Christmas!

How does anyone cope with Christmas and New Year social expectations?  Although I have very few friends, there's the obligation to buy presents which seems to have become swapping boxes of chocolates, chocolate biscuits or bottles of something.  Not forgetting the 'unwanted/unneeded' gifts.  Christmas cards to people you don't 'know'.

Fortunately (or not) we don't have any extended family who we feel obliged to invite for Christmas dinner - just as well as cooking is just not my thing!!

Now, I face a dilemma - hubs is a social animal which goes against the grain of us AuDHD'ers.  Another, sort of, fortunate thing is that we have a 'holiday lodge' on an Isle of Wight holiday park, so we leg it down there.  Yes, parties, but somehow the 'friends' we have down there are few and far between, plus they're not neighbours and seldom see them, so when I make a complete idiot of myself it's not as bad as being at home.  I cope by having too many bevvies and spending all my time on the dance floor.  I know they think I'm crazy down there, so being crazy and old kinda lets me get away with it - well that's what I keep trying to tell myself!

What do you do?

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Parents
  • Hello  ChrisRuthPeggy

    As you say, Christmas can be a very stressful time that can seem full of odd rituals here and there - the obligation for gifting, parties with the mandated social aspect; I can certainly say I empathise with you in regards to your coping mechanisms.

    You certainly are not crazy by doing what feels right and sensible for you.

    I can see there being a lot of opinions on the topic of Christmas - I would like to share with you a page that links to several resources.


    Preparing for Christmas: autism resources


    I wish you the best in preparing yourself for the festive season.

    Thanks - Zac Mod.

Reply
  • Hello  ChrisRuthPeggy

    As you say, Christmas can be a very stressful time that can seem full of odd rituals here and there - the obligation for gifting, parties with the mandated social aspect; I can certainly say I empathise with you in regards to your coping mechanisms.

    You certainly are not crazy by doing what feels right and sensible for you.

    I can see there being a lot of opinions on the topic of Christmas - I would like to share with you a page that links to several resources.


    Preparing for Christmas: autism resources


    I wish you the best in preparing yourself for the festive season.

    Thanks - Zac Mod.

Children
  • Thank you so much.  Some of the links are not available, but what I found really helpful is "3 Tips for the Autism Friendly Season"; "Coping with Anxiety at Christmas" and "An autistic person's guide to an autism-friendly Christmas".

    Yeh, eating in public is a biggie and I always take a 'doggie bag'!!

    Thank you so much.  I so hope that other people can gain something from your 'pointers' - certainly helped me!

    Here we go on the 'Christmas Merry-go-round'!!

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