Dear Vanessa,I'm a man in my late 50s, married, with three adult children and three young grandchildren - and if I'm honest, I'm dreading Christmas this year. I'd be perfectly happy with something simpler and more affordable, but when I raise that idea, I'm made to feel like I'm spoiling the fun. We're very aware that we don't have endless working years left, and once Christmas is over, the bills don't magically disappear. A calm, consistent message like, 'We're keeping things simpler this year,' or 'We're choosing something more affordable,' is enough. Wanting something simpler doesn't make you the bad guy - it makes you thoughtful about the future you're still living into.

Source: Daily Mail December 27, 2025 20:57 UTC