My family haven’t even sent me a Christmas card – I feel forgotten

DEAR DEIDRE: MY mantlepiece is bare this year with only one Christmas card propped on top. The family has forgotten about me.

I’m a man of 40 and work in a hotel as a manager. I’m single and working at Christmas as usual. It’s always busy but fun. I have dinner when the guests have been fed and I go home alone and fall into bed.

All my family all live in Northern Ireland. My aunt and gran usually send one each and so do my siblings but this year, I’ve had just one from the receptionist at work.

I talked to my gran recently and we were talking about Christmas and what I’d be doing.

She is housebound but my aunt looks after her and you’d think she would have organised a card from her but I’ve had nothing. It sounds silly but I feel so hurt.

Shall I tell them I don’t want them in my life any longer?

DEIDRE SAYS: No. Your family clearly mean so much to you so please don’t cut yourself off. People often choose not to send cards but saving the environment and postal costs is preferred.

You’re not forgotten but rather than dwelling on this, keep in touch with your family as much as you can and make a plan that the next time you have a break, you’ll get back to Northern Ireland to visit everyone. 

My support pack called Worried About Christmas may help you to take the stress of being alone away from you.