Christmas is just a load of wifework: discuss

[drspouse]

DH and I have a collaborative approach to Christmas though he tends to want to do less than I do in terms of activities, as our DS needs a bit of structure I usually overrule him.
He writes more Christmas cards than I do as we only do them for elderly relatives who don't have email and he has more of them.
However all family just want me to give them suggestions for presents for the DCs.
And could you just send me a link.
And what does DH want.
Oh can't you just buy it and I'll pay you back. Can't you wrap it too?
And the mums on FB... My goodness. And here too. I bet all the dads are not wrapping up the living room door and moving the elf and buying reindeer food. And working out which relative won't eat smoked salmon canapes and when to get their Ocado slot. And if they'll fit into their slinky dress for the work party.
It's just the whole year of sexism multiplied by 65 million isn't it?

@BeaufortScale

Sorry - are you a single parent? If not why isn't your husband sharing this burden you feel is inescapable?

Not a single parent. DH wouldn’t do these things as he thinks the DC shouldn’t be embarrassed by the lack of them. But as they are, it puts me in the position of feeling I have to do them.

How difficult is it exactly to write a card for a teacher and buy a generic box of chocolates along with the weekly shop. Same for Christmas jumper- although how exactly a probably man made item of tat probably made in appalling conditions in a third world factory and destined for landfill has anything to do with Christmas escapes me.

Ah, the usual ‘but it’s just’. None of these things are difficult. And I’m in the lucky position of having enough money for them, and good internet access which makes everything easier. But the cumulative amount of headspace and time taken up with them is annoying and quite substantial.

For example, I could try and source an ethical Christmas jumper (would take ages, would have needed to think about it in November, which I didn’t) or I could just go with the flow and a quick raid on my nearest cheap jumper shop (two hours out of my non working day) or Amazon / ebay (and just hope it arrives in time). I hate the whole Christmas jumper thing for the reasons you state - but understandably my DC don’t want to be the only child at school without them.

Or perhaps I’m just not as good at being a feminist as you. This is entirely possible - I’m working on it.

I'm not a feminist. Never claimed to be one. I've managed over 35 years without ever ironing a man's shirt or buying and sending Christmas presents or cards for his family or moving an elf on a shelf.

Why the fuck do people come on here and gives us titles like exam questions.