Why are we too busy MAKING Xmas to ENJOY it?

[ProperLush]

Why do we do this?

I am being far better this year. I am not running around and disappearing up my own rear. Admittedly, work collapsed out of control on Dec 9th (big fire at the hospital) which forced me not to go overboard on Xmas prep. But the thing is I am going to drinks 'do's' and get togethers where there are invitees missing- because they don't have time to go/they still have far too much to do...well, surely Xmas isn't just one meal on one day? I fully understand that unexpected stuff comes up and so forth but these are people whose Xmases appear to be no more (or less) complex than mine!

There are folk not going to the paid-for skating/failing to get to carol services/ still frantically buying yet more stocking fillers rather than attending the lunch time drinks at work etc. Surely Xmas, apart from being The Day, is also dressing up a bit and going eating and drinking! Relaaaaaxing a bit where someone else has kindly made the effort! Rather than not attending it because you're still icing the cat or whatever for your own drinks do!

I totally agree!!
Its a time to find fun & relax with family & friends in between running around like a headless chicken!! So what if you cheat a bit??!!<img loading="lazy" class="inline-flex mumsnet-emoji" alt="Xmas Wink" src="https://www.mumsnet.com/build/assets/fwink-BR5ocTsv.png"><img loading="lazy" class="inline-flex mumsnet-emoji" alt="Xmas Blush" src="https://www.mumsnet.com/build/assets/fblush-C67iVG3j.png"> Im sure a majority of people would like a time out in the run up to christmas??!!

Agree Agree Agree
This year my Christmas will be chilled and fun with the kids and my friends and family. That's all that matter really. Does anyone REALLY care if you've finished icing the cat?

I've done the homemade, everythign from scratch Christmas day and it gives a lot less satisfaction than the 'cheating' Christmas day where I actually get to see my Children.

I cook from scratch throughout the year, but Christmas is a time to enjoy my family IMHO

I see what you mean but it could also be because they just don't want to go to work Christmas drinks and 'icing the cat' seemed like a good excuse!

GG

Am tempted to ice the bloody dog who stole my daughter's dinner tonight from the dining table. Bless her, she left her plate for 20 seconds to bring me a glass of wine and the shameless bloody chancer adorable family pet seized the day

We have a tree, fairly lights around the bay window, cards up on the mantlepiece, and have sent out about 50 cards. We have a fridge full of food including a turkey crown and a Marks & Spencer Christmas pudding, stockings with about 4 little gifts for each child plus chocs and satsumas, presents under the tree for our dc and each other and my Mum who is staying. There is a Christmas songs cd in the kitchen cd player and we have been to a couple of drinks parties en famille, and a night out each drinking for the grown-ups.

That is all our Christmas consists of and we are extremely happy and excited.

We have made precisely nothing, but tomorrow will do some mince pies.

I seriously cannot understand the people who knock themselves out with Christmas preparations - new outfits for everyone, new pyjamas for everyone, little gifts for everyone. So daft.

I agree but have to say dp and I hate work dos.Dp has gone to one(on his own).We even didn't go to the paid for ball because well we'd both rather eat our own hair.Get togethers with friends I can see the attraction but work dos

Baubly sadly you sound an awful lot more organised than me.

I no longer do the making christmas,I would rather enjoy the time we spend together.

I did do a last minute dash to a major city yesterday to find something for dd12 who had asked for only one very inexpensive present that had not turned up so had to find something for her to unwrap.

and if anyone else would like a dog to ice for christmas then please take mine,she is driving me bonkers as the dc are away at the moment so she has spent the last few days whining

I totally agree with you. This Christmas seems quite hectic and yet we don't even have guests. Next year I will be more organised because it is a bit silly to stress over something that is meant to be just the opposite.

When I first started to work (pre-children) I remember my older colleagues getting stressed about Christmas and remember being horrified when I finally realised that they actually made their own cranberry sauce and bread sauce! No wonder they were stressed. At the time it had never occurred to me that these foods could made from anything other than jars and packets. I blame my mother lol! Mind you she was never stressed!

I enjoy making Christmas and do it with my family , no one misses out.

It takes a few minutes to make cranberry sauce , hardly stress inducing.

Doing everything "perfectly" IS stress inducing if you have a large family, various visitors during the day and numerous other things that are not stressful on their own but when multiplied ten fold (ie., make the stuffing, do a Nigella turkey, etc, etc) they are! Much easier to take shortcuts and have fun.

Agree- cranberry sauce is just sugar, water and cranberries and stir.
Anything else added is too fancy for me!!

It need not be stressful if people pitch in and it is planned and I am someone who does suffer from stress . I love the chance to run a home properly and entertain, I have between 7 and 15 people to entertain, depending on the day.

Now, if only Waitrose provided a cat icing service....