[Closed] Xmas: the post-mortem ...

Me next. Next year invites will only be sent out to my wife. Out of 5 women at Xmas lunch, only one helped with clearing/washing up and that was my wife. Other 4 sat on their ar$es and treated my gaff as a restaurant.

But I don't mind as I invited them for xmas lunch not washing up.

😆

merry xmas c_g (i actually had a good crimbo at my friend's house yesterday,so cannot complain 😀

will also finally be getting a proper broadband connection fitted on monday (xbox live here i come 😉

have a good new year also c_g 😉

[img] [/img] this pug has had one too many over the festive season.

No guests here. Just the 2 of us cooking a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings in a tiny caravan. No card from my sister, so wondering what I've done now to upset her.

Busy christmas, but not bad - my venting is work-related. Asked before christmas if we could work from home, as I've got a big old commute - answer is no, the boss wants a presence in the office, but we'll give you christmas eve. Well ok, fair enough - christmas eve, everyone in the office gets sent home two hours early - me, I'm on until the death, which is annoyong. Make the trip in today and find MY boss, who told me they wanted a presence in the office, is working from home! His boss, who handed down the "presence" dictat, I haven't seen for weeks. So I ask if I can slide off early, as people went two hours early on christmas eve, and I get an hour. Ah well, better than nothing, I guess.

mine was rubbish. just like it always is because christmas is a dirty old whore with nothing but money on her mind while she halfheartedly flogs your flacid member.

Yesterday we went to a birthday party. We're not allowed to talk about christmas or exchange christmas presents because the kid was born on boxing day. Tough crap kidder, is what I'd say. But no. Then I drove 100 miles to another party but this one was even worse because I was the only adult driving and therefore the only person not getting hammered.

Roulette drinking games followed by drunken Karaoke. Try that when you're sober. Then I had to drive two drunk people home.

That's not a happy day to have.

Edit: The *only* good thing about christmas is the long holiday. But my boss said I had to be in today and then back in on the 2nd.

Really. it's been pants.

Agreed. It's generally a yearly ordeal. Next year I'm going on holiday somewhere hot. On my own.

Kids had a great time, first time my folks have been round for Xmas lunch since they moved to the village, been slobbing about and eating junk.

Got nothing I really wanted, the money I got has been spent on replacement bits for the Soul.

Tomorrow we head to Sussex for 4 days with the outlaws.....

Every bit as crap as it always is and every bit as crap as I expected it to be. The only good thing about it is that the whole sorry business is over for another year.

Mine was the best I've had in ages. I just wish my Dad's horrible girlfriend wasn't here for it as none of us (apart from him) seem to like her and it ruined what should've been a family evening a bit!

Spent Christmas Day sat in an office about 6000 miles away from my usual office doing work that I could have done at home all because some slack **** didn't organise site access for me as was their ****ing job! Everything I have done in the last two weeks could have been done by someone based here. To top it all off I have been seconded to the Middle East so I get no extra pay for working over Christmas or new year, for a company that prides it's self on the way it treats it's staff they sure are a bunch of ****s.

No

Family feuds, fisticuffs

drunken shenanigans etc.

Love Christmas, it only last a couple of days when it comes down to it so make the most of it whilst it lasts - yer a long time dead n all that!

2 day break then back to work for me..... its just another day 😉
Actually nice to be in a contract for someone who doesn't shut over Christmas, rather than the enforced "holiday" (No work no Pay) you normally get.

Kids enjoyed it, Mrs was really happy with her present, and I ran out of time to get mine in time for Christmas so still have that to look forward to ;o)
More looking forward to Snowboarding in 5 weeks if I`m honest.... I always found Christmas a pain, so used to disappear to the Alps for a few weeks instead.
The current Mrs Dom prefers to be at home, so that's where we spend it for now.
I am less Bah humbug than I used to be for everyone elses sake, but it doesn't come natural

Having one of the last few Christmases before my two lads will prefer to be out with their mates / girlfriends / boyfriends so loving every second they want to spend with me and MrsCat. Spent time with my ace outlaws and my own wrinklies, of whom one celebrated his 90th Christmas with beer and giggles - what's not to love (and I spent most of it prepping food, cooking and clearing up). Now about to settle down with a bottle of wine at half four in the afternoon with a log fire and some crap on TV - great innit!

Got the whole lot done by the 22nd, have been back at work from the 23rd.

Christmas Day was great. Yesterday I had to sit through the brother in law telling us about this he'd bought, that they've just got etc. ohh, and telling us about the iPad Mini Air they got for their 6 yr old. So that's three iPads they have in a family of 5 - kids of 8, 6 and 4.

Lovely. Locked the door. Eat and drank lots of smashing stuff. Bliss.

Including the Coq au Vin!:

[img] [/img]
Before.

[img] [/img]
After...

Note magical self-refilling wine goblet.

I will not be travelling on the M25 on Boxing Day again. You would I would have learned from the last 5 times.

I will be heading to hotter climes with my roadie in tow next year you just wait and see...

Nice presents, the rest shit.

Didn't go to the pub xmas eve (like I do every year) with friends because girlfriend
didn't feel like it, and I couldn't be arsed with an argument.

Spent most of xmas day apart from girlfriend, had lunch with my estranged parents, sister, her boyfriend & ill son, plus my aunt & uncle who I thought had broken up. Couldn't drink as had to drive. Came home to atmosphere between girlfriend's family, early to bed.

Clay shooting yesterday was short lived as trap is knackered on account of it falling off pallet forks of tractor a few weeks ago (I warned girlfriend's dad), and his bodge repair hasn't worked. Evening with my mum's family, that was nice.

Went to bed on a disagreement last night about spending money we've been given for Christmas on something other than what we said we would (I don't think we should). Barely spoken since, went to local town today for a mootc, she got the pig because I turned down tea/cake at lunch time, came home v.fast indeed, I've watched snatch (the guy Ritchie film), and here we are. Merry f*****g Christmas.

Cant get a pint in Xmas lunch as we go to the outlaws and they eat at lunchtime not late afternoon as I am used to.Spent out loads on presents .Got to save for longer for my aero carbon road wheels now .Went back to work this morning

I loved it,

My kids loved it.

I cooked for 14, and it was a proper feast.

the people who helped tidy up were stars, the people who chilled out, put their feet up and played with the kids were also stars.

And they all bought loads of booze so I officially have a booze mountain at home. happy days

Attempted theft of wife BMW on Christmas Eve morning. Around 5 to 6k worth of damage. Mainly due to the windows / sunroof opening during the attempt and allowing vast quantities of rain into the car during the storms.

At the moment the quote is £4600 to replace two computers, remove the dash, carpets, new lock and handle. The damage to the door has not been included and further works may be required once the dash has been removed. Hmmm thanks.

Going to back to work will be bliss and much needed.

That said Christmas day was nice!

Next year I will not be shopping for presents at the last minute to avoid contracting man flu just before Xmas eve.

This man flu is causing me massive pain all over my body and I have been sleeping long hours since Xmas eve ...

FFS! If you are coughing like broken car exhaust please stay at home rather than spreading your Xmas "wishes" to all other shoppers.

😡

p/s: completely forgotten about booking long-haul flight to far east and the price has gone up by £100 by the time I remembered yesterday. Now £100 less to spend. 😡

Here we go, just repeating what I've moaned about on a few threads already

Off Christmas Eve but had to refuse an invite to go to pub with friends/family as had to be up early for work Christmas Day

Worked Christmas Day and it was busy.

After work go to parents to find their usually bickering/arsey/moaning/passive aggressive comments to each other. Mother tutting and puffing/talking over anyone and everyone who was having a conversation that didn't involve her. Sitting having my dinner that was warmed up in the microwave, with everyone walking around me/the table turning the house upside down trying to find a gift that was actually given the night before. Pulled my own cracker but no one got the hint.

Shit night sleep Christmas night, up early for work on Boxing Day, felt like crap, had vomiting and diarrhoea came home. Listened to more muttering/moaning last night.

Text off someone last night that re-awakened some emotions. Found out today that she's still seeing a guy that cheated on her! (He mountain bikes, if you're in Sheffield, have ****ed someone else and reading this then you are a ****) Women certainly like a bastard.

13 hour sleep last night

Day off today so went for a walk for some fresh air. Sat in a pub with a pint I couldn't stomach writing my goals for 2014 down. Top of my list? To be away, on my own, somewhere hot and sunny next Christmas .

Bah ****ing humbug. Worst Christmas ever.

Oh and missing a top social ride tomorrow with some great folk due to work

Lovely. Split between my OH's family and mine (my sister's house for christmas itself, his family on either side). Haven't touched a bike or been for a run all week, have barely watched tv (on christmas day the only thing we watched was a dvd before the kids went to bed), almost all my family in one room for lunch, no arguments, only one brush with casual racism and lots of lego.
Shame I had to go back to work today though 🙁

Pretty good Christmas as I wasn't running around like a lunatic before the break. Had to work boxing day and busy supporting a contract but as cr500dom above nice not to have the enforced holiday where I don't earn.

Christmas, pah, pleased I went back to work today, that for me is the last time.
Next year it will be just 25th December, nothing else but a regular day

Moved into a new house on November 4th so everything not quite imposition, spent ages in the self storage container trying to find the decorations and stockings, finished work, opened wine only to find the main electrical feed into the house was sparking and shorted out soon after. The repair men were great and got us up and running in a couple of hours. Christmas Day I cooked for 9, quite stressful and me and the missus had the only seasonal argument over unloading the dishwasher. The victims were a glass and some mash potato. We made up in five minutes.
Had a tiring day but the kids had a great time.
Boxing Day was great, no family around so it was walk, lego and wine.
Today we were woken to a leak in the kitchen ceiling and a blocked drain.
I wasn't going to drink but I am now.

its been great, time to myself, been riding every day, had and having a great time until the 6th

A nice few days at my Mum's with daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law on Christmas day and son on Boxing day - but at 93 my Mum's not really up to cooking the dinner any more, I hate cooking in someone else's kitchen especially when it's full of crap and there's no room! We even managed to avoid any tears despite having lost my Dad only 10 weeks ago.

Not easy LG at this time of year I lost my father 2 weeks before Christmas 15 years ago

But to buck the gloom trend its been one of the best in years for me.
For the first time in over 5 years we have been able to go to the In-Laws who I get on great with, they have finished renovating a 6 bedroom farmhouse in the Cotswold's that has all the facility's we need for my wife with her MS.

Firstly they have done a stunning job of the place by incorporating some beautiful original features but also making it a modern place to live.

Secondly my wife got to see loads of old friends and cousins that she hasn't seen for ages. (though one did seem to enjoy grabbing my bum a bit to much 😉 )

Thirdly the MIL & I make a good team in the kitchen so food just seemed to appear when it was needed.

& finally Christmas Day with her sister & family was a fantastic event with some lovely moments of a proper family get together.

PS for all the travel gloom mongers the motorway trip each way was almost deserted

PPS Got home to find my Mother has been over while we were away and has done a fantastic garden makeover, Looks like I'm finishing 2013 on a high 🙂

Became estranged from my partner of 6 years, two kids that are the apple of my eye..
Not the most harrowing Xmas ever but utterly dire none the less.. 🙁

Sorry to hear that yunki, will things improve do you think?

It's amicable and not entirely unexpected.. A fitting end to an unbearable year..

We've agreed to joint custody and it could be the start of better times but I'm really quite downhearted

Shit...sorry to hear that yunki, hope things pick up for you in the new year.

Edit : Dropped you an email to your address in profile

Sounds like your head is pointing the right way. Still rubbish when things end though.

Yeah, I'll be right in a month or two.. Sorry to dump this in the middle of such a festive thread, but I needed to get it off my chest and the post-mortem title struck a chord..

EDIT: no email come through BTW Kenny?

Great presents from mrs nano and family (mine and hers) but we tend to front up about what we want beforehand so hard to get wrong..

We 'do' boxing day every year and never seem to remember that we will spend too much money on too much food.. No fights or arguments from anyone that came round (we're always complimented on the spread we put on) but it does seem like a bit of mission for what in effect was 4 hours of gluttony..

First thing mrs n said after we sent the last people off was "can we go away next year?". Mind you she says that every year 😉

Verdict - score draw

It's the right place. Things don't last forever. Ever. It's shit realising it, and a lot of people carry in even though they know, sometimes for decades. Sounds like you know this so it follows that the future will take care of itself, whatever it may be.

Thanks for the kind words yossarian
I'm pretty good at looking for the positives in any situation, I struggle at dealing with my emotions though.. I'm letting anti-depressants take care of that til the worst is over..
It's a beautiful still, clear night here, the kids are asleep and I have a few beers that the in-laws left behind after Christmas dinner.. I'm almost in danger of feeling at peace

Definitely showing as sent to your hotmail address as otherwise it'd bounce back to my mac mail?, give it a few mins to work it's way through the governments email decryption programs........I knew i should've used my PGP 128bit encryption codes...Damnit!.....they're onto us yunki....grab your tupperware piece box, thermos flask and run for the ****in hills..........grab a lighter and skins..,.that's all we need!. 😉

You are welcome fella

Lol soma.. I have a spliff stashed away for emergencies.. Not gonna risk it though as it's hard to function when I'm hiding under the bed in fear of the bogeyman!
Notification received 🙂

well that's a bit shit yunki. Puts my mediocre shit christmas in perspective. Sorry to hear that.

A few tips for those attending a family Christmas held abroad. (Wall of text follows):

1. Christmas traditions abroad are not "stupid", merely different. Also, my wife may have feelings, so please don't disparage "them" while she is here. Or, indeed, at all...
2. All families evolve their own Christmas traditions. Please don't hang around the kitchen - not helping - and telling your hosts that they are doing it "wrong" according to a Wikipedia page you saw.
3. Once the big Xmas eve meal is done and your hosts have immediately started getting ready the big English meal for the next day, please don't hang around the kitchen - not helping - and saying "that's stupid, I reckon I could cook a whole Christmas dinner in less than an hour". How? "Just buy cuts of chicken, and boil them the night before - you could heat them up in the microwave". Thanks, that sounds lovely.
4. It's fine to refuse vegetables at Christmas dinner. But I'd prefer it if you didn't tell the kids that "all vegetables are poisonous". Incidentally, this doesn't entitle you to take most of the roast potatoes "because the rest of you are having vegetables".
5. My wife is rightly proud of her sauces, which are entirely home-made. But it's really no problem if you absolutely must have Branston pickle with yours instead. I'm sorry I didn't know you "only eat 'small chunk' Branston". I did email you - more than once - asking if there are any special requests.
6. Please don't throw plastic wrappings into my fireplace. This is forbidden by law where I live. Yes, yes, I'm sure it's "a stupid law", but it's also bad for the flue. Yes, yes, I could get another one, but this one is quite new, and it wasn't cheap.

You wouldn't think my brother is over 50 years old!

Oh, and an extra note for grannies: if you think you have stepped in dog poo, please don't wash your shoe in the kitchen sink. We prepare food and wash our dishes there. Thanks.

My hands smell of Dettol, and my blood pressure is probably off the scale. Off to the inlaws for New Year's - they're lovely.

Edit: @ Yunki - missed your posts as I had to break off in the middle of writing that in order to scrub the sink. I was just ranting, but I feel like a cry-baby now. Sending healing vibes and that.

It's a shitty time of the year.

You're thrown together with family who you didn't choose, ask for or even want. But 'you have to'. Screw that shit.

If we want to become a civilized society then stopping nonsense like this is the first step.

And speaking of first steps, I'm gonna call it a night.. Need my beauty sleep and all that.. Thanks fellas for listening to my tale of woe, feels good to have unburdened myself

That *is* a bit shit Yunki. Sorry.

My own problems suddenly just look stupid. Stupid enough to put in brackets ( got hammered with FIL and BIL three nights in a row, but they can take it and I can't - I have scabs on my forehead ).

Hmmm, I remember "bad" Christmases when I was in my early 20's with divorcing parents and all that jazz.

However, this Christmas has been really good: happy children, a happy husband (me) and happy in-laws.

On reflection my really low points have not coincided with this time of year, so I count myself lucky and wish those who are struggling that they may resolve their differences soon.

Insomnia was/is my unwelcome Christmas guest, why can't being awake all night turn into a productive time as opposed to exaggerating all the negative shot.
Yunki sorry to hear your news, been there, chin up fella. My kids seem to be coping just fine with it so that's good.

Last year skiing with a mate ,which was ace .
This year my Brother invited himself and Mum down to stay in my small 2bed flat.
I hate eating late and told them it would be 1.30 ish . Mum like to eat later so did some delaying tactics . Therefore my timings were all shot , my Melba Toast ,cream cheese and salmon startes were soggy, and the Goose was overcooked probably by the 30 mins delay .
My brother shouted at me at the dinner table ' I could have been killed you idiot ' because I left half a cocktail stick in a pigs in blanket as I had pinned them so they didnt unroll.

Rubbish pointless presents , plus sheeer glutony and lack of TV prob didnt help

Brother spent hours glued to his smart phone . me and mum got stuck into the Telegraph end of year crossword.

Brother and mum complaining to each other that its cold, Im boiling and in a T shirt . brother constantly walking round grabbing radiators telling me to fit a thermostat ( so he can turn it up to 30 ) . I turn heating off at 9pm as its uncomfortably hot , at 10 they decide I have turned the heating UP as its now warm , fail. its been off for an hour.

Actually pretty good this year- much less of the annoying crap, not so much turning out to visit people or getting ready to have people over (although we did do some of both), some good pressies, didn't overdo it on either food or booze. On the downside I had flu early December and still not really over it so no rides or outdoor stuff.

I do wonder if the fact that we haven't watched TV for the last couple of months has helped with not being sick to the back teeth of it before it arrives. Also this year I'm working in town so have been able to avoid annoying shopping trips. Basically much less exposure to the parts of it that really grate.

Really sorry to read your posts yunki hope 2014 is better for you . My Xmas was embarrassingly good excellet day with my family bar the brother who never comes but even he made the effort of a phone call a couple of weeks ago ( possibly only because I'd been hit by a car ) . Then a truely relaxing and fun time with my in laws . It's the first year crankbrat has started to get Xmas and the pleasure he has taken in it has made it for me. Plus I got him scalextric which he has no interest in but every other male in the extended family loved.

Yunki. Sorry to hear about your situation, you've always come across as a decent sort in your posts - even, dare I say it, one with a sense of humour!

Anyway, you seem to have a good focus on the good things you have and that should see you through. A lot of people are the other way around, they don't appreciate what they do have!

Plus I think you live on or near Dartmoor - what a place to live!

thanks guys..
It's been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for the last few days, but I've spent some time with my mates, sank a couple of pints with good friends, got out on the bike this morning and things are not quite so raw..
Me and Mrs Yunki are being absolutely awesome about everything and the kids are happy so that's helping..

I'm not looking forward to the morning reality hit and the inevitable twinges of loneliness, but a good mantra of **** IT! has seen me through in the past and I will be putting to good use again..

I'm not sure what my new neighbours will think of me bellowing **** IT!!! at 7am every morning, but I'm hoping that they'll be understanding

Oh rollocks - sorry to hear this Yunki, but then again if it's for the best...well, you know.

Let the high/low emotional thing just run it's course and you'll come out fine 😉

Sorry to hear that yunki, hope that however it goes, it turns out for the best.

My Xmas was quiet, didn't see family, but still had a nice time.

yunki - that's really tough for you all. You sound a great dad so you'll take good care of your boys. Look after yourself and life will get better, small steps. 🙂

Is it OK to moan about the cost of Xmas? I've taken the hit for 8 of us, we had a last minute guest (friend of my bro's) and, to be blunt, I expected a financial contribution from my bro' for the grub that his friend ate. 🙂 Turkey alone cost £46 and virtually nothing left over.

Am I being unreasonable? 🙂

Am I being unreasonable

Yes! (Although friend bringing bottle would have been the correct etiquette)

Friend did bring a bottle. I bought everyone an Xmas pressie, even friend had a few bottles of beer wrapped up. Do you know what my bro' bought me? Nowt. 😐

Next year I'm buggering off somewhere alone. 😀

S'OK, I rode my ss today so that involved hurling insults at myself in a very loud voice. 😆

Is it OK to moan about the cost of Xmas?

Depends on the family situation I suppose.