Plans for the holidays this year

I look forward to this year's get-together. Thank you!

Everybody, I hope you're doing okay. I'm sad when I hear that others are sad and struggling, too.

Glad you’re looking forward to it!

No plans for Christmas myself. I've forgotten what Christmas is like, being with others. It's been so long since I had any kind of Christmas. I think that this Christmas will not be too bad. Because it falls on a Saturday and that's the day of the week that I commit myself to cleaning. So I should be cleaning, therefore, it won't feel like Christmas.

Funny how both Thanksgiving and Christmas are on the 25th of each month this year.

Yeah makes sense and I don’t even realize that both holidays are exactly one month apart this year.

Well, the hypothetical dilemma didn't materialise because a decision has been made.

My mother has chosen to go to my brother's house on Christmas Day. He will bring her home that evening because she can't climb their stairs and won't sleep in the leather recliner chair in the lounge. His drinking will have to be curtailed.

So, what's been the reaction to this? Think I've handled it well by not reacting. Of course, then had all the drama about wishing we could all be together and when will the rift be healed. Again, I was the focus of her vitriol because I still wasn't acknowledging her feelings. Everything was then raked up about how hurt she was that I could walk away from her. She will not accept that her attitude is what's causing the ongoing problem between us. Doesn't understand why I've suddenly started visiting again.

What's really annoyed her is that my aunt is trying to act as peacemaker. She had suggested that mother phone me to find out if I'm okay. The answer was "I'm not phoning her". Again, exactly how her mother behaved when something didn't suit her. I said that my aunt had repeated this to me, so now my mother believes she's the subject of "tittle tattle". I've said no, because it's all true. Finally, she again accused me of sneering and smirking at her (a throwback to her childhood). This always comes out when she's not "winning" the argument. Whatever I said was talked over or pretence she didn't understand. A closed mind.

When I said I was not listening to any more, she said if you walk out then you're out of my life. Will be interesting what happens after she tells my brother this evening. Yes, I did walk out because I would have still been there now, going over and over the issue, how I've done her wrong.

The decision is made. I'm home alone on Christmas Day and it suits me. Still need to get some more food and a decent bottle of wine. Would rather do this than sit with a bunch of hypocrites (niece excepted).

My sister called last night. They are driving out to go down south and wanted a Christmas turkey dinner with us before they go. So I ordered a meal for 4. It’s just a matter of picking it up and putting it in the oven. I bought really nice disposable plates and silver wear before covid so we can use those. With them it will be laid back and easy going. So it’s not too big a deal.

I'm home alone as usual. My eyes are blurring and sensitive to the computer light, so that is why I'm not on here as frequently. It's harder for me to read online, even with the use of the larger monitor.

I plan on mailing out Christmas cards once I receive the remainder of stamps that are now delayed in shipping.

I also plan on giving the USPS, UPS, and FedEx drivers gifts once I receive all their gifts and the boxes in the mail.

I also plan on giving away 8 bottles of wine to two friends, in addition to giving them their gifts. I'm still waiting on some of their gifts to arrive in the mail.

I may decide to give every neighbor on my floor a cute, small gift bag with a matching jute-stringed tag, a Hershey's candy cane, and a bag of Pepperidge Farm holiday-themed cookies. I ordered a variety of cookies to share either as a set or individually, depending on whether or not I want to risk leaving gifts at the doors of 15 or so of my neighbors. I don't want them to think that I'm too social, but some of them already know that I remain isolated and masked whenever I open my door, and that no one comes into my home. I will gladly go outside to speak with people, but not in the hallways - esp. since most of them remain unmasked. Still, I want to keep the peace and Christmas spirit by sharing some small gifts. They can eat it, give it away, toss it, whatever. But at least they will know that I tried to reach out in a social-distancing sort of way by giving them a contactless gift from the heart.

I'll most likely come on here to get some support and give some as well.

I'll also sleep a lot after all the gift-giving has commenced.

Well it sounds like you made the right move by walking out. Sometimes the harshest and toughest decision is the best one. No point in being around a bunch of hypocrites. Glad you will have some peace and quiet and know that you won't have to put up with drama.

Oh that's nice, not bad at all.

Oh that's not a bad idea, great way to put yourself out there and show that you're willing to interact with others.

Thanks to everyone for their comments, thanks/hugs.

The one thing I forgot to add is...

Whilst they're praising themselves for their decision to exclude me, they're the only people looking silly. Certainly not me!

Yep they won’t accept responsibility.