I've lost my Christmas mojo

[lauryloo]

I've been really excited about Christmas, but I've lost my mojo this past few weeks

We've had a few crap years so have been trying to make the most of it. MIL is 3 years into a major depressive episode and it's just draining. We live next door and on a farm so no escape!

Give me suggestions of fun things to help get in the Christmas spirit again. I'm probably overthinking it but I just want to make it great for the kids. DS is 5 and dd is 3 with a learning disability so a bit delayed.

Tia :)

Make cinnamon salt dough ornaments with the children. Think of a gift for someone less fortunate. Christmas cookies. Do your own wrapping paper with brown paper, potatoes and paint. Wrap your presents with a Christmas movie, wine and nibbles. Go to a Christmas show/pantomime.

That sounds really tough. You have my sympathies.

Maybe think about what you loved at Christmas when you were your children's age and recreate some of the easy/ simple activities? You could, for example, teach them the chorus of your favourite Christmas song and enjoy it together / make paper chains/ take them to see some lights/ do some baking?
Or decide on something that you would really like to do, Christmassy or not, and incorporate it in to your family's new traditions.
I hope that you have a lovely Christmas.

A few family suggestions:

• Trip to the panto
• Ride on a Santa steam train
• Carol service (often churches do a family service)
• Baking gingerbread
• Make Christmas decorations/paper chains
• Christmas movie, popcorn and chocolates

I'm not feeling great myself this year, I think there is a lot of pressure around to have and create the 'perfect' Christmas. I keep on reminding myself that, I don't think my parents planned anything much when we were little and Christmas was a lovely time. I think we often overthink and plan these days, so try not to worry.

thank you

we are going to an enchanted winter garden on saturday evening so hopefully that will help. DD loves the lights so will be lovely for her.

I started taking sertraline again last night, so hopefully they'll kick in again soon enough and i'll get back in the spirit!

Bless you, I hope you can take each day as it comes and find some joy in the season.

It’s very draining to care for someone with depression, and not at all uncommon to be diagnosed with depression too in those circumstances. Be gentle with yourself. Even the ordinary things get that bit harder this time of year between the weather and the traffic and just getting a parking space at the grocery store. And as much as little ones are supposed to love everything about Christmas, in my experience the upheaval and excitement and anticipation can be more than they’re able for.
Don’t load the season with shoulds but try and do the important stuff like snuggling on the sofa for a movie, snuggling in bed for a Christmas story, and generally snuggling for any reason at all.

Hope you enjoy the lights tomorrow night!