Anyone else unorganised and overwhelmed?!

[Froppysue]

I have no Xmas tree up, so many presents still to be bought, not even thought about wrapping paper much less bought any. No stockings or stocking stuffers, no Xmas jammies.. house is a disaster and we have a birthday next week too which I have nothing for. Someone please make me feel better and tell me it will come together by the big day? I did find the elves today 🙈
Anyone else in the same boat? My Facebook is full of perfect Xmas trees with wrapped presents underneath which have been there since November.. I’m about pulling my hair out here!

It's a relief just to read there are others like me. I do mean this, I feel so stressed as if I'm the only one dreading Christmas Day like something dark looming on the horizon. I want to make it all nice and special, but my kids don't enjoy it either and I spend the whole of November wondering if it's best to just give up and ignore the whole thing, or try to get them a bit more enthusiastic about it, as if it's my duty to do so. They've just had their birthdays too. I've bought DS14 his 'big' present and feel like I've spent a fortune on him recently for expensive stuff he's needed (new phone to replace the one he's had for 5 years, coats, shoes, all those things) but DS11 says he wants nothing. Nothing! So all I've got him is a few silly things I know he'll like (a toy axalotl and a squeezy hedgehog....) but nothing 'big' and I feel like it's so uneven between them. I hate it all!!!!!! 😖

OP, use Amazon and Argos for presents, and make a sunday dinner. That's all it is! A sunday dinner with a couple of presents. Oh and stop looking at Facebook! When the day comes, there's nothing more you can do, and then the pressure is off. It's not as big a deal as it's made out to be, try not to worry

How is everyone feeling today, has anyone managed to get anything ticked off?

thank you all for your advice, I’m sorry so many of you are struggling too 💐

im still feeling overwhelmed and the house is still upside down but I’m trying to be kinder to myself today. I ordered dh gifts today from asos (I still had a free next day delivery with them and there was 20% off) so I feel chuffed with that. Although received an email from an order I placed in Australia (one of the only things I actually ordered in advance) and they’re charging £86 import duty/tax! I’m actually shocked as it’s 40% of the order cost and much higher than I’ve even been charged before.. I’m gutted!

I put some cards in the postbox - not that they're going anywhere until Friday!
I emailed annoying Aunt - we all have one, where you wish they'd just give you the money to sort out the gifts for your children. I KNOW she will email back with a further question.
Established that DS2 would rather have clothes than Nike AF1
Answered a "What's that carol?" called text from DS1
Ate a mince pie and some chocolate coins.

@Dreamwhisper I'd give your DD her present in her room Christmas Eve and tell her you'll put it away Christmas Day so her brothers can't break it and give it back to her Boxing Day. Get family games for Christmas Day so she's not excluded from presents or from her brothers playing.

OP can you ask your eldest daughter for help? I'm sure she'd spare you a couple of hours of her time if she knows you're struggling. There must be some tasks she can easily do instead of you. I'd delegate some tasks to your DH as well, but as he's unhelpful make them tasks that it doesn't matter too much if they don't get done. I'd make sure he sees there's a list of tasks for you and DD too so he knows it's not just him with a list then he'll be more likely to help, it's his family and Christmas Day too so ignore any grumbling.

This thread gave me a jolt to get on and wrap my presents today 🎁 looks more christmassy with them under the tree 🌲

Sounds like you've made good progress today OP. That customs charge is enormous though- ugh. Being kind to yourself is really important, I'm cheering you on in doing that!

No progress from me today unfortunately. Had a long cold busy day of work (self employed dog walker), and have frittered the evening away and stupidly stayed up very late which will put me on the back foot again tomorrow.

But tomorrow is still a new day, with the possibility of getting a few Christmassy things done.

Good luck fellow overwhelmed people!

Have you questioned her logic as "if you don't trust doctors why go to any?"

Say look, you have tried crystals, tiktok and everything else why not try the shake diet in the new year? How is that more unbelievable than moon baths?

Ask her if the doctors could prescribe a tablet and it would all go away would she take it? Because if you don't trust doctors why take the tablet?

So instead of trying to make her see sense perhaps phrase it as asking her why she doesn't.

If you can break her train of thought about medics she might try something new.

I am. I went back to NZ in September, for what was to be three weeks, to look after Mum, who was proper poorly. Well, that turned into three moths, because she was well proper poorly! So I got back into the UK last Saturday. I've got my birthday this Saturday. And obviously, I've done sweet fanny adams for Christmas. . .

Maybe one of those Christmas trees already with lights? (M and S )about £15.00.Fairly small but fine for a second tree or better than nothing. Also some ordering Amazon usually fairly speedy .Maybe set aside say Sunday Afternoon for wrapping .Some sparkly lights and tinsel as well .I try and start about September time if I can .A few years ago was behind and had terrible headaches for about a week! Doc said stress .So try and get done early .You will get there OP .Dont stress as you dont want headache as well!

Keep it basic