topic Re: Holidays coming in Community Chat

Holidays coming

goldensrbest — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 00:59:48 GMT

Does any one ever feel that they just don't want to do the holiday thing any more?

Re: Holidays coming

Goldengate8361 — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:06:01 GMT

I, for one, would love it if we could just skip over to January. I don't have kids or a husband and I have limited extended family out of town, so I personally don't love holidays. I know many people really enjoy them, however, so I guess I'm happy that our culture has them for those people.

Re: Holidays coming

jlkz — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:09:42 GMT

Once certain beloved family members passed on, I really could do without the holidays. Once DH retires in the near future, may be will go to FL earlier !

The holidays of the past are over and I haven't come up with anything new that I would want to do: limited energy and heel Spurs.

Re: Holidays coming

gidgetgh — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:14:05 GMT

I'm definitely struggling to get in the holiday spirit this year. We're having Thanksgiving at our house. To be honest, I'd rather go out, but I'll get through it. My husband's family will be with us and it's important to me that they be with us for him. I get no enjoyment at all from cooking, but it will all turn out fine. I'd be thrilled if we would order several pizzas Wednesday night and just heat them up on Thursday. I LOVE seeing family, the more the merrier, but the whole prepare/cook/clean up thing I could do without. But I am stepping out of my comfort zone this year and making two new casseroles I've never made before.

We usually have Christmas at our house with my family. My sister wants us to come to her house this year which is fine. I'm seriously considering not putting up our tree.

Re: Holidays coming

colliegirls — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:13:29 GMT

I have a love-hate relationship with Christmas. I hate getting ready for it but when everything is done, I enjoy it.

Re: Holidays coming

Noel7 — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:17:03 GMT

I for one am doing all I can think of to cut down on the work. We always use our brown Spode dishes and I set the table to match. It means going into the basement and dragging up heavy boxes.

I just told the family I want to skip that and use the nice Polish stoneware which is upstairs. It won't look traditional but it will be nice and save a lot of work.

I'm also going to get pies from the bakery and cut down on side dishes.

I do have the decorations up and they look really nice. A little different this year, displays like the Memory Weaver.

I haven't planned Christmas yet.

Re: Holidays coming

cater — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:19:16 GMT

Goldengate, Today I could raise my hand and feel the same as you do. This morning it really hit me that next week is Thanksgiving and I just about lost it. Everyone has been saying are we making this or that or what ever is coming into their minds. Me I thought it was at least two more weeks away WRONG!!!! So I really have to get into gear and get things rolling around here since this is the home that every one comes to. ( it is my choice no one forces me) but I have serious walking issues so it is easier for me if I don't have to go someone elses home. My Mom used to always say if you don't do anything then you will have nothing so I try to remember that. Hope you get to looking forward to all the holidays but if you don't I will be the first to say I understand your feelings.

Re: Holidays coming

gidgetgh — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:20:43 GMT

@Noel7 wrote:
I for one am doing all I can think of to cut down on the work. We always use our brown Spode dishes and I set the table to match. It means going into the basement and dragging up heavy boxes.

I just told the family I want to skip that and use the nice Polish stoneware which is upstairs. It won't look traditional but it will be nice and save a lot of work.

I'm also going to get pies from the bakery and cut down on side dishes.

I do have the decorations up and they look really nice. A little different this year, displays like the Memory Weaver.

I haven't planned Christmas yet.

@Noel7- I bought cute as a button Thanksgiving paper plates and napkins at Target and that's what we're using. I sold my fine china, which I never used, earlier this year.

Re: Holidays coming

colliegirls — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:25:07 GMT

The problem is that few of us have a family like the "Waltons". The holidays can be very stressful for many. Loss is more profound during the holidays. Nothing is perfect.

Re: Holidays coming

nana59 — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:25:50 GMT

Spents hours texting my daughter and daughter-in-law today asking about gifts for them and grandkids...everybody has everything...kids have more than they know what to do with....every year it gets more frustrating. Wish everyone was in agreement to stop gift giving. I have suggested alternatives, but no one wants to change things just yet. Wish I was a bear and could hibernate until Spring?

Re: Holidays coming

Snowpuppy — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:27:37 GMT

I spent many years as a single parent and many holidays were lean. The first Thanksgiving after I left the ex, we had PB & J for dinner.

Life is much, much better and we can travel, stay home and celebrate as we please.

But I celebrate gratitude every year.

Re: Holidays coming

Carmie — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:32:07 GMT

Yes, I do not like the holidays at all and I never have. If it was only about family and food and get togethers like Thanksgiving, I'd love it. I do like the family time.

i hate shopping trying to find gifts for people that they don't need ant or appreciate and I don't like receiving gifts either. I don't like decorating or having to put that junk away afterwards. Christmas is my least favorite holiday. It's so out of hand and crazy. It causes people to go into debt and people with little means to feel bad that they can't give their children much.

There is too much depression and suicide during December. Way too much stress too.

It's supposed to be a religious day, not a circus.

Re: Holidays coming

Noel7 — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:32:15 GMT

@gidgetgh wrote:
@Noel7 wrote:
I for one am doing all I can think of to cut down on the work. We always use our brown Spode dishes and I set the table to match. It means going into the basement and dragging up heavy boxes.

I just told the family I want to skip that and use the nice Polish stoneware which is upstairs. It won't look traditional but it will be nice and save a lot of work.

I'm also going to get pies from the bakery and cut down on side dishes.

I do have the decorations up and they look really nice. A little different this year, displays like the Memory Weaver.

I haven't planned Christmas yet.

@Noel7- I bought cute as a button Thanksgiving paper plates and napkins at Target and that's what we're using. I sold my fine china, which I never used, earlier this year.

****************************

@gidgetgh

Hooray for you!

I'm all for us doing what's best for ourselves!

Re: Holidays coming

bri20 — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:33:14 GMT

I don't feel that way.

I understand people who do feel that way. It's not an easy time of year for everybody.

Re: Holidays coming

Noel7 — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:36:08 GMT

@colliegirls wrote:
The problem is that few of us have a family like the "Waltons". The holidays can be very stressful for many. Loss is more profound during the holidays. Nothing is perfect.

******************************

@colliegirls

There's just DH, me and our daughter. I have no other living relatives. I used to give big dinners no more.

If you attend a church, many have a community TDay dinner.

Are there one or two friends you could potluck with?

I hope you can make your day nice for yourself, maybe go out

Re: Holidays coming

Stormygirl — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:38:15 GMT

I have not even realized Thanksgiving was coming up with being so ill. I do not think we will be doing anything this year but hopefully healing. This illness has really changed some things for me so all of the former expectations, hustle and bustle doesnt mean anything now. I think I will write a gratitude list instead. No gifts this year, no stress and expectations. Just being thankful that so far I have made it through these 2 surgeries these past few weeks. Is very eye opening the things that no longer matter so much.....and the other things that now do matter more...I cant quite explain it yet fully except I no longer feel any wants other then make the most of the time I have. I hope that made some sense. Spend the holidays as you would like even if it means sans the commercialism.

Re: Holidays coming

151949 — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:41:59 GMT

My DH just loves to have holidays at home with as many friends & family as possible.Of course, he does absolutely NOTHING of the work. We are having 6 guests for Thanksgiving and 4 for Christmas. I'll be exhausted. And while I'm cleaning it all up by myself he'll be asleep.

Re: Holidays coming

Noel7 — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:45:58 GMT

It's not about "feelings" for everyone, but that counts, too.

For example, most people with lupus are lucky to be able to shower and wash their hair, most need to rest after.

Think how that plays out over putting together the holidays.

I love the holidays, which is why I start early. I also have a really wonderful DH and daughter who pitch right in. IMO that makes me lucky, I don't look down on anyone who can't do what some others can do.

Re: Holidays coming

Mz iMac — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:52:54 GMT

I'm retired. So I spend all holidays being catered to either at a casino resort or sitting under a palm tree on an island sipping slowly on a tropical drink.

Thanksgiving week, I'll be at a casino resort.

Christmas week, I'll be on 2 week Caribbean cruise w/the S.O.

Re: Holidays coming

Carmie — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 01:56:39 GMT

@151949 wrote:
My DH just loves to have holidays at home with as many friends & family as possible.Of course, he does absolutely NOTHING of the work. We are having 6 guests for Thanksgiving and 4 for Christmas. I'll be exhausted. And while I'm cleaning it all up by myself he'll be asleep.

Wanna trade with me? I'll have close to 40 people this year for Thanksgiving. My DH will help with the dishes. Every year he manages to break plates, bowls and or glassware because he is in a hurry.

Thank goodness, my oldest son wants to have everybody at his house for Christmas. His wife doesn't cook, but she bakes. I will be making most of the entree items and my son will make the sides. I will not have to do any cleanup.