Does anyone else feel this way (Christmas) - Page 7

cherry · ‎03-09-2010

@Shorty2U I have cut back so much ,it's a lot easier for me than for you.

We are even going to watch mass ,tonight on Tv ,because the church is always so crowded ,you must get there an hr before services, start to get a seat.

Do as much as you can ,to let others help. When you are in pain it's no fun

Jazzygurl · ‎06-19-2014

I use to feel this way, but I stopped all of the madness. I love Christmas because I focus on the true meaning of the day. All of the other craziness is gone. I do what I want to do if and when I want to. I keep everything limited to immediate family only. I am preparing dinner for my children and grandchildren. We stopped exchanging gifts years ago. Only the grandkids get their toys and gifts. The rest is spent with family together enjoying each other. Once I let go of all obligations I finally found the peace I had been seeking for the holidays.

chessylady · ‎05-01-2010

I am enjoying Christmas this year because I am being kind to myself. Instead of buying and decorating a Christmas tree, I bought a large green wreath and a poinsettia plant. My 11/2 year old cat might have taken a tree apart. That's it for decorating. I bought presents for all my loved ones and they are wrapped and waiting for delivery. I made my annual Persimmon spice cookies and have eaten more than a few. I am reading a humorous book called A Rumpole Christmas. Tomorrow I make mashed potatoes to take to the family gathering. Best of all, I gave myself the gift of sobriety this year and will be able to remember all the good times in peace and harmony.

RedHeadedWench · ‎03-21-2010

@Shorty2U wrote:
Does anyone else feel this way?

Maybe I am just getting old, but I really cannot wait till Christmas is over. And I feel bad saying that (like the Grinch) because I used to be Mrs Christmas (lol).

Its just hard for me to keep up anymore with my back issues. (I had 6 shots in my back Monday to get rid of the pain). Plus my grandkids are older (18, 16, and 12). I love them with all my heart!!!!.. but its not as exciting as when they were excited about Santa (if you know what i mean?).

DH and I went to a movie today, stopped at market and waited in line 30 minutes for food for Christmas Eve, and stopped at the cemetery to make sure the Christmas wreath was on my parents grave (And I stood there crying)..

We came home, had dinner, did laundry, had to clean (still have to finish before bed).

My kids, grandkids, son in law, and sons girlfriend come tomorrow afternoon to celebrate and I will be cooking Italian food.

Then Christmas we have to drive to the in laws 1& 1/2 hours away. (Id rather stay home and go see another movie. (Its NOT against them, just am not into traveling and mingling).

HOWEVER, I make the best of it all for the others, and will NOT be a grump to anyone but I just cant wait till its over.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all.

@Shorty2U

No, I feel the same way...but now, we have our 2 year old grandson to make the day special.

I just finished decorating the tree yesterday afternoon. I usually have the entire house..including the bathrooms all dressed up, but like you, I have terrible back issues and I am now using a walker and a wheelchair at times to get around. Sort of hard to decorate when you can't stand for long periods of time.

Tonight, we are exchanging gifts with our kids, and I ordered Olive Garden Catering, because, well, I could. I don't have to worry about cooking everything, and everyone likes it. Why not.

Tomorrow, we go to the extended family Christmas.....two hours away, and everyone will be there. Although it is a happy time that we will ALL be together for the first time since my son's wedding in November 2015, it's a sad occassion though, because there is a very good chance that this will be my aunt's last. She's in the middle of treatments for breast cancer, and they have just received some bad news. She is only 6 years older than me, and is more of a big sister, than an aunt. Nuff said, I will start crying again. Plus, we have to deal with my mother, who basically sucks the happiness out of the room.

The tree will more than likely be down before New Years, and just another holiday memory.

To all of you that have families that get along and celebrate with smiles and laughter, and take all those beautiful holiday pictures in your crazy sweaters, I envy you, and Merry Christmas. Be grateful that you have the happiness that the marketing geniouses tell us we should be having. Remember those that are in poor health, alone, and don't have those smiling faces...even after a few drinks.

Here's to a better 2017, and hopefully we won't have a nuclear crisis. LOL

bri20 · ‎03-10-2016

No, I don't feel that way.

I do what I can do. I ask for help. I don't do things out of obligation. I do what I can.

Christmas is a magical time. People are nicer to each other. People greet strangers and wish them Happy Holidays. People open their homes and their hearts this time of year more than any other.

People pass and are no longer here to celebrate with us. Life goes on. I don't look at who's gone. I look at who's here and how I can make their Christmas a wonderful memory. That's what's important to me.

Someday when I'm gone, my kids will think back on all the holidays they had growing up with wonderful memories. They can pass along the traditions to their children. I would never want them to think that I did it out of obligation or had to force myself to put on a happy face.

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

I give my family "I love you gifts all through the year" so Christmas isn't a big deal that way (plus I find stuff I've bought and forgotten about it).

I HATE wrapping things (the best invention in the world are those mylar things you put the gift in). When my girls were young I wrapped everything!

I don't hate Christmas but I don't like the way we (all of us) work so hard toward the one day, then it's gone. Sometimes I think it's too commercialized, but maybe that's because I'm old(er) and see it that way now.

Christmas is and always has been for children. But it's also for adults to remind them to think about the past (good and bad), enjoy the good and remember to not make the mistakes like the bad). It's to remind adults to help others, even if it only means being kind to everyone.

Every single day I hurt so bad it's crazy, but most of the time no one (other than my Drs knows it). My family cares but they can't do anything about it and the Drs are doing their best. What purpose would it serve to sit home, lights out and be Scrooge? What purpose would it serve to make my family unhappy because I was unhappy? Would it get more selfish than that?

Tomorrow I will be with my daughter and son-in-law and his parents and my 4 amazing grandchildren. My daughter will do face time with her family in Florida and my youngest daughter will do face time from Germany. That's what Christmas is all about, showing the love families have for each other. Not about the gifts, about showing love.

So, if someone sees it as only gifts and cooking and bla bla well, wrong, wrong, wrong. I did all of that too when I was younger and my husband was alive.

Now I am able to sit back, eat whatever I want, get hugs and kisses and see the amazing smiles from people I love and who love me.

If someone doesn't have that and they are physically able to serve others, they can go and volunteer. I'm sure there will be smiles and hugs there for them.

Life is whatever you make it. Just let the people who are trying to make happiness off of the 'hook' if you don't want to receive it, because there are people who want a hug and be loved.

Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

We don't have to cook if we're tired or sick or realize we need a break.

My mother was seriously ill in the hospital one year at the last minute at Christmas time. My father, husband and I ate in a big diner type of restaurant, it was actually pretty nice... Christmas music, strangers wishing others Merry Christmas and fun food.

Another year, my husband, daughter and I had had the flu. DH called a very nice grocery store in SF and ordered a completely cooked Christmas dinner for us.

And a couple of years ago, I was just out of the hospital and we went to Mollie Stone's and picked out a fabulous dinner and sides to take home.

Cut back, make reservations, do what you have to do to make it easier on yourself.

Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

@chessylady

Congratulations!

Best wishes to you.

Skyegirl21 · ‎03-20-2010

Cheer up Shorty! At least there is medication and care for your back (but I totally understand this pain)- Everything changes over time and that is life for all of us. I try to accept with grace all the things I wish weren't so- I enjoy the happy holiday spirit this time of year, and I don't force myself to anything I really don't want to do- Relax, enjoy a little, and cut out stuff you don't want to do. Just say No. Gratitude breeds goodness. Best wishes that your back heals soon.

RetRN · ‎10-01-2013

Because of my career I often had to miss holidays, so I am pretty laidback about them.

I have a small family, brother, sister, neice, and nephew. My sister and BIL will spend Christmas with his large family, since several of his siblings are getting up in years I think they should spend their time with them. My nephew and his wife had their first baby 2 weeks ago, so have chosen to not celebrate Christmas this year. That is fine with me, actually I wish they would start their own traditions now. My brother and SIL have nowhere to go, so will be at my house on Christmas. My neice lives in Chicago, but will come home and also be at my house on Christmas. I know how much she loves the city, so I would not be offended in the least if she chose to stay there. I'm sure she only comes home for her parents.

I have no problem spending holidays alone, I decorate my house just the way I want to and enjoy my fireplace and music. I can make whatever I like to eat and drink.

The best part will be going to church later today.