I know it is August but...

I think you will regret that decision on Christmas morning. Just give one small gift to each family member or draw names.
However, our family drew names last Christmas for the first time ever and DH and I got two brothers in our DS's family. So we felt bad that we didn't have any gifts to send to DD's family. This year I think we will send a small gift for each family member.

I agree the whole thing has got MUCH too commercial and the pressure on many people to spend money they haven't got on things others don't need is not good.And wearing yourself out in the kitchen is not essential.

But I do think it is good to mark the season of goodwill with Christmas/greetings cards - or even just a special email message for friends and family far away in order to exchange news/maintain relationships. Keeping up friendships is so important as you get older. And when we have been on our own over Christmas (not our 'turn' to host!) the two of us have on occasion invited neighbours round for a meal who might otherwise have been sitting alone in front of the TV.

I have myself in the past also asked close family to send a small sum to one of my pet charities instead of buying me a present - but not everyone is happy to do this!

Ch*******s for us is always a low key affair anyway. We only buy for each other our Cx2 and GCx2 adult pressies are just a token amount.
Most Ch******s days the meal is the same as a large Sunday roast with turkey and shared between H, S, and I. So apart from the tree and a few cards on display it's pretty much like any other day already.

Not done xmas celebrations for 5 years now, the only time I seemed to see the adult grandkids was on their birthdays and around xmas so I told them I wasnt doing xmas anymore much to the annoyance of older daughter and we had a row about it with her tearing into me with a few choice words!!

Its just another day for me like any other day.

Christmas Cards in Dobbies already
I think how we celebrate ( or not ) depends on our relationships with our families. Personally I would seal myself in a box, but no chance with my DGC '!!

I have always done the whole Christmas thing. Up early drive over to see DGC . Spend a few hours then dash back to prepare dinner for the rest of the family. DH drives round picking everyone up (grrr) then we eventually sit down to dinner . Finish dinner then clear up, wash up ( while everyone else is relaxing, drinking, watching tv etc) not one single second of relaxation.
I lost my beloved grandma late last year and my dear mum in April so things won't be the same but I know my dad, sister etc. Will expect things to go on as normal and to be honest I'm just fed up . I don't doubt
It will be the same as usual though as I haven't got the strength to say no.

xmas is never the same after losing a loved one especially when its the norm for the whole family to get together this time of year.

Our theory is that we do full-on Christmas one year at ours with all the DC and DGC, then quiet Christmas the next year when they all go to their in-laws. In practice the best laid plans, etc, and we've only had one quiet one. We had a very civilised day just the two of us, with a lovely meal out and no bombsite to clear up afterwards, but we both missed the proper family celebration. It's supposed to be quiet Christmas this year Fortunately we always see the whole gang on Boxing Day when another family member hosts a big get-together.

for anyone having a quiet Christmas not from choice.

I would quite like a quiet day or even "shock horror" to eat out . But that ain't gonna happen . Never mind same as ever.

I love Christmas. ??. The tree, the lights, the cards, the presents and the family. I love making the dinner, cooking the turkey and all the trimmings. The only thing I don't do is make a Christmas cake. I have tried several times over the years, but have never been successful. I wonder if it's something to do with having a December birthday.

Wash your mouths out, lets have no more talk of Christmas till late November at least, even if you aren't celebrating it. I'm still in summer mode, but it seems as soon as September is here, Christmas cards are on sale in shops and a month later will have bloody Jingle Bells being piped out

Have you tried Delia's Creole Christmas cake recipe, hildajenniJ? Foolproof and wonderful if you like a boozy one (guess who does ).

I absolutely love it all too. It's like Santa's grotto round here from mid-December right through to 6 January.

DH loves Christmas, and were it not for him, and GS, I wouldn't do it. He goes totally over the top and it makes me really grumpy when I see things hurtling out of (my) control! But I thank God he is still here to go seasonally bonkers while so many of our friends are not. We usually alternate hosting Christmas Day with DD; this year it is her turn, but if they should decide to do something else, it wouldn't bother me. Ditto DS and d-i-l, who always come to us on Boxing Day, but have never suggested we go to them. Bring it on, I suppose! Bah humbug!

I always loved Christmas but now I am on my own I it isn't the same. I still decorate, put up the tree, send cards and buy presents but getting up Christmas morning and opening presents alone just doesn't feel right. I am always invited to spend Christmas with my late DH's family but can't face the drive back home to an empty house so spend the day alone and if the weather isn't too bad I go for a walk after lunch.

llrina that's the way I would like it!
2 yrs ago we tried something similar
It worked well
Last year DD wanted traditional
DD & 2 DGC stayed with us as partner works away and he was only here for xmas day.
We had lovely day. But exhausting.
But eight day stay was too long!

This year Presents for 3 DGC
Money for 2 DC
Few cards and will take DS & BIL for veggie meal
Job done as they say

Visit. MiL on day take her usual tipple
Then will see what Santa brought GC

Back home for lobster seafood platter from M&S.

We lucked out!
Southern hemisphere has long sunny days
We get Dark cold & wet

I really wouldn't want long, sunny days at Christmas. I'm always like a big kid hoping for snow!

No, we cancelled this a few years ago. Give a charity donation to Guide Dogs instead.

We don't do Christmas either, although I do still send Christmas cards to people I've exchanged cards with over many years. That's my only concession to it. I really don't - seriously do not - like the way we get it rammed down our throats from September onwards. And the TV ads - don't get me started.

I love Christmas- the whole razzamatazz- the presents, the cooking, the decorations, the carol service-

BUT

I do NOT want to think about it before December or mid November at the earliest & I wish the shops had to wait until MUCH later to start reminding us it is coming- we KNOW!!

I am not a fan, but this year have decided to join in with family. We have usually had DD's new family up after, as they have been joining in with a get together of about 15, which we didn't want too add to. This year they are hopefully just them and my stepchildren in a new home, and with new baby, so it would be good to stay near them and join in. The new home and new grandchild should hopefully come to pass in the next week or so. My DD doesn't do things by halves!

I agree with you Margrete. My family stopped it in its old format a few years ago. Now, we only buy presents for the children. Money saved from presents is put in a pot to buy Christmas food and drink. We do one course each at home and take it to whoever is hosting that year, so not too much work for one person.

I no longer send any Christmas cards either. It takes the stress off. I used to love Christmas, but it's too commercial now.

I love Christmas but the word doesn't usually pass my lips until after my birthday in November. I make a cake and puddings with the family, make my cards and we usually buy small presents for family. My favourite times are when we have family over but one year, when we knew our children wouldn't be with us on the day we went to Antarctica and had 'Christmas' a month early, I still enjoyed it and f let it took the pressure of the children. This year our daughter may be in Canada as she hopes to live there for a year and our son and family at our dil'S Dad's so we will either invite some people who would otherwise be alone for dinner. My only moan is it starts too early but I enjoy making things for the day and getting out the decorations, we try to buy something from places we go on holiday so it is a nice trip down memory lane, I even have some decorations from my childhood! Don't let the moaning minis put you off celebrating, let them have a quiet time if they prefer, each to his own. I do sympathise with people on their own and understand it is a sad time for many people but invite a friend or neighbour round, at least for a coffee and mince pie or volunteer to help with a meal for those in need, and if you want to have a day in bed with a good book!

Sunseeker, that must be tough- going.

One day I may be joining you, though my husband (70 in two months) seems okay at pres. Widowhood - if I do become a widow - is not a state i look forward to at all. Being 14. yrs younger than hub I suppose it's more likely to come about than not.

Best wishes.

This is a very norty thread in Summer, GNHQ may need to be informed.