Do you feel Christmassy?

[Diamondsbutnoknickers]

I dont and no one I know does either, even people who normally love Christmas and the build up just seem so flat and like they cant be arsed this year.

We're only even recognising it because of our kids. But even they are feeling bah humbug. They don't even want Christmas dinner this year! 😪

@Fallshealing I think you summed it up perfectly and don’t get me started on the warm wet weather. Christmas has been in the shops so long it doesn’t feel particularly special, but at the same time seems half-hearted, barely any Christmas songs etc. I went to a garden centre I used to love at Christmas time. The decorations were very low key, the prices were borderline ridiculous and, unsurprisingly, the place was empty. The festive events around us are extortionate and again, seem pretty half-hearted. I’ve struggled to find many carol services in local churches and can’t remember the last time I saw people singing out on the streets. Lots of family and friends around us seem burned out and miserable, many don’t want to socialise at all and those of us who do all seem to have ended up struck down by various lurgies anyway! I love Christmas time and have young children so should be in peak festive mode but even I feel decidedly flat this year!

Nope not at all and unfortunately we have all fallen ill, my DS has had a sickness bug for two days.
I have chesty cough with aches and my DH is on antibiotics it’s only my DD bless that so far seems well.
It’s not felt like Christmas at all for weeks..

Hmm no, and I love Christmas. I haven’t put half my decs up because I can’t be arsed. Not sure what it is, but for the first time ever, the festive season feels a chore.

I do feel Chrsitmassy now but didn't last week.

I am lucky that I finished work on Fri until 5th Jan. It's been a very demanding term and term time is hectic in our house anyway (I have a DS in secondary school and he does quite a few sports etc).

So, more than anything, I was glad to finish and unwind. I have finished shopping and cleaned the house today, so all is set. Watching the Bishop's wife tonight so that is nice and Chrsitmassy.

We will be seeing relatives which will be nice.

That said, when out and about, things do seem less festive this year. I was in the local town on Saturday and there seemed to be less decorations/Christmas music, it was noticeably less busy than usual. The garden centre were taking their Christmas displays down today! Even the supermarket wasn't overly busy.

I think people have cut back a lot this year because everything is so expensive.

I've not felt remotely Christmassy since about 1997 😁

Yes! Super excited, lots of lovely wellbeing and Christmassy warmth! My kids are both very excited this year, DS14 really can’t wait.
Youngest DS is very good at bringing the atmosphere and puts Christmassy films on and brings Christmassy books to read etc, he very much helps get us all feeling magical. All my jobs are done, just one day left at work!

No because it's just hard fucking work that all ends up in my lap - DH works longer hours at this time of year, so it's down to me to sort everything. Just another job or ten.

Nope and it’s glorious! I’m so relieved it just feels like any old time of year. Midwinter feels so much better for it.

I have hated Christmas for several years now. If I had my way we wouldnt celebrate but we have my elderly dad, children and grandchildren and I feel that I should make the effort for them. I celebrated Yule yesterday for the first time and found it much more fulfilling and intend to celebrate this for myself in future years (whislt still putting in the effort for Christmas for the family).

I feel more Christmasy than in years gone past. Reason? Not working for a supermarket, where saw Christmas crap from mid Aug Then having 40 songs on repeat from around Nov 24th. I kept my visits to supermarkets and shops to a minimum since starting my new job 7 weeks ago. Working in retail makes Christmas feel a damp squib. Especially some years, I got just got CD off.

One more day at work then got 5 days off. I cannot remember having 5 days off when working ever.

Yep. But I haven't burnt myself out, I do what I want, when I want. Boys are looking forward to it, but we're all on countdown for Volume 2 of Stranger Things on Boxing day lol 😆

@smallglassbottle I have a "proper" advent calendar. I am not entirely connected with my very Christian upbringing (due to very non-Christian behaviours experienced as a younger person in the Church community), but I always hope that "Joy to the World" can come to people at this time of year, no matter their beliefs.

i think that was the Puritans.

i know, it looks amazing!… i’m hoping it’ll give me the christmas spirit i need

Y'know thinking more about it personally speaking it's because i've 'done' so many xmas's now i'm too good at it. I've found easy ways to do everything -

.put the decs away in see through clearly labelled storage boxes and in a way they just lift out and re-hang the swags ect

.start shipping for presents online in oct and wrap in nov

.sort the wrapping paper and labels out early for this

.get the food list sorted way in advance and queue up for 3 delivery slots - 1 for normal food, 1 for xmas food, 1 for just before new year

.decs up starting with a day to do bits and then the trees up the next day.

Easy ways to cook the big roast. Goes like a military manoeuvre

.....and it's done. Easy 🙁

and not xmasy

No. I lost my job last week and DH is on a temporary contract until May.
We have enough savings for 4 months.
I’m unlikely to find another job that is close to home and on the same salary.
Lurching between absolute fear and maintaining jolly facade for the DC.

Problem is it's over kill. Nobody wants this stress and obligation every year.
You are only free of Christmas for nine months, as the stuff starts appearing from September.

People just go along with it. In time maybe they wont so much.

Yes, I’m feeling quite Christmassy. The weather is supposed to be cold and clear from Christmas Eve through to the New Year so hoping for a frosty walk on Christmas morning. Hoping to bake some cookies with the kids tomorrow and wrap the last of the presents on Christmas Eve.

I haven’t felt Christmassy since I was a child.

An old article but quite appropriate given this thread

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/emma-brockes-column/2014/dec/25/christmas-day-boring-dos-and-donts

Sorry to hear.😞

where in wales?

Yes, I know I can't believe how this has impacted my mood so much!

Not at all, I don’t really like the build up to Christmas but by now I’m normally more into than I am this year.

I have got a lot of health issues with a serious issue I need an operation for in the New Year and there is a chance it could be cancer so have that looming over me.

Very! Really looking forward to it. We’ve always been fairly low key about it though. Don’t do Santa or Elf on a Shelf. Only do a couple of gifts for the kids and only exchange gifts with a couple of people. Don’t do Christmas cards. Very simple tree and nothing else. We focus more on time together, games, movies, cooking, local fun stuff. Kids are super excited.

I’m feeling more Christmassy this year than I have for the last 3 years which has surprised me as the DC are all much bigger now and aren’t really into watching all the usual Christmas movies, panto, going to see Santa etc anymore.
DH and I decided on a scaled down Christmas this year and we aren’t entertaining so I definitely feel less pressure and I’m not at all stressed, maybe that’s why I’m feeling in a festive mood…?
I’m not so much focusing on ‘Christmas’ as such as it doesn’t feel the same now the DC are older but I’m really looking forward to clocking out of work tomorrow and having 5 lovely days at home with DH and the kids and spending boxing day with good friends. I’ve loved having the decorations up, lots of candles, fairy lights and foliage around the house.