Isn't it funny......

sacha28

.....How one day in the year can cause so much stress?!

We're not even in December yet and, already, there are a few threads on how xmas will happen. It's always made me laugh how the supermarkets are rammed of people, empty of food, the couple of days running up to xmas day, RELAX peeps. The shops are only closed for 1 day :rotfl:

I hate feeling obliged to spend time where I don't want to. I don't want to cook (I do it every day), I don't want to feel pressured into cleaning the dishes (I do this every day too), I don't want to listen to my OH, his sister and their dad sniping at each other all day either.

I think I'm going to go to a restaurant for my xmas dinner then afterwards take my beautiful boy to the park to enjoy his new bike

Melaniep101

I'm of the opinion that I'm not going to get stressed this year. The responsibility of planning Christmas has been on my shoulders every year for the last 20 odd years, and I've come to the conclusion that I am going to relax this year. If the usual traditions don't get done, then the people who are worried about them can organise them! I'm happy to cook a nice Christmas dinner, but hubby has already been read the riot act if he doesn't chip in!

The daughter coming back from Uni has been told that we have a strict present budget this year so don't expect to be spoilt, and my mum/MIL have been told they are more than welcome, but we won't be having any moaning this year!

Christmas is about spending time together, not just about one person doing all the work and everyone else having a nice time!

neverdespairgirl

I'm not stressed at all. I know I'll have a lovely day, with my OH, our son, my parents, their brothers, and my 3 siblings. It'll be chaotic and mad, but great fun.

mummyroysof3

I'm not stressed at all either. I have an extra 7 people for a meal the weekend before Christmas and said I'm doing a Buffett rather than a roast and everyone was fine about it. Dinner on the day is just us 5 and will see some family briefly to exchange gifts but mostly a quiet day

Billie-S

I love Christmas but do get so sick of how it's rammed down our throats from the first week in September! It is halfway through November and I don't feel the least bit Christmassy. It's so odd. Both my girls will be coming home from uni for Christmas; one on 16th Dec and one on 19th and I am sooooooo looking forward to seeing them. I think maybe I will feel more 'Christmassy' then.

I think I may put the tree and decorations up a week before they come to get me in the mood, but I can honestly say, I haven't got ANY presents for anyone yet (oops.)

I only buy for my 2 kids and husband and about half a dozen or so other family members and a few friends. But I really do need to start buying soon. Thing is, if you leave it til early December, some of the shops are already starting to drop the prices

Another thing that pees me off, is the perfect Christmas we are force fed by the media, where everyone has 17 family members all perched around the tree and/or table, all looking happy and fluffy and everything is so perfect. That is not the reality, for most. Fact.

daisiegg

I never get stressed about Christmas. I love it.

tea_lover

It does to start pretty early these days, but having said that I usually love christmas so don't mind that.

Have mixed emotions about it all this year as I was due to give birth on christmas day (or sometime around then, anyway). That's no longer the case so having a constant count down of how close it's getting can get a bit overwhelming. However, am determined to enjoy the things we do have this christmas, whilst lighting candles to remember our angels.

dandelionclock30

I dont do any of it, a person doesnt have to if they dont want to. I know quite a few people who dont really bother apart from getting their kids something if they have them.
I cant stand the hard sell from the shops and all the falseness etc. If people want to do it then thats their choice as well.

sacha28

I won't be getting stressed either We've already had MIL upset because 'going out for xmas dinner will cost £300!' !!!!!!? Where is she eating? And was that an offer to pay for us :rotfl: we know where we want to go and it will be less than £90 for the 3 of us for a 4 course dinner WITH NO WASHING UP :j

Look at it this way.......by the time you have bought the turkey, veg, sausages, bacon, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and starters and pudding, you're almost up that amount anyway.

I LOVE xmas! My tree will go up on the 1st, I make a snow scene on all the front windows, my front room looks like a grotto every year

This year my boy knows something's going on, last year he was 9 months old and couldn't have cared less. It's all about him this year!!

trolleyrun

I don't stress about Christmas. Actually, I'm still waiting to find out whether I'm working or not, so I'll have to wait until I hear about that before I decide what I'm doing. In the last few years, it's just been a friend, myself, a collection of dogs and copious amounts of champers If I'm not working, that'll be what's happening this year too. Roast chicken with an assortment of veggies, dessert, cheese and port. A bit of watching the tellybox, a decent walk with the dogs, a snooze, chocolate, more champers and then home to bed. The dogs will get a special chew.

It does make me laugh as well though, with how stressed many people get. I turn the sound off the tv when the ads are on, as I don't buy into commercialism anyway (regardless the time of year). I value time spent with people and animals that matter to me, not what they will buy me. Oh, how I want to live the simple life

paulineb_2

I dont do much for Christmas, no fuss. Buy presents for my mum and brother. I go and stay with my mum for a few days, we get a takeaway and drink some wine on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I tend to go out socially the week before Christmas and then around the 2nd of Jan or so.

Certainly dont shop like the food shops are going to be shut for weeks.