To feel like there's so much pressure to make Christmas magical?

[Tinselandturnip]

I feel like I can't keep up with everything you see and hear plastered over social media. I'm always worrying that I haven't done enough for DS and that it's not going to be special enough once I see what other people have planned. I haven't done elf on the shelf, nothing particularly exciting was planned on Christmas eve, no cardboard train to put presents in, hadn't even heard of a north pole breakfast until the other day. We have a simple tree, lots of nice gifts for the big day, and spent some nice time at home making cards, watching some Christmas films, and having nibbles. A lot of this is probably my own insecurities and feeling like I'm never doing enough, but it really does feel like too much expectation to make it magical for the kids. I feel sad this evening that I didn't think to buy DS a special Christmas cup after seeing something silly that a friend posted! And I know that shouldn't matter at all! Please tell me it's not just me?

For goodness sake, get off bloody social media. Your children are loved, cared for, have food and presents - this "magical" bollocks is just designed to make parents feel inadequate.

✨delete social media✨

Honestly. Best thing I ever did for myself. Poof, pressure to turn Christmas into a wasteful consumerist hellscape gone.

Yes there's pressure, but it's not something I engage in...you have a choice

If its any help, a friend of mine asked her two adult DC what they remembered and loved most about Christmas when they were little. The reply: cutting up paper to make snowflakes to stick in the window.

These children went on lots of Christmas outings, had plenty of presents and treats. But it is the most simple thing they loved best.

Just stay off social media tomorrow and let your little boy have a fabulous day with no regrets from you.

Thank you this is exactly what I need! A kick up the arse. You're absolutely right.

Please try not to see social media as a true reflection of people's lives - it will be a snapshot.

My son is 12 now and we have never done North Pole breakfats/Christmas eve boxes/elf on the shelf etc.

We do always see some family, have a few treats food wise, watch Christmas films together, have presents and spend time together.

He is always very happy and I am sure your son is happy too!

I am late 30s and never did all those extras as a kid - it was always as you describe- at home with my parents/siblings and Nan. We always had a lovely time but couldn't afford big events out/meals out at Christmas, so had it at home. I have nothing but very happy memories.

Enjoy your Christmas with your son 🥰

If you do everything it's just too much to remember. I would love to do more but it's not possible and all that will happen is you raise expectations for next year and your blood pressure. We have one big Christmas day out. Stocking. Christmas eve box and presents. We have Elves but they just move around the house. Xmas eve box is new pjs and hot chocolate. Stocking are pound land sweets. Whatever we do, some one will always out do it and make you feel like shit.

I do get a bit FOMO looking on FB at Freinds and family posts but it's mostly just BS. Because the rest of the year it's absent parents and affairs. This is just the shiny front people put on.

I asked my four adult children what their best Christmas memories are.

Sodding peanut bowls!

Thank you everyone, I don't know why but I feel silly and tearful reading these responses. My son is so loved and I'm sure he is more than happy being with family doing simple things. I need a good reality check.

I remember mounds of presents OP. But not that feeling of being loved so much that you describe. You're a great mum.

I never felt like I had to do much, as it was magical for me as a kid in the 1980s without great effort on the part of my parents.

YANBU the pressure is silly. What is a North Pole breakfast?!

Aim to make Christmas lovely, not magical. If your children believe in Father's Christmas, then that's magical enough.

Your Christmas sounds lovely by the way OP- hope you have a nice day.

I’m not on social media. I don’t need to be. My child is incredibly excited. It’s cute. I’m sure their memories won’t be marred by me not being arsed with Christmas Eve boxes or elf etc.

The most precious gift we can give our children is our time.
No phone tomorrow, check it for messages after bed time. If grandparents phone, let him speak to them.
Concentrate on a relaxed atmosphere, dont try too hard at anything including the lunch, and give your child your undivided attention.
Have a lovely day.

Social media has ruined most things now because it's like a competition and people doing their best see these posts and get upset that their Christmas / Valentine's day / mother's Day / etc isn't good enough . You need to give zero fucks about anything on social media, you'll feel much better .

Lol but agree, one of my favourite christmas things was the bowls of sweets and nuts. Sweets were rare the rest of the year.

I just googled North Pole Breakfast. f'ing ridiculous! I am a grandparent, I love to cook and I'm happy to make huge amounts of effort to create nice/special dishes and to cater to everyone's needs and preferences. But North Pole Breakfast - no way! I'd rather give dgc a carrot and some ice!

Your Xmas sounds magical to me

they don’t need Xmas cups ffs

If you want a lovely Christmas don't engage with social media. Just close it for a week. You will. be surprised how lovely your time will be.

Happy Christmas!

Don't torture yourself about the things you haven't done, enjoy the things you have done. Children don't notice things like fancy decorations and packaging. Elf on the Shelf, Christmas Eve boxes, lighting your house up like Blackpool Illuminations is all unnecessary faff, adds to the expense of Christmas and is added stress. You say you've got a nice Christmas tree, presents and no doubt a tasty Christmas lunch to enjoy, all of that and enjoying being together for the day should be enough. Christmas has become too commercialised and it doesn't have to be so expensive and stressful. Let those who want to waste money on naff Christmas mugs etc., most of it is posted on social media to convey an image of "look at us, with our perfect life, home interiors like a magazine, happy, smiley family, exotic holiday snaps, days out, meals out ..." Be content and happy with your life, don't compare it to others, be thankful for what you have and for the family and genuine friends you have around you. Wishing you a Happy Christmas 🎄 🎁 🦃 🥳 🎉 🙂

My children are all adults now but when they were small we didn't have elf on the shelf, Christmas Eve boxes or social media! They had presents and a nice time with their family and friends and were very happy and excited when they woke up and saw their stockings ☺️ honestly, social media comparisons are so damaging - if you're having fun with your little one, that's all he needs. Enjoy him, I miss those years now mine are all grown!

You’re Christmas sounds absolutely lovely, he’ll remember this time with you and those lovely activities forever x

It seems to have all become crazy in recent years. My adult children state opening stockings in the parental bed as the best part of their Christmases when young