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Original poster

Christmas ruined - what do I do?

390 replies

Mummytotwonow · 21/12/2023 21:58

My 8yr old has hunted and found all the Christmas presents wrapped up for her and her brother. I have spent bloody weeks getting the presents, organising fun things to do, school admin, whilst juggling FT work and all the other mental load women have to do. This has just fking topped it off. What’s the bloody point. Do I just tell her there’s no father Xmas and ruin Xmas for her and her brother or do I re-wrap everything? I feel like fking walking away. I’ve had enough :(

OP posts:
MindfullyAmazedHorse · 22/12/2023 23:55

Just say Father Christmas’s elf asked if he could drop presents off early & would you please hide them in a cupboard for him?

they are only kids - you’ll laugh about it in future years! xxx

Turquoise123 · 23/12/2023 00:02

Many years ago… my youngest to my eldest..” come in here there are so many presents and they have our names on” Oldest to youngest those are our Christmas presents. Youngest to oldest “ why are they here now?” Oldest “ is just what happens” nothing else was ever mentioned. They don’t actually believe in Santa Clause… we are all playing along…. And enjoying it.”

Fionaville · 23/12/2023 00:04

I found a few of mine as a child. My mum just said she'd got them to send to Santa to help him out. I believed her.

Champers66 · 23/12/2023 05:30

judgy much??

user1477391263 · 23/12/2023 07:01

OP, I think you’re a bit tired and frazzled, as many of us are at this time of year.

At 8, she probably knew already, or if not she would have found out soon enough.
It’s not a big deal. Have a laugh about it together!

ReginaTheEvilQueen · 23/12/2023 07:39

@Mummytotwonow if it does get mentioned, in order to keep the magic going you could say something like "there have been so many good kids this year that santa was worried he wouldn't have enough time on xmas eve so he asked me if he could drop yours off early so that i could put them under the tree for you"

Grayson1965 · 23/12/2023 08:00

Give her a couple and tell her fxmas is not coming

MarvellousMonsters · 23/12/2023 08:36

RunningAndSinging · 21/12/2023 22:01

Tell her the presents are from you and put some small ones in her stocking from Santa.

This is what you should do anyway. Big gifts from mum, dad, etc wrapped and under the tree. Santa fills a stocking with small gifts and treats. Making everything from Santa sets you up for all kinds of stress.

MarvellousMonsters · 23/12/2023 08:38

Mummytotwonow · 21/12/2023 22:02

No, but one pile was all red colour for her and the other white all for my son. I’m so cross with her. I don’t ask for much. I know she’s a child but I like all other mothers give everything you have and this feel so bloody hurtful :(

So she hasn't unwrapped them? Christmas is hardly ruined. Tell her you're disappointed that she's gone hunting and then move on.

FeathersFerns · 23/12/2023 08:57

I think I found my main present nearly every year from my dad (mum died when I was young) - unwrapped under the bed or something. I never did tell him. I also never told him when I was awake as he crept into my room with a pile of presents one night. They are my best Christmas memories!

My son definitely found his at least once year. Just carry on anyway - not a big deal. People do Santa differently - and they would be aware of this from talk at school...and may not believe quite as much as you think they do at 8/9.

synonymed · 23/12/2023 10:20

I found a nice blue dress one year. I even tried it on and then put it back. I was very happy when I got to open it on Christmas Eve and actually wear it. Don’t stress op, it’s not worth the feeling.

BestBeforeddmmyy · 23/12/2023 11:59

You seem to have decided that Christmas is ruined. I think it’s up to you if you perceive it as such. But your attitude will ruin your Christmas. Like all kids, her excitement got the better of her. It’s understandable.
I would pretend I did not know she had unwrapped the gifts and would go ahead as if she had not done it.
you can rescue the situation. It’s down to your reaction. I would go high on this one. Get over your anger and don’t let this misdemeanour ruin Christmas for everyone. Rescue the situation. You are in charge of this.

knittingoma33 · 23/12/2023 19:02

That 'genocide' comment was completely out of order. I have reported the poster for using this disgraceful use of words.

ThickPinkSocks · 23/12/2023 21:18

knittingoma33 · 23/12/2023 19:02

That 'genocide' comment was completely out of order. I have reported the poster for using this disgraceful use of words.

Edited

Yes I am triggered by millions of children being killed in the Middle East, particularly at this time of year too.

Puts things in perspective right?

Grrrrdarling · 24/12/2023 01:40

@Mummytotwonow If she is the only one who has unwrapped the presents I would re-wrap everyone else’s & give her her presents as she left them!
Only 1 rule in our house over Xmas period & that is NO hunting for presents & my LG has never done it.
i don’t wrap anything until 3 days before Xmas so gifts could be anyone’s.

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