People Share Moments That Ruined Their Christmas

In a year, there are numerous holidays that we celebrate. Most of the time, we do our best to make each holiday memorable. 

However, these people from the Reddit Community shared their “other side” of a holiday. The moments they experienced their worst Christmas. Check these out!

1. Unwelcomed Member

My mum told me I wasn’t welcome at Christmas dinner, so I stayed home and got drunk and cried all night. ‘

We celebrated on the 24th, and my family spent all of the 25th guilt-tripping me for not showing up and telling me how my mum had hoped I would still show all night. So yeah, I am the bad guy, no matter what. 

Proceeded to get drunk on the 25th as well. 

Curse family.

Lyllythy

My sister's boss told her they were only open until 5, but they're actually open until 10, and she won't let my sister leave. 

Surprise 10-hour shift! 

So now my mom's watching a WWII documentary, and I'm on Reddit lol.

Merry Christmas!

noexplanation2069

My mom started crying and causing drama because my sisters didn’t stay up until midnight on Christmas Eve to celebrate Christmas early. 

She decided not to show up for breakfast and gift exchanges this morning and instead messaged us all morning, saying no one loves or cares about her.

I love being guilt-tripped.

machoman102299

First Christmas separated. I could spend a few hours with my kids and my parents, siblings, etc., but when the kids became bored and were tearing up, asking to go home, I broke down. 

I got them back with their mom, safe and sound, and cried for the next hour and a half.

My Christmas went nearly as bad as many here, but I was still surprised at how much heartache I felt today.

RumblestheDwarf

This is my 3rd year divorced, but it was my first Christmas without my kids. My ex usually has to work Christmas, so I've lucked out, but this year he had it off. I had the kids for Thanksgiving, so he got Christmas. 

I Facetimed my kids, and they were happy.

Hung up and bawled my eyes out, and proceeded to hang out with my dog on the couch, watching basketball. 

To be honest, most of the time, it's okay, but it was rough today. We made it through Christmas.

missingthewasatch

I was reaching for a puzzle piece when something in my body decided to fudge right off, and now I've got immense shoulder/neck/back pain.

I keep trying to stretch it gently & move it as much as I can, but I'm pretty out of commission.

A damn PUZZLE PIECE.

foxien

My mom told me my dad is staring at prostate cancer, and we're waiting for the biopsy... his prostate is HUGE compared to normal-sized ones. 

Has he looked up WebMD, so he's talking about "making memories?" It makes my mom nervous, so it's got me a little shaken. 

We'll get official news within the week, but not soon enough to ease my heart.

TheFlyinGiraffe

My sister stormed out an hour before the food was ready because she believed we were talking crap about her or threatening her or something. 

She’s schizophrenic. 

None of that was happening. There’s no way to convince her it’s not true.

Also, an update: my mom got a notification that my sister ended up in the psych ward last night. It was her own choice. So, hopefully, they can get her some meds, and hopefully, she’ll take them this time.

Weird_Blanket

My dog passed away early Christmas morning. She had been sick for a couple of weeks, so I knew it was coming, but it still freaking sucks. 

She died on Christmas of all days. 

She was such a nice dog, and now she's gone forever. RIP Daisy.

LonelyGuy319

My mom slipped on a patch of ice on her way into my house for breakfast and gifts this morning. She insisted she was fine, but after a few hours, she could barely walk.

Her foot is broken and may require surgery, so it looks like we'll be spending my birthday tomorrow in their hotel room. 

My Christmas wasn't ruined, but I feel awful that hers and my dad's basically were.

SnowMiser26

I unexpectedly and suddenly became a widow 30 days ago, leaving me with our special needs 5yo daughter, and I'm currently 24w pregnant.

He went to bed and didn't wake up.

I never, ever dreamed I'd be a widow at 39 after 13 years together, 5.5 years married.

No stars out of 5. Do not recommend it.

jennywindow

My sister-in-law exploded today when she saw we brought mac and cheese. Apparently, she stayed up all night also making mac and cheese, so ours was a direct insult to her. 

When we called her out that her attitude was inappropriate, she got even more mad that we would say that in front of her kids, so we left. 

Even left them all the food we brought. She’s always had anger issues, but this was just the last straw.

metallic_dog

My partner, who is 28, entered a critical condition in the ICU and is on a ventilator and dialysis in a medically induced coma. She has come down with two strains of malaria, which is very rare, and she fought it so effectively in the early stages that her symptoms only reflected the severity of the infection at a late stage. 

There have been some positive signs. Her lungs are still strong, as she needs minimal respiratory support. Her heart appears to remain strong, too. Early signs are that the treatments being administered are having their desired impact in bringing down the infection and inflammation. But she is very unwell. She is fighting for her life.

We're in the UK currently. Her family has flown in from the US to support her, which is wonderful. Our families love each other, and we haven't been together since pre covid. But due to COVID, we are unable to see her in the ICU.

We had just set ourselves up to live in Ghana, and I'd just landed a job with UNICEF there four months ago. 

I don't think there's any chance we or I are going back. I'll probably have to quit the role unless they'll let me work remotely full-time. We've paid for a year of accommodation. 

Just bought a car which is still with a mechanic out there. And damn, we freaking loved the setup we had and the traveling we were gonna do around Ghana. She's working for a local NGO that focuses on adolescent sexual reproductive health. But none of that matters. I just need her to make it.

It is so painful not to be with her at this time. Christmas didn't really happen for us. My mum cooked up a wonderful Xmas meal, my grandmas came to join us, and we laughed without crying (a first). 

But no gifts were exchanged. I didn't even wrap mine thinking about it. No Xmas songs played. It basically didn't happen despite the reunion. We're all still just worried sick and trying to stay strong for her.

gooch_warrior

My mom brought up the diary I kept as a teenager years ago. That diary had detailed plans about me offing myself. She brought it up legit an hour ago in front of everyone.

I have spent the last two hours in my room crying and feeling all sorts of emotions. 

I’m 25 now, but damn, I feel all the feelings I left at that time, and I don’t know how to feel.

charlie33596

My parents are dead. I am only 41, but I lost my last parent in 2021. My boyfriend doesn’t celebrate, or really care. His grandma, more mom as she raised him, died a couple of years back. We are in a new place with no friends or family.

I don’t have kids (twice widowed, it's complicated). He never had kids, either. My only real living relative is my sister. 

She lives 2 states away. We couldn’t visit due to a COVID scare.

The present she bought me (the only present I was getting) got pilfered by porch pirates.

I ordered Chinese food. My order was canceled 5 minutes before arrival.

Farie_faye

My girlfriend shamed me for taking a half day off work on Christmas Eve to see my family. Woke up to her making snide comments about how it “must be nice” to sleep in a bit, then told me to “run home to mommy”. 

This was all unprovoked while I was laying in bed; not as bad as a lot of stories here, but it’s put a damper on the whole holidays.

brooney2

Being called selfish for having a migraine and "ruining the festivities," and then getting socks, underwear, and some pillows.

Random chocolate my mom and sister "split the cost of because money was tight" while seeing my sister get JBL Bluetooth headphones, a JBL speaker, and a JBL clip-on speaker my mom single-handedly bought her.

But most of all, a migraine. 

Those ruin any day.

jassietheconqueror

I don't really celebrate it, but this is my first Christmas so alone. I always spent Christmas Day flying out to my grandmother, but she just died. 

I am in New York City and on semi-lockdown. Also, my half-and-half for coffee turned prematurely, and I can't get more til tomorrow.

oldspice75

My ex.

Was married 20 years (had one daughter). Have been divorced for 5. Yesterday, she asked to come back “home.” 

I had to force myself to say no. 

It was hard and made me sad thinking we could have been together if she hadn’t made the decisions she did 5 years ago.

Hawk13424

Mom’s anger issues. 2:47 am EST now as I type this, and everyone is sleeping.

We’re talking plans for next year's Christmas. Mom doesn’t want my girlfriend and me to share a room. I am in my late 20s. I asked why the ridiculous rule when they weren’t religious like that, to begin with. 

Ended with Mom screaming I am what is wrong with this world, and no one believes in god anymore. She then started to pack to leave early. 

Dad told her to stay. Now, it’s silence today and tomorrow as we wait in separate rooms. Mom watches TV in silence. 

All under my house mind you.

risemyfriend

My husband is a recovering alcoholic, and last night, on Christmas Eve, he relapsed following 1 year sober. 

I don’t want to go through all that hell again, and I’m 8 months pregnant with no job and 1000 miles from home. 

I seriously don’t know what to do. 

I think I’m doomed.

SnooObjections3195

Traveled two hours to see sister, buy her favorite Chinese food for her and her husband, and have presents ready for her and him. I get there. She walks out and is like SURPRISE! Guess who's here...Daddy.

She knows that he and I don't get along because he is abusive and manipulative. So I gave her the food and presents and turned around and drove 2 hours back home. Cried most of the way back from being mad and sad.

Edit for clarification:

Sorry for the confusion. Basically my twin sister and I planned to spend Christmas at her house. She didn't tell me our bio dad was going to be there. So when I got there, she ran out to tell me he was there. I gave her the things and left without seeing anyone other than my sister.

Additional info on the history of bio dad

I have given him so many chances and forgiven him so many times. The last time something happened, I had to cut him off for my peace of mind. Which my sister was fully aware of.

He didn't want us growing up, so our grandparents adopted us. He would come to see us occasionally, and once or twice, we stayed with him. He drank and drugged pretty badly. I remember he kicked his dog in front of us, and I thought he was the world's biggest pos for that. 

When our grandparents died prematurely, he still didn't step in to comfort or help us, and because of that, my twin and I split up when we were 12. 

When we were older, he tried to connect, and I forgave his past decisions. 

Still, he would try to make me feel bad for being adopted by my grandparents and called our mom all kinds of nasty things, but I thought that didn't apply to him. He told me I was brainwashed because I didn't believe the conspiracies he did. He is verbally abusive and manipulative.

The last straw was him being upset with me and passive-aggressively saying over text, "Well I wish you the best in life," he did this several times before, and we talked about it. He did it as a way of saying he was done with me again. 

After the third time of him pulling that, I was done with him. How dare he have the audacity to threaten to abandon me again after the many chances I gave him. I couldn't handle how much chaos having him in my life caused in my soul and life, so I told him, "Thanks, you too," and blocked him. 

Then my sister, knowing the whole story, decided not to tell me he was coming over to her house for Christmas while I was there. She only talks to him because she is in a situation where she needs money, and he will give it to her. He is just as rude, abusive, and manipulative as her. 

She just won't officially cut him off.

[deleted]

Husband tested positive for Covid. Again. We did this last year in the same week. Not a tradition I want to maintain.

It’s frustrating and lonely. 

I have to work, so we are living on two different floors of the house.

Outsideforever3388

I came home from the military, and it seemed like my family had forgotten about me. Not that I needed presents or really even wanted them, but the fact that nobody even thought about something as simple as a card.

It kind of hurts when I’m sitting here for an hour watching them pass presents around to each other, and I got one for each of them as well. 

Just feels bad

Firsthalthor

It's been a lot of years ago, but I traveled a long way with my Fianc'ee and her two kids. One was calling me daddy because she never knew her father at all. We went to my grandparents and met my parents and spent two nights. My folks went home, and we drove to her parent's place.

Out of the blue, her personality changes, and when she isn't biting my head off, she is giving me the silent treatment.

After two days of this, I corner her and ask what is up, and she tells me that she no longer loves me and wants to break up.

The next day, we drove for 12 hours without a word spoken between us, though I tried a few times to get her to talk. Got back to her place and got ignored again. I went to a separate room and made reservations back to my parents because I had nowhere to go. (I was on leave from the military).

Spent the rest of my vacation licking my wounds and hating the world.

Danmont88

Having to hang out with my brother all day. I love the guy, but holy fudge, he never shuts up. Ever. At all. I’ve got three years on him, and I’m certain he has flown past me in words spoken in our lifetime.

It’s exhausting. 

And whenever I act disinterested or just politely end the conversation, I’m the jerk.

dynnk

My aunt tried to talk to me about how I don't go to church anymore and then brought up my ex-wife and how our marriage wasn't done in a church. 

She left me in 2020. 

I tried to drink myself to death. I was having a great Christmas until that conversation. I managed to stop caring after I had a few glasses of wine, and I stopped drinking wine after a few glasses instead of drinking to blackout. 

Not perfect, but it's progress.

InTooDeepButICanSwim

It was a mix of my period deciding it was going to start early with cramps from the 7th level of heck. It was completely combined with my mother getting angry that Christmas Eve dinner was ruined. 

All just because we didn't warm up the food 20 minutes before eating so we could make sure everything was on the table on time.

LadyRogue92

I wouldn’t say ruined, but I decided just before leaving work for a vacation that 2022 WILL be the year I kick alcohol to the curb for good. I’ve been to rehab before, so I know what to expect from detoxing (and I feel confident to do so without supervision..

With that said, insomnia has traditionally been a big issue for me during my prior attempts to go clean. Also, I’m currently on day 3 without sleep and don’t feel it’s coming anytime soon.

I’ve been up for dangerous amounts of time before, and I’ve felt so miserable all day today while visiting family. I just hope I get some reprieve before my alcoholic brain convinces me to drink just to finally get some sleep.

Other than that, I’ve really counted my blessings and have done some reflection on how I need to take care of myself going forward.

SnotboogyFlats

My family's horrible habit of eating and running back home. 

It bugs me that I and my husband spent all day cooking just for them to show up, eat, and then leave within an hour. 

I even asked if we could not do that this year. 

They agreed but did it anyway. 

It hurts.

Lilith0323

My cousin announced her pregnancy. She doesn't have a job, bounces from couch to couch, and already has 6 kids that CPS already took from her. 

She had 3 abortions in high school and had two babies pass away only hours after birth because they were born prematurely and addicted to drugs.

I might be a feminist, but if anyone should be forced to get a Tubal, it's her.

RiseandRiseagain1814

It isn't much compared to others, but it definitely ruined it for me.

I work at the fire dept. This year, my shift works Christmas, and we were having a family dinner at the station. All the crew has their families over for a large meal. Well, it's my son's first official Christmas, and I couldn't get the day off.

My wife got all ready, along with my son, and lost her car keys. She couldn't find them for about 3 hours. There was my wife, who had just lost her father, who was alone with my 1-year-old at home with no way to leave or anybody in town. And I... I felt trapped at the fire station, unable to do anything about it. Everyone arriving with their kids and families, and then there's me. 

I wish I had my family with me too.....

KLBPI

The progression of my mother's terminal pancreatic cancer from challenging her being present to full-on hepatic delirium right now. She'll likely (hopefully) pass today or in the next few days, but it doesn't make too much of a difference as she had to be deeply sedated. So her mind is already gone, and the rest will follow soon.

She fought hard to survive till Christmas Eve (this day is celebrated most in Germany) and made that day as pleasant as possible for us, which she managed to the best of her capabilities. 

But I saw the signs of death approaching rapidly from late Thursday onwards and have been devastated since.

So yeah, I'd rate Christmas Eve as high as was possible given the circumstances, but the overall Christmas experience this year was -10/10.

N3uroi

My uncle was high on coke and also drunk, was being aggressive to literally EVERYONE in the room, including family, on FaceTime, and choked my sister out (as a joke), who is also pregnant. It was NOT funny. 

He spilled soda all over her, then left his son at the party to go to a strip club. 

It was mentally exhausting dealing with him.

KuhReNuhhh

One of my staff got a COVID test, which showed two stripes. I tried to calm everyone down and suggested she take the test again just to confirm. I phoned my CEO, who lost his crap at me. 

Telling me if I find another positive, he's going to fire me. He started blaming people and telling people he was going to take them to court and that he was going to come in and count the COVID testing kit. 

For everyone that is missing, he's going to take it out of our salary. The thing is, he got all the testing kits for free. Joke. If he comes in and says he's going to charge my staff, I'm going to try my best not to let that happen. 

I'm making plans to resign. 

It's disgusting.

coaxrot

My wife of 7 years stole my vehicle to go on holiday with another guy. She texted me to break up with me. 

Threw away my mother's wedding ring and am now scheduled for an abortion with the other guy as she got pregnant. 

Really just a nice human overall.

slythersnail

My girlfriend had her cerebral cortex tumor taken out. She had planned to come to visit me but instead went into shock, and her pacemaker was working overtime. The doctors were able to remove the tumor but with complications. 

She has short-term memory loss. She didn't remember me at all; now she has memories coming back, but her feeling of love has yet to come back.

I miss you and love you, Julia. Take all the time you need <3 I will be here waiting for you.

randomanon5875

My mom left our normal Christmas Eve with family to have people over with her new boyfriend. But not before blowing a .12 on my sister's home breathalyzer, telling me ‘f**k you’ to my face, and storming out yelling ‘See you all again never’ as she slammed the door.

Followed by a text the next day, saying how great it was to see me the night before and what a bummer that she couldn’t see me for longer…

Luckily, I have therapy already scheduled for Monday.

QuantumDwarf

My younger autistic cousin made me a new target for his temper tantrums. In all honesty, I was in shock by how forceful he hit me in the middle of one of them on a car ride through the area when I was trying to understand how to console him. 

He’s a good kid, but he doesn’t know how to regulate any of these seemingly random bouts of intense emotions, and it just depresses me that I can’t help him.

[deleted]

My sister's 7-year-old rescue dog attacked my 2-year-old English setter in my house. She refused to put him in the back room and insisted he was just playing. 

While I was asserting the "my house my rules," he tried to attack my dog again. Pretty much ended the evening. 

Sister cried and left. 

Told her she didn't have to leave, but her dog could not roam free in the home anymore. Also, I'm not welcome back again. She could not understand that I would not allow my dog to feel unsafe in his own home and that her dog could bite one of us, given his aggressive behavior.

Northernchoice

Last year, My parents were separated and getting divorced. Me and my little sister had to spend Christmas with my dad, his girlfriend, and her family. We were starving half the day since my dad told me and my little sister not to eat anything to fit Christmas dinner (which, btw, was the worst feeling ever since they were cooking food right in front of us). 

And also spent it with my dad’s girlfriend’s family, who I really don’t know anything about since at the time, they barely have been dating for a year. 

Basically me and my little sister were alone for pretty much most of it, sitting on the couch while my dad, his girlfriend, and her family were talking and having fun. 

The only thing we were fed before we ate dinner was crackers and jam. My dad, who is my family, barely hung out with us. Literally the worst Christmas I had throughout my whole life.

Gelybean03

Having to isolate from my husband and missing Christmas with the rest of my family. My manager decided to come to work the other day even though she was feeling a bit sick. We were short-staffed for managers since a couple of them had COVID-19. 

Surprise, surprise, she tested positive that night.

And as an added bonus, I'm pregnant. So this has been a fun couple of days.

Legend_Of_Groose

My mom decided to invite 25 people to my home (I was the last to be invited) to celebrate Christmas. She lied to me about why my aunt wasn't hosting this year (she told me it was because my aunt was being operated on, but in reality, it was because of COVID.) Here's the kicker: I am immune compromised, so the fewer people, the better. 

BUT WE HAD NO CHRISTMAS LAST YEAR, AND COVID IS HERE FOREVER!!! (That was her excuse.) She did it anyway. I slept in a hotel room miles away from my own home. 

Happy Christmas, everyone!

sexylassy

My now ex woke up this morning and told me to "eat crap," then tried to gaslight me and said I was making it up, took the cash out of my wallet, & left. 

Then, he started texting me to tell me how awful I was for leaving him high and dry. I'm a single mom with 3 kids. 

This is MY house. Not his. 

He had to move in here because he quit his job with no notice, and when he got another one, he just didn't show up.

But yeah, I'm definitely the problem.

Trick_Possession_300

I realized that one of my kids is a spoiled brat. Complained about every single gift he got as he opened them. I gave him a few chances to control his outbursts. Couldnt do it. So I made him pack all his gifts up, and we drove them to the Toys for Tots drop-off near our house. I made him carry the bag inside. 

Call me mean, but when someone takes the time and thought to think of you only for you to complain about it, you don't deserve anything. 

Other kids literally have nothing. Not even parents. Or clean clothes. Or a warm house. 

And you complaining that your transformer isn't the right one. I'd much rather kids who appreciate things get it.

[deleted]

Feeling incredibly lonely the entire time being at home with my family and not being able to shake it. I know a lot of it’s in my head, but I’ve never been the talker my sister is. 

Everything she does is interesting, and in every conversation, she somehow relates back to herself. I’ve become silent and short when I talk about myself anymore.

I’m not finding anything I do or say interesting or good enough. Cried multiple times today, and at this rate, I’m just hoping my mom didn’t notice.

rosegoldengod

I did, unfortunately. We went to my in-law's house this morning after the morning present opening with my family. Helper MIL cooked the food.

Then, when it was time to go down the hill to Grandma's house, where everyone was starting to gather. I decided I just... Didn't want to go. I hate Christmas. 

I'm not religious. Honestly sitting there watching everyone open presents after watching my wife get roughly 700 dollars worth of gift cards, and I got absolutely nothing... It kinda just takes it out of you. I went home. Wife pissed. I just don't care anymore.

shadowskill121

My 30-year-old younger brother, who lives at home and is unvaccinated, even though his mom is lupus, and my dad is diabetic, and he himself is dangerously asthmatic, tested positive for COVID.

I drove 350 miles and spent hundreds booking a hotel. All 17 of us to be in attendance got tested just before.

He was being a lazy deadbeat piece of crap, and lo and behold, when he finally got tested, it was positive. Everything got canceled.

I spent Christmas Eve and the day in a hotel room, drinking wine out of a solo cup and eating Hot Pockets.

DangerSwan33

I moved across the country six months ago. I was supposed to fly home tomorrow, but between Omicron and my sick cat, I had to cancel my trip. 

It’s my nephew’s first Christmas, and I’m not there. There’s drama in my extended family, so no Christmas joy there. My cat is having liver problems and not eating. 

I’m afraid he’s going to die. I’ve had him for 13 years; for a large chunk of that, he was the biggest reason I didn’t end myself. I don’t know what I’ll do when he goes.

One of my overnight team no-call no-showed. Fifteen minutes after I should have already left, I was being literally screamed at by two men because I followed a basic hotel security protocol. 

They name-dropped the owners and said they’d be telling them about me. I told them I’d be mentioning them screaming at service workers on Christmas.

Then I broke down sobbing in front of one of my associates and a security guard. I’m not a cry-at-work person, but today broke me.

rebrandingmyself

I’m 7 months pregnant & I planned the entire day…. Stuffed every stocking, bought & wrapped every present, cooked 3-holiday meals (Christmas breakfast, Christmas lunch, Christmas dinner).

My husband didn’t get me a single thing. Not even a candy or snack (his stockings were all his favorite treats from me). Not a card. My family opened gifts around me & I sat there, watching. 

It was only later that he said, “You don’t have anything to unwrap?” See… 3 months ago, I bought myself a coffee cup for him to wrap, knowing he wouldn’t get me anything else on his own. 

I also bought the bag & tissue & asked him to put it under the tree…. He lost the cup. After dinner, when I asked, he said he didn’t know where he had put it. And that’s that, I guess. Merry Christmas to me :)

smelly_leaf

My dad went to the hospital on the 23rd. We all found out on Christmas eve he had a massive mass on his pancreas, most likely pancreatic cancer. 

He was one month from retirement, and now it looks like he'll never get a chance to enjoy it, and my mom will be retiring alone. 

It has completely flipped our family upside down, and I'm so mad at the world. We are trying to stay hopeful, and my dad is staying strong.

But I can tell in just a few short days, it has been eating him alive, and his health is quickly declining. Visiting hours are about to disappear (due to COVID) completely, so I won't even get to see my dad until the end. Everything feels so damn unfair right now.

whisperingeyelulz

Went on a vacation with my parents. The last couple of years were hard on us; I lost my grandma, had 3 surgeries, was infected with COVID, and my health is at an all-time low. So, we wanted a break from everything.

The hotel we reserved turned out to be a disaster. Rooms were dingy, damp, and dirty. There was no food at the restaurant. The washroom was not cleaned. 

To add to it, there was construction work going on at the same floor where we were put up, and there was a lot of noise throughout the day. 

We searched for other hotels nearby, but all of them were booked because of the Christmas season. Thankfully, we decided not to stay there and booked another hotel in a nearby city. 

It's a bit on the expensive side, but it's worth the extra cash. We booked a suite room that can view the hills from the private balcony at a distance. 

The food is good. We went out for a little sightseeing at a nearby lake. Attended Christmas mass in the morning at a Church near the hotel. Overall, the trip that was ruined by the hotel has now looks promising.

UnemployedTechie2021

I lost my job a while back, and my wife's work became more intensive. I stepped up to do nearly all the housework, cooking, Christmas shopping, wrapping, decorating, etc. 

Then she got sick this past week and hasn't been able to do anything at all. So, I've been too busy getting ready for it to get into the "Christmas spirit." 

I haven't been able to enjoy or even want to watch any annual favorite specials/movies, and, most frustratingly, I was too tired today to enjoy the fruits of our labors.

"Ruined" is probably too strong a word. My son, niece, and nephew seemed to have fun, as did other family members, so I'll have to let my happiness be vicarious this time around.

ety3rd

I wrapped all the gifts for my husband and son took hours because the boy gets so many wrestling figures. No help wrapping because my husband says he sucks at it. 

Cleaned the kitchen yesterday, too. I did dishes twice, cooked Christmas Eve dinner, and did all the cleanup. I asked my husband to vacuum because I did all the other cleaning. 

Got attitude the rest of the night (and he did a cappy job vacuuming). 

Today, Christmas Day, I made the traditional big breakfast. 

Did the "big dishes" as food finish so it wouldn't be overwhelming. I asked him to do the dishes. "Let me enjoy my presents for a while." 

Fine, okay. Leave hours later for dinner, leaving a full sink of dishes. Come home, still relatively early, but now won't do dishes "because I work tomorrow and I just want to relax."

BloodTypeDietCoke

My eldest sister is ransoming the grandkids from my parents because [insert petty backstory here]. She’s only reached out to them when she needs landscaping help, and even then, they can only work on it when the kids are asleep. 

  They do this for needed additional income.

The middle sister tested positive for COVID-19 on the 22nd, leaving only me to spend Christmas with our parents. 

They immigrated to the US from tight communities where familial ties are everything, and the sadness they don’t know how to express is painful to watch.

[deleted]

Not this year, but last year, close to Christmas, my mother died due to complications with her alcoholism. I was her medical decision-maker in her estate plan.

I was the one who ultimately had to make the decision to take her off of life support. 

When I got to her house, she had already started decorating for Christmas.

She had bought all the food and ingredients she needed for making Christmas dinner. It really killed my Xmas spirit last year.

Doggystyle_Rainbow

Been lonely as fudge since I broke up with my ex almost 2 years ago. I Found an awesome chick on a dating application. We really clicked, and I felt like I met my other half. 

  Never vibed with a chick on this level. She ghosted me, and it feels like my soul has been ripped out.

Never fell so quick and easy for a woman ever. 

Even in my previous relationship of 6 years, I wasn't as hurt as bad as I was by this chick. Being ghosted is the worst - I'll never know what the heck happened. It's been eating at me.

thedeathmachine

Dad went into the hospital nearly a month ago. We had mostly accepted that he wouldn't be home for Christmas. They finally discharged him to in-patient rehab on Thursday night. 

I visited him Friday morning and spoke with the care coordinator. Decent place, more comfortable and closer to home than the hospital.

We visited him again this morning. We couldn't bring him a lot of Christmas, but we tried. Went back home, and less than two hours later, a nurse called.

She told us Dad "had a 'difficulty breathing episode," and the in-house doctor was recommending that he go back to the hospital.

Been calling the ER every hour or so since they moved him. On the fifth try, someone finally picked up but told me to call back an hour later while they verified they were allowed to speak to me (thanks, HIPAA). 

Haven't gotten anyone to pick up the phone since. Going to head over to the ER tomorrow, wave around my POA, and find out what happened to Dad. Merry Crapmas!

paleo2002

My husband found the money I was hiding to leave him. After kicking off because I couldn't wipe the kiddo's face straight away and I told him not to make Christmas day crap like he does every day.

Caused an argument about it and told me I was taking his son away, the child he sees for around an hour a day (we both WFH, but he sleeps all day).

During this, he's an absolute bellend and ignores kiddo during that time. Then threw the watch I had got him at the wall and called it a piece of cheap crap.

It wasn't cheap, it wasn't expensive either, but it cost a fair amount. He broke the back off it, so I put the back on and took it to a pawn shop later to get some of the money spent back.

He does nothing at all except pay most of the rent. I pay for everything else, including our kid's clothes, toys, etc. The audacity of this man.

I'm the one who cooks and cleans, I'm the one who is up at 5 am every morning with lil man, I do absolutely everything, and he thinks he can act like that on Christmas day. Curse him.

newest-low

Mother and brother yell at each other over who gets the last glass of wine. Mom literally orchestrated the entire cooking process all day. 

Brother played Vidya. Everyone else (6 people, small gathering cause you know why) told him to shut up. 

35-year-old ree ree temper tantrum ensues.

Multiple people, myself included, are about to get involved. Mother is big and gives in, saying she doesn't want this to ruin our Christmas. I feel her pain for all she has to deal with

jaydoubleuw

No one (not one person said Merry Christmas to me). Mom won't answer her phone. Didn't call me on my birthday either the other day. 😒 

Had invited both sisters to lunch. They both said they'd be happy to. Spent all of Christmas Eve and Christmas morning cooking and preparing a very expensive lunch.

I got overly excited because I'd never hosted before. Anyway, neither sister showed up. Asked them why, said they'd been invited elsewhere but forgot to tell me. So it's just me and my cat.

[deleted]

My mom has beef with my dad's side and previously stated she would not be attending dad’s side’s family party. Dad still got mad. 

He has been sleeping in the guest room for two days now and doesn’t wanna see her. Dad thinks her reasons for not liking his side are senseless and made up. 

TBH, they really aren’t made up. Currently, at her sister’s place, as I type this, she took me and my sister with her to visit her side.

It is very obvious they don’t have the love they once did for each other, and my mom has repeatedly mentioned being fine with divorce, but they have yet to reach a “climax” in the tension.

[deleted]

My mom died in April, and she was the glue that held our family together. The rest of my family are bitter and refuse to acknowledge that the reason things don’t get better for themselves is because they don’t work for it. 

Now they spend the time blaming anyone but themselves and trying to make everyone else feel bad about themselves (my grandpa called me fat 3 different times.   

I lost 40 lbs since November 1st and am well on my way to being healthy). Christmas won’t be the same until my wife and I have kids, and I can see the light in their eyes again.

VicisZan

My grandma (mawmaw) passed away last week after a year-long battle with leukemia. We know she's not in pain anymore. However, it just doesn't feel like Christmas without mawmaw there right in the middle of all the chaos. 

She loved the holidays and was quite upset when we stopped having the big family holiday dinners when I was around 15 or so (it wasn't her choice to stop; the other family just decided to quit coming).

My grandpa also has a grown son who lives with him. Do you think he had the decency to stay with his grieving father today? No. 

He runs off to get drunk/high (to clarify, it's not his way of mourning; he brags about his reputation for being crap). Despite the relatively okay day, a dark, depressing cloud was hanging over everyone.

thefandomrper

My uncle (born with much, much different values and ideologies) refused to get the vaccine, driving most of my family away this Christmas. 

This led to our inner circle, including him, getting together for dinner. Around 30 minutes after arriving, he admits to not feeling so well. 

We run through the process of giving him a COVID test in the bathroom, worrying about the outcome, etc. After 10 minutes, he comes out, panicked, and tells us the results.

He was positive. He had to leave, several of the younger children broke out in tears, my grandmother had a panic attack, and most of the dinner/presents, which he had all brought, left with him, too. Not very fun. Not very fun at all.

Sir-Toastington

My partner's mum had to run errands on Christmas Eve. She didn't feel like making dinner and waiting long, so she wanted to know if we wanted to get a pizza with her from the takeaway instead of making dinner for ourselves, too, and we said yes.

Roll on Christmas day. My partner's mum seems OK, but my boyfriend has been on and off the toilet all day. We were making jokes about it.

I thought I was OK, but halfway through Christmas day, it was like my stomach had a storm, and I had to bolt for the bathroom.

I, too, like my boyfriend, have the worst dump storm going on. We didn't let it ruin Christmas, but damn, it was not pleasant. There was no casual walk to the bathroom. It was a case of the pain hit, and you gotta go quick.

[deleted]

My grandpa, being an old and vaguely arrogant man, just couldn't understand why we would be so worried about a 63-year-old man who has Parkinson's.

He has cataracts in both eyes and bad legs. Just left the movie theater we were all at and then dared to act like we were in the wrong when we came home upset with him. 

Like, no joke, he left the movie halfway through, smoked a cig outside, and then just walked home. He refused to carry a phone with him because he considered it a leash.

So, we had no way to get a hold of him to figure out where he was. I mean, for crying out loud, we even had the movie theater staff help us look for him. 

We were about two minutes away from calling the sheriff's department and reporting him missing when he called and told us he was at the house.

hailhydra1947

My flight home from work was scheduled for Christmas Eve. The infamous mechanical difficulties caused a series of delays until night.

When the flight crew had maxed out their hours, the flight was canceled. "Slept" at the airport for the flight the next day. 

I have a medical condition that makes standing for long very painful, and I wound up standing in line for over an hour to get reticketed. I Flew home Christmas day, exhausted and in lots of pain.

carringtonagain

Started the day with a hateful voicemail from my wretch of a mother because I had to rearrange Christmas plans. No one wants to be around her because she's awful.

However, I tried to smooth things over without mentioning that part. I've only recently started speaking to her again after 12, and stupidly began working for her. 

Now I'm out a mom and a job. Merry god darn Christmas. I sobbed for hours, but it ended up okay. My kids are awesome. 

My husband is incredible. My dad and stepmom validated my feelings and made me feel better. I just definitely did not miss this type of stuff from her.

APsychedelicMess

I had to go over to my in-laws' house. Which wouldn't have been too bad, except for my toddler who wanted to play in the Christmas tree so badly that he could barely stand it. 

I spent the majority of the time trying to keep my kid from tearing all the decorations down. Also, my son's great-grandmother was there.

She doesn't have a clue how to interact with children. He was gifted some new toy trucks. While he was playing with them, she kept pretending like she was going to steal his toys away from him, making him cry. 

He was ALREADY upset about not being allowed to play in the tree, and when he finally found an acceptable source of entertainment, he had to worry about some lady stealing his toys. 

At one point, she even actually took his truck out of his hands, causing him to cry. I was so irritated. Then, she didn't understand why he didn't want anything to do with her. I was like, "Well, now he is afraid that you are going to take his toys."

Traditional_Self_658

My husband and I planned to visit my parents, who live two hours away. We got a hotel to stay overnight. I discussed the date with my parents. 

We would arrive on the 22nd and return on the 23rd. Well, they forgot. There's been a lot going on. 

My dad had surgery, family issues, my husband and I have traditionally visited after Christmas, etc. But any other family would just say, don't worry, come over anyway, we'll get it figured out.

I think my mom has an undiagnosed anxiety disorder. She likes to have everything planned out way in advance and doesn't do well with last-minute changes. 

She couldn't just dust the living room, defrost some chicken, and have us visit anyway. Nah. They tell us not to come at all. 

They apologize, very sorry, and agree to pay for the hotel reservation we can't cancel. But they're still telling me not to come.

Oh well, mistakes happen, right? I've been simmering on it for a few days, and when I called them today to wish them a merry Christmas, I realized I'm really hurt. 

I feel rejected. They FORGOT about me. Then, given the choice to see me or not see me, they choose not. Maybe, given my mom's issues, they didn't have a choice. 

But I also don't have a choice. I can't push a button and change my feelings. I feel hurt. I'm grateful for my husband and his family. I just wish my own family worked better.

notreallylucy

I love Christmas and spend so much time leading up to it so everyone in my family has a nice day. The problem is, my wife hates my family and friends. 

So every year, I have to split my day up, make sure my mum has somewhere to go, and spend most of the day driving. This year, I left for breakfast with my mum and elderly parents, and she grabbed me to keep me in bed. 

That's lovely, but she knows when my 80-year-old nan is planning to have breakfast.

Now I spend 100 miles per hour down the m3 to get there 20 minutes late. 

When I return home to cook Christmas dinner, no wife. Half an hour later, she returned, and I was like, where's your dad? 

Just a context: her dad, whom we spent a good week helping sort out his timetable so he didn't have to work Christmas day. I felt so underappreciated and fed up that I just drank the rest of the day.

disneymadismywife

My partner's religious, hypocrite family ignored me again all day after 4 years. Her cousin, especially flat-out looked me in the face while he did it.

I was brought here to peel vegetables and be free of general labor. I've just woken up really early to drive the 3 hours home.

The icing on the cake was my partner literally forgetting I existed for over 40 minutes while I literally just left the room to go take a nap to pass the time.

Worst Christmas ever. I spent it all wanting to go home and be alone, which I will be in the long drive home, probably filled with tears and silence.

77_parp_77

I have developed really bad sinus allergies over the past few months and need to have antihistamines every day before symptoms start or else I basically have a whole day written off by horrific hay fever.

I ran out of antihistamines on Christmas Eve and forgot to buy more for Christmas Day. I stayed at my sister's place on Christmas Eve.

It was to shorten my travel time to our mum's place by half instead of doing the whole drive in one day. She had no antihistamines and a cat, so I was doomed before Christmas even started.

HaveYouSeenChef1

Had to leave Christmas dinner at my parents' early because my aunt and uncle brought their horrible and yappy dogs - one of which growled and snapped at my 3-year-old. 

They are a known risk. I asked weeks ago if the dogs would be there and was assured they wouldn't be, but my mother didn't bother to check, and my aunt and uncle assumed it would be fine. 

If I'd known, I would have just stayed at home and done our own thing. The only reason I went is because my dad is terminally ill, and we don't know which Christmas will be his last.

Opening-Variety4164

I did. Spent the whole day cooking, everything got done in time, table was set. But I just had no appetite, and I just broke down crying again.

My partner cheated on me with someone he called a friend a few months ago, and since then, I’ve just been a mess, to the point of being physically ill. 

We’re working it out, but it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with.

He wanted to stay friends with this other person, but I had to give him an ultimatum that it was either this “friendship” or us.

He chose us, but my head is still filled with flashbacks and unanswered questions. I’m filled with doubt, and my heart feels like it’s locked in a box.

ThrowAway743684

Everybody pissed that we were 20 minutes late to the family gathering. God darn it, we have 4 kids, 2 of them are emotionally ruined foster kids.

They have the potential to melt down at any second for literally no reason.  You should not plan on or depend on us showing up on time for anything.

You should definitely not try to make me feel like crap because y’all had to start your gingerbread decorating contest late. I hate this time of year. An annual reminder of how much I hate my wife’s family.

Thiek

Had to work 12 hours overnight Christmas night, so I had to choose between spending Christmas with my family and sleeping. 

I chose the fam, but now, with 5 hours left, I’m barely conscious. Then, there’s the part where only one of my four siblings showed up for dinner. 

Another sibling dropped by to drop off her daughter, my favorite niece, who I only got to see for an hour before I had to leave for work, not so much as a reply from my other two siblings (or the rest of my nieces and nephews) to my Merry Christmas messages. 

I told my parents very explicitly not to buy me anything (knowing mom would still get me my annual pair of pajama pants, which I was okay with). 

They got me a few gifts and a card filled with cash (they can’t afford it), but Mom gets overly emotional about Christmas, so I had to pretend it didn’t make me feel horrible. 

Didn’t get to see my fiancé for the third straight Christmas (work schedules always conflict) and won’t get to see her on New Year either, so I will officially have not gotten to spend a single holiday with my girl all year. Plus, it was way too warm for Christmas…, but the ham was good, so I got that going for me.

sarcazzmoe

Two things almost ruined our Christmas today. First was minor, and second was major. My mom had our entire batch of gravy in a plastic container and left it on the stovetop.

She didn't realize it was still hot. It melted the plastic, and the gravy poured out over the entire countertop, floor, and cabinet sides. She has pissed at herself.

The second thing was the house two houses down caught fire around 9 pm (so basically after all the festivities), and there was a giant hole in their roof, which was just awful for them. We were lucky it didn't spread whatsoever to our house.

Evancolt

I lost my job just recently without reason or warning, so I have to eat rice and beans for the next two months until I can find work. 

I told my dad, who lives two hours away that I'd come and visit, and I have to get there early in the morning tomorrow, so I'll get about 3 hours of sleep because I have a migraine that's keeping me awake. 

I told my mom not to get me anything for Christmas, and she bought a $150 Lego set even though I've never cared about Legos. 

Not only does it sting because I desperately could've used the money that I didn't want to ask for, but I'm never going to be able to get the thing done, and that makes me feel guilty.

Deadrem