There are so many parties around Christmas; Work, gift exchanges, blogger meet ups, family, friends, local events. They are everywhere! Christmas is about being with people you love and feeling joy. Dancing, drinking, gift giving, music, games and love. Christmas for some is going to be really difficult. Some of us will be spending our first Christmas without a loved one, a loved and lost pet or life may be so hectic that Christmas isn’t possible to be celebrated. When we have nothing, we look to those we love.
Family Christmas
Not only did we celebrate Christmas as a whole, but we also celebrated my uncles recovery from cancer. We laughed, smiled, danced, drank, ate, sang, wore Christmas hats and fed the fish in the pond.
The same night my aunt told us my cousin had been in hospital for a month and was very ill… As I’m writing this I have a tear in my eye. She had been in hospital since this time last year and passed away in November this year; This will be our first Christmas without her.
In these pictures we were truly blessed to have these people with us in our lives for Christmas. It was a hard time all round as in the november just before, my brother attempted suicide, but luckily he survived. We raised many a glass to those we have.
A freelance christmas works party!
Since myself and good friend ran our own businesses online last year we didn’t have the classic ‘works Christmas party’ so we decided to make one of our own! We both gathered our partners and set a date for a meal and drinks for Christmas like it was our own little freelance Christmas party. It was fun, lovely and felt lovely to be included in the norm hehe.
If you’re a freelancer, don’t be afraid to find ways to celebrate! Gather friends or other freelancers. Myself and Stacey shesayslive spoke about how cool it would be to organise a freelancer Christmas meet up one year. I hope we can organise it in the years to come when the stars align hehe.
Traditional get togethers!
Most years for a long time I have invited people to mine to do our annual Christmas get together and gift exchange. I’d invite those who have been difficult to see though the year due to busy lives and catch up over a few drinks, food, smiles and joy. The past few years we have actually been around other family homes which has been a nice change.
Hosting a party close to Christmas can be tough. You have to arrange it, buy food, cook, get drinks in and a plan for the night and we have had to take a step back for us to focus on money for food for Christmas day and such. Instead we have moved out get togethers to a pub or restaurant. That way it is stress free, we all pay for our own food and drink, no one has to cook and no one has to clean up the day after hehe! Now that some of my friends have children it is much simpler to go for a meal and have things more straight forward.
This year we are lucky to have both of my brothers with us after both attempting suicide. I can’t imagine what it could’ve been like if things had turned out differently. The year has been a tough one. We lost my dearest uncle to dementia, almost lost my auntie, our beloved dog of 12 years died, my cousin died and all of my nieces and nephews were taken into foster care. We are currently gifting for custody and to become connected foster carers.
It’s our first Christmas without all of these people. Non of my nieces; my mums grandchildren will be running through the door screaming ‘Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas’. No cuddles. No watching them open gifts. No singing and watching films with them. No choosing their little Christmas dresses. No innocence.
My beautiful dog would always sit at the table and eat from a plate with his Christmas jumper on and my heart hurts knowing he won’t be there with us this year. We are all heartbroken and we have remained so strong throughout the year, but with court hearings, funerals, endless paperwork and financial struggles we are really finding it hard to feel festive and think of our Christmas day here at home.
Hold your loved close. Appreciate every smile, laugh, cry and frown. No one deserves to be sad over Christmas so please hug those who need some extra love.
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