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

[Changes26]

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!

Divorce and losing my 33 year old son to suicide this year.
Drinking Baileys and watching 80s Xmas hits on TV hoping I'll feel better.
I dont 😥

My dad is in hospital with a blood clot, FIL very ill with dementia, one autistic daughter who is not coping with Christmas and everything going on. Husband working away.
it’s too much.

sending strength to those struggling.

With you on the ETing, thought not actually succeeding at the brave face half the time.

Mum died a month ago, age 81 but still out of blue. They were supposed to both be here, from today, for Christmas. We still have Dad with us which is lovely, and I’m glad we can support him, but I miss her so much - I’ve realised only now how chatty she was and how upbeat the vibe was with her here. It’s very quiet and different now. I’ve also realised how much I enjoyed making sure they had a good Christmas. Not sure it’ll ever be the same again.

I’m so sorry for anyone dealing with a much heavier burden than mine

Sending hugs to everyone going through such shit right now.

Hopefully 2026 will bring more light down to the earth.

I left my DH in September after 35 years of marriage
He had a stroke 2 years previously and became violent and abusive afterwards
I tolerated it and kept hoping he'd get better till I just couldn't cope with his behaviour anymore

I'm living in temporary accommodation after fleeing
Trying to adjust and feeling like my whole world has gone to shit.
And it's Christmas. My first ever alone. I'm seeing my adult DC but we're all just so sad. ...

It can only get better next year

I’m so sorry for your loss @Endeavour1971 I can’t imagine your pain. Please be kind to yourself and I hope you have people who love you around you. 💐 for you and your son 💐

My beautiful, amazing, one in a million grandad passed at the beginning of December. The cancer took him quickly and brutally at the end. Christmas can fuck off this year but I’m putting a brave face on for my kids who are also grieving, love to you all.

Post natal depression. Trying to brave it out and give DD (5) the best Christmas and make memories for DS first Christmas. But finding it all very overwhelming and absolutely petrified of the post Christmas slump.

Sending love to all

I had sepsis this year and apart from it making my hair fall out (common) it appears to have left me with quite a serious heart condition.

I've been able to power through and sort stuff to make it kind of OK. Some of the stories on this thread have made me count my blessings. I send all the strength and love I can to all of you

100% doing an Emma Thompson this year. Spent a lot of time so far crying in my bedroom - lost my wonderful DM 4 Months ago and my heart is broken. I will, as always, show up for my beautiful DCs though!

I imagine she'd rather be known as Emma Thompson rather than ET!

Love to all who are having such troubles to cope with.

I’ve been on Mumsnet for years. This is the first thread that’s ever made me cry. So much suffering, it’s really not fair. I’m so very sorry for all the loss and hurt. 💔

My lovely Dad is dying of cancer. Only diagnosed three weeks ago. He's receiving palliative care and I'm just numb with shock. Trying to be upbeat for my DH and the DCs, but not feeling remotely festive.

Lost my beloved dog and my heart is breaking. Just can’t stop crying. He lived abroad with my parents so I couldn’t even see him. The last I saw him was in September. Can’t believe he is gone! Sorry to everyone struggling. Grief is difficult and so are relationships. Love and luck to all of you! Hope the next year brings happiness and stability. Big hugs!

Given the character is called Karen - and I only remember that because I saw it two days ago - a thread about doing a Karen at Christmas would have gone in a very different direction.
Hugs to everyone facing a shit Christmas.

Waiting on scan results to see if tumour that was removed a few months ago has grown back. Certainly feels that way. 3 young children at home and a DH who told me he didn’t want to worry about this over Xmas. Cue me no longer mentioning it to him (DC don’t know) and plastering on a smile for the sake of them. He apologised for saying it but it still hurt. Merry Christmas to you all.

I am crying reading this thread, we are all strangers to each other and could pass on the street never knowing that we have this virtual bond of doing all we can to get through the next few days and then to have to carry on facing grief, illness, upheaval, emotional pain and as Hamlet put it so well , "the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" . xxx

Sending huge hugs to all.

It feels nothing in comparison to PP, but I am struggling so badly with PPD after our second child and doing my best to make everything magical for our three year old. Our nine month old cries all day long and always has done and I'm mentally preparing for days of comments and suggestions from everyone in the family. I wish I could spend the next few days alone, in bed, in silence.

I was supposed to go and visit my family, spend time with the very extended family of my DBIL today on a thing we do every year on the 23rd.
Instead, I started feeling "off" on Saturday, like getting a cold, by Sunday it hadn't developed like a cold usually does with me - it's bloody Covid. So I'm spending Christmas completely alone this year.
Plus it's the 29th anniversary of my dad's death.

Putting on a brave face tomorrow for the video call with the family.

My adult son is in prison and I am freezing all the nightmare feelings.
Paint a smile on my face for relevant people.
Sledge hammer effect

Dad has been given a terminal diagnosis, work is set to be extremely busy next year and I really dont know how to navigate being a carer to multiple people and working too. I'm already burnt out. I know the year ahead is going to be monumentally shit and exhausting, but unfortunately time does not go backwards and I'm determined to support my dad through this.

Knowing that this year will be our last as a family as notDH is leaving after Christmas. I was hoping he would be gone by now. He has not. Happy families it is then.

Am massively in debt, just had a row with DH because he always puts his needs above mine, and am feeling really lonely. It’s not as awful a story as many on here, so will try to get over myself — but sending love to you all. Xx