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“Cheers To Dysfunctional Families”: 30 People Share What Ruined Christmas For Them This Year
The end of the year can be challenging. In fact, the majority of Americans feel that, compared to their childhood, people today generally start celebrating the holidays much or somewhat earlier (60%), and nearly half (47%) say that expectations around the season have increased either a lot or at least a little since then. And expectations aren't always met.
Reddit user Zarxpy recently made a post on the platform, asking those feeling disappointed to share what ruined their 2024 Christmas. Here are some of the most memorable replies from the thousands they received.
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#1
My dad passed on Dec 14 after a long battle with Parkinson's. I am pretty much flat broke, my car is in pieces in my garage, I haven't seen my children in nearly a year, and I am trying to pull up my bootstraps and care for two people on take home wages that are below the poverty level for one person.
But, I currently have a roof over my head. So I've got that going for me, which is nice.
Mel Colley 5 days ago
That is definately a lot for one person. Hang in there, tough times don't last forever.
RELATED:
#2
Me, I’m getting sober from several substances, I’m a mess right now, Shakey and sweaty and s****y. I was able to rise to the occasion but I was sick thro it all. It was good tho, I haven’t been sober on Christmas in at least five years may be six. Even if I was was a mess and looked and felt like a dump truck of burning diapers.
#3
Step brother.
- showed up late
- complained about the food, gifts, decorations, etc
- was loud and obnoxious the whole time
- hit my elderly cat and left after I socked him in the face with my fist
Cat tax.
#4
Finding out you aren’t important to people that you went above and beyond in friendships for.
Having only 20 quid to get through to new year.
Desperately trying to hold it together around a mother with a fondness for alcohol.
Having a massive infection in my jaw while the d***s make me sick.
But none of that really matters much today, my dog died last night so I just feel broken.
But I’ll put on the brave face, eat the Christmas dinner and appreciate what I do have.
Sven Horlemann 5 days ago
OP seems to have the insight, the will and therefore the power to do better in the future. I hope he/she succeeds.
#5
Our dog got sick out of the blue last Friday and we took her to vet first thing Saturday morning. All the blood work pointed to cancer and so because her outlook looked so horrible we decided to let her have her forever nap. I will never forget it was a lovely solstice morning. It was peaceful and she wasn't too aware but the weight of it really hit home this week. It's like I'm stuck in a bad dream. I'm trying not to bawl today and my husband is the sweetest at trying to boost my mood. Christmas was Olive dog's favorite - she loved opening presents and getting new toys and treats. I know there are so many people out there who have lost a family member or a fur pal this year and I can only send you internet hugs and sympathy. Raise a glass to those who have passed! May 2025 be gentler to us all!
#6
My dad bought my mum a pencil sharpener.
She has a lot of hobbies.
None involve pencils.
Cosmos in your eyes 5 days ago
Oof. I still remember the Christmas my dad bought my mom a toaster. That was a bad year for all of us. Since then she buys her own gifts and tells my dad what he got for her.
#7
My grandmother died this morning. She had a stroke last night.
#8
Having cancer kinda put a damper on it. But on the flip side it's probably why my mom hasn't yelled at me this year lol.
#9
My little brother died a few days ago. He committed s*icide.
My other little brother also died the same way a few years ago.
#10
Caught my wife cheating. Lied throughout our entire marriage. Lied to our marriage counselor about this and convinced me that it was just my insecurities making me suspicious about her “friend”. Saw the texts last night when I went to give her her phone cause she missed a call from a different friend while in the bathroom. Opened her phone only to see the texts right there. I’m crying at work at the moment.
Mel Colley 5 days ago
The truth always reveals itself one way or another. Someone better will come along.
#11
Needing to put my cat down yesterday, he had a seizure at 12:30am Christmas Eve that put him in a bad way, he was already an old cat but we were hoping he was on the road to recovery. Come sunrise, he was walking around but seemed lost, like his eyesight had gone. Then by the afternoon he was struggling to hold himself up on his legs and was in a lot of pain, it was hurting us all seeing how miserable he was.
By the end we had to come to terms that we had to let him go and we took him to a vet and said our goodbyes. Such a painful moment, though we tried to enjoy Christmas regardless. just feels emptier not having him here, I still keep expecting to see him chilling in the back garden.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 5 days ago
That's exactly the way my old gray girl Wintressia went - thunderclap stroke. She was alive, but you could see that her eyes were empty: my Win-win was already gone. The emergency vet tried to stabilize her overnight, but her temperature kept fluctuating. She was almost 20 years old. I held her in my arms the next day as the vet euthanized her. That was in 2018 and I still miss her terribly. I was more fortunate than OP in that this happened in February and not around the holidays, but it is still so devastating. Even when you know your kitty or doggo is old and nearing the end, having to actually make that final decision to let them go free from pain is still agonizing.
#12
Glioblastoma.
My spouse was diagnosed over the summer and we were completely blindsided given his age and we found this because of a persistent headache after a cold. Clean MRI after radiation/chemo. Thought we could breathe for the holidays. Double dose of chemo decided to cosplay as The Grinch. A week and a half out from the last dose and still feeling like c**p. We have been through hell and just wanted a decent Christmas. We just went through the holiday motions for our kid, I could’ve taken it or left it this year.
F**k cancer.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 5 days ago
Glioblastoma has a very low survival rate. Hoping OP's spouse stays on the positive side of the statistics for this one.
#13
Cousin’s 14-month-old died in her sleep Friday night/Saturday morning.
#14
My dad not realising that our silent Christmas dinner is all because of him. He is mean and negative to me and my sister all year round and just expects us to beg him to please oh please spend time with us, which he then spends watching tiktok on his phone.
My sister has a life so she is spending Christmas elsewhere. Im so jealous. Next year, life or not, i am not spending my next christmas in such uncomfortable silence. I'd rather be alone.
Jean Thompson 3 days ago
Such a strange reaction for him to show. Could you possibly talk to him to find out why he is so unhappy in your, and your sister's company ?
#15
Two of my family members had to work today, my cat pooped under the tree, the refrigerator started making a loud strange noise at like 3 am, and the oven died.
#16
One of my best goats passed away suddenly, with no warning, pregnant with babies that should have arrived in just a week or two. Worse, she was the last living goat of a line that traced directly back to my first goat, almost twenty years ago. She was so young too. The weather has just been too crazy; pneumonia is probably what got her, it can k*ll in 12 hours or less, some types.
#17
My wife wanted new wooden spoons. She told me and also wrote it on her list for me. She also told her mother. And she went on our family secret Santa and added wooden spoons to my wish list(???). So today, she opened wooden spoons from me, her mother, and my secret Santa also got me wooden spoons. 12 all together. I'm a little bit annoyed, lol.
#18
An idiot in a Range Rover t-boned my car and then threatened my partner, child and I.
#19
Severe depression and not having much money. I miss being a kid… things were so much simpler! Still, wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and the best! Hang in there to all those struggling with personal/financial issues. Love yall!
Jean Thompson 3 days ago
Your comment about wanting to be a kid again must ring true with lots of us, but it ain't going to happen, sadly! All the best for 2025 - go chase your dreams, with our love!
#20
My 14 year old step-daughter's father moved 3,000 miles away last year with his new wife.
Minus one trip last summer, she hasn't seen him much in the last year and a half.
He calls up my wife and says he wants to see her this Christmas and he will buy the plane ticket. Wife says she will help and pay for half. He declines stating it's his gift to his kid. She agrees.
The tickets he buys are the worst possible ever.
She departs San Diego at 6 am, as an un-acompanied minor. On christmas eve! Which means we have to get up at 3:30 am to get her to the airport, go through the paperwork, of which there is a lot and all by 4:30 am to get through security and on her plane at 5:45 am.
WELL.. the poor kid gets stuck in Dallas due to weather OVERNIGHT and ALONE, and didn't arrive into Connecticut until Christmas day, at 11 am California time, or 2 pm Eastern.
Wife and I were stressed all night worrying over her.
He is an idiot and never thinks of how his decisions will affect others. He put his child through sitting in an airport overnight instead of flying her out a couple of days earlier.
Debby Keir 5 days ago
My ex wanted the kids for Christmas one year - I bought plane tickets for them and he was supposed to buy the return flight. Wouldn't agree to actually send them till I had sight of the tickets. Tells me he's broke and thought that I could drive down (750 miles) on Boxing day, to pick them up. I was 6 months pregnent at the time and he expected a 1500 mile jouirney in one day. So they didn't go.
#21
I work at a motel. Before I could even clock in today I got yelled at, called racist, and had a door slammed in my face for informing someone that despite all rooms being No Pets we clearly saw them on the camera dragging two dogs into their room so they were going to have to leave.
Normally it's Christmas and I'd have given them a warning but when they are dragging a dog by the collar and lifting them off the floor that way? Nah, eff em. Get out. Merry Christmas.
#22
My Aunt calling CPS on my Cousin.
Mainly drama harvesting. They’re not perfect parents but calling CPS wasn’t necessary. The kids’ Grandparents (My other Aunt and her Husband) would’ve stepped in long ago if the kids were being treated poorly! The Aunt that called CPS had been shunned from the Family for two years for going psycho at my other Aunt’s house while their Mother (my Grandma) was in the bedroom on her death bed and they were all supposed to come together to care for her during her last days. My Aunt called my Dad a POS and spit in his face while my Grandma was laying there dying. She left and called the cops saying my Grandma was around my violent Father who truly is the complete opposite of violent. He never even spanked any of his children. That resulted in my Grandma having to spend her last few days alive in a strange place when she could’ve passed peacefully with Family at my Aunt’s house which was the plan. After Aunt not being around for two years, my other Aunt (the kids’ grandma) decided to forgive and invite her to Thanksgiving, and it turned into her deciding to call CPS and spew BS. Cheers to dysfunctional families! Merry Christmas all!!
Melissa Harris 5 days ago (edited)
Sounds like she has a mental health problem that she's making everyone else's problem.
#23
My mom died suddenly three years ago from a stroke. Her husband of 15 years has been pulling away from me and my sister. He's the only parent I had left so tried to keep a relationship going. Opened his Christmas card this morning which stated he married his gf over the summer. First I'd heared about it. Called my sister later to say Merry Christmas and learned she didn't know till today either. She asked him why he didn't invite us and he said his new bride didn't want any of his old family there.
#24
My mother decided to take MY books at give them to my niece without my permission. Yes, i haven't read them in a while but they were MY books. Now even when I voiced my frustration I am still painted as the bad guy. Now if I ask for them back I will look like the big bad aunt. I don't fault my niece she is a good kid. Yet, these were mine. My husband doesn't even understand why I don't force my mom to get them back. I ALWAYS END UP THE BAD GUY.
#25
This is my first Christmas with my boyfriend and I spent a lot on him: nice clothes, custom items, golf clubs. He got me a puzzle. I think this is also our last Christmas.
Jasmine Kszan 5 days ago
It's not about the stuff, it's about the thoughtlessness. If this is a one off in an otherwise good relationship, take it as a lesson that expectations/budget should be discussed in the future. If your partner is always half-assed when it comes to you and this is just another in a list of not feeling appreciated, the relationship has run it's course.
#26
It’s just my mom and I. My dad died earlier this year, so it’s our first Christmas without him. We had planned to do things a little differently to make the season easier on my mom. Then I got sick, so I’m at home in bed and mom is alone. When I called her this morning she was crying.
#28
Drove 100 plus miles to see my folks. My car has never had a problem before, of course, when I drive a long distance and have work right after Christmas my starter breaks and I can't drive anywhere. Like why the f**k does this only happen in the most inconvenient times. Also, now my Christmas money goes to my car. Fan f*****g tastic.
Shannon Donnelly 4 days ago
Houses, appliances, cars, & bodies collude during the holidays to break down in the most spectacular fashion. Last year our basement flooded 5 days before Christmas & the dishwasher died the day after New Year’s. This year it was my body. Diagnosed with a 2 cm kidney stone at the base of my right kidney that was trying to exit my body (not a chance!!) a week before Thanksgiving (also one in the left kidney but not causing issues). After 3 trips to the ER & a surgery for a uretal stent, finally has the stone destroyed by laser & the stent replaced with a new one. Now on antibiotics for a kidney infection. This c**p never happens around Flag Day because professionals aren’t out of the office on Flag Day. But finding a doctor or plumber on Thanksgiving or Christmas…. :(
#29
Not ruined exactly, but not the best Christmas, either. My husband had a major stroke 2 weeks ago and is in a hospital 90 miles away. My old car won't make the drive, but I'm going to see him tomorrow.
My daughters are in Chicago, I'm in Michigan. I saw my son for a bit this morning, but it just doesn't feel like Christmas. Getting ready to go to work now. Hope everyone has the best day they can :).
#30
1) Being poor
2) Boyfriend getting laid off
3) Having the little money I was able to save for two small gifts get stolen.
What do you think ?
LakotaWolf (she/her) 5 days ago
This didn't affect me directly, but a motorcyclist was killed in an accident right outside my family business's office on December 19th. We didn't see it, but we were in the office and heard the accident and we ran out immediately, but he was already gone. He was only 28 years old. I did not know him personally, but I have spent time talking to his family and friends when they spend time at the little memorial that has grown on the sidewalk. I light candles for him when I go to the office. I feel awful for his family, who had to spend Christmas with the death of their son and brother so fresh and raw. His family has invited me to his memorial and I feel so deeply honored to be brought into their circle. I wish I could do more for them.
Carl Roberts 5 days ago
Not me, but my 60 year old neighbor got laid off from Walmart on Christmas Eve. He had worked there for 10 years.
Pencil 5 days ago
That genuinely breaks my heart. I hope you and your neighbor find contentment and security in the new year.
Load More Replies...
Ron Man 5 days ago
To me, xmas is spending time with the people you love, and if you can't do that, then peace and quiet. No presents, decorations, or things like that. I think too many people focus on the accoutrements and think they have to spend time with people they don't love and who don't love them.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 5 days ago
This didn't affect me directly, but a motorcyclist was killed in an accident right outside my family business's office on December 19th. We didn't see it, but we were in the office and heard the accident and we ran out immediately, but he was already gone. He was only 28 years old. I did not know him personally, but I have spent time talking to his family and friends when they spend time at the little memorial that has grown on the sidewalk. I light candles for him when I go to the office. I feel awful for his family, who had to spend Christmas with the death of their son and brother so fresh and raw. His family has invited me to his memorial and I feel so deeply honored to be brought into their circle. I wish I could do more for them.
Carl Roberts 5 days ago
Not me, but my 60 year old neighbor got laid off from Walmart on Christmas Eve. He had worked there for 10 years.
Pencil 5 days ago
That genuinely breaks my heart. I hope you and your neighbor find contentment and security in the new year.
Load More Replies... Ron Man 5 days ago
To me, xmas is spending time with the people you love, and if you can't do that, then peace and quiet. No presents, decorations, or things like that. I think too many people focus on the accoutrements and think they have to spend time with people they don't love and who don't love them.
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