Anyone else find Christmas totally overwhelming

[Rosienose]

There’s just too much stuff, too much choice, I end up completely overwhelmed if I go into town and then same online.

I do, find it totally overwhelming and quite melancholic too (thinking of past times…). Also when my disabled DS was younger I found it hard as he didn’t (and still doesn’t really) have any understanding of it, even adverts etc used to get to me. Now, however we just do it our way. I like the carols, the traditional Christmas but not the madness of consumerism. I look forward to the days getting longer.

Yes me.

I used to love it when the kids were little but I find buying for adults really tricky and I wish we could knock it on the head.

We have the adult dc plus their partners here this year and although I love them all, I’m going to be “switched on” 24/7 for a whole week making sure the house is clean and there’s enough options for breakfast/lunch/dinner.

I thought I was getting away with not hosting xmas lunch as a family member invited us all…now it turns out that family member is actually working and I’ll end up in charge of the actual cooking for all of them plus us (had agreed to go before she announced she’s at work and will arrive home in time to eat!)

No I don’t.
I’m glad I came from a lower income working class family as I know kids will love Christmas and find it magical without a huge fanfare and effort.

Christmas Day is just me and H and kids. Presents are just for the kids. Decorations the same each year, unless we stumble across something new to add. Two or three Christmas trips, getting the tree, one ‘event’ , a trip into town to Christmas market and lights and meal at kids favourite place. Watch a video on Christmas Eve with the kids. Kids love it, I love it. It’s meant to be fun. If it’s stressing you out, pare it back.

yes and my dm doesnt help, shall i buy the crackers she asks, its still november
she rings me yesterday to say, I have bought the crackers
she gives me the stress that i dont need.

I keep it simple.
Tree, wreath, mistletoe.
Just the important (to us) food done well
I buy presents for my own husband and kids - that’s it
Cards - down to just older people now, about 20

I do my advance food prep (make cake, mince pies, gravy, stuffing etc and a couple of meals - beef bourgignon and fish pie - a couple of months ahead.

I buy almost all my presents online in the Black Friday period.

Get cards written and everything wrapped late November

First week in December the tree goes up so I can then chill a bit and take care of myself for a couple of weeks before it all gears up.

We keep it simple too. Only buy for the kids and that’s not too much either. We have a big family “bring a dish” dinner at a relative’s or my house and organise some things to do to spend time together. That’s where most of the money gets spent.

Anyone else find the word ‘hosting’ gets their back up - I’ve no idea why it annoys me , but it does-feels very American mixed with Abigail’s Party

I got a bit overwhelmed shopping for gifts as everything is just the usual rubbish- gift sets, smellies etc.
Ive decided to write a list where I really think about what people like and I’m going to do it all online.
Im guilty of previously just buying anything to top up their main gift, but now I’m going to just get the one really well thought out present for each person.

Yes! I’m currently feeling quite anxious about it. It’s as if the more I have to do, the less I actually do.

Christmas doesn’t have to be overwhelming, just do the bits you want and don’t leave it all last minute . If gift shopping is stressful just sit on the John Lewis website with a list of who you need to buy for and have it all delivered . Same with decorating and a meal , do it your way .

Yes, I’ve learnt over the years not to even try and attend all events etc. careful what I picked to do when my kids were younger and even now I’ll do more in January than December.
This is the first year in 9 that I’m letting people come for Xmas dinner

I think as others have said, it's best to cut back and focus on what you enjoy. This year we've cut back massively, still exchanging gifts but 1 thoughtful gift, not 3. We're hosting two events before Christmas but we're at my mums for Christmas so I'm actually keen to host some things. Also don't go to the actual shops. I've researched online before hand for anything in physical shops so there is no trawling around getting overwhelmed

I have teens now so it's much different than it used to be. I used to wear myself out trying to make Xmas magical and special for everyone. I grew up watching my Mum exhaust herself providing the perfect Xmas for us and as much as I thought that was normal, I wanted to enjoy it too instead of stressing from Nov to NY. We slowly erased the hard work; went out for lunch or did easy dinners, stopped the elf, whittled down the cards and presents. Now it's a much more manageable and low key Xmas, I get to enjoy the period instead of being the work horse. The kids still love it and want the tree up ASAP even if they sleep in to midday on Xmas Day instead of being up at the crack of dawn.

I am actually dreading it i know the kids will be happy with what they have but myself.and husband are struggling i dnt think we will be able to afford each othet at this rate

I’m overwhelmed.

I used to buy gifts early and have them wrapped by now but this year everyone has a wishlist and suggestions. I tried convincing my family to do a secret Santa or no presents and you’d think I’d stripped naked by the reaction I got.

The dc are worse. Weeks of nagging and they finally come up with lists that say “a surprise”. I was amazing at surprising them when they were young and shared every passing thought with me. Now I haven’t a clue, but that’s apparently the best bit of Christmas.

I went out shopping yesterday, walked until my feet hurt but came back without most of my list. My online orders are all delayed, and my autistic dc’s gift is due perilously close to Christmas.

I’m entertaining several times, and in the past I’d have lots of stuff prepped and in the freezer by now. Can’t be bothered. The house needs a really good clean. Can’t be bothered. I’ve only put up half the decorations and need to send the rest to the charity shop. Can’t be bothered.

Meanwhile pils need dh every second evening for whatever their latest emergency is: moving sockets, changing tv provider because fil rowed with some min wage kid on the helpline, painting ffs. And the teens have social lives and need a taxi service.

Meanwhile every journey takes half as long again as usual, the shops are crowded, it takes ages to get parking. I can’t wait for January.

I really feel your pain. I totally get the can’t be bothered. I feel like that too. I just can’t wait for it to be over.

Oh, that's me. Too much choice feels overwhelming and that's considering the fact I'm not hosting or throwing a huge celebration at all. It's just feels like everything and everyone is in a rush which creates this nervous armosphere surrounding the holiday. I was making christmas photo montages in Photoworks the other day for the future cards and caught myself thinking I wish it was just that easy in real life: you click the button and the background changes to the nicely decorated place with the tree and ornaments everywhere without you having to put in the effort.