How do you really feel about Christmas this year?

[TwinkleLights24]

Are you excited? Feeling meh? Dreading it?

As we are only one week away I was wondering how others feel about Christmas this year.

I’m quite sad to say that it doesn’t feel like Christmas to me. I’ve spoken to people in real life and we all seem to be going through the motions, I can’t help but think there’s so many other things going on and Christmas is an inconvenience.
I’m sure Christmas Day will be enjoyable but as I get older I think about those who are lonely or having a difficult time. I read so many stories on MN from others having a tough time, many of us feel lonely or are unwell and yet Christmas is still happening regardless.

There seems to be very little festive atmosphere around this year. Am I alone in thinking this way and you’re super excited?

I find it a chore.
I like the decorations and I like Christmas dinner but everything else is a chore.
I love my family but I can spend quality time with them at any time of the year .
I'm not religious so I just see commercialism.

Not really looking forward to it...me and my husband are in the process of separating but are still living under the same roof, so everything is a bit awkward. Also my daughter has decided to spend the holidays with her fiance's family.
I only started thinking about presents 3 days ago and haven't sorted any food.

I have a two year old and I am so bloody excited to see his face Christmas morning.
Yeah sure the wrapping, dinner etc is a chore. But DH is off for almost two weeks which will also make my son (and me) so happy.

I find the weather makes it so difficult to feel Christmassy - it's been non stop rain for weeks here.

I like the decorations and the smell of the Christmas tree etc and how cozy the house feels with the candles lit and the fire. Christmas Day itself - I love watching the dc's (now teens and 20's)open their presents but the nonstop cooking and cleaning I could do without. Every year I say to dh "we're going out for Christmas dinner next year" but it's so expensive and there's just this big expectation that mum will make everything perfect. Even ds who is now living with his gf is coming home for Christmas Day and she's going to her mums! I thought they might want to start having their own traditions - I think I make everything too nice that's the problem! With four dc's it feels like I'm never going to get an opportunity to put my feet up on Christmas Day... I wouldn't have it any other way I just look forward to maybe being waited on a bit when they're all older and have homes of their own, if it ever happens!

And I agree there's always a tinge of sadness thinking about people who are in really shit situations. There was a young skinny lad sat outside a garage I went in earlier begging, about the same age as my ds and that made me feel very sad. It's pouring with rain now and I hope he's sheltered somewhere - I always want to ask them how they've ended up there and see if you can help in some way but realistically what can you do except give to homeless charities? And then charities like Shelter don't actually do anything to help house the homeless. Feels a bit hopeless.

It feels like a chores this year and I feel woefully unprepared but have a funeral to go to tomorrow which has given me a bit of perspective so I'm trying to be less grinchy and go with the flow

I always look forward to it! My dc are older teens now, but they are still very good-natured and cheery about family Christmases. I'm a teacher and it's been a brutal term workload-wise. I can't wait dor some time off to spend with family.

I'm excited, my dc, 11 & 12, can't remember asking for anything in particular so everything will be a surprise and I think they're going to be really happy with their gifts. I've got over a week off work which is rare, can't wait!

I’d happily skip it most years. I like the lights and the tree and decorations but the buy, buy, buy element is shite.
I don’t want gifts but family are horrified at that and insist on getting stuff for me. Then they pressurise me to think about what they should buy my family! I get a text from MIL every year, ‘looking for ideas for …’ and I just want to tell get to fuck off and figure it out herself.
December is the busiest month in my job and I’ll get two days off over Xmas, the rest of the time it’s full on and I’ve been putting in 50 hour weeks. There’s a real assumption that everyone’s got their feet up for a week when millions don’t.

A bit anxious this year tbh. Looking forward more to the bit after Christmas and before going back to work. And I usually love Christmas and enjoy making it special for everyone. Maybe it’s the fact we’re feeling more broke than usual, or maybe it’s that it’s the part where I have to do the shopping, plan the cooking, clean, etc and I don’t want to forget anything. Or maybe it’s all of that!

hopefully everyone here will have a nice Christmas anyway!

My Dad died earlier this year and I am finding it very hard. He loved Christmas, seeing family, yummy food and an excuse to drink plus presents (he was more excited than the children). I know he would have wanted us to enjoy it but it is difficult.

Not excited one little bit. My DC are 16 and 19 and not at all fussed. My parents are elderly and worn out, mum has Alzheimer's and won't know what day it is, mil died 4 years ago and fil can't be arsed. I lost my job 2 months ago and have had to scale back on presents and food.

If you'd asked me 10 years ago I'd have said it was the best time of the year but not this year.

I don’t see my mum and dad very often as they live 6 hours away but we will seem for 5 days to over Christmas so that alone makes me happy about it.
Also I love all the other stuff - but easy to say when you have family and kids etc. My single brother hates it so I know it isn’t for everyone.

Its been a tough year, glad to see the back of it. Excited for NY and hopeful for 2025

I'm enjoying it.
My decorations are up, my house looks cheery and I'm breaking out the wine of an evening. What's not to love?

I have found it a chore this year normally love it. Have two kids with birthdays right before the big day. Spent so much money I haven't got. Had a stressful year at work. Be glad when it's over to be honest which is a shame as it was my favourite time of the year.

Omg I'm so excited this year. I do absolutely love Christmas anyway, just looking forward to the the whole lot. I usually feel crap not having my parents around, sad at how much illness is in this house, how hard everyone works and how we all struggle throughout the year and I've realised that my parents would want me to be happy, they loved Christmas, we have a break from appointments and DH for the 1st time in nearly 30 years has Christmas eve off, Christmas day and Stephen's day, it's usually only ever Christmas day so that's blooming amazing .

Excited here. DC home from college - haven’t seen them for two months and I can’t wait.

Hard to enjoy something that you almost single handedly organise and execute. I'm being a humbug but its true. Also, my family dynamics are weird so I dread it because it only highlights the fact we aren’t ‘normal’. Merry Christmas! 🤣

My last day at work tomorrow until Jan. I've been too busy cramming a month's work until 2.5 weeks to know where I am. I'm completely exhausted but this always happens for me this time of year, the only blessing is I don't have any kids at Primary school for the first year in 12yrs so no crazy school calendar too.

worried about the food shop and the cooking and keeping everyone happy

I'm sorry for your loss. We lost mine 2 years ago and it's bloody hard. Just know you aren't alone. Grief is shite xx

I honestly do not know what Christmas is meant to 'feel' like as an adult. I enjoy the build-up, but work has been non-stop, so I'm just shattered this year. The day itself should hopefully be fine, but hate the thought if doing a Xmas food shop. Fills me with dread. I'm just looking forward to being off work and relaxing as my body is screaming out fir rest now.

I'm really excited 😊 This time last year I was in the middle of chemo and was in a really bad place. I couldn't fly to see my family in the UK but next week I'm going ✈️✈️✈️ 😊

I love Christmas but have to admit some of the magic isn’t there now DC are much older. Youngest wanted money for driving lessons and eldest was very undecided what he wanted so no massive surprises with presents.
im working Christmas Eve and then we have to visit family so feels like it will be a bit rushed. Im hosting for my parents but i always stress about cooking and whether everyone is happy/having a good time so o generally end up not relaxing.
however we are all healthy and I have some time off work so i am grateful and more than aware that some will be grieving or lonely this Christmas so i need to give myself a kick and crack on with it