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?

It feels like a chore.
I’ve come out from under a cloud of grief that permeated the last two years, but I just can’t get excited about it.

I’ve bought what’s on the dc’s wishlists, which means they’ll be happy, but there’s no excitement for me when they see what they’ve ordered got. And I’m stumped for ideas for the people who don’t offer suggestions but are quick enough to moan and groan.

There’s just so much extra work. Hours and hours of thinking, searching, shopping online and traipsing through shops, tracking deliveries, hunting down missing parcels, then wrapping all this bloody stuff no one really needs.

Bah humbug,

Due to a change in family circumstances, we are at home this year for the first time for several years and I’ve been enjoying the planning and am looking forward to doing Christmas my way. I’m good at organising so I’m feeling on top of it and pretty chilled.

Dreading it, wish I could go to bed and wake up in February, or better still not at all.

I lost my son on Christmas day 2020, I hate everything about it now.

I used to love it, but I'm not that person any more

It is too traumatic and triggers so many memories. I have resorted to wearing headphones when out so I don't have to listen to the shite Christmas songs.

I loved it as a kid, but domestic violence, abuse, death, terror of not having enough money, the mental and physical labour of it, the forced merriment, the sadness of Christmas past has killed it stone dead for me.

So it's Stone Henge for solstice, a nice dinner, followed by some games and DnD. Nothing more.

I feel lucky as I am really excited about it!
Thankfully we go to family who cook. I have a week off work, my husband has two weeks off. My 6yo cannot wait! I’m doing to food shop online as we speak for the Xmas period, including lots of fizz! I have presents to wrap still.
I can’t wait to eat, drink, see family and have fun!

Can't be arsed this year no tree no decorations no real celebrations I will do a Christmas dinner that's it rest of the day will be getting very drunk and crashing I plan to do very little Christmas day

I got given a section 21 this year and moved back in with my mum at the end of October.
I have very little Christmas spirit tbh.
My kids presents are wrapped, but it's minimal due to space. I miss my Xmas Dec's as sad as it sounds.

I'm currently waiting for a house to be finished which was supposed to be completed 2 weeks ago Friday so I'm riddled with anxiety waiting for it to be signed and sealed.

My youngest daughter came down with chicken Pox on Tuesday so we've missed her nativity and her Xmas party as school.

It might all be alright on the night though. Time will tell.

I love Christmas but our standard Christmas is what people on here describe when they say they are going to have a quiet one.

I look forward to it. I've two more events to go before Christmas, a day and night out on Friday and an afternoon and early evening with a friend next week. They'll both be good and after Christmas eve and day with my parents there's a day visit to the in-laws about 2 hours drive either way.

I've 2 weeks off work and have no intention of tackling my to do list so I'll fill the time with my hobbies and eating out and relaxing.

Yes some people are struggling, some are lonely, a lot have mental health issues and no help in sight. I have given to the food bank, the church, local and national charities. I make time for my elderly neighbours, support a good few friends and have struggles of my own.

I feel for all those who find this time of year particularly difficult but being miserable on their behalf will help no one. Better that I live my best possible life to give me the resources to help others.

I can't wait. We only do things we want to so have some decorations but not loads, have a quiet family dinner for the 4 of us and just presents for the kids, not adults. We see extended family but keep it relaxed and low key.
W
e completely take the pressure off and means we aren't completely skint.

The organising and magic does fall to me 🙄but I make sure that my partner pulls his weight (even though I know I shouldn't have to boss him!)
Also worked in retail in the past and a teacher now - I still remember working Christmas Eve and Boxing Day and absolutely love having the holidays off.

I hate Christmas but paint a smile on my face for those that it matters to. Christmas magnifies all the horrible things that are going on in my life. All the happy christmas families and adverts portraying people's perfect lives when in reality it epitomises what has gone so badly wrong in mine (and others) and the emotional pain that is always there. I apologise if this makes me a killjoy but I am telling the truth

I'm so sorry @Goldenboysmum

I’m not that excited. It’s been a really stressful month where I feel I’ve done all the things I’m supposed to and not a lot of what I want to.

I share my kids 50:50 with their dad and it just isn’t enough time. We have so much more we want to do together though I’m hugely thankful I have them this Christmas.

Christmas day also now for me marks the first time my ex partner was physically abusive to me strangling me. I can never forget it and though I can have a lovely day, when I get into bed at night it comes back to me and I hate that I think it’s probably him tbh at has taken away some of the Christmas magic for me

Mum is very frail and elderly, newly diagnosed as terminal and currently in hospital.

The visiting is exhausting. The shopping is exhausting. Choosing presents is mentally exhausting….

But, I’m a Christian and the incarnation of our Lord just thrills me with so much joy.

So there’s this poignant mix of wonder and decline and illness and glory all at the same time.

It’s meaningful I suppose is what I’m trying, badly, to say… and exhausting.

Honestly? I am shattered after a horribly stressful term, and absolutely skint. It's been one emergency after another including a car accident (not my fault), the sudden decline and passing of my ex mil who I was still close to, and a 4 day power cut which cost a fortune in terms of lost food and hassle.

I'm worried to death about getting to payday because I have a big Tesco shop ordered and a turkey crown to collect in the meantime and not enough money for either. I'm using yet more of the money I've tried to save for my tax bill (I've barely got half of what I'll need). My dds and the dog are at their Dad's this year, my dh is working on Xmas day, so I'm cooking for the PILs who are lovely but I just want to hibernate. The week between Xmas and New Year is the only week I ever take off work (self employed, can't afford to) and it all just feels like a massive chore this year tbh.

Heart wrenching post, sending you peace and strength

We are really struggling financially - it won’t be permanent but it’s typical that it’s happening leading up to Christmas. DH’s credit card is taking a bit of a battering! Apart from the money worries, I’m looking forward to the big day. DD16 will be with us this year(she was with her ex GF last year) & we’ll pop round to see DM & DF on Christmas morning.

Like I'm holding my breath. First one after losing the bairn. We have a lot of board games planned and no cooking. Just the household and no visitors/ visiting. Happy to have a couple of days off work though.

So sorry for your loss. That's heartbreaking.

I wish it would all go away.

My teens desperately need a break from school, so I'm looking forward to the time off and them/DH getting some much-needed rest.

Not really feeling all that festive otherwise. We don't even have a tree yet. Tired of thinking about presents and don't really want anything other than a nice bath bomb and maybe a family movie or game night. My lovely cat died unexpectedly last month and everything seems just a little greyer, although it's not a patch on what some of you have gone through re: grief. Sending a hand hold to all who might like it.

I absolutely adore Christmas usually, but the last couple of years have felt flat, which is so sad. My decline in excitement has coincided with my parents separating (not amicably), meaning our Christmases look a lot different and are full of awkward moments and trying to appease my mum. All the hosting, planning and magic making is down to me and I feel pretty worn down by it all. I wouldn’t be without it and I love the music and coziness, but something feels “off”.

I’m feeling super Christmassy! My DS’s nativity was this week and that really got me into the spirit. That and finishing work today!! I’m planning to wrap presents tomorrow watching a Christmas film 😀I can’t wait to see the kids open them.

Doesn’t feel like Christmas to me, maybe because it’s warm, maybe because it’s just me!

It's been a challenging year for me so I'm just grateful to be with my two kids with some nice food & a couple of gifts each for them (which I hope they'll like)

I'm feeling a bit odd about it this year. Usually love it.

Everything is done/ordered/wrapped/posted.

Weather is rubbish, grey, and wet. The oldest dc is stressed as they have post grad work to do. The youngest dc just finished Y11 mocks, so is shattered. Dh is tired and ready for a break.

We have one or two neet ups planned, which I'm looking forward to.

But...meh. Not feeling it yet. We are going to see a festive show on Friday so hoping that helps!