Can’t say it to those close to you? Come say it here. Judgement free zone.

[OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow]

I’ve 4 grown kids. They are all here for Christmas. Ds1 is going home today. I can’t wait. (Of all of them hardest to get on with, hates his brother-it’s mutual. He’s a lazy git.) I’ll be able to relax when he’s gone.
I am also looking forward to dh being in work tomorrow so me and Dd can sprawl on sofa watching shite.
I also hate Christmas cooking.

My FIL is a over the top grandpa to one granddaughter and crap with the other. In the past I have tried to make him change but now tbh he can do what he likes, I am past caring and we don’t need him, not intending to put any more effort in.

Dad - please stop phoning and giving me a running commentary of the wonderful family Christmas you are having with DSis and her family and SDSis and her family.

I know we haven't given you any Grandchildren, but being the only one not invited to your 'Family Christmas' stings - I've never felt more lonely and alone that I have over the past few days - not that anyone has noticed, asked or even cares.

I'm really glad all the presents we gave were well received - even though neither sister or the kids has been in touch to say so. And, no, 'Santa' was not good to us - we had precisely no gifts to open from anyone, I don't particularly care that there are a few for us at your home or really want to arrange anything to get them from you.

Why I keep expecting anything different I don't know - I'm done from here on in.

I have been decluttering house of toys, clothes , crap since October.

Because of this my side of the family bought only presents I suggested for my DC which I knew they would like and play with.

My in laws did ask as well so I suggested similar things. On Christmas Eve in laws turn up with Christmas gift bags the size of a door with about 30 presents each for the children. Cheap stuff they won't use or wear as wrong size or season. I now have to find somewhere to put it all and I hate how materialistic it made Christmas feel.

Next year I will ask they give an experience or books instead. They will still buy crap just for the sake of looking like they have been the most generous but I can try.

@TheFrustratedRedhead my annoying FIL gives out money too. Everyone in the family indulges his temper and I have for years but not any more. Good luck distancing yourself do try it’s really worth it. Even if it’s an online DailyOM style course these have actually helped me a lot Xx

I was hoping not to wake up this morning,not been able to say that in RL.

@popcorndiva give it all to the charity shop this week I think. Loving this thread

I feel really jealous of all the happy smiley families on Facebook. Me and husband of 20 years have grown apart and barely laugh together any more. I’m only 36 but not brave enough to leave.

I am soooo glad I spent so much time searching for the perfect gift for my husband. He got from me tickets to his favourite musical, a calendar with stuff all about his main interest and two books on other interests, one by his favourite youtuber. Also his favourite chocolates.

I got a chocolates, several boxes, a number of which are ones I have said many times I dislike. I arranged gifts from our kids to him. He arranged nothing from the kids for me. His family and my brother also sent chocolates as, after many years of knowing me, that is the only thing they know about me and that barely. So, I spent hours online, carefully finding things. They spent five minutes in a supermarket.

Yes, I know that it's the thought that counts but I put in masses of thought and they all put in none!

Your DF sounds like a selfish, sociopathic prick. PLEASE PLEASE for all your sakes stop engaging with him. I understand all the reasons you say you can't but you actually can. Show your DM you value her and she might start valuing herself too. You can do it. He sounds like an abusive toxic fuckeit.

DH-I wish you wouldn’t shut down and go silent/disengaged completely when my family are here, it’s made the whole Xmas period awful and awkward for me.
DSis-I’m so sorry DH was silent, it’s not you, I don’t know what it is, I’m sorry if it ruined things.
DM-I’m sure there are things you think about DH that you never say to me, but I thank you for just steaming on and not drawing attention to it, it did make me feel a bit better during a really awkward horrible time. I can’t explain why he is like this around all of you, he can be charming and chatty. It’s a really hard place to be-I wish I could talk to you about it but I’m just not really yet.

My lovely lovely mum is in the advanced stages of dementia. She is fragile and thin and has forgotten how to eat and is all but lost to me.
Listening to her keen for my dad who died many years ago is truly tragic and I really really hope this is her last Christmas because I can't bear to watch her like this any more.
Please go Mum, please just don't wake up tomorrow morning. I love you too much to watch you like this.

I'd like my EX fil to spend Xmas with one of his dc, siblings or many other family members(at least 12 other people)....I'd like to spend Xmas with my 2 ds without having to blitz the house beforehand and entertain him for 4hrs and also not have to go and pick him up and take him home....no one wants him and not because he an arse...they just don't want him.

@RicherThanYew

I love my in laws but they have cooked the Christmas dinner meat on Christmas Eve and served it cold with hot vegetables on Christmas day for the 2nd year running, also cold Yorkshire Puddings. No cranberry, no mint, had to track down cutlery for my son and they didn't care that he didn't have a seat. Why invite us under threat of death if you can't be arsed? I want to stay home next year but they will cry again.

Let them. Have your sons back if not your own. How embarrassing that someone cries when they don't get their own way. Their own way = being shitty to people they are supposed to love...

@Bitconfused75

My lovely lovely mum is in the advanced stages of dementia. She is fragile and thin and has forgotten how to eat and is all but lost to me. Listening to her keen for my dad who died many years ago is truly tragic and I really really hope this is her last Christmas because I can't bear to watch her like this any more. Please go Mum, please just don't wake up tomorrow morning. I love you too much to watch you like this.

I’m so sorry, this is very sad to read. I hope your Mum’s distress and suffering (and in turn, yours) will not continue for too much longer so that she can be at peace.

@CurlyMango I can't believe your dh went without you. What a pig.

I realised that I really don’t like my in laws.

They do everything together with my SIL and constantly leave my DH/me out and then insist on telling us about how much fun they have together. This year we even got all the plans they have next year! It obviously hurts my DH but they don’t even notice. I get really cross about it just from the staggeringly obvious favouritism but plaster on a smile for DHs sake (I challenged it once and it did not end well!).
I’ve made an early new years resolution to avoid them and have convinced DH to book a hot tub lodge in the middle of nowhere over Xmas next year so we can avoid it. Can’t bloody wait

I got bought loads of nice treats for Christmas as in chocolate, coated nuts all the things I like. I like to eat in moderation so have had a small amount each day. I don't mind sharing with DH but he has been restless today and tends to eat when he is. Gone to get myself a little treat after dinner and he's eaten the lot. Nothing at all left of my treats that other people had bought for me. I pointed it out and he's apologized and said he'll get me more tomorrow but that's not really the point. Greedy sod.

Dear Everyone in my Family,

It would have really meant a lot, after a very difficult year, and knowing I would be alone for Christmas, if any of you would have sent me a Christmas card. Or phone call. Or a 'Happy Xmas' text. Or a 'thank you' for the cards and presents I sent you all.

I guess you have given me the gift of finally seeing just how little any of you give a shit about me.

Thanks for that, I guess.

And a happy new year.

• no love, Beastly.

Luckily not this year, but Christmas Day 2016.

My DD had not long come out of a relationship with a complete arse. A very handsome charmer who cheated on her repeatedly, gaslighted her by making out she was either imagining it or implying it was her fault because HE couldn’t help himself!

She was just getting herself together and starting to rebuild her self esteem when over Christmas dinner, MIL and DM - who had no idea of the full background issue - both started going on about what a fantastic man xxxxxxxx was, how DD had lost an amazing opportunity by letting him go and how one day she would regret her decision. I had DD sobbing in her turkey before she fled upstairs followed by me exploding in rage at both mothers about their complete lack of sensitivity, thoughtlessness and that actually it wasn’t any of their sodding business anyway!

DH and DS sat there looking stunned, knives and forks paused in the air whilst the two mothers pursed their lips like cats bottoms.

Eastenders had nothing on us that day!

I am glad my covid test was positive as I was dreading a week in PILs cold, damp, boring house with MILs running commentary and micro management of everything from which sheets on the bed to what to have for lunch. Kids were going to be bored out of their minds. My mental health is not great at the moment and I am so relieved that I don’t have to do anything at all over the next few days now.

DH - you are selfish for always making us go to PILs as no one else likes it. And now moping because you couldn’t go home and creating a miserable atmosphere.

No Dad, I don't want to come to the soiree you are having as i think your partner and her family are all bellends.

Happy Hogmanay-to-come, @beastlyslumber! Gawd bless us every one.

Christmas this year was disappointing to say the least but would never admit this to anyone in real life. DH and DD2(5) tested positive for Covid Monday 20th, followed suit by myself and DD2(8) testing positive on 25th. So much food that we have no appetite to eat. Planned activities we couldn’t do, not even the usual after Christmas dinner walk. Days of isolation with them is slowly driving me bonkers. I haven’t slept in days whether due to looking after DDs not feeling well, or I myself being unwell. I feel awful and guilty for feeling this way but it’s just been s**t. I’ve just hated the whole thing and can’t wait to take down the tree and for the ‘festivities’ to be done. I’ve assured family through SM and WhatsApp we’re fine by sending pictures etc but I felt like I was just going through the motions because I didn’t want the girls to not have a magical experience. I just wanted to lie down and sleep. And I normally love Christmas. Commiserations to everyone

I can’t wait for the kids to go back to school, I have 2 teens, youngest is severely autistic, when they are home and the weathers awful I feel trapped, one wants to go out, the other wants to stay in, I can’t leave youngest on her own so I can’t even go for a walk. I have also realised how unhelpful my family are and how abusive my step dad is (towards my dc) so I can’t even go visit my mother (because he’s there). DC’s father has been way to busy to have them over Christmas, I’m trying really hard not to call him a useless father but he is.

I’m kind of envious of all the people visiting family and sitting around tables eating because my kids won’t go anywhere 🤣 and I don’t even own a table s can’t invite people over to us.

@SpindleSpangle

Happy Hogmanay-to-come, *@beastlyslumber*! Gawd bless us every one.

Funny you should say that, since I spent Christmas day listening to Simon Callow read 'A Christmas Carol' and crying into my roast potatoes... lol