Last Christmas, did you resolve to do things differently this one?

[girlywhirly]

Be it relationship conflicts between family, wanting to spend Christmas at another location, wanting to depart from the traditional food or even changing how you do presents or what you spend.

I'm sure that a few of us have said 'never again', yet would like a bit of help and advice from those who have managed to implement their changes successfully.

We did two years of travelling with small children round all the relatives, driving on Christmas day. The first year I said never again...and then remembered I'd said it as we drive 150miles home knackered and was absolutely determined to stick to it.

And we have - the last two years we have gone the weekend before - so still Christmassy but without the pressure of the actual day - and exchanged presents (but not opened them) and then stayed at home. Last year we got an M&S dinner so we didn't even cook. Bliss.

So for those people who are wavering about travelling - it can be done - you just have to stick to your guns and offer some other time to visit or be visited. It's amazing how less stressful the same thing can be when it's NOT Christmas day - much less expectation to enjoy yourself.

The one thing we hopefully won't be doing is visiting the walk-in centre after DH nearly cut his finger off on Christmas eve. He was the only one who got dressed on Christmas Day!

elQuintoConyo - Yes, I think getting Sil a crap gift is definitely the way to go. If I pick her name, maybe it could end up being quite fun after all

Yes, last year I didn't realise how 'flat' I was and Christmas kind of happened. I didn't enjoy nights out with my friends, I didn't make a big effort with anything tbh. I got the bare minimum of presents to give out at the last minute.

5 weeks ago I was diagnosed with depression, started a course of medication and slowly things are looking good. I have started looking forward to Christmas and yesterday made a start on presents and looking through cook books for things I want to make.
I'm looking forward to throwing a party.
For the first time in 15 months I'm not wanting to fast forward to the end of my life but feel really happy!

mercedes you are so right about the travelling.

For the first 6 years and 1 st year with a baby we used to travel from Clitheroe in Lancashire to Burnley to visit DH's family ( 3 lots of houses) the drive to Warrington to pick my brother up and then head to Blacon, near Chester to see my nan and then go Mollington to see my parents ( another 9 miles) and go home say day.

Not done it for 17 years and wished I'd stopped sooner!

flipchart

What a lovely story and outcome, I really hope you have a wonderful christmas.

I know each person deals with depression differently, I like to have things to look forward to, and cling to like life rafts, I always make sure there is something to look forward too.

That's lovely to hear flipchart

I had surgery last Christmas Day (and no one was there when I woke up .. Not that I'm bitter or anything ) so I intend to stay hospital free this year in my own house . Can't wait!

Yes. The last two Christmas Days have been very flat after the initial morning excitement. I've spent ages looking for something we can do in the afternoon, without success.

We are doing something different this year, it remains to be seen if it's any better but at least it will be different.