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 live quite close to a funeral parlour, indeed the one both my parents ended up in. Today, while going for xmas food, a hearse came by, usher in front, so solemn, as it should be. I stopped my car and cried, not for the person in the hearse but for my parents. No one else knows, it's something you carry inside you.

Yes but anyone remembered the characters name 🤔😀

Fourth Christmas since being widowed young, trying so hard to keep ‘ET’ing for another year but exhausted!

So sorry to all the other people going through stuff on this thread.

Am I the only one who thought ET was Extra terrestrial not Emma Thompson!

I so, wo wish we had the laugh react button again. That really made me gulp with laughter, and I don't laugh all that easily. I'm now imagining Emma on a flying bicycle.

Put my dog down last Thursday. I loved him so much and the grief is unbearable, along with the guilt of wondering if I did the right thing. Never felt less Christmassy but having to pretend for the kids who are only 5 and 3.
sending love to everyone struggling x

I've only read the first page of comments and im already crying my eyes out and can't continue. Hugs to all of you and hopes that things will get better for all of us!

I’m so sorry for all who are going through such tough, sad & lonely times 💔

I’m with you OP. Christmas has got harder & harder. Single parent to 3, since they were v small. Abusive ex who dragged me through the courts for 10 years. I did it all alone. No interest or support from my own family (I’ve 3 siblings who are all happily married & successful). Work is hard & isolating but I stick with it as it ultimately works, especially as I’m dealing with very challenging situations with my teen boys. Currently all 4 of us (me & 3 DC are in therapy of one form or another). Financial worries always gnawing as I bat away one crisis after another & decide how much energy I have to battle with my useless ex.

Am a chatty sociable person, lots of acquaintances but scant deep friendships & even then, reluctant to burden them with any of my stuff, everyone has stuff going on.

Appear suitably happy & ‘Christmas jolly’ but so much loneliness & sadness this Christmas. I really thought it would be better by now.

Reading all the really sad, hard situations makes me so upset for what other MN’ers are going through. I’m so sorry. There are much harder & sadder stories out there.

Now we are nearly at Christmas, I feel better, it’s the lead up that’s particularly hard. I have found focusing on as many practical tasks as possible helps, as well (in my case) as lots of exercise.

Sending love to all.

Who can remember the characters name? I knew exactly what the OP was referring to and I’ve never watched the film 🤷‍♀️

Sending much love to everyone.

It's 3 years since I lost my Mum, the day after Boxing Day. Every day is hard - I didn't realise how much the grief would change me, and that it wouldn't leave. But Christmas is particularly hard. I still try to enjoy it, but the grief is so much closer to the surface at this time of year.

Trying to paint on a smile for work conversations. Trying to laugh along and not break down when I got told I was a killjoy and a grinch for not wanting to go out drinking on mad Friday.

So sorry for all the pain everyone is feeling and the pressure to mask it and make it a happy day for others.
I'll be trying to smile through DH's fragile mental health, depression, possible imminent job loss and our preparations to move to a house we may not be able to afford the mortgage on.
Christmas day is my mother's birthday and this is the second one since we lost her. It gets both easier and harder.

My mum died in Oct. She hated me, now I'll never hear otherwise.
Single parent to old teens with their own life worries and study stresses.
It's a lot to carry alone.

DH has cancer which was stable but has recently progressed and he will be starting chemo in the New Year, I’m Emma Thompsoning my ass off here 😔

I am not sure any thread has moved me like this one... 25 years ago, we were coping with a terminal diagnosis for my mum and her last venture out was to Christmas lunch at my sister's... so what do you put in the stocking of a terminal 84 yr old? She was stalwart and in the six weeks left, she bade good bye to friends and family, a bravura performance by her... and as she always taught us, thank you so much for have her, she really did have a lovely time. My sister, the only sibling left died seven years ago... so this year will be another Christmas alone, I am nipping round to Sainsburys to pick up a small bottle of champagne and some steak for lunch... my oven has decided to pack up BUT, I have a slow cooker, air fryer, hob and steamer, so will set some new traditions... new oven will be fitted in the New Year.

So, team Mumsnet, I shall lift a glass at 12:00 noon on Christmas Day for each and every one of you, you are not forgotten, you are not unseen, rather you are loved and amazing... and this too, shall pass... it really will.

Snap.

Solidarity💪

Today is the first anniversary of the day I got a call from the dentist across the road saying that they had called 999 and had hooked my DH up to an oxygen cylinder but that I should come as fast as possible. They were awesome, called in extra oxygen from every where they could, but it was a shit day. But happily, DH came out the other side, and all is well. The ambulance service were better than Batman. We roared through our city at 105 mph and it took less than two minutes to transfer DH into A&E and intensive care. But today is the day that I held my obviously seriously ill DH in my arms and thought this is the end. As a happy update, he's doing fine. To the point that I can be peevish again!

But today I want to thank all the people who saved his life. Today will never be a happy day, because it was one of the two most frightening days of my life. But I am SO grateful. Thank you, to all the paramedics, and St John's Ambulance trained people who know what to do in an emergency.

I’m also mid divorce and we are still sharing a house for now. It’s been ok but still, it’s a matter of gritting teeth for the kids isn’t it.

Much wine for us all 🖤

Yeah ok tinsel tits 🙄

Virtual hugs to everyone (else!).

You absolutely did the right thing and should not feel guilty. Kindest thing you can do for them. Keeping them alive and suffering is selfish and you would have been keeping them here for yourself not for them. Just keep reminding yourself that it was the best gift you could give them. That's what got me through...

I'm sure she'd prefer not to be called E.T.

It’s official. There is now NO thread on here in which people will not try to shit all over the OP for no reason apart from their own lack of character.

I’m so sorry 💔

This resonated with me. My DM has got more & more horrible towards me, I would described us as previously close. She hasn’t liked how I’ve changed since leaving & divorcing my abusive ex.

I said to her in the summer, after a really nasty comment she made, that took my breath away, ‘you really don’t like me, do you?’ & she looked at me, and said … nothing.

Paediatric cranial osteopathy was a game changer for one of my granddaughters who wouldn't sleep and cried non stop. Might be worth researching.
So sorry that so many on mumsnet are having such terrible times. You are all amazing.

I’m so sorry for your loss, we went through the same two years ago and Christmas 2023 was only going through the motions for our then 3 year old. It does get easier I promise, the grief is always there but it’s less overwhelming x

Thank you- appreciate it ❤️