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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

as the kids grow older, i like christmas less and less

13 replies

pukkapatch · 04/12/2007 19:01

it used tobe so much fun, choosing presents. wrapping them up. decoratiung the house. etc etc etc.
now its just a chore. kids want want want. no one ever gets me a present. materialism is all it is about. and i'm not even christian. so why do it?
but at the same time, i dont feel bothered enough to not do it. iyswim.
arrrggghhhh......

OP posts:
andaRubberDuckinapeartree · 04/12/2007 19:05

Is it worth focussing on some other aspects that you might enjoy?

For me, it's getting food in that's "special" and I'm very strict about not having it around during other times of the year (posh biscuits, nice drinks, etc).

The silly games after Christmas dinner - now the kids are older, perhaps you could put THEM in charge of the afternoon's festivities - obv put a criteria that it has to be suitable for ALL the family from youngest child right through to oldest gran.

Are there ways of doing the presents so it's less me me me ... we're only a small group this year, so we'll be doing one present at a time, everyone gets to watch that person opening their present. Get to share the joy a bit, and kids see other people appreciate getting things too.

Boxing Day is always a going out together somewhere like a zoo or a castle. Can you start your own Boxing Day tradition that isn't too materialistic?

DarthVader · 04/12/2007 19:05

have a year off
go on hols
or have an antimaterialist christmas - maybe all of you work for a charity instead

DarthVader · 04/12/2007 19:06

or do a price limit of £10 like the royal family - present must be
a) personal b) amusing

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 04/12/2007 19:12

Look for the positives. I haven't had to go into Toys R Us at all now for two years. And no 5.30 wake up call.

Or start some new traditions - the kids have to bring me a cuppa in bed now before I'll get up and open presents. And dh and I can both have a drink if we got out this year because ds1 can be taxi driver for a change.

Original poster
pukkapatch · 04/12/2007 19:13

we had last year off. went abroad for sister's wedding. was wonderful.
the year before that it was hard work. and the kids were younger then.
i know i shouldbe oredering stuff online now if i want it in time and dont have to trawl through shops, but i really really cant be arsed. especially since i know i will be th eone left tidying up the toys that are not played with anylonger come january.

OP posts:
DarthVader · 04/12/2007 19:15

how old are your kids?

Othersideofthechannel · 04/12/2007 19:16

I feel sad that no one ever gets you a present

Original poster
pukkapatch · 04/12/2007 19:17

10 6 and 4. all actually teenagers.
and dont forget the biggest pain of all. dh

OP posts:
mumblechum · 04/12/2007 19:17

How old are yours, Pukka?

I was thinking something similar the other day, in that ds doesn't seem excited at all this year (he's 13). He's not really bothered what he gets, and it does all seem a bit hohum this year

I'll just have to get excited for all 3 of us!

jangly · 04/12/2007 19:18

Oh, forget about the kids! Just make it nice for YOU. Just buy them one or two pressies so you don't have too much to wrap then think of some nice touches that you'll enjoy. Perhaps some nice candles or different decorations for YOUR tree.

Minum · 04/12/2007 19:18

Do the lovely bits - carol concerts (even if you dont believe), parties, shopping lunches with friends, inviting people over for mince pies. And if you're lucky, the kids performing in something or other.

Its lovely as they get older, as you can start to have more adult Christmases, with a bit more glamour and fun, and as SMBK says, a lot less toy R Us [smile}

mumeeee · 05/12/2007 10:25

I actually still love Christmas and so do my children aged 15 almost 18 and 2o. Yes I do get stressed about getting Presents and sometimes worry about if I'll finish by Christmas. But I always do.
My Nearly 18 year old is doing Performing Arts at college and also in a youth Drama group. Tonight we are going to the college Panto ( she is a fairy and a Mermaid ) and next week we will be going to the Drama group Christmas Concert. I always love going to see her in things she is very good as are most of her friends. DD3is also in a Drama group and she is in the school choir. she is in her school concert next week and then the following week is in a play done by her Drama group.
We are going out for Christmas Dinner so no stressful cooking for me.

scattyspice · 05/12/2007 14:05

Pukka, get yourself a present. Buy something nice to wear on Christmas Day. Have your hair done. Buy nice food / wine that you like. Get all designery with decorations or all sentimental with traditional carols etc.

Make it special for you.

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