Not Everyone Loves a Cracker: Christmas can be tricky
Christmas, a time for mince pies, fairy lights, and that annual argument about whether the heating really needs to be on all day (the struggle is real people!). While some revel in the festive magic, others are quietly grumbling over their third glass of lukewarm mulled wine (I love mulled wine), wondering who on earth actually enjoys hearing Fairytale of New York for the 47th time this week. In short, Christmas can be tricky!
Because let’s face it: for some of us, the sparkle of Christmas is more like the glare from that one dodgy fairy light that won’t stop flickering.
Don’t get me wrong, I have had some amazing Christmases in my life, but the lustre is definitely lacking these days. With a daughter who is now an adult and spends Christmas day with my family (it’s where she is happiest, so that’s all good with me) and a husband who can take it or leave it, there is not much to get excited about!
Tricky Christmas Dos
Take the work Christmas party, for starters. Who decided forcing 40 colleagues into a poorly ventilated function room with party hats and limp turkey dinners was fun? You’ll spend the evening dodging awkward mistletoe moments with Barry from accounts and hoping the karaoke machine breaks before someone belts out “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Don’t get me wrong, I have had some entertaining work Christmas parties, but I know they are dreaded by others who feel obligated to turn up even if it is just so they don’t miss out on all the gossip! Thankfully, as someone who has been self-employed for over 20 years (yes it really has been that long since I started doing this work) Christmas parties are a distant memory.
Relative Conflict
And then, of course, there are the relatives. You’ve got Aunt Sheila insisting brussel sprouts are “non-negotiable,” Uncle Dave debating politics over the trifle, and Cousin Jack sulking because someone forgot he’s “basically vegan” this year (all names have been changed to protect individual identity). Here’s the trick: create a festive distraction. Pull out an old family photo album or suggest an outdoor walk to make room for pudding, it gives everyone something to focus on that isn’t controversial or edible. For younger family members, try a simple game like Charades or Pictionary, it’s fun, silly, and gives them something creative to do, and have a neutral topic ready to steer conversations away from what pledge Sir Keir Stammer has reneged on this week.
Grief at Christmas
For many, Christmas also brings something harder to manage: grief. Whether it’s the first year without a loved one or just a reminder of who’s missing, the season can sting as much as it sparkles. It helps to make space for it. Light a candle, hang a decoration in their honour, or even start a new tradition, like a quiet toast or a walk in their memory. And if it feels too much, it’s okay to step away from the noise and take a breather. No one ever regretted a bit of Boxing Day escapism with a good film and half a tin of Roses.
Christmas can be a very tricky time for some and an extremely lonely time for others. If you have friends who are on their own, or relatives who are unable to travel, remember to reach out to them with a little message to let them know you appreciate them and are thinking of them, it could make all the difference.
Christmas Lack
For those who find Christmas less holly-jolly and more holly-headache, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Whether you’re dodging yet another Christmas quiz on telly or navigating tricky family dynamics, it’s okay to admit the season isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and it’s perfectly valid to choose to stay home, see no one and spend the day watching old movies, reading a book or doing whatever makes you happy. Christmas doesn’t have to look like a John Lewis ad to be worth celebrating. Whatever your take on the season, there’s room for it all.
So here’s to your imperfect Christmas. If you’ve got a holiday tale to share, disastrous, hilarious, or oddly heartwarming, stick it in the comments, we all love a good story!
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Grab some practical tips to help communicate effectively over the holiday season – read last month’s blog HERE
