Hello @BlueBay
What you have planned sounds good and simple and real. Its funny how we sometimes long for things of the past but often they werent that good anyway. Christmas is what it means to the individuals involved. I am glad your girl likes to decorate the tree. Dont stress too much about the money. Dont spend money you dont have. As the kids are big they will understand. Make the little plans.
I often started buying presents in July as I had to make it by October for the sending gifts by sea to the overseas family in America.
My Christmases with family have been disturbed one or another most of my life. I put a lot of effort into it in my own way .. trying to find the most diplomatic solution .. so I did not stand on tradition ..First year with my husband was about driving across town to drop baby off with biological grandparents & the "mother", then I was trying to please my mother or my husband or my kids or trying to avoid an argument. One year we went to Wilson's Prom early and I decorated a tree and put presents under it in the campsite. One year I went to my daughter's for a tiny Christmas of her, my son & I. Some years, I am alone. Not sure about this year as my son is with his father at the moment. One year I prepared a Dutch meal for my mother but offended a girlfriend who expected an English dinner ... Now it is also the anniversary of my mother's death. It was mostly all about her anyway, even when she was alive.
Music and religion was a major aspect of christmas for me growing up so I have kept those. themes going and plan to sing midnight mass. Sometimes I have done the Vinnies soupvan.
At first it was hard doing christmas alone or just with my son, but I am getting used to it. Last year I came on the forum and said hi to few people. I hope to do the same this year. I even feel relieved that I dont need "buy" into all the hype. Its cheaper on my purse and my energy. If my son is home we just have another quiet reflective day doing music and our stuff, like most other days, with slightly better food.
I found it hard socially with a lot of people carrying on about all the preparation .. but now I see that as posturing and boasting if they cant actually relate about anything else. A couple of years a friend tried to get me invited places but that was embarrassing and more about him.
Christmas is based on the story of a babe in a stable. I have lived in a renovated stable when I was 17 (in Middle Park) and it was beautiful, slate floors and spiral wooden staircase. My uncle did it.. Humble & simple is fine.
Dont worry too much @BlueBay find your calm centre.
Anyway thats from me Apple who had an almighty panic attack last week ... who knows what the day will bring. God Bless.
