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How to manage Christmas

5 replies

Imonita · 26/11/2022 13:56

Im in my late 40s and I have a spectacularly shite family (ie parents/siblings.) Always been dysfunctional, and mostly everyone avoids everyone else. I tend to be peace keeper and have a semblance of a relationship with most of the others, albeit no one makes much effort with me, I have always been the one to do all the running around/facilitating contact etc. I have just learnt to accept thats how it is/they are. However, no doubt like many, I find that some years christmas seems to particularly highlight just how crap they are - as I said to a friend recently, there's nothing like the festive season for giving family the opportunity to show you just how little they care. Add to the mix the fact that I am divorced and the children will be with their dad this year, and I am facing a very quiet and solitary christmas. How shall I manage this? I have good friends, but all will be with their own families...I almost need a divorced persons christmas club! So, how do others navigate this time of year when they will be alone? Any ideas gratefully received!

OP posts:
BadnessInTheFolds · 27/11/2022 06:08

I'm sorry your family have let you down so often. It's a miserable time of year for that. I saw the Marian Keyes video on Mumsnet a couple of years ago and I think it's helpful in reminding us that despite the supermarket adverts and hallmark films, a lot of people find this time of year a struggle for different reasons

It sounds like you've decided to spend it alone, is that the case? Are you looking for suggestions to meet up with people or to make it special for you?

My thoughts for seeing people:

Ask friends if you could pop by for an hour. You could also ask to join them for the whole day, if you felt comfortable to- but I thought from your OP you were looking for alternatives to that. You could offer to bring a bottle/cake etc over.

Some years I've been for a walk around town on Christmas day in the evening
It's nice to be out with less traffic, with the Christmas lights on and people will often say merry Christmas, which is a nice simple thing to do to feel a bit connected and get out of the house.

Volunteering for Christmas meals might well be full by now (you could check locally). Would volunteering as a marshal at a local parkrun be an option? Or running/ walking it yourself www.parkrun.org.uk/special-events/

Or making it nice for yourself- would you prefer to have Christmassy things or save that for the day your children are with you and do something totally different? Choose your favourite food that you don't get to eat very often because it's not child friendly, have a long bath, watch a film, listen to your favourite album at full volume, do a home pedicure or start a craft project you don't normally get time for.

Those are just my thoughts. Bumping for you in the hope of more ideas- you could also try moving to another topic (Christmas topic? Relationships?) for traffic, although I appreciate that might not be the right place depending how you're feeling.

BadnessInTheFolds · 27/11/2022 06:15

Also, if you're looking for practical ideas - would you be comfortable sharing a budget? I was wondering about suggesting a cook at home restaurant meal (the type that became popular in lockdown e.g. dishpatch.co.uk ) but I didn't know if that would be an option for you price-wise?

Imonita · 27/11/2022 18:17

@BadnessInTheFolds Thanks so much for your replies, really kind of you to take the time to make so many suggestions. Funnily enough another similar thread is currently getting lots of ideas so I'm following that too now! (Plus wondering how one should word a post in order to get more attention in the first place!! 😂) I am feeling a bit better about it all, so all's well. 😊

OP posts:
BadnessInTheFolds · 28/11/2022 19:18

Oh I'm glad to hear that. There are often a few threads at this time of year with ideas about different things to do.

Why some threads get picked up and others don't is a mystery to me!

TheRealKatnissEverdeen · 28/11/2022 19:38

@BadnessInTheFolds that video is brilliant.
OP this will be my first year with my two will spending half the day without me so I sort of understand. In addition, my mum gets super worked up over Christmas and usually makes the mood crap for all. All in all I'm usually glad when it's over.
Hope yours goes ok x

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