Being a Granny at Christmas

 

Being a granny at Christmas means creating magical moments, sharing stories of holidays past, and revelling in the precious gift of family. It’s a role filled with love, nostalgia, and the joy of passing down the spirit of Christmas to the next generation. But let’s not fool ourselves, Christmas is by far the most stressful time of year! So, let's be open about the things nobody tells you about Christmas time as a granny, because despite what everyone says, Christmas can be bloody hard work!

One of the main things I noticed when spending my first Christmas as a granny was that nothing could have prepared me for the amount of guilt I would feel. Christmas is the time of year where you want everything to be perfect. The amount of pressure to create perfect Christmas memories is intensified when you become a granny, and when things don’t go according to plan, it is hard not to blame ourselves. Due to my own mum being unwell over the Christmas period, I had to travel home to care for her. This unfortunately meant that I missed my grandchildren’s first Christmas. Even though I knew that they were only tiny at this point and they wouldn’t even remember the day, I still couldn’t help but feel that I was letting them down. One thing I try to keep in mind now is that unforeseen circumstances may come up and we have to do what we know is best. We shouldn’t beat ourselves up for doing the right thing, even if this means changing plans that we have been looking forward to.

At Christmas, it is not just our time which can be spread thin, it is a time that creates a lot of financial strain too. As we all know too well, the cost of gifts, food and extra nights out can put a strain on our bank balances. We want to make every Christmas one to remember, but be mindful, begin preparations early, and set a budget and try to stick to it. From my experience, the best gifts are the ones that show you have put a lot of thought into them, not a lot of money. Here are some thoughtful gift ideas that cost very little:

-        Homemade gift vouchers for services such as babysitting, chauffeuring or cleaning

-        Their favourite home cooked meal delivered to their door

-        An at home spa day

-        A family games or film night

-        Afternoon tea at home

There will always be pressure to get the perfect gifts, but I feel that this is a small part of what makes Christmas special. For my family, creating traditions is what Christmas is really about. My favourite Christmas tradition is decorating the tree. I put the Christmas music on (I love a bit of Michel Bublé), then once it is all done, I’ll cosy up with a mince pie and a nice festive drink. I find this really gets me in the festive spirit. In recent years, I have done this on my own, but I would love to start having my very own little helpers this year so I can share my traditions with them. I still use the Christmas decorations that my own daughter made 32 years ago, and soon I will get to add the decorations my grandchildren make. Passing on this tradition to the next generation is something I can feel proud of and I hope that, in the years to come, they will look back on fond memories of putting the tree up with their granny.

Let’s not fool ourselves, hosting at Christmas is beyond stressful. We’d all love to be the ‘hostess with the mostest’ but when it comes down to it, preparing to have the family at Christmas can feel like a military operation. First of all, getting everyone together can be a logistical nightmare, especially if you have a blended family. Nobody is ever free at the same time, and they all have the other halves of the family to think about. To maintain your sanity, being flexible and setting boundaries is key. If you don’t want to have people staying overnight, let them know. You know for yourself how much you can manage, and your family will understand and make their plans around you. They only want the best for you after all. It is lovely to be able to have family visit at Christmas, but I would be lying if I sometimes didn’t fantasize about booking a secluded log cabin somewhere all by myself!

How many times in your life have you been the one who ends up spending most of their Christmas day in the kitchen? The responsibility of preparing a festive feast can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. No matter how prepared you feel, getting each dish cooked to perfection and ready at the same time is stressful. Since becoming a granny, I have said ‘no more’! This year everyone in my family is bringing a dish, so we will have all the traditional foods, but everyone is only responsible for one thing. Hopefully this will take the pressure off me, and Christmas dinner will be something I actually enjoy, rather than a task I dread.

For some grannies, managing health issues during the festive period can be hard. The pressure we put on ourselves to join in with the festivities can lead to us neglecting our own health and pushing ourselves too far. It is important to take a step back when we need to and reflect on how we are feeling. It's no bad thing to take yourself away from the fun for a nap or just a bit of down time if you feel you need it. Christmas is not only a time that can be taxing on our physical health, but it can be a very emotional time for many of us. The holiday season can bring up memories of loved ones who are no longer with us, or experiences of Christmases past that have not always been so happy. Dealing with these emotions while trying to create a festive atmosphere for the family can be emotionally taxing, so take good care of yourself and set your own boundaries this Christmas.

Finally, it is important to remember that Christmas is a time for YOU to enjoy yourself, just as much as it is for everyone else. Just because we are part of the older generation certainly does not exclude us from having our own fun at this time of year. We often take on the responsibility of babysitting while mum and dad go out for their work Christmas do, or to catch up with friends, but remember, if you have made plans to go out with your friends, it is okay to say ‘no’. Just because we are grandparents now does not mean we can’t get our glitzy glad rags on and rock the town like the best of them!

Despite the stresses we face over the festive period, it is undeniable that Christmas is a truly magical time of year, especially if you are lucky enough to spend it with the people you love. I encourage you all to go with the flow and enjoy all the fun of the holiday season but remember to keep in mind how important it is to recognise the challenges, communicate openly with family members, and prioritise self-care. After all, Christmas is a time for everyone to enjoy, including you!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from The Granny Gang x