I'm another who's been in the dislike Christmas camp for decades, and since my Mum died a couple of years ago it's been worse as I have no other close relatives and am currently single, so was looking to spend the day on my own.
However I've had the most wonderful Christmas Day today! I work for a largish charity that happens to own a farm, so I asked the farm manager whether they would like any help on Christmas Day, and have spent the day feeding and mucking out pigs and horses, egg collecting, checking on the cows and lambs, and best of all driving the Massey Ferguson tractor. Came home covered in mud with a big smile on my face, and just about managed to cook some food before falling asleep in front of the TV 😀
If I'm still working at same charity next year, I will hopefully do the same.
I've had two sessions in the human soup hot tub. One at 9.15 am with the lovely mrs ws and a bottle of champagne. Managed to cook dinner for 11 who were all fed. Back in the human soup with adults only after I re chlorinated it from the kids earlier, me and the Bro in law who subsequently is one of my best mates did a 2hr stint talking bollox and I'm still up now finally solo listening to a few tunes. It's gone 2am and it's the first time I've posted in here today/yesterday so it must've been a great day.
Love you all x
Some times its all about what you make of it, unrealistic expectations and a strange obsession with tradition or making it like when you were a kid will never end that we'll.
This year was the first one without any kind of family around me. Went round a mates house had morning on the bike and a decent bbq with a bunch of beers over the course of the afternoon.
No excess consumerism, no adhering to crap traditions and no stress. I like the fact it was quiet and most people had a day off to catch up with friends and family.
Good for you mikewsmith but sadly not everyone has that much choice. The family and societal pressures are too much for me, hence the angst.
I don't get over excited by it, but it trends to be a family gathering, with my wife's family and a big meal. We take it in turns to host and cook, there's no real stress and everyone gets on well. So I guess that must be part of the miracle. 11 of us for dinner on Christmas eve and it all went smoothly.
Everyone had their own reasons for the live or hate of it, but trying not to kill it for others is probably the most important part.
It's ace.
I was unblocking drains on xmas eve but can't say it ruined it ruined anything.
However I've had the most wonderful Christmas Day today! I work for a largish charity that happens to own a farm, so I asked the farm manager whether they would like any help on Christmas Day, and have spent the day feeding and mucking out pigs and horses, egg collecting, checking on the cows and lambs, and best of all driving the Massey Ferguson tractor. Came home covered in mud with a big smile on my face, and just about managed to cook some food before falling asleep in front of the TV
Great stuff! Went to bed last night thinking about something similar for next year maybe... I'd happily work Christmas Day, but as I own a shop it would be pointless. So maybe volunteering is the way to go, and on a farm would definitely be fun!
Fortunately the drain saga has now ended... Severn Trent came round this morning, found a blockage down the line, cleared it and cleared our drain and all the neighbours out too, and cos it wasn't our fault, it was done for free! Can afford to keep that Garmin Watch I bought myself after all... Great start to Boxing Day morning, which I'm always pretty cheery on as it's as far away from the next Christmas as you can get!
Even going to brave the Boxing Day sales for a bit today, GF wants some boots and I need a DVD player, feeling ready and not going to let it break me!
Boxing Day sales, no wonder you hate Christmas.
Wife stressed about everything making her very hard to live with. Kids going mental, in laws and my folks to stay and eat and wind children up even more, then get told to go shopping on boxing day!?! The week is planned out with visits to people I don't like much no time for a ride of any sort. Bar blooming humbug.(hope she doesn't read this sounds bad when read back over) 🙄
Happy to report Christmas is DONE in our house. The kids new stuff is stowed away in its new home, I've just binned the last scrap of "Christmas Food" in the food recycling bin thing and whilst the tree is still up, it's bald again. I can't wait to get my arse to the gym or out on my bike - whichever is opportune first. I don't think I've managed to put on two stone in 48 hours like some daft people but it feels like my entire digestive track is jammed with red meat and cheese. I need some fresh air, to get my blood going again, but mostly a poo.
The last job is to sort out my Wife's gift, yes she liked it, yes it was perfect bar one tiny, weeny detail - it was EXACTLY the same thing I bought her last year. It's seems that due to our new daughter not sleeping last Xmas I have no memory of Xmas 2014 whatsoever so when I saw the pricy bracket online it rang a bell as the thing she had been dropping hints about and just forgot is bought it already - 12 month before!
Still going strong here just finishing a last drink of the day since 10am this morning and a few snacks. Then off to bed as tomorrow is Star Wars, then back for more fine food and drink.