Please warm my/our cockles

[Loveaglassofsherry]

Really sad to read about dysfunctional relationships and wrong’uns who have ruined Christmas Day for their partners and children. I was in a struggling marriage a few years ago and my partner told me they wanted a divorce on Boxing Day - hearing George Michael sing “but the very next day you gave it away” still brings a lump to my throat! But skip forward a few years and I’m blissfully happy with a new partner who gave me the best Christmas ever. I woke to a wonderful stocking full of thoughtful presents and it felt like I hardly lifted a finger all day.

So, with apologies to those who’ve had a crap Christmas, can others warm my/our cockles with the things (big and little) that your partner did to make your Christmas Day special?

My partner spent Christmas working (policemen) which makes me incredibly proud, we had a lovely dinner when he got home and fell asleep on the sofa, heaven

I’ve had the shitty Christmas’s and anyone else who just had one, make this your last and spend 2025 getting rid of these dickheads!

My partner has been celebrating with my side of the family at my parents' house, including my elderly grandparents. He has just been wonderful with them - making sure they have everything they need, helping grandpa up and down the stairs, contributing significantly to the cooking. We both got each-other very lovely perfume to wear on our wedding day in six weeks time as our gifts to each-other, and he also helped me pick out really thoughtful gifts for everyone else, particularly my dad. Watching him nattering happily away to my grandpa, or stood next to my dad in the kitchen both chopping away, makes my heart swell

P.s. Thank you for this thread, it's a heartwarming contrast to some of the less happy stories we see on here a lot of the time - nice to see representations of lovely experiences too!

DH cooked our Christmas dinner this year, so no complaints from me.

My husband is just lovely. Very kind, chilled, affectionate and has pushed me through the years to fulfill my potential. He is a very loving father and I love how he shows our children how a woman should be treated.

As an aside, he keeps telling me that I'm the double of Margot Robbie, which I'll take!

3 years ago I was in a very low place. I was recovering from a bad injury and although it was healing, I was still in loads of pain. Christmas Eve I went out with DD to see my sister and nephews. When I got home, he’d drunk all the beer I’d bought to last over Christmas (bear mind mind we weren’t hosting but there were maybe 8 bottles or real ale for him for times around Christmas dinner). He was passed out snoring on the sofa by 9. I had to ‘be Santa’ on my own despite being in agony - stairs were still difficult - and I looked over at him snoring so loud I couldn’t hear the TV and thought ‘Honestly? It would be easier without him!’. I asked to split in the New Year.
3 years on, DD has gone from a very nervous, ‘highly strung’ child to a mature, confident, happy tween who says now she’s really glad we split up. I met someone else 2 years ago. He’s bought me really thoughtful gifts. He makes me really happy 🥰 Things turned out better than I ever could have imagined. Even if I hadn’t met DP, I’m still so glad I took that leap. My home is a much happier place for it!

This isn’t what you asked for but is in the spirit of your thread.
My ExH didn’t treat me well at the end (the script) but he stepped up & since has become a better Dad.
My DC have spent over half of Christmas Day with him & OW. They will come back & had a great time with stories of lovely food, family time and presents. I am pleased they can have a full & fun Christmas Day with both of us. Separation doesn’t have to mean the DC get a raw deal at Christmas time (or anytime of the year).

We had the most tremendous Christmas Dinner, albeit late when my daughter finally got home from work.

God Bless the NHS.

7 years ago I was cowering away from an abusive ex (father of my children) and wondering where my life would lead/how to manage alone with a new born. We split up about a month later. I do have a partner now who is lovely but I just wanted to add that there is life beyond this type of trauma. My partner treats me the way I should be treated, with respect.

My partner and I spent Christmas separately this year. We’re still fairly new, moving in together next year. He spent Christmas with his mum who is staying with him for a few days. He made dinner, organised an afternoon tea for her gift, and planned lots of lovely things for them. We had our own “Christmas Day” together a few weeks ago, and again he made the dinner and we did the washing up/cleaning together and he has booked a surprise trip next week as my gift. Next year we’ll spend actual Christmas together with all our family but we have agreed we’ll also still keep our pre Christmas, “Christmas Day” 😂

My dad was verbally/psychologically/financially abusive and after years of therapy I can see the effects this has had on me and my mum. Christmas was often very tense. I feel very, very grateful to be with someone who is nothing like this and is kind, thoughtful and caring!

Who wants warm cockles? 🤮

He cooked all food and refused help. He has a Christmas system that he loves tweaking every year in the search for perfection. He bought me what I wanted but it was too small (not clothes), so he bought me a bigger version and still gave me the smaller version.

He put up all the lights and will take down the tree and decorations in the new year. He tells me he loves me all the time.

The best bit is we'll be sitting watching TV and he'll just hold out his hand for me to hold. And we'll exchange a look and know we love each other.

Really needed to read this today, thank you everyone!

Hope your ok @Tyrells