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AIBU?

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:
tiredandrestless · 24/12/2023 12:56

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Idehaideho · 24/12/2023 12:56

Tumbleweed101 · 24/12/2023 09:15

We’ve had a run of bad christmases so I’m just waiting for something this year.

2020 - my daughter tested positive for Covid on Xmas day. We had to go to a testing station to do a PCR. Then the household had to isolate for the ten days so couldn’t see extended family.

2021 - my brother went to bring my dad over for Xmas day but he was in so much pain he couldn’t get in the car. My dad and brother had to stay in London over the Christmas/new year period while the rest of us were at home worrying. He was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks later.

2022 - dad had gone into remission early December after a gruelling year of treatment. Arrived at ours and we could see he was poorly. He spent Christmas and Boxing Day in hospital with a chest infection. He came out. Mum with COPD then became ill and went into hospital on 28th and sadly passed away on 3rd Jan 2023.

So the whole family is very nervous of what might happen this year! So far so good but none of us are feeling the slightest bit Christmassy. My dad has arrived and seems ok so far so hopefully it will be a gentle Christmas for us this year.

So sorry to hear, I have everything crossed you all have a lovely Christmas together this year, it sounds like you need it.

Beverlymacker1 · 24/12/2023 12:56

My husband has chickenpox 👍

HotChocolateWithCointreau · 24/12/2023 12:58

I have Covid - for the 3rd fucking Christmas in a row.....!

CordeliaNaismithVorkosigan · 24/12/2023 13:00

Trivial compared with a lot of these, but the butcher messed up our order and gave us a frozen goose as they hadn’t bothered to order a fresh one. I think I can just about get it thawed in time.

commiserations to everyone who has much worse to deal with Flowers.

ThankYouVeryMuchGerry · 24/12/2023 13:00

DH has covid so our plan of opening the next three days with family is out the window. Meant to be having a family party tonight and then dinner etc tomorrow and Boxing Day.

He's also not well enough to stay up for longer than an hour so looks like I'm spending Christmas on my own!

JANEY205 · 24/12/2023 13:02

LaCerbiatta · 24/12/2023 09:43

I've shaved the tips of 2 fingers off with a mandolin. Can basically only operate with left hand. And our big celebration is Christmas eve and have few people coming for dinner. And I'm a control freak and hate delegating 🙁

Any tips for bandaging tops of Christmas welcome! which plasters, dressings are good. Need to make a trip to a pharmacy to buy something better than what I have now

My husband cut the top of his thumb off with a mandolin (we then threw it away, my gosh they are so so dangerous!! The ER dr said they cause the most hideous injuries).

He had his stitched in the end and then lots of bandages! So if you don’t need stitches lots and lots of bandages with tape to keep it all sealed and antibiotic gel under. Then keep it dry is the main thing! Forgo the dinner! You really need to let your hand heal and keep it dry, I know it’s annoying.

SisterAgatha · 24/12/2023 13:04

Mum has covid, dp’s family, despite being Muslim, have some very weird and controlling demands about Christmas Day which happens every year…. But otherwise, actually all going ok. I’m going to get drunk and give no shits

SlidingInto2024 · 24/12/2023 13:07

10yo DS is running a fever but seems to be perking up a bit.

No bake your own pastries anywhere (it's our usual Christmas morning breaksfast), so I'm attempting to make our own with some ready roll puff pastry!! Could be an interesting start to the day!!

Milliemoo6 · 24/12/2023 13:09

On my daughters first Christmas both my partner and I got ill with a stomach bug on Christmas day. Both being ill, whilst looking after a 4mth old baby, on Christmas day was pretty horrendous. But we survived and there is always another year. You'll have to set aside your expectations for what your Christmas will be like this year and just roll with it. If you go with it instead of fighting it then it'll still be special in its own way. You could spend the day on the sofa watching movies, have naps, do quiet activities. Don't cling on to this idea of a perfect Christmas, it never happens anyway.

Theoldwoman · 24/12/2023 13:10

CeciledeVolangesdeNouveau · 24/12/2023 11:09

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

My DD also has that dreaded illness. My heart goes out to you. You are in the best place. Take care.

Mumof2NDers · 24/12/2023 13:11

Tumbleweed101 · 24/12/2023 09:15

We’ve had a run of bad christmases so I’m just waiting for something this year.

2020 - my daughter tested positive for Covid on Xmas day. We had to go to a testing station to do a PCR. Then the household had to isolate for the ten days so couldn’t see extended family.

2021 - my brother went to bring my dad over for Xmas day but he was in so much pain he couldn’t get in the car. My dad and brother had to stay in London over the Christmas/new year period while the rest of us were at home worrying. He was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks later.

2022 - dad had gone into remission early December after a gruelling year of treatment. Arrived at ours and we could see he was poorly. He spent Christmas and Boxing Day in hospital with a chest infection. He came out. Mum with COPD then became ill and went into hospital on 28th and sadly passed away on 3rd Jan 2023.

So the whole family is very nervous of what might happen this year! So far so good but none of us are feeling the slightest bit Christmassy. My dad has arrived and seems ok so far so hopefully it will be a gentle Christmas for us this year.

Sounds similar to us!
2019 MIL went into hospital with abdo pain within 4 days she’d been diagnosed with cancer and passed away.
2020 I had Covid and was bed bound for 2 weeks at the same time my DM (who has leukaemia) was in hospital with sepsis.DS1 was dealing with the death of his best mate
2021 My first Christmas without my DF and DS2 (14 at the time) was dealing with the death of one of his friends
2022 DH had an epileptic seizure on Christmas Day!!
Here’s to you and I both having a fabulous one this year! X

JANEY205 · 24/12/2023 13:11

My toddler woke up coughing, I’m 9m pregnant and very uncomfortable and some of our groceries arrived with use by dates by today so going to have to brave the shops! Aaah.

I hope everyone’s Christmas’ improve!!

peppertrees · 24/12/2023 13:14

Had an operation three weeks ago that turned out to be more serious and complex than expected. Have been able to do absolutely nothing - did not realise it would be too exhausting to even order presents online or shout orders from my bed. So although my husband is wonderful and will cook a dinner, almost everything else is on hold until Christmas 2024. Thankfully I bought and wrapped all the grandchildren's presents before going into hospital but assumed I could do the rest afterwards which has not happened.

DidIMakeaMistake · 24/12/2023 13:16

Stomach bug here too! Well I think food poisoning so DD puked everywhere last night!

Poppsidoppsi · 24/12/2023 13:16

@Ifancythegrinch i totally feel your pain. My DC are coeliac and we had a toaster ONLY for the DC (it has a lid / cover which keeps out crumbs) … until my SIL came over and used it with “normal” bread as she didn’t think it would matter.

Hocuspocusnonsense · 24/12/2023 13:18

MIL has once again completely outshone santas presents. It happens every year. Santa has a sack and a few more for each child. MIL has two sacks for each child plus a stocking. It’s the same every year even though we’ve asked her to cut back.

We’ve had a major flood in our house, all flooring downstairs has had to be ripped up and I lost a whole sorting plumbers, waiting for plumbers who didn’t arrive and clearing out rooms. I now have all wrapping to do (god knows how as everyone is here) and some people will be getting an IOU. I also have family to me again.

Sallyh87 · 24/12/2023 13:20

Parents have come to visit, first Christmas I’ve ever hosted them. Both have contracted a horrible vomiting bug and are isolating in the guest room. I feel so bad for them but notes so I do not need the toddler and infant to get it!

ChocHotolate · 24/12/2023 13:21

The ham doesn't fit into the slow cooker

Contraryjane · 24/12/2023 13:25

I moved to this area to be nearer to friends. Guess what? Christmas Day on my own.

meisafairy · 24/12/2023 13:26

I had a stroke on 09/11 so am only 7 weeks into recovery and feel absolutely dreadful, I’ve also caught that sore throat cold virus so feel doubly rough.
managed with oldest daughters help get presents purchased and wrapped, fridge filled, house cleaned etc.
im just grateful to be here for Christmas as a few weeks ago I didn’t think I would be.
immensely grateful to Durham hospital and our local gp surgery as they diagnosed me so quickly.
im truly blessed

Jochef · 24/12/2023 13:29

ChocHotolate · 24/12/2023 13:21

The ham doesn't fit into the slow cooker

cut It in half round it’s tummy, you’re carving it anyway, no one will know

HopeIsNotAStrategy · 24/12/2023 13:31

My MIL died of Covid this morning.

thisisnotmereally · 24/12/2023 13:32

After a miserable year when my elderly mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness, we were looking forward to having all the family round for what could be her last Christmas with us. She suddenly became worse during the night although stable and settled now, 3 of the visitors due have Covid and DH is sulking because I’m not at home to cook for him ( although there is plenty there that he could do himself)

Isit2024yet · 24/12/2023 13:33

My sister died of cancer yesterday leaving 2 children under the age of 6.

Not begrudging people being happy and having a lovely time with their families but as far as I am concerned 2023 can just fuck off. As can the “did you have a nice Christmas?” questions when I go back to work and “happy new year” bollocks.