What's up with me

What a brilliant thread - there was me feeling all fed up and jaded with Christmas - forcing myself to do the cards (only a few for me OH does the lion's share) and equally forcing myself to put a few decorations up and wrap some presents - after reading all the posts it made me feel so much better - i.e. it's not just me!!! There are so many factors involved not least having "done" Christmas for 45 years - it's all getting a wee bit tiresome but have to put a brave face on it for everyone else. Ah well, as they say.....

I love Christmas, but have just spent the day with DD and family at two different (and very nice) Christmas fairs - I loved being with the family and seeing the children chat to FC; but I felt no desire whatsoever to buy anything at all. There were lots of lovely things there; but I seem to have got to a stage of life when I don't really want more stuff hanging around my house.

I'm joining you annsixty, it seems like Christmas starts in September (our local Sainsburys put out Christmas stuff beginning of September ?) and it's like slow torture, inescapable and dragging on.
I don't think I've ever felt less festive!

We have had the Rotary Father C round this evening it was very much a non event as no-one came to their doors as they usually do. I was most disappointed and it just re-enforced my own feeling that this year people are jaded and tired. Sorry to be a grinch this year but nothing is lifting my mood.

It's in the news that the average Christmas spend has fallen, it has in this house! We have realised that we don't want novelties that are never used or fancy snacks that aren't eaten until Easter.
I have always said that Christmas should be celebrated every 4 years like the Olympics to make it more special.

Oh dear, apart from the weather I have a feeling that we are all fed up with the endless advertising and overspending being done. I'm sure people spend money when they cannot afford it and that is a misery in itself. Oh for the simple Christmasses from way back when we were grateful to get just a little something. I feel as is I need a shaking up!!

I've just finished cleaning up after the house being upside down most of the week as I've tried to put the decs up and work at the same time. I've got trees in every room and enough lights to power the street (although most are battery ones). And now it's done there is no one to see it - we don't have any visitors and have no family here to come and see us or friends who would drop in. Every year I think I'll just put a few bits up but when it comes out I can't stop until I've used everything as I can't bear to leave it in the boxes. My husband hates the mess as do i and putting it all away is even worse but still I do it :-)

I'll be putting up a few decorations next weekend. And that's pushing it for my DH who's a real BahHumBug. He says nothing should be done until Christmas Eve and then moans until 12th night when they come down. We've got DGD for three days after the school's break up so that's my excuse.

I have noticed people do seem to be generally getting jaded with all the Christmas hype and the encouragement to spend, spend, spend. Perhaps that's a good thing.

JaxKer. . I know how that feels

Well the tree got put up this afternoon after DH instigated the whole decorating process. I have posted cards and bought all the pressies but I'm just not "feeling" it.
I think part of my lack of festive spirit is we won't be sharing it with anyone. I used to enjoy Christmas when my children were small and mum would spend the whole time with us. Last year we had DD her SO and DGC and we played silly games and drank too much. This year it will be DH, DS (who spends all his time on laptop) and me. Nothing to look forward to.

I have to tried all my aduilt life to make Xmas happy. My father was an alcoholic and his BiL ALWAYS used to push the right buttons which so enraged my father that us bewildered children were dragged away from Christmas dinner with grandparents who didn't like us [but that's another story] with mother in floods of tears. Not much Xmas cheer...

as a result one sister goes overboard, the other 'runs away' and has never given her own child any Christmas to speak of.

Tried and tried, and am happy to say my own DC seem fairly well balanced.

I always let the children and GC decorate the tree - on 24 usually, and put cheer around the house. they love it and look forward to it all year.

this year we are going away to DDs so no tree, no decoration - can't say i'm sorry, but shall give pressies and go to church and the whole baloney! Christmas is for sharing not for showing off.

Glad I'm not the only one. I've been so busy with doing the village Xmas plus dealing with the fallout from DD1s shocking news, that I just don't seem to have any energy left whatsoever. I had earmarked today for putting the tree up, card writing and buying rest of presents online, but 200 mile round trip to visit smallest dgs's yesterday has left me shattered. DH has been cleaning like there's no tomorrow, and I've been making myself look busy when he's around, but I really just want to sit with my birthday chocs and the TV.

I live on my own, usually I make an effort. Not this year. I have cleaned today though and put clean cushion covers on, in a nice bright red colour. The few things I put up are just inside the loft hatch. I have new neighbours with kids and although it is a Housing Trust Property they have spent a fortune on outside lights. Prefer tasteful myself. It is so bright I do not need to put anything on inside until after 9.30 pm.

This year I am going to my friends house on Christmas Eve, she usually comes to me. I am staying two nights as her usual visit to her brother on Boxing Day has been postponed. We hope it will be nice and we can go a nice walk with my little dog. As someone said to me "It is only 1 day after all".

I dont want to be a misery and like teetime my mums refrain was I hate christmas,however every year for the last 40 years have hosted christmas without exception for relatives cut adrift,friends,elderly and on their own neighbours,ex,s even the years when my daughters died (seperate years) but just before and just after christmas,I have put a brave face on and given everyone a happy warm memorable time..so they say....this year my OH is unwell with depression and my GD( resident teenager) is struggling with the black dog I just feel absolutely drained,however like another poster and on my earlier post am quite happy to sit back and enjoy the entertainment outside the home that has no input from me apart from appreciation of others hard work.
If others where not relying on me would love to go and help in the assembly rooms for the homeless and those on their own,have previously volunteered and cooked for the homeless in Norwich this time last year itis such a happy atmosphere from those who have so little .....maybe next year I will have my mojo back xx

I have written all my posting cards this morning so feel I have made a start. The local hand delivered cards will get done sometime this week.

This morning I cleaned the porch. I carried my Christmas village downstairs and arranged it on the table. I put out a santa and two candles, and now I'm pooped. I've only done this today as my 3 year old granddaughter is coming later for tea. Last year hubby insisted on taking the C hristmas tree apart and putting it back in it's box. Therefore I CAN'T put it up until he reassembles it! Good excuse. Why do men have to take things apart? Other years it has stood in the corner of the garage all year.

I feel sisterhood with the Granners who feel Christmas is all a bit of a chore. I was challenged, though, by the post about the misery-mama who spoiled the atmosphere, so I am going to paste a rictus of pleasure onto my face and drudge after the family withou complaint: maybe they'll provide the fun and change my mood.

Standing in queue last week one lady behind me said ...'I wish I could fall asleep til Christmas is over'. Another said that its lost its magic ?

We have revitalised ours by not giving extravagant pressies - actually giving none to family-including the new babies. Very few decorations but 'feel' SO MUCH BETTER than embracing the meaningless commercialism

Very few of us actually 'need' anything. Helping at Community Christmas lunch last year for those who would be spending Christmas alone helped kick me up the btm to get perspectives.

A pal of mine is having Christmas this weekend and cooking Christmas lunch for the homeless on 25th. And .... For the first year I'm thinking I wish I was doing that.

We have all the family coming this Christmas for the first time in our new home and we have only put up the cards as they have arrived. If no decorating gets done until the 22nd/23rd when they are here it won't matter a bit and also be a lot of fun to do it all together so it is really tempting to leave it and concentrate on the food. They know we have little energy and won't be surprised and we can just play lots of carols and get out the sherry and have a lovely time.
When a child we went to bed on Christmas Eve and except for hanging our stockings everything was just the same - but next morning we came down and wow there were decorations and lights and it was really wonderful. Gives me goose bumps just remembering it even now! Our poor parents must have been totally cream crackered next day especially as we were up earlier than usual, they put such a lot of effort into making it a really special day even though there was not much money around. Lovely memories!

Decorations, A large already decorated artificial Christmas wreath hung on the door and an artificial poinsettia that has been sitting in the entrance hall all year. Large Christmas tree and decorations that won't come out again this year as going to DD's

A few presents for very close family and some children. Some bought on line. A fight with the sellotape

Christmas cards, a few proper ones but sent by e mail, a great one that has a bauble breaking game that drives my friends mad.

Eaten a lot of food, as there seem to be a number of Christmas lunches.

Attended a Carol service yesterday evening

Going to a ballet this afternoon for the first time in my life.

Been to see the Christmas lights - other peoples' work.

Not very interested in doing anything that involves my effort but happy to enjoy what's out there. But must be difficult to opt out if you have a large family coming around.

And agree harrysgran, out will come the Baileys which I usually don't open til Christmas eve

Was not feeling like celebrating at all as our lovely cat aged 19 died on Monday. DD who lives at home heartbroken as thought of cat as hers. But she had day off work Tuesday. I returned home from visiting friends & found she had put tree up & decorated it. Therapeutic for both of us! - and first time ever that I had no part in it

I find listening to some Christmas tunes and a drop of Bailey's in my mid morning coffee helps me get into the spirit?

I am determined to celebrate life this Christmas . Since this summer each month has been marked with the death of friend and we have another funeral next week. We are that age group. Eat drink and be merry Gransnetters . Put up your cards and remember people care enough for you to send them . Don't wait for the ghosts of Christmas past to frighten you into celebrating. I'm going to put some cotoneaster berries on the front door wreath( it came with ONE berry) which will be my Christmas activity for toad and order a ham for new year from the wonderful Dukeshill people.

I'm not bothering with any Christmas decorations either. Will be away for Christmas so what's the point. I feel quite depressed about it all really; in the past when DH was alive and when the family were here, I went into the decorating and preparation with gusto, but all my Christmassy feeling has gone. Even singing carols yesterday didn't get me in the mood. I hope I get the 'feeling' once I am with the family. Christmas seems to have started so early this year - people have been wishing each other Happy Christmas for what seems like weeks. I would like a far simpler and less commercial celebration of what is was a religious festival