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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what's gone wrong with your Christmas so far?

257 replies

firedeer · 24/12/2023 08:17

Just because I'm revelling in my own misery.

DS has been up all night with his 3rd raging stomach bug of the month. I thought we'd got unlucky enough to have 2 floor the house but I'm now running on no sleep while he can't keep anything in either end. I am SO obsessed with Christmas Eve and Christmas.. I know it's little in the long-term but I'm just so gutted and absolutely terrified it's going to keep spreading through the house.

So give me something to distract me and tell me what has gone wrong for you for Christmas this year.

OP posts:
Coatscoatscoast · 24/12/2023 11:04

I’m just getting over a virus that knocked me out for three weeks, culminating in a trip to ooh doctor and being prescribed painkillers for a pulled intercostal muscle caused by coughing. Feeling better now, HOWEVER haven’t had a period in 5 months (been peri for a few years I think) and I’m pretty sure I ovulated a week or so ago so am preparing for a flood….

ChedderGorgeous · 24/12/2023 11:06

saveforthat · 24/12/2023 09:57

Had to drive my partner to A&E 30 miles away at 1am Tuesday morning as our local A&E closes overnight. They had an emergency appendectomy on Wednesday, home now but can't do anything so I am doing all the housework shopping, cooking and dog walking and looking after them. Luckily it was only going to be us this year anyway.

It's Sunday now. Tell them to lend a hand to less strenuous tasks !

Peridot1 · 24/12/2023 11:07

Some of you are having a really hard time. Huge sympathies and hugs and gin to anyone who needs it.

DH and I both have the cold that’s doing the rounds. I’m so fed up coughing and not sleeping because I’m waking up coughing. My stomach muscles hurt from coughing.

MIL’s brother died yesterday and she is very upset as she is the last one left from her family. And she was on her own last night so really felt for her. She is 400 mikes away so we couldn’t just pop over. She is going to her niece today for a few days for Christmas so will be looked after there.

But we are also very grateful as my sister was very ill at the beginning of the month. She had a liver transplant ten days ago and is doing as well as can be expected. So we are very thankful for that but obviously also mindful of what another family are going through now grieving for their loved one.

Nicole1111 · 24/12/2023 11:08

This week my husband got d and v and me and my little one got a nasty cold. Yesterday we turned up to our air bnb with the baby to find no cot bed (which was on the listing and we don’t co sleep because my husband sleeps like he’s dead). Air bnb host wasn’t replying to any of our attempts to communicate and we’re in the middle of nowhere so I was frantically trying to find an Argos nearby. It was going to be a 50 minute round trip after nearly 3 hours driving already yesterday. Thankfully the air bnb owner finally got in touch not long after bed time and the cleaner was able to bring one over.

CeciledeVolangesdeNouveau · 24/12/2023 11:09

I’m in hospital with anorexia and vomiting. My estranged sister is coming round to visit.

GeorgeA12 · 24/12/2023 11:09

Sent my mum and family their christmas box a week last thursday by special delivery. Over £200 of presents and cards lovingly wrapped inside. Lost by Royal Mail. Where its gone no idea. Pretty upset about it.

Babyroobs · 24/12/2023 11:10

DH and I both have covid, he has not left his bed in 2 days nd was meant to be doing Xmas dinner etc. Not sure what to do, whether to postpone the whole day.

Barnabusbear · 24/12/2023 11:11

cooroocoocoo · 24/12/2023 10:57

Covid going through the family here with a vengeance, with a lovely set of novel symptoms (hypersensitive skin anyone?).

I do wish they had continued with the vaccine roll out for all. My vaccinated teenager is having worse than ever (3rd time they have it - but way worse).

We all had our vaccines in the years they did it and had covid before but this is the worse iteration so far.

Still baking the yuletide log and feast but granny cannot join us.

Weird you say that, my DC has Covid currently and their face looks like it has sunburn and they were itching their arms and torso all day yesterday

BigHoops · 24/12/2023 11:11

Sorry OP, really hope things improve. Covid has thrown a spanner in the world of my Christmas, tested positive this morning...

DRS1970 · 24/12/2023 11:12

The boiler sprang a random leak, that spontaneously stopped as quick as it started, and the origin cannot be found.

sueelleker · 24/12/2023 11:15

Fell off a stepladder last Sunday, and hurt my back. I've hardly been able to move since.

BigHoops · 24/12/2023 11:17

Just read the full thread and bloody hell, I feel I have nothing to complain about compared to many. So sorry to all those who are suffering.

Tarkan · 24/12/2023 11:17

My brother and SIL have Covid so won't be coming up now. We haven't seen them since September but we'll see them next month for DH and eldest DC's birthdays at least.

I had a night at a friend's house last night. The original plan was 7 of us for drinks and nibbles but 3 ended up not well so was me, DH and friend and her DH. We still had a lovely night though.

DC also accidentally left Arbroath smokies for one of our starters out of the fridge overnight. Our house is cold enough that I've been told by a few people including a fishmonger that they'll be ok which is a relief.

I'm not sure I've bought enough wrapping paper but I'll find out later when I finish wrapping everything.

Cursieputed · 24/12/2023 11:27

Name change because a bit outing (and a bit unbelievable)

Last weekend (16th and 17th) both my adult DDs' cars broke down
Both DDs are also broke at this moment
Both cars required new clutch systems
Then son-in-law's car's head gasket went
Now my car is being weird with its brakes

So sorry to all those who are suffering illness and bereavement

PotterHead1985 · 24/12/2023 11:33

So many things. My mum has heart failure. She's been in and out of hospital (last stay was the beginning of the month). She had another blood transfusion then. But her haemoglobin is low again. She also needs both knees doing so isn't overly mobile. Her memory isn't so great either so needs constant re telling. And she may have fecked up my cooker when 'helping' with the Xmas puds earlier in the month.
My house is a bomb site because of all the hospital trips etc I'm beyond behind. I dont have a lit christmas tree or any pretty decorating done like normal.
I'm up to my eyes sorting the kitchen.
The dogs snaffled some tea cakes and a large santa (that was a gift) last night, so watching them like hawks.
I have several chronic conditions that make doing stuff hard.
Oh and we have feckin mice in the kitchen.
Really doesn't feel like Christmas at all. (And I so desperately wanted it to be special in case it's mum's last one - there's only me and mum).

So sorry for everyone going through it too.

gamerchick · 24/12/2023 11:33

Keep him in one room if you can. Remember stomach bugs are airborne for about 20 seconds after vomiting so cover your head until it settles. Use bleach and immediately wash down toilets, sinks general touch points after every either end evacuation. It's tiresome but it's now I can 99% contain it to just the one person. Lots of hand washing if you don't have disposable gloves.

When he's stopped, chuck him in the shower.

Siha345 · 24/12/2023 11:34

WickedSerious · 24/12/2023 09:33

DD is in a similar situation,she split from her partner three months ago and they're still living together because he can't afford to move out.
They were supposed to be spending Christmas with us but it's just her now and he'll be staying home with his Xbox.

Show quote history

Three months! How is she coping? I’d be going bonkers by that point, although it’s very tense here and maybe that wears off after a while. Bless her, hope she has a lovely Christmas with you. Perhaps I could send my gamer over to hers and they could start a Useless Exes club 😁

cooroocoocoo · 24/12/2023 11:35

@Barnabusbear apparently seen before in 2020 Elsevier article link

But if you have any worry, do call 111 rather than trusting me on the internet.

Hope your little one gets better

Cutaneous hyperesthesia: A novel manifestation of COVID-19

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7247510/

Britpop123 · 24/12/2023 11:37

All really minor here, and I feel for those of you having genuine large issues to deal with. Puts things in perspective. I hope you have a much better 2024!

Moomieboo · 24/12/2023 11:38

We are on day 5 of hospital with DS. He has pseudomonas in his stomach and bladder.
Had to have a PICC line inserted yesterday as his veins have collapsed.
Two other DC at home. We are celebrating Christmas when we get out.

Ineedwinenow · 24/12/2023 11:40

cuckyplunt · 24/12/2023 08:56

4 hours in casualty with Mum.
Many Thanks to those at the Derby Royal Infirmary.. running a tight ship there!

My mum is in Derby Royal at the moment too, with cancer ☹️☹️

KittenBiscuit · 24/12/2023 11:41

We have had a run of bad Christmases for the past five years, I'm beginning to think we are jinxed.

2018 - DH's grandfather admitted to hospital Xmas eve and passed away on boxing day

2019 - DH and I both got flu and had to cancel all plans, spent Xmas day in bed with only a microwave meal for food

2020 - emergency trip to the vets on Xmas day, poor cat had to be put to sleep on Boxing day

2021 - stuck in a tiny rental house with all the xmas decorations in storage and not able to host anyone

2022 - I was really poorly with pregnancy complications and ended up in hospital early January

This year my DH's two presents have both not been delivered in time, so I have already apologised to him today that he won't have anything to open tomorrow. (Both promised delivery before Xmas, so I am fuming!) I am keeping everything crossed that that is it disaster wise for this year for DS first Xmas!

Eumie · 24/12/2023 11:42

So my DP, myself and DS are only just about recovered from a stomach bug (is it me or are they really rife this year???

Then this morning I wanted to check the (£100!) goose would fit in the oven without being cut up, only to discover it was rotten!!!

I’ve had to have a mad dash to the shops to get another bird. I’m thankful I checked today rather than discovering it tomorrow!

WithACatLikeTread · 24/12/2023 11:42

Mauhea · 24/12/2023 09:05

5 weeks pregnant with a much anticipated first grandchild in the family and not anywhere near ready to announce! Luckily no nausea yet but I'm going to have to be a bit creative with excuses for not drinking or eating all the brie. My DH and I have been trying for nearly a year so no doubt I'll have to share my pretend plans for seeing the GP for fertility support in the new year.

That isn't really a problem is it? Hardly Christmas gone wrong.

Bloatstoat · 24/12/2023 11:45

Sorry to hear everyone's stories ☹️

D&V here too, had to cut short a visit to my family last week and toddler was still vomiting yesterday, which now means elderly FIL can't come round on Christmas Day. This has launched a war of passive aggression in DH's family, as his siblings vie to demand he goes to someone else (including the plan of DH driving 4 hours each way to take him there on Christmas Day), and get angry with him for insisting he's quite happy for DH to drop round his presents and some lunch and he'll stay in watching telly.

Shower has also broken, it's leaking badly and obviously no one can come for weeks.

We're all exhausted, everyone has been sitting watching Peppa Pig for the past couple of hours, even the 8 year old. I'm trying to work up the energy to sneak off and do some wrapping.

Only bright spot is I surely must have lost some weight?!