Do You Ever Feel A Bit Left Out at Christmas?

[Isla77]

I know this is going to sound childish and silly but I do often feel a bit left out at christmas. I always make a huge effort to make it a lovely time for our family even altho' the DC are older now. I love buying the presents and wrapping them and making the house look pretty etc. etc. I also try to think of little surprises for the children and DH that they will not have thought of. I have a fantastic DH and he has had a hard year so I am spoiling him this year particularly. However, it has been hard for me too but I know he will find it difficult to think what to buy me - he always does - and I will end up having to give him a couple of suggestions which he will then buy - so no surprises. Same with the children. Just wish they would put a bit more thought into it. Hey ho - just feeling a bit down and sorry for myself as things have been so hard and do not seem to be improving. Still going to make Christmas as lovely as I can for my family though cos I love them very much and I know they love me which is the most important thing.

I get nothing for Christmas. I'm a single parent so no useless DH to blame. I can drop as many hints as I like, it makes no difference because I'll still get nothing.

Oh belle, I am so sad to read this. Feel really mean for moaning now as I do always get something even if I do have to spell it out. I am sending you a great big pre christmas hug. Wish I could send you an actual gift.

Thank you. That means more to me then any gift. It's just one day isn't it. It's very boring. I'll watch ds open his presents (mostly the one's I've paid for because his father's shit), clean up, cook the lunch that ds won't eat, then come on here I'm determined to make this one better.
You can make your day lovely also. Give them a list of 'treats' that they can do for you, like make you a drink or give you a hug. Some people are not great at making choices for others so they need a bit of a nudge

You are quite right and I am really grateful to have such a great DH. I know how lucky I am really. Your DS is very lucky to have you for his Mum. He can do without the shit father as long as he has you but it must be very frustrating for you that his father takes no interest. His loss though.

Ah, we're happy. Everyone's allowed to have an off day, I didn't mean to make it any worse for you. I'm sorry.

Awwwww

I was going to come on and moan about how under-appreciated I feel at Xmas too, but having read the thread it makes me realise I have a lot to be happy about too!

Thanks!

Yes, I do op. My dd and DP are very lovely but they don't really get me anything for Christmas, last year I got a book which I'd asked for and that was it. I feel hurt sometimes as I always get very sentimental in the last few days up to Christmas and usually end up getting them lots of lovely last minute stocking presses, there is never anything for me. But they are lovely in other ways and it's not really about the presents is it? One year I'd love to be surprised though!

Changing: I think a lot of people panic at doing surprises. What you should do is leave a long list of suggestions and tell your DP/DD that you would be happy with anything on it. Then you will be a little bit surprised and also you might inspire them in terms of what you like, so they get a bit more adventurous in future times.

Surprises are overrated anyway usually a load of old guff, in fact if it's expensive guff you feel even more guilty if you don't like it/can't use it.

I have given up on surprises. I just ask for perfume which I would never buy myself and that's it really.