I want my Christmas MoJo back

[crochetmonkey74]

I used to love Christmas just because- loved all the cute things you could buy, loved sending cards and collecting pressies through the year for people but I have been really bogged down recently in being too sensible- don't spend too much/ cards just end up being recycled anyway/ we don't need more things/ no unnecessary gifts

I want a bit of joy back! Anyone else want a fun, no worry, no guilt Christmas where we just buy what we like and enjoy the fun of it?

I can relate, my world has turned upside down, Christmas was a time I loved and would look forward to, it's not the same anymore.

Yes Moody my change came from a world upside down situation too about 6 years ago - but I feel the stirrings of wanting to get what bits I can back- it's hard to build joy back up again - especially in the climate of anxiety and guilt and worry about almost everything at the moment

Get the decs out and put your tree up. Everything looks better with fairy lights!

It's hard to be excited about Christmas if you are dealing with real life problems but if you are missing that excitement and want it back, then think about what part of it gave you the most joy in the past and focus on those things. For me it's how pretty everything looks when decorated. You can't force the feeling but a few gentle activities might help bring it back.

I’m feeling the same - work is a nightmare, I’ve been unwell recently and had a lot going on. I’ve decided to get the playmobil Christmas house out tonight and have a lovely time with the DC and playmo santa 😁

I'm much the same this year. It seems likely this will the first year my DD's will not be with me-they will be at their Dads-and I am struggling to get in any way excited-or even think what I will do on the day itself. I will probably just end up volunteering to work.

I have a few bits planned pre Christmas so am slightly hoping to celebrate it as a whole season rather than just a day this year, but I don't have much enthusiasm for it at all at the moment.

Yes at work we were just discussing starting to put a few bits of decs out. I have also started walking home form work as I love seeing all the shops lit up in the dark and feeling a bit cold- that really feels like Christmas to me. I've decided to return to one of my own traditions- I always used to keep a little Christmas purse in my handbag and put £20 a month in to start collecting little pressies all through the year- am going to reinstate that for the rest of this year and next. Will do present list later too. Thanks for all the suggestions- it is helping!

I feel the same but it's because my kids are growing up, and are also so entitled and grabby at times that I find it depressing. I've started a thread here about traditions which don't involve presents. I think some fun, family times is what we need not the over dependence on gifts.

Marigold I did a thread last year and it was about retro Christmas traditions- it got put in classics (very proud) so have a read of that- I am not sure how to link threads but it's called
'The simple things you remember most about Christmas ' and it's in Classics- I am going to read it again this year and get all Christmas excited hopefully

Christmas films always do it for me. Watching Love Actually and writing my Christmas cards is one of my favourite evenings of the year 😁.

I didn't do it last year in an effort to save the planet / money / effort but it was the first thing I put on my 2019 Xmas Reminders list. I also bought some very fancy ones from the posho garden centre in the sale!! So I'm going to get my fountain pen out and really go to town.

FusionChefGeoff
I've had the same thoughts re cards- it's actually nice to spend money and effort sometimes to feel a bit more connected I think

Same here. This time last year my beloved Dad was desperately ill and he died in January so this is our first Christmas without him. My kids are adults now and while they do still love and enjoy the season it's definitely not the same. Just feeling really flat and sad this year and can't be bothered.

@NormaLouiseBates sorry for your loss.

Thank you @Bluewavescrashing Dad didn't really like Christmas that much, always complained about the cost and all the "shite on the telly" lol but it's going to be so strange this year without him.

I didn't send any cards last year, just couldn't be bothered but this year I'm going to. I'm going to sit one evening with my address book and do them all with a Christmas film on in the background. See if that helps!

grief is hard I think, and remaking Christmas in your new reality is hard , but I don’t want to become so low key that I regret it later. It’s a bit of a journey isn’t it. Hopefully we will all have an outlet and encouragement on here

I'm feeling meh about Christmas. I've finished my shopping, did it gradually over the last couple of months. I'm not working at the moment due to poor health so I've had time. I feel cynical about all the waste and gaudiness, plastic tat etc. But want to enjoy a low key version for the children's sake. On the day in laws are hosting which will be easy, should be OK as no family tensions as such.

I've lost my mojo too. Usually by now the majority of my shopping is done, my food is on order and I'm trawling internet websites looking at gifts to satisfy the twitch.

But this year I've started work who forgot to pay me (massive company, centralised HR but apparently my starting of said job got lost in traffic. This has also meant a constant conversation with IT everytime i find i dont have permissions for one system or another) and they've said that because the cut off was also moved forwars for this month which happens to be before oct pay day so i didn't know i wouldnt be paid, this also meant they couldnt pay me again. So now I'm waiting till the end of november for money, and living off a credit card as i now have childcare costs to pay and work parking permits to buy.

Literally have £20 to my name.

So i cant xmas shop, and so i know it'll be a mad dash once i am paid, in the chaotic december shops, with all the best stuff already gone. I saw some lovely stockings to replace my kids old mangled things and was planning to buy them with oct pay, now i bet they're gone

So its less excited xmas and more depressed, skint and hungry xmas.