for Grandma's benefit, otherwise the older one feels she's missing out. I'll try and do something festive with her on Friday afternoon when she breaks up. I think the late break up works for those who want to ski, which is not us, but it does give them loads of possibilities to get a full week trip in after Christmas and still be back in time for school.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 13/12/2023 08:45

It makes no difference to me, I work in a 365 day organisation so no guaranteed days off and this year no annual leave approved, just my rostered days off.

QueenOfMOHO · 13/12/2023 08:57

Check your privilege dear. I, like millions of others working in Health, social care, policing, essential services and farming, will be ploughing on as usual.

Bertiesmum3 · 13/12/2023 09:10

you are being very unreasonable!!!

At least you’re having time off, millions of workers are working all over Christmas and New Year!!