Feeling a little bit sad....

[squicketysquack]

DP and I have always spent quiet Christmases at home together just the two of us and I've always been really happy about it, we have a lovely peaceful time and please ourselves for a few days - quite a lot of back story on both sides of the family but for various reasons neither of us have ever been that bothered about big family Christmases or spending it with our parents. It's also logistically quite difficult due to work / distance.

But for some reason this year it's making me feel really sad that it will just be the two of us. And that even if we did invite one or both sets of parents it still wouldn't be the same as families who genuinely look forward to spending time together at Christmas. I'm in work and people are so excited to be planning trips to their parents, or for grandparents to be visiting, cooking for 15 people etc etc and I'm really envious.

Does anyone else feel like this? Shake me out of it please!!

Aw. I'm sorry to hear you feel sad. Could you volunteer at a homeless shelter or something on Christmas Day? Or care home? Then you'll be surrounded by people and get a lovely feeling? Or why don't you go away for Xmas? My mum and dad went to Malaysia one Xmas and loved it.
Also - don't let the adverts fool you. It's not all merriment around a wood fire - there will be arguments and stress!
I always thought if it was just us at Xmas id order the massive M&S hamper and lock the doors!

In your shoes I would definitely go away for Christmas. Hotel Christmases are enough of an occasion to make it seem special plus you also have a break from your normal routine.

I think that unless you have established Christmas tradtions that involve the wider family then whatever you do that includes some but not all family will still leave you feeling that there is something missing. By doing your own thing you won't have that sense of missing out during the Christmas period but will create happy memories that you may want to replicate in other years.

You need something to look forward to!!! Make a list of ways you are going to spoil yourself!!!

While others are busy scrambling in the kitchen to prepare a meal for 15, you could be having a wonderful bubble bath, sipping champagne, reading a book

Definitely go away. We often used to when I was growing up and it was great (Spain)