Christmas was ruined for me

[WildFlowerBees]

I'm still so irritated by it and by my thoughtless dh.

This year I'm working from Dec 20th right through Christmas. I want to do something for myself in December that's festive but won't make me feel lonely because I'm definitely not taking dh! but not sure what.

Any ideas?

Go to see a festive show, the Nutcracker always does it for me. Combine it with Christmas markets/ lights/ gluhwein. And/ or a spa day/ weekend in a nice hotel that goes all out for Christmas decorations. A trip to Vienna or Frankfurt (good Christmas markets!). Trip to Lapland. Carol service...

I always go to a couple of musical events in December - a couple of good choirs do concerts in a concert hall near work at lunchtimes so I try to get to both of those. And I also try to get to something like Handel's Messiah or a similar festive but BIG music event in December (as I like those but DH definitely does NOT, and DD has similar tastes to him). (I also try to get to the theatre for a good, proper stage play in the summer every year - which is another solo outing).

I don't blame you for wanting a better Xmas this year. I've started thinking about it too, Xmas was hideous due to mil and DH and the dynamic between them. I've been pretty clear that this year he goes off to see her on his own (she's only an hour away) or his brother has her on Xmas day, he lives abroad but he needs to fly over to see her. Because it was so awful the DC had a miserable day and it's given them a tarnished view if Xmas as for over 20 years it's been an about mil.

Even if it means me and DH have a collosal fall out in not doing it again. Sick of miserable Christmasas enough is enough.

@Glowtastic good plan! I know lots of people don't enjoy Christmas, I love December it's not actually 'Christmas' it's the coziness the lights etc. Far too often at Christmas many of us put the wants of others before our own and it loses its shine.

My dh hates anything festive but tries to hide it. It doesn't work because I still know! So this year he will be doing his own thing as I'm working but I will make a list of some lovely things to do in Dec by myself for myself. In fact I'm making this year about prioritising myself for a change.

Ive booked a twilight spa evening around 21st December when I break up from work for me and DSis.

Booked a New Year Trip for us all

An end of November weekend away with my friends

Will schedule a shopping trip with Mum somewhere with Christmas Markets

I went to Waitrose Cookery school and did Christmas baking. Lovely bunch of people, you get coffee/pastries, lunch and a glass of wine/beer and to take your baking home! Completely idiot proof and no clearing up. Also did Christmas gift foods in 2019. King's X but have other sites. Top tip - get Waitrose loyalty card and 10% off. Also did wreath/table decoration and went to theatre on my own.

Any of the one-off classes would be a good call. Lots of people go along by themselves so you won’t feel lonely or an odd-one-out. I did a Christmas cake decoration one last year and I’m planning on wreath making next.

I’d suggest that along with some big thing, you also plan some little treats - maybe a luxury advent calendar to open every day. Or buy yourself some little treats starting now and wrap them in tissue paper. By the time December rolls round you’ll have forgotten what you bought and can have a lucky dip every day.

I went to Waitrose Cookery school and did Christmas baking. Lovely bunch of people, you get coffee/pastries, lunch and a glass of wine/beer and to take your baking home!

What a great idea! I love this, and I also agree that a luxury advent calendar is a must.

Do you have a friend you can do something special with too? Fly out to visit Christmas markets in Germany?

New York, I will come with you.

You can come to mine we can make Christmas cocktails get pissed and berate bah humbug husbands