Olly Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I didn't put up all the decorations. I think half at least are still in the box, including several sets of lights. I never even got round to hanging up the cards. I didn't have a centrepiece for the table. The Nativity set didn't go up till Christmas Day. I didn't wrap my presents with bows and ribbons, just paper and Sellotape, and some of them were a bit untidy. I didn't manage to make all the home-made stuff I'd planned. And I didn't get dressed up on Christmas Day - I realised at about 6 pm that I hadn't even put any make-up on. You know what - it didn't matter! None of these things spoiled the day for me or my guests, we had a lovely day, because the other thing I didn't do this year was get stressed! It has to be the least stressful Christmas ever despite the fact that I was entertaining at home for the first time in years. I've always loved family Christmases, but it's made me reflect on some of the habits we've developed over the years and whether they're necessary. Did you dispense with anything this year, or would your Christmas be spoiled if you didn't follow the same routines each year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I didn't stop myself going back for seconds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 Sounds wonderful Olly We didn't have a Christmas tree (apart from a tiny weeny potted one) as youngest Bogwoppit would just pull it over and we don't really have space. We also haven't opened the big tin of Christmas chocs! We didn't have Christmas cake or Christmas pudding. I like both but no one else is too bothered. Haven't missed them yet, plus I reckon my mum will give me some of her cake when I see her next A pretty relaxed day here too I ate my Christmas dinner still wearing my trusty blue tabard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I'm horrifyingly haphazard so no one expects the same thing twice from me. I would just be stressful if I gave myself plans to follow. We have a nativity we made from the PG tips monkeys but sadly they got left in the bag this year. We haven't played Cluedo yet or watched the Snowman or Labryinth, still time I hope. We had a very laid back, casual christmas day and whatever I forgot, I've still forgotten and no one seems to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 No nativity set here either ... I hadn't thought about it till I read Olly's post. No -one here has mentioned it, so it can't have been missed. No Xmas cake or Christmas pud for me either because I couldn't be bothered to make gluten free versions just for me .... and again, I didn't miss them. Maybe the giant raspberry Pavlova helped me forget! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I didn't staple all my Christmas cards to wide gold ribbon like I always used to. They're just sitting on bookcases - fewer now anyway, as I've pared my list right down and others seem to have done the same. I didn't buy much in the way of "Christmas" food (I wasn't cooking Christmas dinner so it was quite easy!) I didn't go crazy buying presents for the kids just for the sake of it (easier now they're 17 and 19 anyway, thankfully) We didn't have Christmas pud either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 (edited) I didn't eat: Pandoro cake, the box of Lindor that I was given, two bars of choccy, the Terry's chocolate orange with fizzing candy, the vichysoisse soup...because the dog beat me to them We didn't hang any of the cards up & didn't put baubles on the tree because of the cats. We didn't go mad on presents & aside from batteries for YS's electronic hangman, it was electronic, gaming & gadget free! Edited December 27, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I missed the Wizard of Oz! I have the dvd, but somehow not the same. Not a single card pegged to ribbon and hung on the door. DID have seconds, but didn't take anyones eye out with my jeans button flying off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I didn't murder my family....does that count? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 Same here really Olly! .....and it didn't make any difference! As for all the food......it's just a glorified sunday lunch really - so it beats me how people threat about it all! Much nicer to have a laid back day with no pressure and just enjoy your family and friends! (commisserations to everyone who had to spend it with in-laws you don't get on with just-to-keep-everyone-happy!!!!! next year - do what makes you happy). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I didn't murder my family....does that count? LOL Yes! - that counts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I didn't murder my family....does that count? We lasted a meagre 1 1/2 playing Monopoly until relations broke down entirely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I didn't murder my family....does that count? No, because presumably you didn't murder them during previous Christmases either . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I didn't murder my family....does that count? No, because presumably you didn't murder them during previous Christmases either . Could just be different parts of the family? We didn't plan lunch for 1pm meaning everyone that wanted to could have cooked breakfast and Lauren could get ready slowly and not be in too much pain all day. We also didn't cater for teatime! - we had lunch at 3pm followed by lots of different puddings and any leftovers became tea/supper. Every year we've had far to much food but this year we had just enough and it was really relaxing and I didn't keep eating just because the food was there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I didn't (and still haven't) eaten any of my Christmas pudding or Christmas cake and neither has anyone else beginning to wonder was it actually worth the effort of making them in the first place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 Didnt get round to icing the Christmas cake. "Ooops, word censored!"ody seems in the least bit bothered! Didnt have turkey - got pheasant instead. Didnt worry about getting dressed up as it was just the four of us. Didnt rush to eat dinner - had our starter as 'lunch' at about 2, then the main at about 4 and the pudding at about 6. Didnt feel too full afterwards either! Fridge is full of enough leftovers to feed us into the middle of next week, once we make them over into new dinners. Had friends over on Boxing Day so there are leftovers from that meal too - I love leftovers, lots of cold cuts to have with chutney and salad, lots of cheeses. Yum! Didnt get stressed that the DSs naturally wanted to spend as long as possible playing their new video game. Didnt go rushing out to the sales - my idea of a nightmare. All in all we have had a very laid-back time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindafw Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I didn't do Christmas Dinner! Every other year my sons go to their Dad for Christmas Dinner, and this was his year.... so we had present opening and breakfast...then they all got ready and trooped off. I sat in my 'jamas and read and watched tv., went and talked to the girls for a bit and cleaned and checked water etc. A short dog walk (yes in my 'jamas but with a large coat over and wellies so you couldn't tell) and off for a loooooong bath. Then clean 'jamas and tv, laptop and book till they all came home. Mad dash round to sort food...which they all ignored and then an early night...next year I have to cook (or eldest son will) Boxing Day I did turkey and a few veg for evening meal but no one was really interested...they micro'd it about 9.00pm after playing cluedo. Adult kids eh...what is the point of trying to plan anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 Won't do the sales either. Really can't face it and absolutely skint this month. Did pick up a couple of bargain shades in the Omlet sale though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I didn't murder my family....does that count? No, because presumably you didn't murder them during previous Christmases either . First time with them since I was a child,& I loathe having guests in my home,especially tricky ones like my Dad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 Diet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I didn't expect my lovely family to give me some superb personalised gifts (a fabulous photo made into a picture from DH and a CD from DS who is a student and downloaded my favourite stuff from his i-pod...and all beautifully handwrapped by my DD!), as well as a Kindle (from DH) and Blackberry phone (DD's idea)...am feeling thoroughly spoilt!! Edited to add I didn't expect to be drinking my pre-prandial sherry on the beach in the sunshine and I didn't stress out over lunch (so it was probably the best ever)...maybe to do with the pre-prandial sherry??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I didn't cook dinner ....we ate out and in doing so spent a lovely time together for a change instead of me spending all day in the kitchen. I didn't rush to the phone after church to wish all my family a merry christmas, just for once ( i mean just this " once" in 40 yrs.) I waited to see who would call me ..... just this once...... and had quite a big disappointment, my DD's and one DB called me but no one else . That made me sit back and think things through. My friends called me though so not all bad. I didn't over eat and managed to get a cat nap in around tea time . Having a good week can't wait for new yrs eve...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 We didn't have Christmas dinner at lunch time - we had it as evening meal. Much nicer, no rushing about - very lazy morning, time to take in all prezzies & eat chocolates. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 I didn't:- make any effort to decorate my rented house, as all the decorations are still boxed up worry about forgetting to send xmas cards to relatives I never see, nag my dad too much when he was ill on xmas day say anything to my brother or his family about arriving an hour and a half late for lunch at my dad's yesterday, stuffing their faces, making a huge mess and pushing off, with no thanks for the food or their presents, or offer to help clear up I did:- worry about my dad, but he's much better now and no longer feels dizzy or looks like a panda enjoy watch my very proud and not very young Puddy-cat forget herself and roll round the living-room floor with her new wiggly-waggler cuddle all my lovely girls and boys - whether they wanted to or not try to remember it was a season of peace of goodwill ! Wishing everyone all the very best for 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 I didn't like Heston's hidden orange Christmas pudding and I haven't even touched the Christmas cake I made yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
