I’m alone. It’s deadly quiet ….

[Itllneeditshead]

… and I’m feeling quite smug with myself. I did all my Xmas shopping in September. All bar DS has been distributed ( to be fair, I buy for less than 10 people as my family is so dysfunctional we don’t actually see or speak to many siblings or parents)my oldest has chosen to go to their in-laws for once saving me baby proofing the house or spending all day cooking for their lot. DS and DH are the only people I’ll see Xmas day and they don’t eat roast food they will exist entirely of buffet crap.they are currently at the pub. I’ve never had a Xmas so chilled and quiet and non stressful. From 15 I was cooking for my partner and his family and for the last 25 years I’ve spent the last days of December run ragged and Xmas day cooking or washing up. For once I’m not.
the stress mess and noise always made me feel so anxious I would be smiling but on the verge of tears. I had always dreaded Xmas as a child, it was a dangerous and volatile time, people got hurt. The trauma probably caused my tendency to overwork and try to present some sort of perfection for my own household.This year I might actually feel a bit happy and eat something and watch something rather than just run on my nerves.
also turning my phone off so none of the toxic people we happen to be related to can ruin the vibe by bothering us with drunken dramas or similar.
Anyone else treating themselves to an extra quiet one?

Currently in a house of people and seen noone for last hour been doing my own thing all afternoon. Just gone for a nice bath got takeaway and Christmas movie planned so will be a chilled evening. Never understood the stress of Christmas dinner it's just an oversized roast dinner 🤣. Presents ordered online 6am last Sunday only ordered that time as I am a morning person.

I’m happy for you, OP, it sounds like bliss.

At the risk of raking up the past, why did you run yourself ragged all those years cooking for your DH’s family?

My family left to see relatives abroad. I have 9 days off work to enjoy myself. We already did Christmas dinner yesterday. I have steaks in the fridge, a fully stocked wine fridge and my dog for company. Loving life at the moment although I will miss the partner and the kiddo in a few days.

@Catza ypu sound like my kind of person! Enjoy it.

@Coolhwip thanks . It’ll be some psychological phenomenon whereby my previous trauma makes me a people pleaser and afraid of rejection? Plus I had kids from 16 so I wanted them to have perfect days even though it nearly killed me. Difficult to apply measures to things like that when you haven’t seen any healthy modelling growing up I guess.

@Weedoormatnomore you sound calm and sensible. I wish I had a takeaway now. We’ve got loads in though. I’ve struggled to find a film that I want to watch. I actually hate Christmas films. I like a bit of adventure and fantasy though.

Lovely isn't it!

Just me, DH and DD at home this year. Not doing a big bazillion item lunch, just chicken drumsticks in the air fryer, mac n cheese, corn on the the cob, pigs in blankets and stuffing balls. Dinner is cold cuts and crusty bread. Loads of snacks and chocolates and ready made desserts in stock in the kitchen.

Presents are all wrapped and ready to go under the tree, takeaway tomorrow evening.

There is nothing left to do but enjoy spending time together and lounging about.

Go you, OP!

I don't do Christmas, but it will be even less marked this year, because my mother is in rehabilitation hospital after having pneumonia (she's fine, they're keeping her in because her regular physiotherapist wouldn't be visiting over Christmas and New Year). So no caring work for me other than catering to the kitties' needs and wants! Aldi lasagna for dinner and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we don't have an invasion of people's screaming grandchildren. It's supposed to rain, so hopefully if any are here, they won't be treating the garden like a playground the way they usually do.

Oh OP I'm with you here. Usually end up hosting the whole family but, through various situations, it's just me, DH, two DC, and the dog this year and I can't wait!
We're going visiting tomorrow so Christmas Day is going to be a nice and chilled pj's all day kinda day. Back to work Boxing Day so really gonna make the most of it!!

I hope you have the lovely quiet Christmas that you want!

@CyberCritical your lunch sounds lovely. I like simple but hearty food.I hope you have a lovely relaxing time.
@Catsmere it sounds like you normally have your hands full looking after others and you’re actually getting a well deserved break. I hope you get into a few nice films. Hope mum is well looked after and enjoys a strong recovery so that she can enjoy springtime when it comes around, I’m already thinking of spring and my garden. Winter and me aren’t friends!
@breakfastdinnerandtea same to you! I hope your lazy Christmas Day is perfect and that work is kind to you on Boxing Day. My profession basically shuts down until mid January and then slowly becomes a nightmare until summer. I have been pottering about and tackling some DIY to keep me out of mischief which I rather enjoy. I expect I’ll invent more projects to keep me busy until I’m back at work. It feels odd to be so free and uncommited but I reckon I’ve earned it after all these years.

Merry Christmas to you all. Enjoy some peace and rest!

@Itllneeditshead thank you! I am treating this as a holiday, and picked up some DVDs at a local market (not remotely Christmassy though - The Full Monty, Dead Again and Brassed Off).

We're in Oz, so looking forward to autumn in a couple of months. Just passed the longest day and will be very glad when I'm not woken up so early by the light. Summer so far has been very mild, just occasional hot days and then back to about 20C, which is half what we can get in bad summers. Fingers crossed January, February and March don't get crazy hot to make up for this mild December!

@Itllneeditshead we watched Violent night. Then I introduced my teenager to a classic Christmas movie die hard 😂.

I am going all out cooking for friends this year as DC have work commitments. Next year DC are going to family in Australia so DH and I are really looking forward to a Christmas.that is just the two of us.The last 25 years I have only had 3 Christmases where I haven't hosted so it will be a rare treat to chill and only cook things that we like. Can't wait!
I have a.friend who has never married and in her 76 years she has never cooked Christmas dinner as she always manages to be invited somewhere. Nice work if you can get it.