Anyone not putting up a Xmas tree this year?

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

With my three kids now all now young teenagers I was thinking of not bothering putting up a Xmas three this year. Two my teenagers don't mind but the youngest who is 16 want's to put one up. I am sort of growing out of the Xmas spirit so I was wondering are there any of you like me out there who don't care either way about Xmas the three and dceorations?

The Hill Billy

What forum had you intended posting this?
As you have been a member for a while I assume that you posted in Help Desk in error.

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

I Don't know as my memory is poor and I didn't know where to post it . Apoligies can you please help me .thanks. :eek:

The Hill Billy

Well, I can't move it to the Christmas forum as it contravenes their charter, AH responses may not be to the level of quality that you are looking for, it's not really a Parenting or Personal Issue. I'm kind of stumped. We could try The Ladies Lounge or your local regional forum. Any preference?

Personally, I'd make the effort for your 16yo. Life will be sh1t enough for long enough for our children. A little bit of magic can keep that at bay for a while yet.

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

The Hill Billy wrote: »

Well, I can't move it to the Christmas forum as it contravenes their charter, AH responses may not be to the level of quality that you are looking for, it's not really a Parenting or Personal Issue. I'm kind of stumped. We could try The Ladies Lounge or your local regional forum. Any preference?

Personally, I'd make the effort for your 16yo. Life will be sh1t enough for long enough for our children. A little bit of magic can keep that at bay for a while yet.

Could you please stick it in the ladies lounge.

alexonhisown

I think you should put up a tree and some decorations. House will be pretty miserable without them tbh.
Most teenagers will never admit to liking all the xmas cheer, but deep down they do.

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

alexonhisown wrote: »

I think you should put up a tree and some decorations. House will be pretty miserable without them tbh.
Most teenagers will never admit to liking all the xmas cheer, but deep down they do.

I had been unwell quiet recently and up to that point I was all Christmasissy. I was lokking forward to the tree decorations the whole lot but then I thought the kids are teenagers I haven't the energy for decorating and the teenagers don't seen to care either way except for my 16 year old. So I thouht is it worth all the hassle. I suppose people will call me the grinch if I don't make a small efford.

Fluffy Cat 88

Is your youngest child 16? I'm sure your adult/almost adult offspring could put up a tree and decorations in the house for you.

eviltwin

I don't think it's the same without a tree. It's a pain putting one up but I think it's worth it. They are old enough to do the job themselves now if you don't feel up to it.

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

eviltwin wrote: »

I don't think it's the same without a tree. It's a pain putting one up but I think it's worth it. They are old enough to do the job themselves now if you don't feel up to it.

They seem to be at the age where some teenagers think Xmas is for kiddies and that nothing matters only the presents. Maybe in another week or so as we get into the Xmas spirit more things wiil change. I'm sure I 'll find some small tree to mark the occasoin.

Dolbert

Make an afternoon of it, tell your youngest you'll be putting it up on the 3rd (or whatever) and do it together.

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

Dolbert wrote: »

Make an afternoon of it, tell your youngest you'll be putting it up on the 3rd (or whatever) and do it together.

To be honest I don't think it's the tree he is interested in but what's going to be underneath it. As I said in a previous post as we get closer to the big day they might all get together and put one up.

meeeeh

OP, I am sorry if you are unwell.

Is it that you don't want the three or is it that you suggested it to your kids to do it and they fobbed you off? If you would still like the tree tell them to put it up. You can treat it as any other chore.

Anyway my attitude to the tree is the same as to the place I live in. When we were renting a hole of a house while building our own house we didn't bother with any decorations. IN fact we spent hardly any time over the holidays there. The house we are in now is a home and we like the decorations around Christmas. But they would go up sometime after 15th of December. As much as I like some decorations I would absolutely hate putting them up at the begging of December or putting them up all over the place.

Milly33

Oh no dont do it... Sorry to hear you were unwell, hope you are well on the mend now..

I think you should put one up... I know it can sometimes feel like a hassel but maybe just cut back on the decorating this year.. If your 16 year old is saying they would like one, it would probably mean the world to them that you do it... Small things make Christmas for people.. Do ye get a real tree of fake? If ye get a real tree why dont you get everyone together to go pick it out, set it up and then decorate together.. Do it over the weekend. Make it special like put some tunes on, have a nice dinner or nibbles, mulled wine. That might get you in the spirit..

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

Milly33 wrote: »

Oh no dont do it... Sorry to hear you were unwell, hope you are well on the mend now..

I think you should put one up... I know it can sometimes feel like a hassel but maybe just cut back on the decorating this year.. If your 16 year old is saying they would like one, it would probably mean the world to them that you do it... Small things make Christmas for people.. Do ye get a real tree of fake? If ye get a real tree why dont you get everyone together to go pick it out, set it up and then decorate together.. Do it over the weekend. Make it special like put some tunes on, have a nice dinner or nibbles, mulled wine. That might get you in the spirit..

Thanks for the kind comments what I might do is wait as close to Xmas day as possible and stick a bit xmas music on and get one of them to make the effort and put some sort of tree up to mark the occasion.

Dolbert

I don't know if you have the budget, but you could get a pop-up pre lit tree and save yourself assembling it!

Something like this:
http://www.littlewoodsireland.ie/6ft-pre-lit-pop-up-christmas-tree-green/1298703514.prd

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

Dolbert wrote: »

I don't know if you have the budget, but you could get a pop-up pre lit tree and save yourself assembling it!

Something like this:
http://www.littlewoodsireland.ie/6ft-pre-lit-pop-up-christmas-tree-green/1298703514.prd

Budget is not the problem but that would be ideal. Thanks for the link. I wonder how many people out there are not bothering with a Xmas tree this year? It would be interesting to know.

miamee

I moved house a few years ago and in the new house I didn't put up a tree the first or second year. It was pretty miserable to be honest, though on the second year we did have some nice lights and a few decorations hanging on the mantelpiece. I insisted I was getting a tree last year and we had a real one...what a difference it made And this year I have moved again to somewhere that is more 'home' and aI can't wait to get my tree amd decorations up!

If you are not up to it yourself natashaob6, could you ask the kids to all do it together one afternoon? You could supervise from the comfort of an armchair with a nice cup of tea or just give them free rein to hang whatever they like wherever they like. They might enjoy it

Sapphire

I love having a tree but especially a real one. I'm usually eager to get one and reluctant to take it down. It just feels so cosy to have one twinkling away in the corner or something.

sullivlo

The past few years it looks like Christmas threw up in our house.

1 x big Christmas tree (kitchen)
1 x medium Christmas tree (living room)
1 x Christmas twigs (converted garage room)
1 x Christmas light display (porch)
Light up Santa, Rudolph and Snowman (garden)

Lego Christmas village
Christmas train set

Stockings
Random Christmas decorations

This year it looks like we'll have one tree dedicated entirely to Disney decorations. I'll be sad though. I have a lot of decorations that I love and that I like to put on the tree that I see the most of (kitchen). I get a new decoration every year, and then I buy one every holiday I go on... We have a lot of decorations.

I have 4 Christmas jumpers, 5 Christmas tshirts, 5 pairs of Christmas socks, Christmas knickers, Christmas bedclothes, ooodles of Christmas pjs, a Christmas onesie... We have Christmas traditions in the house and I wouldn't change a minute of it.

I'm 30 btw, not 5. And the youngest person that will be in the house for Christmas is 13. He's just as in to it as me.

I can't wait for the 1st so I can wear my jumpers, and I can't wait for the first Saturday night in December so that I can watch Elf with a gin and tonic.

So yes, we will put up a tree this year.

Stheno

We rarely put up any decorations think we had a tree seven years ago

DoozerT6

I never put up a tree or decorations, (nor do I own any), which I know seems a bit Grinch-y but I'm single, I have no kids and I live alone and won't be expecting any guests. Plus I'll be at home in the parents place for Christmas itself.

I'm sure if I had a family of my own it would be different, but I don't. I really don't see the point of all that effort just for me.

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

DoozerT6 wrote: »

I never put up a tree or decorations, (nor do I own any), which I know seems a bit Grinch-y but I'm single, I have no kids and I live alone and won't be expecting any guests. Plus I'll be at home in the parents place for Christmas itself.

I'm sure if I had a family of my own it would be different, but I don't. I really don't see the point of all that effort just for me.

Christmas can be a lonely time when you are on your own but as you say you have family to go to which cuts out the hassel for you.

metaoblivia

DoozerT6 wrote: »

I never put up a tree or decorations, (nor do I own any), which I know seems a bit Grinch-y but I'm single, I have no kids and I live alone and won't be expecting any guests. Plus I'll be at home in the parents place for Christmas itself.

I'm sure if I had a family of my own it would be different, but I don't. I really don't see the point of all that effort just for me.

I've celebrated Christmases in the same scenario and I find decorating and putting up a tree helps bring the holiday spirit in and gives me a bit of joy, even if the house is empty. I love Christmas and Christmas trees though!

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

Stheno wrote: »

We rarely put up any decorations think we had a tree seven years ago

When the kids were younger our house was like a grotto but like some kids when they hit the teenage age the interest just faded and that's why I'm in two minds what to do.

TresGats

Hi, we have put up a tree once in the last 4 years, as My mum died just before xmas a few years ago, and we also had flooding another year which meant we moved back into the house on xmas eve after all the floors etc redone, just not worth the effort. Then we had one very broke xmas, wern't really feeling it at all.
I'm 50/ 50 on putting one up. Its just my son and I here atm, he is 21. He's not bothered but I'm feeling a bit better this year and I remember how pleasant it is to sit in front of an open fire by the tree at night.
I dunno why people put them up so early though! I'd put mine up about a week before xmas, any longer and it gets wrecked by the cat, goes lopsided and looks tatty, and I am thoroughly sick of looking at it.(and i don't even have pine needles to contend with!)
OP I am not in the best of health atm also, so I get 'using your valuable energy' on sourcing & putting up a tree. Maybe just have a small one in a corner, and a holly wreath on the door? Less is more sometimes! (I'll probably get a half size fake one myself, you've mad me think about it anyway, thanks )

chuckles30

I'm like Sullivlo - it's Christmas stuff all over the house starting from as early as possible...this year I'm thinking the week of Nov 28th. Although I have a lovely reindeer scene duvet that I'm tempted to pull out this week.
I'm single and live alone & I go home to my mother for Christmas itself, but I love the lights and the decorations etc. I find Nov to be a very dark month and cannot wait for the lights to brighten my mood. By the time I take them down in Jan, I always think the evening's have started to stretch out again

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

TresGats wrote: »

Hi, we have put up a tree once in the last 4 years, as My mum died just before xmas a few years ago, and we also had flooding another year which meant we moved back into the house on xmas eve after all the floors etc redone, just not worth the effort. Then we had one very broke xmas, wern't really feeling it at all.
I'm 50/ 50 on putting one up. Its just my son and I here atm, he is 21. He's not bothered but I'm feeling a bit better this year and I remember how pleasant it is to sit in front of an open fire by the tree at night.
I dunno why people put them up so early though! I'd put mine up about a week before xmas, any longer and it gets wrecked by the cat, goes lopsided and looks tatty, and I am thoroughly sick of looking at it.(and i don't even have pine needles to contend with!)
OP I am not in the best of health atm also, so I get 'using your valuable energy' on sourcing & putting up a tree. Maybe just have a small one in a corner, and a holly wreath on the door? Less is more sometimes! (I'll probably get a half size fake one myself, you've mad me think about it anyway, thanks )

Sorry to hear about your mam and I hope you will be back to good health very soon. I agree for me putting a tree up five, six weeks before Xmas takes some of the excitement out of the season. By the time Xmas day comes I tend to want to get them down as soon as possible. I know Xmas is a time to be happy and cheerful but at the moment it hasn't sort of registered with me as yet that xmas is only weeks away.

Loveinapril

We never put up a tree or decorations. I never celebrated christmas as a kid so it doesn't have any sort of nostalgia for me. My husband doesn't care about christmas either and that suits me fine! I find the trees, tinsels and decorations quite tacky. I would really struggle with having to put them in my house if my fella was into it.

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

Loveinapril wrote: »

We never put up a tree or decorations. I never celebrated christmas as a kid so it doesn't have any sort of nostalgia for me. My husband doesn't care about christmas either and that suits me fine! I find the trees, tinsels and decorations quite tacky. I would really struggle with having to put them in my house if my fella was into it.

I get Xmas isn't for everyone and some people treat it as a normal part of the year but then again if you have grown up without the tree, decorations and all festive nostalgia that comes with it it can become normal for some people to just let Xmas pass by.

The Raptor

I'm in a house share and we didn't put up any Christmas tree last year.

Outside, looking at the other houses around us all Christmassy, it was quite sad to go into an empty non Christmassy house. It just reminded me that I have no family to celebrate Christmas with.

I'm not sure if no decorations helped or not. I think even if there was, how miserable is it looking at a Christmas tree on your own at Christmas.

I don't think no body knows just how awful this time of year is for some and it's long and drawn out.

Spanish Eyes

The Raptor wrote: »

I'm in a house share and we didn't put up any Christmas tree last year.

Outside, looking at the other houses around us all Christmassy, it was quite sad to go into an empty non Christmassy house. It just reminded me that I have no family to celebrate Christmas with.

I'm not sure if no decorations helped or not. I think even if there was, how miserable is it looking at a Christmas tree on your own at Christmas.

I don't think no body knows just how awful this time of year is for some and it's long and drawn out.

Jesus you poor thing.

But you are right, Christmas is not all it's made out to be for a huge number of people.

I don't like it much either having lost two family members recently. Not the same.

So I grit my teeth and throw up an oul tree we've had for years, it's only tiny but it'll do, and keeps the monkeys off my back for not "trying".

No kids here either which makes the two of us look like ridiculous numpties if we decorate the place to high heaven, which we don't anymore!

Each to their own. I'm usually very glad when Jan 1st arrives. New Year, new beginnings and all the shyte of Christmas is gone once more.

It's only for kids. I am not a kid anymore.

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Jesus you poor thing.

But you are right, Christmas is not all it's made out to be for a huge number of people.

I don't like it much either having lost two family members recently. Not the same.

So I grit my teeth and throw up an oul tree we've had for years, it's only tiny but it'll do, and keeps the monkeys off my back for not "trying".

No kids here either which makes the two of us look like ridiculous numpties if we decorate the place to high heaven, which we don't anymore!

Each to their own. I'm usually very glad when Jan 1st arrives. New Year, new beginnings and all the shyte of Christmas is gone once more.

It's only for kids. I am not a kid anymore.

when I was young and even up to when I got sick I loved everything about Christmas but like some people as I grew older and my kids reached their teenage years all interest in putting up a tree and decorations seems to have faded. My 16 year old wants to have a tree but more than likely will but something in a corner just to keep him happy. 2016 has been a sad year for me and my family lke you I just want it over and hopefully 2017 will bring good heath and happiness to both our families.

Daisy78

I think for some people having to decorate a house at Christmas is a burden whereas for other people they take great joy from putting up a tree. I love Christmas and everything about it, I couldn't imagine not decorating the house. It would be a long dark winter without having some colour and light about the place. A family friend of ours never decorates her house, just couldn't be bothered faffing about with decorations or a tree. She lights some candles, which is lovely but I don't think it makes up for it, but that's me I'd say if your not feeling it don't bother, not worth forcing yourself for the sake of it. Maybe next year you might feel differently but if you want a low maintenance Christmas then go with that.

BrokenWingz

I wish I didn't have to put one up, no children but the husband is insisting on a tree. Having lost my brother and my dad in the past 6 months I just want the holiday to be over already, we don't do gifts so at least that isn't an issue. I found a tiny tree in my Dad's house when clearing it (already decorated), I will stick it on a table and hope it's enough to shut him up.

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

BrokenWingz wrote: »

I wish I didn't have to put one up, no children but the husband is insisting on a tree. Having lost my brother and my dad in the past 6 months I just want the holiday to be over already, we don't do gifts so at least that isn't an issue. I found a tiny tree in my Dad's house when clearing it (already decorated), I will stick it on a table and hope it's enough to shut him up.

I can understand how you might feel after I got seriously ill Christmas is the last thing on my mind. Some of my friends keep telling me I should make the most of it as I'm lucky to be alive but to be honest when your not feeling the festive atmosphere what's the point in decorationing the house. Just not feeling it this year.

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

BrokenWingz wrote: »

I wish I didn't have to put one up, no children but the husband is insisting on a tree. Having lost my brother and my dad in the past 6 months I just want the holiday to be over already, we don't do gifts so at least that isn't an issue. I found a tiny tree in my Dad's house when clearing it (already decorated), I will stick it on a table and hope it's enough to shut him up.

I can understand how you might feel after I got seriously ill Christmas is the last thing on my mind. Some of my friends keep telling me I should make the most of it as I'm lucky to be alive but to be honest when your not feeling the festive atmosphere what's the point in decorationing the house. Just not feeling it this year.

Amira Muscular Forefinger

Amira Muscular Forefinger wrote: »

I can understand how you might feel after I got seriously ill Christmas is the last thing on my mind. Some of my friends keep telling me I should make the most of it as I'm lucky to be alive but to be honest when your not feeling the festive atmosphere what's the point in decorationing the house. Just not feeling it this year.

I had a serious illness a few year ago which affected my cognitive function for a while and anyway the next Christmas I discovered that although I had written the cards I had forgot to posted them, not one told me I had not sent them a card because of warmth kindness and love. Thats the lovely thing about Christmas, if you don't feel like putting a Christmas tree up why not ask you children to do it for you, let them decide the kind of Christmas they want to have.

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

mariaalice wrote: »

I had a serious illness a few year ago which affected my cognitive function for a while and anyway the next Christmas I discovered that although I had written the cards I had forgot to posted them, not one told me I had not sent them a card because of warmth kindness and love. Thats the lovely thing about Christmas, if you don't feel like putting a Christmas tree up why not ask you children to do it for you, let them decide the kind of Christmas they want to have.

I think at this stage I will let them off if they want to decorate the house I will leave it to them but at the moment there is no mention of putting up a tree apart from my sixteen year old. I definitely wouln'd stop them. I know I have to think of their xmas. As I said i'm just not feeling it at the moment.

h7nlrp2v0g5u48

mariaalice wrote: »

I had a serious illness a few year ago which affected my cognitive function for a while and anyway the next Christmas I discovered that although I had written the cards I had forgot to posted them, not one told me I had not sent them a card because of warmth kindness and love. Thats the lovely thing about Christmas, if you don't feel like putting a Christmas tree up why not ask you children to do it for you, let them decide the kind of Christmas they want to have.

I think at this stage I will let them off if they want to decorate the house I will leave it to them but at the moment there is no mention of putting up a tree apart from my sixteen year old. I definitely wouln'd stop them. I know I have to think of their xmas. As I said i'm just not feeling it at the moment.