Community Chat

[Happiness Is Inside JOB]

peoplearenuts wrote:
I'm with those of you who would rather just skip it all.  I just couldn't do all the shopping, cooking and cleaning this year.  So, I hired a cleaning service that came on Thursday, and had the meal catered by Olive Garden.  We had our Christmas yesterday - Friday.  Best thing I ever did.  I am not hurting from being on my feet for hours.  My kids do help but it is still a lot to do.  I am done with shopping and preparing a lot of food.  I want to relax and not be in tears from hurting.  And, guess what?  I don't feel guilty at all.  If the kids want it "like it used to be" they can start having it at their houses.  Take it easy everyone and do what is best and easy for you.

PEOPLEARE NUTS... YOUR posting was the BEST... 

Do what is best for your physical and mental health. 

[LilacTree]

I'm on the fence about Christmas and all the hoopla.

However, I'm always happy to be with my family any time for any reason.

My heart goes out to those who do not have that precious pleasure.

[Happiness Is Inside JOB]

I come from a small family, so I have never had a house full of people during the holidays.  While my husband comes from a large but dysfunctional family; so he was used to a house full of people, lots of food.  

In the past I used to order the QVC Kansas CIty roast but we had so much left over in the freezer for months.  I used to try and "create" the same volume of food that my husband grew up with which created all this leftovers that no one wanted to eat.  THen it was in the freezer for months and took months for the two of us to finish. I have learned to use the modern conveniences to my advantage.

NOW, I go to Honey baked Ham and buy a 12 slice of ham pack, which is just enough to have with dinner and have leftovers, My local grocery store sells roasted chicken and these items, make LIFE SO MUCH EASIER!!!

I'm still working and my cafeteria sells baked turkey everyday (a full thanksgiving type turkey) and I have learned buy 2-4 slices of turkey breast.   I buy the QVC St. Clair sides, they taste good and I can get several servings.  I bake a Mrs. Smith's apple pie, I try and make it as easy as possible on myself. 

[Happiness Is Inside JOB]

I have also spent several christmas days alone when my husband went to his home state and we could not afford for both of us to go.  I know what it is like to be alone during the holidays but I have learned a few things that helped ME and I hope these ideas will help someone:

1) Stop reliving the past and comparing past holidays to today.  What do I mean?  My husband comes from a larger family and he would feel down when it was just us two during the holidays. He would say, he misses the house full of people, all hte food etc. 

The funny thing about memories is..people remember only "certain" parts of the past, and blur the negative things.  I had to explain to him, today is a new DAY, Enjoy the fond memories but don't make TODAY sad reliving, what happened 35 years ago.  IF you keep comparing today to 30 years ago, guess what, you make yourself SAD and DEPRESSED.

2) Everyone is different, some people enjoy the xmas stories on TV.... while I find when I'm alone during the holidays I DO NOT WATCH any sad XMas stories. THank goodness for cable, many programs are on TV that are not holiday related.  If a show makes you feel SAD, don't watch it and change the channel.

3) Understand Xmas in one day, many people commit sucide during the holidays, and you have to stay strong and remind yourself that you can make it.  If you have to say those words OUT LOUD, to yourself, YOU CAN MAKE IT.

4) KEEP BUSY -- Stay online, come on messageboards, go on youtube and watch videos on every topic of interest to you,how make a dish, makeup, decorating your house, southerbey's (SP) real estate house tours any topic of interest to you. You can stay on You tube for hours.

Also go on hoopla and listen to audio books for FREE.

Well, I hope this helps someone, keep busy, don't relive the past, don't compare your today to 30 years ago, be positive. 

[SeaMaiden]

I do not hate Christmas, but, I can do without it. So I just do not celebrate it.  I tip a few people who provide services I appreciate....but that is it.  I see no reason to be against it,  just do not do it. 

[FrostyBabe1]

I love Christmas, but really hate that the season seems to start around Labor Day and go on forever. I refuse to give in to the self impossed stress of cooking, shopping, wrapping, decorating, etc., all in the pursuit of a "perfect" holiday.  Every one in my family is an adult. We're blessed that we have everything we need and can get pretty much whatever we want for ourselves so we no longer exchange gifts. We just focus on enjoying the company of those that we don't see very often. 

[Puzzle Piece]

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@SeaMaiden wrote:

I do not hate Christmas, but, I can do without it. So I just do not celebrate it.  I tip a few people who provide services I appreciate....but that is it.  I see no reason to be against it,  just do not do it. 

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Ditto This take!

[LilacTree]

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@Happiness Is Inside JOB wrote:

I have also spent several christmas days alone when my husband went to his home state and we could not afford for both of us to go.  I know what it is like to be alone during the holidays but I have learned a few things that helped ME and I hope these ideas will help someone:

1) Stop reliving the past and comparing past holidays to today.  What do I mean?  My husband comes from a larger family and he would feel down when it was just us two during the holidays. He would say, he misses the house full of people, all hte food etc. 

The funny thing about memories is..people remember only "certain" parts of the past, and blur the negative things.  I had to explain to him, today is a new DAY, Enjoy the fond memories but don't make TODAY sad reliving, what happened 35 years ago.  IF you keep comparing today to 30 years ago, guess what, you make yourself SAD and DEPRESSED.

2) Everyone is different, some people enjoy the xmas stories on TV.... while I find when I'm alone during the holidays I DO NOT WATCH any sad XMas stories. THank goodness for cable, many programs are on TV that are not holiday related.  If a show makes you feel SAD, don't watch it and change the channel.

3) Understand Xmas in one day, many people commit sucide during the holidays, and you have to stay strong and remind yourself that you can make it.  If you have to say those words OUT LOUD, to yourself, YOU CAN MAKE IT.

4) KEEP BUSY -- Stay online, come on messageboards, go on youtube and watch videos on every topic of interest to you,how make a dish, makeup, decorating your house, southerbey's (SP) real estate house tours any topic of interest to you. You can stay on You tube for hours.

Also go on hoopla and listen to audio books for FREE.

Well, I hope this helps someone, keep busy, don't relive the past, don't compare your today to 30 years ago, be positive. 

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@Happiness Is Inside JOB

Wow. 

[DiAnne]

I enjoy Christmas although my daughter and her family live in another state.  I decorate the house.  Bake Christmas cookies for a few neighbors and friends.  Mail my gifts a couple of weeks before Christmas.  I had to drop by the grocery store yesterday and everyone was in a good mood.  I always rent a couple of movies I want to see and make sure I have something I want for dinner.  I have got a book I have been wanting to read.  It is all good.  It is what you make of it.  

[qualitygal]

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@DiAnne wrote:

I enjoy Christmas although my daughter and her family live in another state.  I decorate the house.  Bake Christmas cookies for a few neighbors and friends.  Mail my gifts a couple of weeks before Christmas.  I had to drop by the grocery store yesterday and everyone was in a good mood.  I always rent a couple of movies I want to see and make sure I have something I want for dinner.  I have got a book I have been wanting to read.  It is all good.  It is what you make of it.  

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@DiAnne, Absolutely! You got it!!