Anyone else More excited this year than years before.

[Rupertgrintismyguiltypleasure]

Before people jump at me, I know a lot of people won’t be in a festive mood due to the cost of living crisis, I understand that, this post isn’t intending to belittle or offend anyone.
usually I’m super excited for Halloween, it’s always been my fave, love the whole aspect of scary... just al2ays appealed to me. This year it’s being over shadowed by my unusual excitement for Christmas. Don’t get me wrong I love Christmas too, but I’m never usually this excited.
I think I know why. Dd is 10, i don’t know much longer she will believe in Santa, tbh I thought for sure one of the kids in her class might say something, either they haven’t or she doesn’t believe them. I keep thinking this will be the last year so mayb the excitement is stemming from that. If she asks me outright I will tell her the truth. I love the magic behind Santa, her face on Christmas Eve when she’s getting Santa’s treats ready, when they track Santa on norad literally all day. Her face in the morning, the fact she so in awe in everything she gets. I know I’ll miss it when they stop and Christmas won’t be like it has for the past 18 years (dsis is 18, so always had the whole Santa clause thing now for 18 years) even though it stresses me out with the hiding of prezzies, but I love the reaction I get when I’ve seen thier faces. DS 14... hasn’t asked me but I think he knows, he’s said a few things that would indicate he knows Santa isn’t real for the last 3 years, think he just kept quiet for his sisters sake.

any one else feel the same?
anyone with older kids have any tips for the future?

I'm trying to make this year as exciting as possible and have booked 2 days out (little one is thankfully young enough to be free or discounted for most things still) and a few Christmas parties for babies/toddlers. We're also doing breakfast with santa and on Christmas eve we're going to Toby Cavery (hoping to get a takeaway on Christmas Day)

Yes! I'm always excited for xmas and willing away October/November.

I am especially excited this year as I know it'll be our last easily affordable xmas for at least the next 2 years so I plan on going all out!! I've saved really hard over the last 12 months to ensure we could do it.

We have never done tonnes of activities, because when the kids were young enough to enjoy them, we were too skint to afford them. Now we concentrate on just being home together.

Every year I care less and less. Christmas day is so boring and anticlimactic.

I don't get excited about Christmas (or indeed Halloween) because I'm not under 10 years old.

Congratulations. Your medal is in the post.

I didn't know Christmas was only for the under 10's

Aww I love Christmas, it's my favourite celebration. I actually really enjoy cooking Christmas and making everyone's favourites. I love how my home feels warm and cosy with the decorations, lights and different scents. As you get older you loose more people close to you so being with my family is very important to me as we're usually running around during the year busy with everything.

Definitely do all the things you usually do and enjoy if you know it's your dds last one, it is lovely watching their faces Christmas morning.

I use to have a fear of Christmas changing when the kids stopped believing but it's actually not that bad and you create something new. They still love getting the presents and joining in, they may go through certain years where they want to go back to bed. Tbh I find it just as enjoyable as when they were younger, you even start to get a lie in and no wake up calls at 4am asking if santa has been.

My kids are late teens and early 20s, we have gotten use to doing things differently, I love watching them getting ready to go out with friends and go to parties, and they all still love opening presents, giving presents having dinner, a bit of laugh around the table, it makes me smile watching them all.

I am because, hopefully, we'll be able to give my 92 year old mother-in-law have a good Christmas. We've hosted for most of our married life and this year DD is which means we can spend time with DMiL, possibly her last. We've bought her some presents but nothing that can't be reallocated should the worse happen. On the other side of the generations we have a 5 year old

Yes I am, for 4 reasons:.

1. This is my first Christmas with 2 children so looking forward to another baby's first Christmas.

2. DS3 understands the idea of Santa now so I think it will be magical

3. DH has Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day off for the first (and probably last) time.

4. I'll see my family on christmas day for the first time since 2019. We've sent the last 2 years just us at home. In fact in 2020 it was just me and 1 year old DS , which wasn't much fun.

Yes weirdly.
££££ so not on that front.
But we've booked cheap Boxing Day seats for the theatre and a local light show for Christmas Eve. The kids are old enough to do a family secret Santa amongst themselves and us and they love it. They know ££ is tight so no managing expectations. We all like roast dinner. I've decided not to buy any extras except Pringles, fizz and chocolates after chucking so much away in previous years.

I’m absolutely with you OP, I could have almost written your post. My 10yo loves loves loves Christmas, her face lights up at the mention on it, her love for Christmas and it magic is infectious, she’s already walking round with a Christmas case on her phone and tried to swipe her elf hat out of the Christmas jumper case. It’s absolutely ridiculous to say 10yo is to old to believe in Santa. I’ve decided to tell her next year before high school because I don’t want her to be picked on for believing, and I’m dreading it. In the meantime I’m enjoying every second of her love for it. My 8yo is very indifferent but will get excited when things are happening. My youngest also loves Christmas, she has no problem telling me what she wants Santa to bring.

Just watching my DDs faces talking about Christmas makes be excited for them. I always go downstairs first and position myself to watch them as they come in the room. It’s honestly the best feeling in the world seeing them so happy.

There are a number of reasons im especially excited about this year, we are actually more financially secure this year, even with the increases happening, we are still being cautious but it’s the first time I know we won’t have to stress about finding the money to cover everything. We are in our own home and can decorate as much as we like, my DDs are getting older and it’s easier to do more traditions, although we don’t see extended family Christmas Day, we are closer to them location wise this year so can see them in the run up to Christmas, including elderly relatives in care who we didn’t get a chance to see for a long time during covid. Finally we have a puppy that’s taken over the house, we are all excited to see her reaction to Christmas morning, I’ve already bought her a Christmas jumper and cracker and my DDs all want to buy her more Christmas gifts 😆

One of the traditions we do is donate to the toy and food appeals, I’ve done this myself for many years, long before marriage and children, as I was once a child who didn’t get presents at Christmas and birthdays. We do the food donations regularly but we make a special effort over Christmas. They have already asked me when we are going to buy the toys and come up with ideas. I’m looking forward to this especially this year because they have taken the lead, not me.

The magic doesn’t stop op.even after you all no the truth.
all adults here and it’s still the same traditions.

I am so excited for this year, Mainly to put last year's shitshow behind me.
(I was very ill, 24 weeks Pg, mental health in the toilet and mourning a baby I'd lost which should have been born around Christmas)

But this year, DS2 is here, The older DC are excited for Christmas. We are having just us 5 so no visitor stress. Can't bloody wait!

Do you think people are just feeling lucky for having each other this year.so the dread and fear that running everyday life might get a little escape from.or can be semi absorbed by family or people who care for you.it reminds you to stop and think of those you love.

First year with my rainbow baby - Christmas doesn't necessarily need to be expensive I'm going to put shit loads of fairy lights around the house as she likes looking at lights, I'm going to write her letters from Santa and watch our favourite Christmas films. Her presents although we can afford new will be Facebook market place hopefully allowing other families to get 'new' too :-)

Not excited at all. I would be if we only had Christmas every 4 years. But it comes around so quickly that I always think of no not again.

It's nice to get together with family but we do that anyway so no Biggie. Don't do presents as hate hate hate buying stuff for the sake of it that nobody wants and adding to the landfill pile.

Scrooge and bah humbug!

I'm really excited this year which is most out of character. I always have horrible childhood memories which bubble up. However I always do a fabulous Christmas for my lot as they love it and I do like making that happen for them even though deep in my soul I'm a grinch.
But this year I'm genuinely looking forward to it. Idk, maybe because it's been a dreadful time recently and it's good to have something like this to focus on.
I'm planning much earlier than usual. Going to do a heap of baking. Cakes this weekend actually. Always make them as gifts but this time I'm doing one for home too. Just realised I promised to do pumpkins with GC this weekend also. I'm a proper Mary Poppins.
Even ordered Nigel Slater's Christmas Chronicles inspired by a thread on the Christmas board! So daft because I'm in Australia atm but it's making me nostalgic. I think I'm getting old and turning sentimental 😆

That sounds wonderful. And yes to lights. Fairy lights everywhere please.windows doors walls haha.
wouod highly recommend one of those waterfall wall of light things.we have ours hanging at the bottom of the stairs in the hall wall and it’s pure joy to come down to.

I'm looking forward to it. Christmas is my happy place. November 2020 we lost baby DS2 tragically and suddenly at 22w pregnant. Dec 2021 we lost baby DS1 at 15w pregnant with the same issue. With a MMC and a chemical pregnancy in between them there will be no rainbow babies for us . But we're celebrating and grateful for who we do have. Praying for no fresh grief and sorrow here this year.

I've just been offered a dream job, I'm having two trees, I've already got the Christmas Eve PJs, Santa is booked and we're planning advent. Ding dong Merrily on high!

*DS2 then DD1. DS1 is thankfully sat next to me chunnering away.

DD is 3, so we are really just starting the magical Christmases where she really believes and gets excited!

Yes op, I'm with you, I can't wait. Its the one time of year I love regardless of how we are fixed regarding money etc. Its the feelings it brings not material things.

You all have so much fun to be had with your little ones. I still love Christmas. I had twins - one died (expected - heart issue) then her sister spent her first Christmas in hospital with bronchiolitis and very nearly died. The last ventilator at GOSH was on hold for her then on Christmas Eve she rallied round while the ambuance was on its way. That was my worst Christmas - poor little dd1 at home with my "fold the paper to save it" mum. Little dd2 who nearly died will be 27 by Christmas and I adore my adult children and their partners. It's our first year without my lovely dad who died aged 93 and we have saved the bottle of port (nothing special) from his house for a special grandad toast. Then lots of fun and board games.