Admitting you're OK without the kids at Christmas (now they've grown...)

Kantankrus_Mare

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

I think some people (usually women) live for their children and some don't. This highlights which camp the various people are in.

Having read some of the replies, it's made me think 'what the hell is it about Christmas that makes people act so crazy!' �� It's one day if the year and for those who aren't religious, it should virtually be a non event. We've gone mad.

It IS one day of the year but the telly, newspapers, shops etc build it all up from the beginning of September so that people "expect" this wonderful family christmas and make you feel inferior if you dont buy into all the hype.

As each year goes by, I get more and more disillusioned with the whole pantomime of the build up.

Maybe it will be different for me if we ever have grand children but although I enjoy the actual day when it gets here........I detest with a vengeance the consumerism and expectations that todays society puts on us.

The person that said their best christmas was taking a picnic and alcohol to a secluded beach with their OH has my vote!!

Hermia

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

I think some people (usually women) live for their children and some don't. This highlights which camp the various people are in.

Having read some of the replies, it's made me think 'what the hell is it about Christmas that makes people act so crazy!' 😀 It's one day if the year and for those who aren't religious, it should virtually be a non event. We've gone mad.

Re: your first point. I get that some people live for their kids, but I don't understand why those people would (i) assume they will always have things the way they want and (ii) can't think of other ways to enjoy themselves if things don't go as they want. It is kind of sad if someone's reaction to not getting the Christmas they want is to just go sink into a bad mood rather than think up some other stuff to do.

Re: the second point. I totally agree! I have had to work on some Christmasses and ended up having my Christmas day on another date and it makes no blooming difference!

boddy

This year I will be at DDs for Xmas. Just the two of us. Which we are looking forward to. Over the years DD alaways had my Mam to stay for Xmas. I did shift work. When I retired I went to DDs for Xmas. I have two GSs who now live with their partners and have children. Last year we to youngest GSs. This year they are going her parents. We have been invited too but politely declined. We all live within a short distance so see each regularly. Poor youngest GS thinks it's awful we will be alone. Little does he know we had planned for it. We have lunch planned and just chill. We will see all the family on Boxing Day at DDs ex in laws who she is still friendly with. They have a buffet tea and the children open more presents.

gettingtheresometime

Kantankrus_Mare wrote: »

It IS one day of the year but the telly, newspapers, shops etc build it all up from the beginning of September so that people "expect" this wonderful family christmas and make you feel inferior if you dont buy into all the hype.

As each year goes by, I get more and more disillusioned with the whole pantomime of the build up.

I don't think it's being inferior but being weird.

I mean the colleagues who you tolerate because you haven't won the lottery and need to work with suddenly have to become your best drinking buddies simply because it's Christmas lol

That why we're so glad to have got away this year...it will be a brave person who tries to make me wear a paper hat come Christmas Day!

seven-day-weekend

ska_lover wrote: »

Its not really a taboo subject is it to enjoy spending time without your adult offspring?

OH god suki, I know a couple who took parents to their honeymoon lol

So do I.... .

seven-day-weekend

Kantankrus_Mare wrote: »

It IS one day of the year but the telly, newspapers, shops etc build it all up from the beginning of September so that people "expect" this wonderful family christmas and make you feel inferior if you dont buy into all the hype.

As each year goes by, I get more and more disillusioned with the whole pantomime of the build up.

Maybe it will be different for me if we ever have grand children but although I enjoy the actual day when it gets here........I detest with a vengeance the consumerism and expectations that todays society puts on us.

The person that said their best christmas was taking a picnic and alcohol to a secluded beach with their OH has my vote!!

That was me. Thanks!!

Pollycat

Judi wrote: »

Now i'm the opposite. Hubby would love to go away over Christmas but i wont go because our youngest wont be with us. He's the last of the 5 to leave the 'nest' and i wont even consider him staying at home on his own Christmas day. I dont mind going after Christmas till after the New Year but not Christmas day. Youngest says he doesnt mind us going but hell will freeze over before i leave him on his own on Christmas day.

If he's old enough to consider leaving him at home alone, maybe he'd prefer to do whatever he wants on Christmas Day without his parents being there.....:)

lulu_92

fairy_lights wrote: »

My parents had their first child free Christmas a few years ago and had the time of their lives. I visited them briefly in the morning to exchange gifts before heading off to OH's parents house for lunch - they had had prosecco and chocolate coins for breakfast so were already pretty tipsy. After we left they had their Christmas dinner - without family to cook for they realised they could have whatever they wanted so had egg and chips. Then they settled down for the true meaning of Christmas - the Doctor Who Christmas special, before having several of their child free friends round for trivial persuit and binge drinking. It was the first Christmas in over 30 years where they had been able to put their own wants and needs first and as much as they enjoy having Christmases with all their children around, they also appreciate having some freedom back in their lives.

Except the Doctor Who special this sounds like my idea of a perfect Christmas! Although the lack of pigs and blankets has left me gobsmacked :rotfl::rotfl:

OH and I have been together for 5 years and this is our first Christmas where we will spend the whole time together as we normally just spent the day with our own families. So this is the first Christmas dinner where I'm not at my mum's house. We have 8 month old twins so we wanted to spend their first Christmas just us four at home. Our parents and siblings are coming over for breakfast and we are visiting them all on Christmas Eve. This weekend we spent visiting our grandparents and my dad so we have done more than our share of travelling, and I'm sure parents can empathise with how much of a faff it is to take two babies places :rotfl::rotfl:

Out,_Vile_Jelly

A couple I know both have parents who've divorced and remarried; ie there are four sets of in-laws. One Christmas, in their mid-twenties, in an attempt to appease everyone, they spent the festive period driving up and down the country visiting all four sets, eating four massive roasts, and being nagged for spending too much time with "the others." They both agreed it was absurd, and spent their next Christmas at home visiting nobody.

seven-day-weekend

....prosecco and chocolate coins for breakfast......

sounds like my kind of Christmas!!