Anyone else feel a little bit emotional when they take the decorations down?

[IwtHs]

I always do.

I think I've felt it more so this year as my eldest is at an age where by next year they will be less of a child and more of a teenager. I remember watching that McDonald's Christmas ad a few years back ( forever young song) and thinking soon that will be how my eldest will act.
This year they quickly threw some tinsel on the tree then picked up their phone to go call their friend.

Also, I don't like the uncertainty of what the year can bring. As I'm getting older, more people I know are passing away. 2021 I lost 3 people and 2022 I lost 4. Not all family but people I knew and talked to.

Anyone else get this feeling?

Yes every year is different but that will bring new joys, new things to be proud and happy about. Life isn't about every year getting further and further away from some perfect ideal year that is in the past - your favourite Christmas may yet be in the future

Love this so much. As someone who lost family relatively young, I see it like this too- my christmases past were certainly not "ideal" by any means so I like the thought of a fresh new year with untold possibilities

@IwtHs - yes, I’m usually pretty gloomy around new year and can’t think positively about what it will bring. It probably is associated with losing loved ones 😔

However, I just wanted to reassure you that Christmas can be just as much fun with teenagers. My 2 DC are now 19 and 17 and both were still ridiculously excited for Christmas. My DD texted me at 8.30 on Christmas morning asking if anyone was up 😅

I can’t take mine down yet - need to wait until my autistic ds is settled back in school and do it while he’s out. He won’t mind them coming down but he gets unsettled by the evidence of packing them away.

It’s hard to enjoy them because I’m mentally wrapping things in tissue paper. And at the same time I’m clinging to these last few evenings because I’ve lost two precious people this year, and one the year before and I know now there are no guarantees.

Hugs to others feeling a bit sad.

I loathe taking them down so much that I don’t put them up.

For me the emotions are tied up with Christmas in general and the loss of my mum and sister who were Christmas to me, I have baubles with their pics on at the top of the tree next to the twinkling lights it's comforting. I'll thank my beautiful tree too and shed a tear.

It's quite bizarre as when I wrote this post a year ago, I just had a horrible feeling about the year ahead. Like something would be different when the tree next gets put up.
Turns out I was right. I had a nasty infection last year and became seriously unwell. When I put the tree up for this Christmas, I had a little moment to just appreciate being here and having my lovely family around me.

@IwtHs - I didn’t realise your post was from last year until I read your update just now! I’m glad you are ok.

You've made me cry op.

I usually put the tree away wondering what the year will bring.
This time I feel so sad as we have ill relatives I don't believe will be with us next Christmas.

A relative of mine got upset yesterday taking them down as they are elderly and unwell and don't think they will see another Christmas.