Christmas

For the past few years I’ve realised that I enjoy the run-up and especially the week between Christmas and New Year, more than the actual day. That is a relatively relaxed time - all the cheerful lights and decorations still up, but very little shopping and not much in the way of major cooking - all the lovely leftovers to eat up!

GrannyGravy13

I adore Christmas and all it entails 🎄🤶🏻🎅🏻🧑‍🎄

Me too!

I hate Xmas always glad when it's over I have a ninety odd year old relative I spend it with and try to make it good for her She has never been a nice person I love the feeling when it's over

Despite rather sparse early Christmases (my parents went to the pub and left my sister and I alone for hours) I love Christmas. I love writing and sending the cards, being with family, the lights we and others put up, decorating the tree, the carols and music, the food and drink and, this year, I will have a new grandchild who will be 25 days old on Christmas Day. There is a melancholy tinge in remembering those we have lost and when our dear children were little but Christmas as an oasis in a dark, cold, bleak season.

Personally, I wish I could hibernate until it’s all over.

I used to love it as a child and when my own children were growing up but now it just rubs it in how many family members aren’t here, not just my sisters and husband who have died, but two daughters and my granddaughter who all live in the US.

I don’t send cards or decorate, but I enjoy seeing other people’s trees and I will put a brave face on for DD3 and my sweet 2year old twin grandsons even though my heart will be aching for Christmases past.

TakeThat I feel sorry for you that sounds so miserable. Make sure to look after yourself too. I enjoy the weeks before Christmas, but then for me once Christmas Day has gone so have i !

I love Christmas and Yule as a way of celebrating the ending of the dark nights, but unfortunately I’m working Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 1.30 to 10pm! It will be my last working Christmas as I retire next May.. yay! My 2 daughters and grandchildren always want to come to our house as there is more room, so I’ll get to see the opening of the presents. Last year my daughter cooked dinner, as I was working, this year my husbands decided he’s cooking the Christmas dinner! All his been doing this week is watching the Christmas cooking programmes… he can’t bring himself to ask me for advice or help lol.

GrannyGravy13

I adore Christmas and all it entails 🎄🤶🏻🎅🏻🧑‍🎄

We do as well ..

Our twin daughters and their husbands and our 3 grandchildren and us, enjoy the holiday season very very much. It is always a special time for our small family.

I love Christmas!

I just hate it it brings back so many memories both good and bad. I am always filled with regrets of things I should have done and thoughts of Christmas magic when my children were small .

keepingquiet

Romola

I too used to love Christmas, but without my late DH, all the memories are tinged with sadness. I try to be upbeat but the tears are always near the surface.
It is lovely to be with family, but there are no children now. The GSs are grown up, and somehow the magic of Christmas has gone with their childhood.

When we grow up we begin to realise that this is what Christmas is about: how do we get through the dark winter days without our loved ones being here?

Someone I know recently broke up with a long term girlfriend. The first thing he did? Went out and bought the biggest Christmas tree he could find and decorated it with lights and tinsel.

Christmas, whether you are Christian or not, is simply an act of defiance against the pain and the loss we undergo in our lives.

So despite another close bereavement this year we shall celebrate just the same, as my loved one did after losing a little child.

I think this dark aspect to Christmas is often overlooked in the buying and gorging that goes on- but when you have been there you know that we have to celebrate the light returning.

The hope in the infant and yes, the sheer joy on a child's face, even if that joy was long ago. No one can take away those precious Christmas memories.

I wish you peace at least Romola, this Christmas.

Lovely comments❤️