Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Need to rant? Come on over.

448 replies

DontlikeChristmas · 25/12/2025 08:08

I’ll start. We’ve just opened presents. I couldn’t give a fig about presents for myself, but I think if you’re going to spend money on a gift for someone you’d may as well make sure it’s something they will like/use. DH has panic bought me a horrible tie dye jumper two sizes too big. I’ve never worn tie dye in my life. My mother has inexplicably bought me a truly awful outfit clearly meant for a teenager (I’m 50) in a colour I never wear, also in the wrong size. DH has also managed to buy DC a load of stuff they already have because he couldn’t be bothered to check. I feel so deflated by this & think it’s all such a massive waste of money (we probably could have gone out for dinner with the cost of the presents no one is going to wear/use, or made a charity donation).

We now have DHs family coming for dinner, who are lovely people but seem to have ever changing dietary requirements (none of which are due to diagnosed conditions) that it’s impossible to keep up with, so I’ve got to make about 15 different gluten-free/oil free/non-acidic/anti-inflammatory and whatever else dishes (DH ‘doesn’t do cooking’).

I’m over Christmas & it’s not even 8.30. Anyone else?

OP posts:
21secondstopassthemic · 26/12/2025 22:25

Why do people bother year after year if it's so stressful, it's not mandatory! If you can afford it, why not just opt out, fly somewhere sunny and say "no giving or receiving presents this year". It is a game changer and eliminates so much stress, we haven't looked back.

Raisondeetre · 26/12/2025 22:27

Honeysucklelane · 26/12/2025 20:47

Small rant….

Got up early for a relative to pop in for coffee on their way elsewhere. Tidied up etc, got some breakfast items in case they wanted something as they told us they would be ‘out on the roads early.’

Heard nothing, messaged them at 9:40am They’d already passed by around 9:30am but didn’t want to call in as it was ‘early’ and we might still be in pjs. 🙄

How incredibly rude of them.

Jane143 · 26/12/2025 22:30

Lordofthewing · 25/12/2025 09:49

Husband decided that right in the middle of the chaos of the kids opening presents….. it would be a great idea to start cleaning out the fish tank right next to them.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

MCF86 · 26/12/2025 22:31

Leavmealone · 25/12/2025 14:37

3 years ago my sister had her 60th birthday. My younger sister flew in from half a world away, ("well it's a special birthday isn't it so why wouldn't I come over for it"). I picked out a gift that elder sister wanted and she was made a right, royal fuss of. Younger sister is planning to spend time in the UK the year she turns 60 and already the family chat is full of plans to make it "a memorable celebration" for her. Well today is MY 60th and I've had nothing from either of them, no cards, gifts or even a message. So now I know that, as far as they are concerned, my life isn't worthy of celebrating.

I'm so sorry, that must hurt so much. I hope you had a happy birthday despite them 💐

XWKD · 26/12/2025 22:36

My rant is about ranting. One person in the family dominates conversations with guests, while ranting about anything and everything that is wrong in the world. It's amazing how one person can have solutions to all the problems in the world, as the rest of us are to stupid. 🙄

OneOliveOtter · 26/12/2025 22:37

I’d like to be told I’m being unreasonable because my husband did get me some lovely gifts from the list I gave him (that I asked for!). But two of them I cannot use without purchasing additional items and he ‘didn’t realise’ apparently. I did instantly by just looking at the gift/on the front of the packaging. He then enjoyed the very thoughtful gifts I had got him including one which I joined a Reddit forum to learn about and where several helpful men guided me to the right thing based on his exact interests and which he was overwhelmed with and loves… I don’t understand why he couldn’t just put more thought into it himself and make sure that my gifts were usable without me having to go out and purchase other bits and bobs…

We also went on a family walk that lasted 2.5 hours due to my brother making an error with the map. I found myself left behind on the walk trying to console and chuvy up my 6 and 8 year olds who were absolutely exhausted by the end after yet another uphill while my husband raced away in front… he was apparently concerned we weren’t going fast enough and it would get dark but didn’t seem to understand that no matter how fast he went; the legs of a very tried 6 year old can’t keep up. The kids did so well, they really didn’t moan much considering we walked for over three miles and they were ahslitlekt exhausted… I was physically exhausted and mentally exhausted too by the end of it trying to keep them going.

cornflakecrunchie · 26/12/2025 22:40

@Jade3450 I think you need to read through the whole thread again! Not being awful - but the THINGS some people have done to posters here - why would anyone just accept that? Why would you let yourself be hurt over & over? I won't. Not any more.

Mamalicious72 · 26/12/2025 22:42

My son is autistic and tells me what he wants. I get it. He's happy. No alarms and no surprises. Easiest one in the family!

ByCoolGreyMoose · 26/12/2025 22:44

after lots of shopping for thoughtful gifts my parents showed up for 30 mins before going to my sisters house for the rest of Xmas day. ( I had offered for my sister to come to mine) S

HevenlyMeS · 26/12/2025 22:48

Mamalicious72 · 26/12/2025 22:42

My son is autistic and tells me what he wants. I get it. He's happy. No alarms and no surprises. Easiest one in the family!

Yes completely concur & relate with you Sincere Soul
Most surely my Son with Autism is the most easy going to purchase gifts for God Bless Him 🥰
God Bless You&Yours too💚🌺💚

Mamalicious72 · 26/12/2025 22:55

Imperfectpolly · 25/12/2025 11:16

Didn't sleep well last night so not a good start to the day.

Dc came to get us at 6 so we got up to see if Santa came. I watched DC open their gifts as DH sat there scrolling through his phone 🙄

Got older DS a bit of tech. Asked DH in advance if he knew how to set it up and he said he did. They start setting it up and its more tricky than DH thinks. He takes it out on DS and DS ends up crying.

Spent about 250 on DH gifts. He spent about 50 on me in return. The cruel thing is that he asked me what else I wanted and I told him, so he led me to believe he was buying them and he just didn't bother. If I didn't spend the 250 on him, there would have been complaints that I don't care about him and don't make effort.

Dh also had a go at me about marks on a wall in the house. So far, he's made me and DS1 cry, only DS2 left to go.

He was late leaving to visit his Df this morning which probably means he will be late getting back for dinner which I have stayed behind to cook.

Last Christmas was crap due to family bereavement. This year, I spent months planning to make the day perfect for DC and DH is just putting a dampener on it all. I really think its time for me to leave him once and for all.

Yes x

cookiemon666 · 26/12/2025 22:57

One of my babies (20 year old) has moved up country to be with her boyfriend. First time in 20 years we haven't been together at Christmas.

Franpie · 26/12/2025 23:02

I’ll join for a rant….

Just went out for a lovely expensive dinner with DH’s family. So its me, DH and our kids, PIL, BIL and his wife, and SIL who even though she is 40, still believes she is the baby of the family and therefore doesn’t need to pay her way etc. Drives me mad.

The bill arrives and my DD calculates that it’s £50 per head but no service charge on bill so tells everyone to pay £58 per head to include 15% tip.

We all pay then the last to pay is SIL. She pays £12 as said that was all that was left to pay and if they wanted a tip they would have just added service charge onto the bill!!

I had to get up and leave the table to go to the loo as was afraid I was going to say something and cause a scene.

The cheek of it!!

StMichaelPenkevil · 26/12/2025 23:13

Franpie · 26/12/2025 23:02

I’ll join for a rant….

Just went out for a lovely expensive dinner with DH’s family. So its me, DH and our kids, PIL, BIL and his wife, and SIL who even though she is 40, still believes she is the baby of the family and therefore doesn’t need to pay her way etc. Drives me mad.

The bill arrives and my DD calculates that it’s £50 per head but no service charge on bill so tells everyone to pay £58 per head to include 15% tip.

We all pay then the last to pay is SIL. She pays £12 as said that was all that was left to pay and if they wanted a tip they would have just added service charge onto the bill!!

I had to get up and leave the table to go to the loo as was afraid I was going to say something and cause a scene.

The cheek of it!!

Please tell us she wasn’t allowed to get away with this behaviour?

restingbitchface30 · 26/12/2025 23:14

Honestly… I’m sick of really thinking about what thoughtful gifts I can get friends and family and their kids only for my kids to open Temu tat off people. Call me ungrateful but it irritated me so much yesterday. Same with me. I don’t like bath bombs or candles, everyone who knows me knows this. But guess what I got! It just makes me think people don’t care. And I’m not a brat, I love pjs, slippers, chocolates, fluffy socks. Everyone knows this but they get me everything I hate every single birthday and Christmas!

Franpie · 26/12/2025 23:20

StMichaelPenkevil · 26/12/2025 23:13

Please tell us she wasn’t allowed to get away with this behaviour?

Show quote history

She did indeed get away with it. Always does. No one can ever say anything as it will cause her to start crying and storm off. It makes my blood boil but I can only rant about it here.

Franpie · 26/12/2025 23:25

Franpie · 26/12/2025 23:20

She did indeed get away with it. Always does. No one can ever say anything as it will cause her to start crying and storm off. It makes my blood boil but I can only rant about it here.

Show quote history

Oh and DH has just told me that after we had all left the table he put cash down for a tip as he couldn’t let us leave without paying a tip when all the staff had been so lovely to our large group booking on Boxing Day.

I’m pleased he did this, of course, but would have much rather he just tell his sister to stop being a CF and pay up!

hcee19 · 26/12/2025 23:28

My ds bought me s cool bag, saying l know you don't want one, but you may in the future...l may need a zimmer frame in the future, who knows, but l wouldn't want one of them now either....

Midgetgemsplease · 26/12/2025 23:33

silverwrath · 25/12/2025 13:15

I spend Xmas my own. I sleep late. Eat what I want, when I want. Watch whatever tickles my fancy (probably season 4 of Only Murders In The Building). It's a chill day.

Over the last few weeks I've been on MN quite a bit.

My rant is on behalf of all the women who flog themselves to death to give everyone else a great Xmas (sometimes in the most desperate circumstances). With little help and practically no appreciation (or even acknowledgement) of your Herculean efforts.

You're all stars!! 💖 And you deserve better.

Fuck every adult person in your life who does not at some point today thank you for making their Xmas special.

😘 🌹

Love this post. I hope your Christmas was fab 🎄😊

WinnerwinnerGinfordinner · 26/12/2025 23:58

Me and my partner don't do presents for each other as it seems silly spending from the joint account as we have birthdays near xmas that we buy for but he has nothing for xmas. All shopping, wrapping, decorating and cooking is me and this year I am resentful about it
Also oldest friend bought me and the kids generic cheap crap and my sister got me cheap shit from temu so I am ungrateful and annoyed even though I know I shouldn't be really

SheSaidHummingbird · 26/12/2025 23:58

I feel obliged to explain to all you disappointed mumsnetters the Golden Selfish Family/ Friend Rule: That your allergy, dietary intolerance, general preference does NOT apply on Christmas Day. The same way that calories don't count on Christmas:

Yes, you might have sensitive skin that limits the beauty products that you can use, but I - the selfish relative - have Boots points to spend and your allergy doesn't apply today.

I know you've told me many times about your vegan requirements, but I - the selfish relative - don't want to cook a nut roast and so you'll be fine eating my glorious turkey, just for today.

I see, I see, wool irritates your skin and causes rashes. Unfortunately, this wool cardigan was on sale and I wanted to save money. So I - the selfish relative - did indeed purchase this for you because wool magically doesn't harm your skin on this very special day.

You don't like the colour pink all year round. But we all know you love it on Christmas!!! Love from your selfish relative xxx

I hope this clarifies the situation.

Futurept · 26/12/2025 23:59

{mention:DontlikeChristmas}@DontlikeChristmas please make sure you wear your tye dye jumper everywhere - dinners out, in front of both your friends, anywhere you go with DH... And if anybody comments make sure you tell them where it came from. See if you can embarrass him!

drspouse · 27/12/2025 00:00

After emailing DD (and only DD, not DS, because DD is the golden DGC) to ask what she wanted for Christmas and not telling us she was doing this, my mum got her a Lego set she wanted. We were getting her a related set but luckily not the same one (my DF, who is no longer married to my mum but who is still quite amicable, told us).
Now we find out she's spent £20 on an eBay partial set (it was £80 full price, way beyond what my mum would usually spend on a present for a DGC), which is missing the expensive bits as the seller had taken them out to sell separately.
My mum denies having bought a used set, of course she's either not read the listing at all or assumed DD wouldn't mind. DD was very upset, but this is a lesson for her in how granny operates - not at all aware that other people have different priorities and wishes than her.

Lilactimes · 27/12/2025 00:10

Mamalicious72 · 26/12/2025 22:55

Yes x

Show quote history

definitely agree too

Niye · 27/12/2025 00:12

I can so relate to some of the posts: to all those receiving unthoughtful presents - it's just easier and lazy to buy ' stuff ' than actually pay attention to a person, what they say/ do, things they share, how they dress, likes / dislikes etc and take the time and effort to buy something appropriate.

MIL does secret Santa (£30 limit) for grown ups as most have everything they need + Christmas can get excessive. One year , 2019, and this was the last year I participated, I went through the trouble of buying my SIL (I drew her name, she drew mine!) a hamper of things as they'd moved into their new home and she was still getting some bits for the house, for e.g. she didn't have a table cloth so bought her a nice one in her fav colour and style she'd like, scented candle as she's into that, best-selling thriller novel as she's into that etc etc.

She gave me an empty vaporising perfume bottle because " I can be quite difficult to buy for '. Examples of things I like : I like food, I like cooking , I am into DIY/ upcycling, into travelling, etc etc. In fact, I have a wide variety of interests, unlike her. And that's when I realised how lazy they had been over the years to just gift me stuff without any consideration or thought.

Haven't done a secret santa with the in-laws since and am so much happier for it.

Don't put yourself through this herculean effort year on year , especially when you don't get the acknowledgement, appreciation and/or reciprocal effort. Not worth it. Treat them exactly how they treat you and save the money and effort for worthier things /people.

Look after No.1 !!