Working the holidays

basil92

I 'have' to keep a week of my miserly 4 week annual leave for xmas week, and I hate and resent it. I'd rather be working!

I'd rather use my holiday when I want rather than be forced to take it when it's too expensive to go abroad and the alternative is short, dark, cold...and probably wet, days here, just because it's late December and it's been decided we all must enjoy this festive farce!!

Sorry OP....*got me coat already*....

Poppy9

OH mother worked every Xmas day when he was a child and he doesn't have bad memories of it.

Your DD is young enough to make your own present opening traditions, nothing to say Santa can't come throughout the day!

I never work Xmas as I'm LA but I am restricted with leave at other times of the year which does coincide with many of the school holidays. Hence I worked part -time till DD did GCSEs!

I agree with another poster about parents with young children expecting childless or older parents to work for them is selfish. I work with people with elderly parents and they are the only family they have so are just as needed at home as if anything older people are more in need on such a day, not having the distraction of Santa.

What sort of company do you work for that is open all day on Xmas day?

mrsdwhite

Poppy9 wrote: »

What sort of company do you work for that is open all day on Xmas day?

We work as Pub managers - DH is the manager, me the 'deputy'. I've always accepted, if not liked, that Xmas day is a part of the business. But we would always be done by 5pm is, leaving us to have the evening to ourselves. Those few hours in the evening were so special to us, especially when DD came along. They've now taken that last little shred away from us and to be honest if it weren't for DH being the manager here I'd have gone when they announced it a few months ago.
I'm putting a fair bit of pressure on DH that I don't want to be sitting having the same conversation this time next year. He needs to work at finding other another job in a different company or a corporate role in this one, and not spend time messing about over it as he has in the past. He did apply for a corporate role which he was very close to getting but just missed out on. I'm hoping something else comes up soon.

Fosterdog

Xmas day is the only day I'll have off, which I am greatful for but would love to get more time with friends and family. I work in retail so it is the most stressful time of year for me and every year it leaves me with deep depression that takes months to get over.

jackyann

We are both retired, but for years OH worked alternated Christmases (I did too, but only before kids)
My advice is to seize the initiative and as another poster said, make your own traditions.
If you feel misersble and make the kids feel hard-done-by, that's how it will be. If you say "some people have to work to keep everything going over Xmas, because they have very important jobs" kids feel good - if little say that Santa expects those families to have different rules about opening gifts and having special meals.
Sit down together, all say what special food you would like to have, what special treat you will enjoy together, and organise them over the holiday period. And if you feel able, all say what you are thankful for over this holiday period. This is a powerful message for children, and one that I am glad that I gave mine.
Happy Christmas!

Poppy9

So it's not like the Queen Vic then when Ang & Dirty Den had all family etc. in the pub for Xmas lunch!!

so_very_confused

I'm on nights Christmas day, Boxing day and all over New Year. I don't mind New Year and this year offered to work Christmas. I also get a bit fed up with people with younger children doing the emotional blackmail thing also those that are unable to make alternative transport arrangements therefore get excused covering.

calicocat

so_very_confused wrote: »

I'm on nights Christmas day, Boxing day and all over New Year. I don't mind New Year and this year offered to work Christmas. I also get a bit fed up with people with younger children doing the emotional blackmail thing also those that are unable to make alternative transport arrangements therefore get excused covering.

Lol....this gets my goat too....

HELLO.....you have had all year to save up for a taxi.......:) , these are usually the same people that think cars are somehow free and only bus passes need money...:D.

sparrer

I had a residential home and was later the manager of a sheltered housing scheme so didn't have a Christmas Day (or Boxing Day, New Year and only a rare weekend) off until I retired. I never begrudged having to work and was happy to let staff decide between them who would take the day off, the ones that came in got paid well and toil. They were told when we discussed hours at their interviews what holidays they're expected to work, I'm sure everyone knows all the ins and outs of the job when they get their conditions of employment. It meant we couldn't have family or friends to visit or have a celebratory drink throughout the holiday season but it also meant there were several elderly, sometimes frail, people who had a Christmas rather than living on their own and having to fend for themselves.

boultdj

I'm working Christmas day, no kids, just OH & the cat.