People don’t know whether they should send cards; in some cases, they can’t bring themselves to say “Happy Christmas”. Dont feel like you should be doing anything , you have suffered the worst thing ever losing your mum. And I just feel so guilty that I’m not doing my best for my kids so they have the most amazing time. I just thought others might need to reach out, like me, and just give at least a nod to those not with us.

I feel able to properly love Christmas again now that time has passed, and go all out to make Christmas as special for my children as she did for me. I lost my lovely, happy, fun mum to a brain hemorrhage in june and am dreaing Christmas but I have a 12 year old daughter who adored my mum (she lived with us) and I have to make the festive period fun for her.

I always thought my kids wojld grow up with her round the corner and as part of the furniture and now there is just a feeling of huge emptiness.

I don't feel like I'll ever get over them not being here, and I do sometimes get angry too, especially when I see my grown up DD's getting upset because they miss them too - BUT I believe one day I'll see them again and that gives me great comfort. But Christmas it’s just becoming unbearable again, to the point where I am breaking down in front of my children all the time (they are 3 and 1), feeling that excruciating pain and longing like I just have to see her, and just howling like a small child that I need my mum. It's coming up to the 2nd Christmas without my beautiful mum and I'm so angry, yet so sad at the same time. It will always be sad and tragic, but the more you bring the person you lost into Christmas, the easier it gets over time.I truly do sympathise and hope that one day soon the sorrow will be softened by beginning to remember some of the very special times you shared together.

Things always get so hard around Christmas as it was her favourite time of year, I still love Christmas but it's so difficult even hearing certain songs or planning things I wish she was still here for. She was very clearly the glue that held the family together and without her we’ve all stopped bothering. No wonder you miss your mum she sounds great and it is sad she will miss out on seeing your dd grow up. Like a filter or a film or a fog or some kind of substance that kept it ever so slightly out of reach. It's sad that you're not with us at this lovely time of year, But we have precious memories of when you both were here.I lost my 22 year old son last May and the first Christmas without him didn’t even feel like Christmas for me and my 13 year old daughter but this year feels a bit better for us even though we miss him desperately we focus on our memories now and every time we just end up howling with laughter remembering how much joy he brought to our lives every day when he was here. I think it’s just worse that I feel like I’m having to explain myself to people, that I’m not actually in the mood for Christmas parties and I don’t want to be a big hostess for my dad and stepmum or the in laws on xmas day, none of them say anything to me anymore or ask how I am/ how I’m coping. Most purchases from business sellers are protected by the Consumer Contract Regulations 2013 which give you the right to cancel the purchase within 14 days after the day you receive the item.