People make an unnecessary fuss about Christmas

[mikado1]

Or maybe I'm not doing it right/doing enough?

I love Christmas and family traditions etc. But I can't quite understand the weeks of 'Are you all set?' and the general angst. Santa presents were organised here in November, decorations went up two weeks ago, ham and turkey ordered weeks ago. Chocs, biscuits, drinks added into weekly shop over the last few weeks. So now it's a case of getting in the fresh stuff and doing a regular weekend house clean. Granted, it's just immediate family here but even so, do people overdo the craziness/overwhelm maybe? I'm not sure what I'm missing. I'm going out for lunch with friends today and others have commented that they can't believe I have the time to do that this weekend. I did spend an hour in town yesterday getting the stocking bits - books, chocolate coins, trinkets etc. In and out with list. Done.

I seriously think that 'are you all set for Christmas' is just small talk. It's not that deep?

I think it's just something to say, an idle pleasantry, "are you ready for Christmas?"
A conversation starter.

Clearly how much people have to do and how easy that is for them to get done is massively variable and I think everyone knows that.

I agree with you. How sad that this poster's experience of men is that they do so little. My husband cooks every meal every single day and has done since we were first married over a decade ago. He also does all the shopping, washing and ironing and puts the washing away. I know he is the exception according to MN but equally the question really is why are women accepting less than that in the first place. I am always grateful for my hubby but I also know he is always grateful for the things I do in our marriage too.