Idea of Christmas

[Becsim]

Feeling a bit down.

Does anyone else love the idea of Christmas and all things Christmassy but find the reality a bit stressful and disappointing?

Absolutely...so much hype and prep for one day with your family, watching telly and eating! I look forward to it being over

Definitely. And this year I've got the added stress of dad in hospital after breaking his hip and mum who is on 24/7 oxygen and struggles to look after herself.

Ah, bumhug!

Since having kids, I have realised my magic comes from the anticipation and preparation, and from making the children's time special :)

That means the run up to Christmas and the day itself are actually pretty stressful. However, the vicarious enjoyment I get from seeing my own children be as excited as I was is fully worth it.

In more recent years I have also made sure that me and DP focus on ourselves more. That means making the house incredibly cosy and atmospheric, it means getting each other a couple of lovely thoughtful presents, having all our favourite christmassy foods, and I make sure that I always do the elements I want around all the chaos of making sure the day is fun for the kids: an indulgent bubble bath, fresh new PJ's, a full face of glam new makeup and hair etc. Then in the evening when all the madness is passed I curl up but the window and read a new book or an old favourite with a hot drink, and it's honestly so restorative.

If it's falling flat, try and think of what you can do to make the day benefit you as well :)