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“Grandma Asked If I Was Pregnant”: 30 People Open Up About What Ruined Their Christmas
The folklore around Christmas says it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Its jolly ambiance and fairy lights should put anyone in a festive mood, right? Yet to some people, the holidays bring problems ranging from family drama to stomachs rejecting Christmas food, among other things. Therefore, they tend to seek comfort from folks in similar situations. Thankfully, online communities make it easier to relate and offer compassion to others.
Reddit user bleachspot has asked his fellow Redditors what has ruined their Christmas. Loads of people were willing to share! We have combed through the answers and gathered some examples; a few amusing ones, most—gut-wrenchingly unfortunate. Each is due to engage someone who can relate or provide some much-needed emotional support. Scroll down for the stories and feel free to share yours if you wish!
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#1
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.
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.
#2
My mum told me I wasn’t welcome at Christmas dinner, so I stayed home and got drunk and cried all night. We celebrate 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. F**k family.
ginny weasley 1 year ago
Two things. Alcohol will not solve this problem, but going NC with family will. Cut them and the booze out and spend Christmas with friends ( or cats) who really care about you and make new traditions
#3
My dog passed away early Christmas morning. She had been sick for a couple weeks so I knew it was coming but it still f*****g sucks, and she died on Christmas of all days. She was such a nice dog, and now she's gone forever. RIP Daisy.
#4
My cousin announcing 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 2 babies pass away only hours after birth because they was born prematurely and addicted to drugs. I might be a feminist but, if anyone should be forced to get a Tubal it's her.
#5
We were going to my aunts for dinner and took multiple cars. I’m in the house with most of my family, other than my mom. She parks across the street and starts to cross the road to the house. A guy come flying down and nearly hits her. She gets pissed, swears at him and kicks at his car as he passes by.
He stops in the middle of the street, chases her down and shoved her to the ground. She’s 75 and on blood thinners, so the small gash on the back of her head was gushing blood.
My dad and wife saw this go down, so they go flying out of the house yelling at the guy. Dad is standing in front of this guys car yelling and trying to get his plates. The guy gets back in the car and guns it. Dad go rolling over the hood of the car and smashes onto the ground as the guy speeds off. He’s also in his 70s, but is somehow okay.
Multiple paramedics and Sheriffs come. My mom had to get a couple of staples in her head, but all things considered, everyone is fine.
But you know what, we did not let this ruin our Christmas. Mom made it home just in time for an amazing dinner.
This happened 9 hours ago and I’m still on edge. I watched my dad get hit and fly in the air, but couldn’t see the result because of parked cars. There was a split second where I thought I had watched my dad die while I stood there with my 2 year old. Fortunately he’s fine.
This was across from a very famous surf spot, so there are surf cams EVERYWHERE and the cops already have video of the suspects car. Waiting for the news that he’s been found.
Karen Grace 1 year ago
I hope they charge him with felony assault and attempted murder when they get him.
#6
First Christmas separated. I was able to 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 want nearly as bad as many here, but I was still surprised at how much heartache I felt today
Somebodys grandmother 1 year ago
You have to learn knew traditions. It is hard - i know.... and it hurts. Be ready - make plan for yout time until you all can relax again...
#7
My mil pining over her grandchildren she can't be with. I've had 3 miscarriages this year, no kids. 4 years of IVF. We're talking about quitting and living child free. It has been the hardest Christmas.
#8
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. 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.
Lyn Moffett 1 year ago
WHY does she have your personal property and what a c**t for bringing up such a dark time in your life. I hope you are feeling much better. I would've taken the book off her and set it alight
#9
My baby was still born at the beginning of December. I'm too heartbroken for Christmas cheer
#10
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.
#11
Being called selfish for having a migraine and "ruining the festivities", and then getting socks, underwear, some pillows and 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.
R.A. Haley 1 year ago (edited)
If you've lived with someone who gets migraines you know how totally incapacitating they are. Most sufferers I know swear by 2 cold cans of Coke, one to drink and one to hold behind your head. Caffeine can be a trigger in some people though, so it becomes time for a cold towel and a dark room.
#12
Certainly not as awful as most stories here, but my son’s pet frog died. He’s 10 and he adored that frog. Poor kid was so sad.
Karen Grace 1 year ago
Frogs have so much character I can see why he's sad. That's the hard part of keeping critters like frogs, they have a short lifespan.
#13
Came home from the military and 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 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
Libstak 1 year ago (edited)
Happened to me too. Different reasons. My sister claimed to be too broke for gifts for her girls. Mum gave her our Christmas money to cover. On the day she and her partner exchanged expensive gifts to each other and the girls. We got them gifts too. I got mum and dad a special gift. Nobody got me so much as a box of chocolates or a soap on a rope. Then the smarmy partner had to point it out in front of everybody, hey you didn't get anything. Worst part is that Christmas money existed because I paid double rent for 2 months out of my pocket so mum and dad would have spare Christmas money to help us all out.
#14
My grandma fed my dog (who has serious digestion and other health problems) 5 Christmas cookies, and he not only shat and vomited all over the house, but had to go to the vet.
ginny weasley 1 year ago
Don't invite grandma back to the house if she can't follow house rules.
#15
My sister-in-law has been verbally berating her children all day. They're kids. It's Christmas. They're supposed to be hyper and excited.
#16
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 her or cares about her. I love being guilt tripped……
Nicole Weymann 1 year ago (edited)
If she keeps putting in that kind of effort she'll be right sooner or later .
#17
Being raised a Jehovahs Witness, leaving, and then being too broke from all the therapy to celebrate.
Jehovah wins this time; but I’ll get him next year.
Jill Pulcifer 1 year ago
No way! You won. You may have been too broke to celebrate how you would like to, however you left the cult behind and your smart enough to know that investing in yourself with therapy is more important than any item money can buy.
#19
My grandma asked if I was pregnant because my stomach I guess was sticking out a little. Didn’t appreciate that one.
#20
My grandmother berating my sister and I, in front of our whole family, for not calling her on Christmas. While we were facetiming her...
#21
my mom told us she has cancer and it’s quite bad
Kate Jones 1 year ago
I'm so sorry. But I have to ask, why would anyone choose a holiday to announce that to people? Like it's not bad enough they might lose you. Those you leave behind will always have this reminder that their lives changed on Christmas and every year when it rolls around there will be this sadness. I understand certain things like cancer happen quickly, but more than likely waiting a few days to tell anyone so it doesn't become a yearly depressing reminder would do the family a lot of good. Of course, there may be circumstances I'm not aware of but just in general... please don't do this to your family, people!
#22
My sister stormed out an hour before the food was ready because she believed we were talking s**t 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.
#23
Girlfriend shaming 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.
#24
My dad’s anger issues and mom forcing us to pretend nothing is happening.
ginny weasley 1 year ago
Is it his personality or a medical side effect? My father got interferon treatment for Hep C and it made him into a rage monster. It was a tough time, but also not his fault. When he came off the meds he was better and it had knocked the viral load down enough that that was not what killed him in the end. If it is something medical there may not be a choice but to deal with it till it passes.
#25
Wife wants a divorce and moved out, parents on a cruise.
Up till 2am Xmas eve staring at my reflection in my ipad eating a block of cheese.
I haven't cared about xmas since I was a kid, so why does this suck so hard?
Tamra 1 year ago
The world paints a picture of the holidays as a magical time, full of festive gatherings and parties, fun times with family and friends, beautiful gifts, etc. That's simply not the reality for many people, and when bad things happen on the holidays, it makes things feel so much worse because it's "supposed" to be this magical time.
#26
My mother has the uncanny ability to make me more upset than anyone else in the world. I love her but she is so difficult and can ruin anything.
#27
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!
#28
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 was.
Penelope Orange 1 year ago
Isn't that just like a mom? 'It's fine'...it was broken! So sorry this happened and hoping the break won't require surgery.
#29
I was reaching for a puzzle piece when something in my body decided to f**k 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.
#30
Family members testing positive after we had already spent time together.
What do you think ?
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 1 year ago (edited)
For any Panda feeling sad or lonely or overwhelmed during the holidays, sending hugs!
PSimms 1 year ago
My dad died just before Christmas. Trying to be thankful for all the great years we had, but it's harder than I anticipated.
Khavrinen 1 year ago
Not sure yet if it's COVID or just the flu, but a fever of 102F meant I didn't want to risk infecting anyone else, so I stayed home alone.
Krin Ryan 1 year ago
Have been in bed since Christmas Eve. Not COVID but certainly no fun at all. Get better soon!
Load More Replies...
Melissa TO 1 year ago
Husband and I had covid for Christmas. Not too horrible, just stayed home and watched movies. But it made my mom sad, and that I don't like.
Veronica Wolf 1 year ago
The whole family has COVID, starting thanksgiving. Got a tree, and some lights. Still sitting where I put them when I brought them home. News years looking to be disappointing too. Bah humbug.
Victoria 1 year ago (edited)
Eff xmas. I never liked it, but this has jus been ugh... Almost lost my dad at the start of December; only found out when he called me from the hospital after being there for almost a WEEK (we live in different provinces), found out my uncle hung himself the day before my mom's birthday (her birthday's December 20th), my sister and family still came over to be with my mom on mom's birthday and they brought LOBSTER to our house. I hate the smell of seafood and it makes me gag but I was the a*****e for shutting myself away and not socializing. All of this while working full time. And a partridge in a pear tree..... but the tree's on fire......
LesAnimaux 1 year ago
My uncle died just before Christmas, way too young - we lost him to the very same genetic disease I inherited. Needless to say I've been mortified. My mom's battle with cancer seems never ending. Honestly, fůck Christmas.
Nadia Zaharieva 1 year ago
My father didn’t stop talking how me and my partner must have children. Just keep talking about that on and on. An I had to listen to it after almost 5 years of IVF, 5 miscarriages… My father is the worst person, that I know in my life
Tamra 1 year ago
You don't have to allow him to continue to treat you that way. His actions say that he has no regard for your feelings, and you don't owe anyone like that anything. Father or no.
Load More Replies...
Mistie Kelley 1 year ago
My father told me he doesn’t care if I’m alive or dead. Just months after I made an attempt in my life because of something else he said/did. Gotta love these fu&&&&g holidays.
LynzCatastrophe 1 year ago
It's because every damn time I'm with one of them they like to spend a lot of time going over what's wrong with me, and alternate between that and everything wrong with themselves physically that they've never bothered to make better but get mad when I don't show sympathy. And dealing with my sister who wants everyone to make a good Christmas for her son yet refuses to do any of the work herself. Then they wonder why I asked for the Christmas shift. Spending it with co-workers I like and getting paid extra really outweighs family drama and stress.
LynzCatastrophe 1 year ago
I also apparently avoided covid. My brother-in-law is anti-vax and got everyone sick this Christmas. I definitely came out ahead.
Load More Replies...
zena bena 1 year ago
Christmas sucks and is such a scam.So much pressure to have like this norman rockwell christmas and it never measures up and everyone just ends up miserable .Every s****y thing that has happend in my life has been around this time so now i just hold my breath and get through it lije a dentist appointment.
Keith Lancaster 11 months ago
I was about ten and I asked my Mum if we could have gravy with Christmas dinner. She had a total melt down and ran to her bedroom crying. I was sent to my bedroom for upsetting her and wasn't allowed out again until the following day. I had nothing but tap water all day to drink and nothing to eat. I really do think that my parents should not have had children.
Celtic Pirate Queen 1 year ago
WOW, what's with all the psycho/passive-aggressive Mom's out there this year? I hope everyone who's Christmas sucked gets to enjoy a decent new year. Take some mental health inventory, get therapy if you need it. Just because you're related does NOT mean you have to put up with toxic people in your life (even if it IS your Mother). Trust me - I have two sisters that I absolutely refuse to engage with/speak to. So peaceful not dealing with their drama anymore.
Talon 1 year ago
About 4 years ago my great grandma died a few days before Christmas, I wasn't as close to her as I could've been but it still hurts, and my grandpa died on rRemembrance Day this year (Nov 11) so it's been really hard bc I was really close to him. None of my family let it ruin our Christmas but it feels really weird to not have him here.
April Stephens 1 year ago
I wouldn't say it ruined my Christmas, but we all got Covid and had to stay home, and then I got into an argument with my sister via text message on Christmas morning. She explained that something I had done (invited her to a video call with too short notice) got her Christmas off to a terrible start, so I groveled and we made up. Meanwhile, I was crying on and off all day, feeling rotten about it. Still, it was otherwise a very nice day. Sending virtual hugs to all the other grinches.
Lynne Hammar 1 year ago
I got Covid & spent Cmas alone with my cat. Decided to be a total Scrooge & refused to watch any Cmas shows or be Cmassy in any way.
Mrs.Pugh 1 year ago
Went over to my grandad's house Christmas night. He took the wall that separated his kitchen and living room and redecorated the kitchen. Everything is hideous, the atmosphere was depressing, everyone in the house looked sad and the space was just so cluttered. Ever since he remarried, his house has changed. That was my second home, and a family reunion spot, but now I just don't wanna be there anymore. It's different and people that I don't know are there now and ugh.
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 1 year ago (edited)
For any Panda feeling sad or lonely or overwhelmed during the holidays, sending hugs!
PSimms 1 year ago
My dad died just before Christmas. Trying to be thankful for all the great years we had, but it's harder than I anticipated.
Khavrinen 1 year ago
Not sure yet if it's COVID or just the flu, but a fever of 102F meant I didn't want to risk infecting anyone else, so I stayed home alone.
Krin Ryan 1 year ago
Have been in bed since Christmas Eve. Not COVID but certainly no fun at all. Get better soon!
Load More Replies... Melissa TO 1 year ago
Husband and I had covid for Christmas. Not too horrible, just stayed home and watched movies. But it made my mom sad, and that I don't like.
Veronica Wolf 1 year ago
The whole family has COVID, starting thanksgiving. Got a tree, and some lights. Still sitting where I put them when I brought them home. News years looking to be disappointing too. Bah humbug.
Victoria 1 year ago (edited)
Eff xmas. I never liked it, but this has jus been ugh... Almost lost my dad at the start of December; only found out when he called me from the hospital after being there for almost a WEEK (we live in different provinces), found out my uncle hung himself the day before my mom's birthday (her birthday's December 20th), my sister and family still came over to be with my mom on mom's birthday and they brought LOBSTER to our house. I hate the smell of seafood and it makes me gag but I was the a*****e for shutting myself away and not socializing. All of this while working full time. And a partridge in a pear tree..... but the tree's on fire......
LesAnimaux 1 year ago
My uncle died just before Christmas, way too young - we lost him to the very same genetic disease I inherited. Needless to say I've been mortified. My mom's battle with cancer seems never ending. Honestly, fůck Christmas.
Nadia Zaharieva 1 year ago
My father didn’t stop talking how me and my partner must have children. Just keep talking about that on and on. An I had to listen to it after almost 5 years of IVF, 5 miscarriages… My father is the worst person, that I know in my life
Tamra 1 year ago
You don't have to allow him to continue to treat you that way. His actions say that he has no regard for your feelings, and you don't owe anyone like that anything. Father or no.
Load More Replies... Mistie Kelley 1 year ago
My father told me he doesn’t care if I’m alive or dead. Just months after I made an attempt in my life because of something else he said/did. Gotta love these fu&&&&g holidays.
LynzCatastrophe 1 year ago
It's because every damn time I'm with one of them they like to spend a lot of time going over what's wrong with me, and alternate between that and everything wrong with themselves physically that they've never bothered to make better but get mad when I don't show sympathy. And dealing with my sister who wants everyone to make a good Christmas for her son yet refuses to do any of the work herself. Then they wonder why I asked for the Christmas shift. Spending it with co-workers I like and getting paid extra really outweighs family drama and stress.
LynzCatastrophe 1 year ago
I also apparently avoided covid. My brother-in-law is anti-vax and got everyone sick this Christmas. I definitely came out ahead.
Load More Replies... zena bena 1 year ago
Christmas sucks and is such a scam.So much pressure to have like this norman rockwell christmas and it never measures up and everyone just ends up miserable .Every s****y thing that has happend in my life has been around this time so now i just hold my breath and get through it lije a dentist appointment.
Keith Lancaster 11 months ago
I was about ten and I asked my Mum if we could have gravy with Christmas dinner. She had a total melt down and ran to her bedroom crying. I was sent to my bedroom for upsetting her and wasn't allowed out again until the following day. I had nothing but tap water all day to drink and nothing to eat. I really do think that my parents should not have had children.
Celtic Pirate Queen 1 year ago
WOW, what's with all the psycho/passive-aggressive Mom's out there this year? I hope everyone who's Christmas sucked gets to enjoy a decent new year. Take some mental health inventory, get therapy if you need it. Just because you're related does NOT mean you have to put up with toxic people in your life (even if it IS your Mother). Trust me - I have two sisters that I absolutely refuse to engage with/speak to. So peaceful not dealing with their drama anymore.
Talon 1 year ago
About 4 years ago my great grandma died a few days before Christmas, I wasn't as close to her as I could've been but it still hurts, and my grandpa died on rRemembrance Day this year (Nov 11) so it's been really hard bc I was really close to him. None of my family let it ruin our Christmas but it feels really weird to not have him here.
April Stephens 1 year ago
I wouldn't say it ruined my Christmas, but we all got Covid and had to stay home, and then I got into an argument with my sister via text message on Christmas morning. She explained that something I had done (invited her to a video call with too short notice) got her Christmas off to a terrible start, so I groveled and we made up. Meanwhile, I was crying on and off all day, feeling rotten about it. Still, it was otherwise a very nice day. Sending virtual hugs to all the other grinches.
Lynne Hammar 1 year ago
I got Covid & spent Cmas alone with my cat. Decided to be a total Scrooge & refused to watch any Cmas shows or be Cmassy in any way.
Mrs.Pugh 1 year ago
Went over to my grandad's house Christmas night. He took the wall that separated his kitchen and living room and redecorated the kitchen. Everything is hideous, the atmosphere was depressing, everyone in the house looked sad and the space was just so cluttered. Ever since he remarried, his house has changed. That was my second home, and a family reunion spot, but now I just don't wanna be there anymore. It's different and people that I don't know are there now and ugh.
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