Isn't it funny......

virgo149

Our Christmas this year will consist of me waking the hubby up early afternoon for his lunch as he's working nights (12 hr shifts) from Christmas eve for four nights.

He'll be back off for a kip before work then I'll put my feet up with a bottle of red and a tin of Quality Street to watch the usual bundle of joy that is Christmas Day TV.

With only 1 of 4 parents left (my dad, who'll be spending it with his companion and her son 65 miles away), no kids and a brother who won't call to see how things are, we'll be perfectly content.

If it weren't for the fact that the hubby is really looking forward to his turkey lunch, I'd happily volunteer somewhere for the day to try and spread some Christmas cheer where it's really needed.

There are bigger things in life to stress about and Christmas certainly isn't one of them. Priorities people, priorities...........

BJV

I used to get really stressed. Everything had to be perfect. The perfect roast the perfect veggie, perfect dessert then one year I had a disaster.

I was getting so worried about the turkey I had had two or three glass's of wine, put it in the oven and forgotten to take the giblet bag out . Half was through the whole thing was splattered in plastic.

That year we had cold ham salad and xmas pud.

In hindsight it was the best thing ever. Now I do not get worried. Its about who you are with and not how fab the sprouts are.!

Liz3yy

I really enjoy Xmas, always have done. What I don't enjoy is the over commercialised side to it and the expectation that you should have a fantastic time, spend loads of money and see the whole family "because it's Xmas"

Every year since moving in with my now husband we have spent the Xmas period quietly at home, just the two of us watching TV, eating nice food with a beer or two and generally monging about - lovely. On Xmas Day we're always invited to the in-laws where we're treated to the most wonderful dinner followed by lots of wine and chatter.

Normally that's all we do and we love it, however this year we have very kindly been invited by hubbys cousin in Salisbury to a meal at their home, should be about 10 of us there including the children, looking forward to that.

As for presents, we're not buying for each other - don't see the point as we have everything we need and are happy enough with each others company, plus it will be our first Xmas as a married couple We'll take a bottle of something nice to the in-laws on the Day, and also something alcofrolic for the family on Boxing day, but that is it.

Gone are the days where I used to get into debt to buy presents for family members I didn't particularly like...I never forget how every year my Aunt on my Mums side would send me her list in November full of things I "had" to buy for her....!

Saturnalia

I succumbed once to the family pressure to come for Christmas. Mum threw a tantrum every time I'd said we weren't coming so we decided to avoid a row.

I was in uni and working part-time in a supermarket, which had been manic in the run-up and even worse on Christmas Eve. I finished at 5 and the boyfriend and I set off, in the dark, with snow already starting and more forecast, across the tops from Yorkshire to Cumbria, in his ancient car which had previous of breaking down.

Christmas Day was nice but we had to leave after Boxing Day lunch to try and get back before dark. We did, thankfully without incident, and that was the day I swore never again.

Oh, and as for avoiding getting the parental hassle? It was thrown in my face for about 5 YEARS how we'd shown up too late to do anything on Christmas Eve, left halfway through Boxing Day, and it wasn't worth us coming in the first place!

That was 12 years ago and although the boyfriend is history, no has definitely meant no ever since.

pukkamum

The only stressful part of xmas for me is the fact that I've signed up to do a craft stall at dds xmas fayre, I am sooooooo over stitching mice, owls and xmas tress, normally I love crafting but hate the pressure!

pickledonionspaceraider

Im not stressed at all, I don't celebrate Christmas these days.

Not being practising Christian church goer these days, so we don't celebrate the holiday which is associated with the birth of christ as would feel a bit contradictory to me

I can understand the magic of christmas for little kids and think its brilliant for them...but I do wonder why, when i see people stock piling and going OTT with food shopping and getting in debt and spending their precious days off work with people they dont wish to spend time with....i really dont see the point, for us.

We tend to celebrate family birthdays on a much bigger scale than some people, as they are more personal.

pelirocco

bargainbetty wrote: »

I'm doing the cooking this year, for between 11 and 15 people (tbc). Before people scream and recoil in horror, my best mate is a chef and has offered to help me do all the prep and part-cooking possible on Xmas Eve. I also get to avoid all the arguments and stresses on the day by hiding in the kitchen attacking the cooking sherry.

It's also a great excuse to leave early, being so tired and all. Next year, I'm thinking of going abroad.

Thats a normal number in our house , and I do the cooking , but i find it relaxing not stressful , I just get organised ( for a change ! ) It is after all just a very large roast dinner . We also seem to have got into a pattern of having a very large party on the Sunday before , which is probably slightly mad , but i get everyone else to clear up lol.

Then off on my Hols on the 27th

neverdespairgirl

Prothet_of_Doom wrote: »

Strangely, I love the negotiations with the in laws, my parents, and my sister about who goes to whom and when. The whole thing is a mine field, but so what? Watching the manipulation is hilarious.

Fortunately, no negotiations in my family. My parents expect us all to be at theirs, and we all want to do that, so it's fine. My OH is Jewish, so never celebrated Christmas, and he doesn't want to be anywhere else. My 8 year old adores a house full of indulgent adult relatives who want to play with him. And my mother is a world-class cook, who has plenty of people around to do the donkey work while she does the master touches. Everyone's happy!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Bazey wrote: »

Is it christmas soon?

Oh fook...I wondered why it's been getting colder.

That's nothing to do with it - according to the tabloids, it's a completely unheard of phenomenon which is going to cause the entire world to implode under the weight of enough snow for a million Ice Ages, apparently.

ciderwithrosie_2

Nah, I love it all! People who get stressed out are usually the ones to whom the arrival of Christmas is a surprise to them every year or they just make things too complicated for themselves!