Anyone else feeling meh about Christmas

[marychristmas44]

I don't want to be doom and gloom about it because I do really love Christmas time. I'm lucky to have to beautiful kids who will enjoy presents tomorrow.

But I just feel like I've been planning and prepping and throwing money at Christmas for weeks now and there's no real appreciation. Dh helps but only when instructed, no initiative.

Hosting my mum tomorrow who will likely get pissed and criticise. We have no other family so it always feels a bit lonely. The kids will be overwhelmed and stir crazy by early afternoon. I won't get a minute to chill. I said to dh earlier that I can't remember the last time I spent Christmas doing what I want, watching what I want on the tv, going for a walk when I want, sleeping when I want. I just do everything for everyone else at the expense of all the things I would actually enjoy.

Pre kids I used to love having a lie in, a nice chilled breakfast then a stroll to the pub before lunch - not for a drinking session but just the social aspect. Then a big lunch and leisurely afternoon in front of the tv. It's not like that anymore (understandably so) and I do miss it. Also miss the family we've lost, always pine for them more at this time of year and the memories of christmases gone by.

I know it won't always be like this but I'm pretty exhausted and over it today, also been really poorly so that's made things tougher too. Anyone else?

I can’t wait till it’s over! Only 14 hours to go and it’s all done. Boxing Day is like my Christmas as I know it’s all over by then 🎉🎉🎉

I was soo festive in like mid November. Much earlier than usual for me. And I've just run out of steam. I'm at my in-laws. They do everything they can to make it a nice time, but I just don't feel I can relax. MIL is checking im not too cold, offering random snacks (but not the ones I'd have chosen), so lovely. I feel really grinchy.

I would love someone to fuss around me and offer me snacks! But totally appreciate that it's not for everyone. I also like my own space and wouldn't like staying somewhere else over Christmas. I sometimes fantasise about a Christmas alone, just pleasing myself and eating/sleeping when I want. But then I check myself and realise how lucky I am to have my kids and I'll miss this chaos when they are grown up.

But honestly right now I am just knackered.

I usually love Xmas but this year I'm struggling to find my Xmas cheer because I'm stuck with my mother and my father in law.

And even though I keep telling myself it's just a few hours of them, it's the only few hours I actually have my DC together (adult DC with work commitments and in laws etc).

I feel the same as you most years OP, this one I feel a bit more festive for some reason. I think it's because DS is now at an age where he properly knows what's going on and the excitement is infectious. But I do most of it too and it's knackering and I do look forward to it being over.

I insist on my own Christmas a few days after the event- I do a lot more work for it than DH, so he takes DS out for the day and I order a takeaway, run a bath and read my new books and watch crap TV in peace. 100% recommend.

I think the more you try and feel festive the worse it is. Make tomorrow a 'nice' day and it might surpass expectations, eg the little moments where you see the kids happy or when you sit down with a cup of tea and everyone is temporarily chilled. Know what you mean - expectation vs reality!

I wasn’t feeling it all. But then autistic teen declares she will eat with us (not Xmas dinner though) so that’s great. Normally she struggles with the whole thing.
My buzz has been spoiled by DH moaning about having bought too much and spoiling DD. I do buy too much but she wants so little and lots of it is to keep her occupied during the holidays which is hard for her.

I hate Christmas now. My kids are never happy and always say Christmas is a disappointment, all they want is 1000 presents and then I've bought them the wrong ones. I've spent way way way more than I can afford this year as we've had a rough year and I wanted to spoil them, to give them a smile but it's already ruined and I'm kicking myself for trying to buy happiness. I was just so desperate for someone to be happy. I'm now waiting for them to go to sleep as we're in a hotel room together. I'm knackered and tomorrow will be shit as one child has already decided this is the worse Christmas ever. I'd rather just walk out and die but then they'd have to bear that burden forever. God I'm so low.

Ah op you need to start getting some of the stuff you used to- the lie in isn’t an option with kids Christmas Day but can you get that and the walk Stephen’s day? Can you grab an hour with a book? Also to stop it feeling lonely can you do a board game night or something? Hope it all picks up for you

@GoodLordHelpMe sorry you're in that situation. Last year me, DH and our DS who was 3mo at the time were stuck in a hotel room, temporary accommodation, and it was awful 😞 hope you can make the best of it and next year is better for you 💐

Thanks @Devilsmommy

It's so boring. Same thing every year.

Totally agree. Could almost have written your post. I think it’s a special day which needs proper
make up and a nice dress. Nobody else really feels that way.
i put ridiculous pressures on myself to do a really good meal and they wolf it down in about five mins with no conversation. Grrrrr.