Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/Alexander Volke

Column Christmas expectations vs reality

Real Christmas trees, trips to see Santa, and snow – these are all much better in your head.

EVERY YEAR I look forward to Christmas with the excitement of a small child (or three small children as is the case in my house). Every year I just know it’s going to be the Best Christmas Ever. And every year, when we’re right in the middle of it, I look around and wonder how on earth it all seemed like such a good idea. Not to get all Grinchy now, but there are some ideas that seem so much better before than after.

The Christmas Tree

Before: There’s nothing like the smell of a real tree – the pine needles remind me of childhood Christmases.

After: As I look at the dried out husk, with sad, dropping branches while I sweep up pine needles for the six hundredth time, I curse my real tree and swear we’re going plastic next year (and then forget all about it when the time for ooh-ing and ahh-ing over pine-needle-smell comes around again)

The Fairy Lights

Before: I love fairy lights – so twinkly and pretty. I love switching them on for the first time and showing the kids – bringing Christmas magic into the home.

After: If I have to spend one more evening twisting every single one of the two thousand bulbs to see which one has caused the entire set to switch off, I’m cancelling Christmas.

The Christmas Carols

Before: I can’t wait to hear some Christmas carols and really get in the mood for the season. We should really buy a CD of Christmas songs for the car.

After: Please. Please. Make it stop. Please.

The Department Store Santa Visit

Before: Bringing the kids to visit Santa will be a lovely way to start off the season.

After: Queuing for an hour and a half with three small kids to see a grumpy Santa and get a plastic tea-set that I’ll throw out as soon as I can – how did I not remember this from last year?

The Gifts

Before: Opening gifts is such a special time – watching faces light up as they unwrap the perfect present that I spent weeks and weeks and weeks choosing.

After: Um yes, here’s the receipt – of course I don’t mind if you exchange it. OF COURSE NOT.

The Snow

Before: I’m dreaming of a white Christmas – the holidays just aren’t complete without a delicate blanket of snow to pretty everything up.

After: What the hell is this brown, muddy, slush all over my back garden?

The Turkey

Before: The smell of roast turkey with stuffing and gravy is surely one of the cornerstones of the whole holiday season – I’m salivating just thinking about it.

After: If I see another turkey sandwich, turkey curry or turkey stir-fry, I’m going to throw up.

The Wine and Chocolate

Before: I love wine and chocolate.

After: l still love wine and chocolate.

But really, I do love Christmas. The fun is in the planning. And if it doesn’t always turn out exactly as planned, that’s OK. I’ll have forgotten it all by next December, and we can do it all again.

Andrea Mara has three small kids, one tall husband and one office job. She writes at OfficeMum.ie about being a parent, being a mother working outside the home, and being a woman in the workplace. She’s just trying to keep her balance. Follow her tweets@office_mum or on Facebook.

14 pets who are just SO done with Christmas

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

View 10 comments
Close
10 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Art Vandelay
    Favourite Art Vandelay
    Report
    Dec 27th 2014, 7:03 PM

    What I really want to know is – how tall is the husband?

    183
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Sims
    Favourite Catherine Sims
    Report
    Dec 27th 2014, 7:09 PM

    Sounds about right Andrea. You forgot , before….. dying to see the relatives you haven’t seen for ages after… that’s enough of seeing them feckers for at least another twelve months

    147
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emachine
    Favourite Emachine
    Report
    Dec 27th 2014, 7:10 PM

    I’m sorry but someone has to say it. Christmas is a load of b****x. It’s been turned into just another Hallmark holiday designed to extract as much money from as many people as possible. I for one am glad it’s over for another year.

    131
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Sims
    Favourite Catherine Sims
    Report
    Dec 27th 2014, 7:12 PM

    Jim Royale has entered the building

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sam Bartell
    Favourite Sam Bartell
    Report
    Dec 27th 2014, 7:23 PM

    Ahh someone’s overtired! Have another chocolate emachine

    70
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rochelle
    Favourite Rochelle
    Report
    Dec 27th 2014, 7:46 PM

    It is what you make it, not everyone buys in to the spending pressure.

    108
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sinead Hanley
    Favourite Sinead Hanley
    Report
    Dec 27th 2014, 8:14 PM

    BEFORE: I’d say my daughter will love singing along to her new cd of Frozen’s Let it Go

    AFTER: My ears, my ears!! If i hear that fcuken song again, i will pull my ears off and feed them to the dog.

    140
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Sims
    Favourite Catherine Sims
    Report
    Dec 27th 2014, 8:16 PM

    Oh …….. Lol

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aasif
    Favourite Aasif
    Report
    Dec 27th 2014, 7:06 PM

    Joan Burton and her cronies ruined my christmas.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karen Cullen
    Favourite Karen Cullen
    Report
    Dec 28th 2014, 11:01 AM

    If you get roped into the madness of spending money rather than the importance of spending time with family and friends then more fool you ! Christmas is great once you realise the most important thing you give others is a piece of your time ! Free

    14
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds