Usually I love choosing and writing the cards. Love getting decorations down from the attic. 25+ years ago I decorated the tree outside our front door with lights but in all those years, 1 little boy made a comment. No one else. Now everyone decorates with lights
but mine packed up this year
.
I have also put outdoor baubles on the trees but again, no one made any comment. I do have a wreath, home made from a necklace with cranberries and greenery hung - our front door is. black.
The family used to meet at C.mas but I didn't know any of them. 12 months had passed between so they were strangers to me, although it was obvious that the grown ups knew each other
. Cousins I rarely saw, all chatty, noisy, full on .......... it had a routine which helped a bit: after breakfast a walk on the beach whilst the women prepared the meal. Then presents in the afternoon.
When Mum set up with a man 17 months after Dad died we stayed here: for 4 years DH and I had a light breakfast, a long walk, C.mas pud for lunch, TV we liked and our evening meal. Then a sleep
Now it's back to visiting 'everyone' - they never come to us phew!
What I hate is the lead up. The expectation. The thought that as it's a fixed date, it can't be changed so one has to honour any arrangements made
