To have to do an ‘Emma Thompson’ this Christmas?

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We all know the scene from ‘Love Actually’. AIBU to think I’m not the only one who is doing an Emma Thompson this Christmas? I.e. putting a brave face on whilst everything else crumbles around you?

You can share why you’re Emma Thompsoning your way through the festive period or just give a knowing nod whilst you scream inside.

Me? I’ve split up with my partner as I’ve realised it’s a toxic relationship after an incident last week. I’ve told no one and he’s back home after 4 night away. I am just smiling through it all so our daughter doesn’t have a shit Christmas and more difficult memories to work through in future therapy.

Separation, divorce, grief, bereavement, complicated family, homelessness or financial ruin?

Here’s to getting through the next few days and a brighter 2026!

I don't know if she's trying to cause trouble. I do know that he hasn't told her about us based off a few screenshots of messages between her and him she's sent me where she was asking him what the hell is going on here. They aren't on good terms.

No we dont all know the scene from Love Actually, Ive never seen it.

I mean, surely you’d have some sort of idea from the 11 pages of people explaining how they’re putting on the bravest of faces to get through Christmas whilst dealing with some pretty rough and heartbreaking stuff.

So edgy, so unique and cool. Well done you 🙄

Painful thread. Love to all except the two muppets.

The thread literally started saying we all know, not we can all find out. We don't all know which is a fact. Sorry facts are so hard for some to deal with.

It’s 4.45am and I can’t sleep. I’ve just returned to this thread. I have so much love and support from so many on here. Thank you everyone who has sent me hearts and flowers. The kindness of strangers is humbling. ❤️

Just a simple fact. You've seen Love Actually, well done.

Ok, I might get the timeline mixed up so any hardcore LA fans please correct me.

Emma Thompson is married to Alan Rickman (God rest his soul) and Emma notices Alan becoming quite close to his much younger secretary (Mia?) at his officf Christmas party.

At work, Mia asks Alan to buy her a Christmas present “something pretty”.

Emma and Alan are in Selfriges shopping. Alan wonders over to a jewellery counter and asks the sales assistant (Rowan Atkinson) how much is the gold necklace and he’d like to buy it. Rowan spends about 10 minutes gift wrapping the necklace with all sorts of trimmings and toppings.

Suddenly Emma catches Alan at the counter and he has to pretend he was just looking and they walk away. Leaving poor Rowan bemused.

A few days later Emma inspects Alan’s coat pocket which is hung up in their hallway. She finds a box containing the gold necklace and looks excited and giddy.

On (I think) Christmas Eve Emma Alan and their kids are getting ready to attend the kids school concert. (Always baffled me that’s it on Christmas Eve) anyway, the kids are begging to each open 1 present. Emma says yes, and she wants to open hers first. She makes a bee-like for the box that resembles the same size as the necklace box.

But it isn’t a necklace. It’s a Joni Mitchell album. Emma is instantly crushed. She’s confused. She suddenly pretends to act happy and grateful for the CD and hugs Alan and thanks him.

She suddenly rushes off to her bedroom. Joni Mitchell is playing in the background. She’s silently weeping. Knowing deep down that Alan has given that necklace to someone else. She knows she has to put on a brave face for her kids. For Christmas. Scene cuts to Mia putting on the necklace in her home.

Sorry to de-rail the thread everyone 💐

Just wanted to lightheartedly explain the scene for the people who havnt seen Love Actually.

Merry Christmas and love to you all. These storms won’t last forever.

My son spent all of this year battling a cancer relapse so I’ve been in and out of hospital and alternative accommodation with him all year, dragging my toddler with us as well. Due his end of treatment scan results today so that’s just nerve wracking. My dog died (of cancer, what a kicker!) in June and my beloved granny died last month. My dad is very clearly in the early stages of dementia and as his main support I just don’t know where I’m going to get the energy to deal with it after this year. But I will. To say I’m absolutely burnt out is an understatement. I cried twice yesterday and anyone who knows me will say I never cry. But I’m just about to get up and make the Christmas magic happen because if anyone deserves it this year it’s my son.

Mine is trivial compared to these but I have RA and I’m struggling this year with pain but hosting 30 for dc family birthday and will have to do a full on spread. I will also have people staying, so will have game face on while all I want to do is sleep.

This thread is so humbling. I’m so sorry to everyone for what they’re going through.

I feel this pales in comparison now but I lost my dad in November and now have to navigate a tricky financial situation he left as well as complicated grief, and prepare to return to work from mat leave first week in Jan after DD 5 has surgery at new year. My DGM has lost her second son at almost 90 and my heart breaks for her. It’s been a lot. Feeling v worried about staying with in laws who’ve been less than supportive, said it’s “for the best” my dad died at 10 years younger than they are, and didn’t once offer any help when we really could’ve used it. Feeling disappointed and hurt after 20 years in the family but as usual will try and bite tongue and not rock the boat because “it’s Christmas”.

I found out last Thursday my cancer has returned and is now in my abdomen and both my lungs. I only went back to work four months ago so this is really disappointing.

We went through the same in June. I was broken by grief (and I’ve lost a lot of people in my life.)

My lovely dog was with me night and day for 10 years, saw me through the loss of my husband, and several very close friends. I honestly thought I would die of the grief and loss I felt. I couldn’t eat or sleep for nearly a fortnight. The silence in the house was awful.

I wanted to give a rescue dog a home, so we put a timescale in place which helped me cope. In September we welcomed home a poor underweight neglected and abused year-old girl, who has lit up my life again. She has so much love and joy in her, despite such an awful start to her life.

I am beyond sorry for your loss, it is utterly heartbreaking and I truly understand how you feel.
I hope you have brighter happier days, remember there are so many of us out there sharing the loss.
Best Wishes x

I am sorry to hear you are struggling.

The link between HRT and cancer is a minimal one and transdermal methods even lower. Davina Mccall covers it well in her book / TV show.
The benefits can really help with mood etc
All the best x

I hope your son is OK x
If it is any consolation, I used to work in a prison and did a few Xmas day shifts. The staff make it as bearable as possible. Not the same I know.
Hope you get a chat with him at least and a visit soom

We move in January as our almost 3yr old needs an adapted property due to his disability. So we have absolutely no money left after paying for carpets, flooring, paint, wallpaper etc. It has skinted us completely.
I've hosted my grandma every single Christmas for 17yrs. She arrives xmas eve and goes home 27th.

I told her a few days ago we can't afford it this year we've no spare money for a turkey etc & she tutted & said she'd go to my brothers instead (me and brother have been no contact since 2012 & both out parents have passed away)

I felt so down. Every Christmas for the past 17yrs I've took on the expenses & the one year I can't do it, she doesn't offer me any help just goes somewhere else. I would happily reimburse her when I get back on my feet at the end of Jan.
We take her shopping, do her cleaning, take her to her never ending appointments, sort out hearing aids, etc. I can't describe the feeling. It's a mixture of hurt, foolishness and been taken for granted.
Anyway thank you for letting me get that out. I have no family or friends to vent to. I hope you all have a lovely day & tomorrow. Lots of love xoxox

Thank you all for sharing. Such a humbling and moving thread. I wish you all all the strength and love I can xx

FFS

These are heartbreaking. Mine's also a minor one, but it's stressful for me. Thankfully not life threatening.

I was offered a new role in my establishment and was happy to take it, had all the training. However, I'm on my first day in my new position on Christmas Day, and after doing some hours there it feels like a deeply toxic environment. It's incredibly cliquey, and I'm the total opposite of the people who already work in this team. When there previously, I've been told to shut up, stop doing thus or that, things like that. They all think I'm stupid. I didn't realise that it was like thus, and I can't go back to my previous role as a little of time and money has been spent training me.

Also, I have no family as they were abusive and I cut contact decades ago. I split with my partner recently, and had to buy him out of the house, so I won't have any spare money for a long time.

I'm owed 150 odd hours paid leave at work, which has to be taken by end of February, but work haven't even looked at my requests and it looks like I might lose it all. We have to book our holidays via a work pc, which, when doing shifts and not having enough pcs spare, and not being in an office based role, means that actually getting signed on and into the secure portal, is exceptionally difficult. But there's no other way to do it.

Everyone's burned out from there being half the staff we need, and we're all leaving when opportunities arise.

I'm feeling shit, lonely and drowning at work.

Found a breast lump last week and got seen for exams/scans within two days but now face a wait until January for biopsy results. Only DP knows and now we are with my family smiling and pretending everything is fine when all I want to do is scream and cry. The anxiety of the wait is physically crushing, it feels as though the walls are closing in and I can hardly breathe.

Sending you lots of hugs ❤️ milestones are always tough xx

Karen

Sending best wishes on here to all those in need of it.
Please remember it's only a couple of days , and we put the expectation on ourselves to have the best time .
It's ok for someone else to take on the lead for providing for those around us.
And if you are alone or a couple with no kids to provide Christmas to , then yes it's fine to shut the door , shut out the world , and just do what you want .

I’m readying to host the largest Christmas dinner crowd we’ve had for several years, and keep getting hit with pictures of my DD doing all the different bits to help. The one year she spent ages ironing the largest linen tablecloth and the plug had come out. How she loved giving and getting presents. How she’d jolly me out of my fussing and worrying. I get her stocking out each year but don’t hang it.

Hugs to all missing someone dear to them this holiday season.