Holiday Changes

QVCkitty1 · ‎05-23-2015

This time of year gets me thinking about holidays past and instead of being sad I'm kind of relieved that at my age and limitations that Christmas is smaller. Decorations are not as festive, but still pretty, food will be scaled back, but still tasty, and there will be fewer at the table, but congenial. Of course I miss those who have passed, but I'm deeply thankful for those still in my life. If you read this thanks for indulging me . I always shed some tears at this season, but my holiday will be peaceful and calm. My wish for you is that you have the holiday that you want, and if not ,it's only a few days and life will be normal again.

" You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts."
Daniel Patrick Moynihan

jlkz · ‎12-02-2013

@QVCkitty1

Like you I am glad that doing the big Christmas Eve and Day meals is a thing of the past. DH and I worked hard before, during and after !

Now there are so few left and each with their own responsibilities. The holidays are quiet and I enjoy them and the memories.

This past week I had lunch with each of my good friends. Since we are all 80, I suggested this is the last gift exchange since we each need nothing and want nothing....each nodded and agreed that just a delicious, quiet lunch would be the way to go.

I have lunch with each of them separately throughout the year but the Christmas and our birthday lunches are special.

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill

Bonkers1 · ‎07-29-2012

I feel the same as you. I find myself getting lost in past holiday gatherings with my family. I try to pull myself out of this funk and be happy that I am still around to write this. Truth be said it is an uphill battle. Happy holidays to you.

walker · ‎03-26-2010

Holidays are full of memories. Those are wonderful and we think....how did it go by so fast? I am happy as well to be around to enjoy whatever the holidays bring. Families grow...extended families and gatherings now ....so we go with the flow. But, I do miss "the way it was"...🥴.

Thankful for times to still celebrate! Merry Christmas to all....Happy Hannukah.....Happy Holidays...enjoy each day!

Lilysmom1 · ‎11-08-2020

@jlkz wrote:
@QVCkitty1

Like you I am glad that doing the big Christmas Eve and Day meals is a thing of the past. DH and I worked hard before, during and after !

Now there are so few left and each with their own responsibilities. The holidays are quiet and I enjoy them and the memories.

This past week I had lunch with each of my good friends. Since we are all 80, I suggested this is the last gift exchange since we each need nothing and want nothing....each nodded and agreed that just a delicious, quiet lunch would be the way to go.

I have lunch with each of them separately throughout the year but the Christmas and our birthday lunches are special.

@jlkz This! We stopped the gifts with family siblings a few years ago. None of us need anything! Makes the focus the real meaning of Christmas!

CalminHeart · ‎03-09-2010

My siblings and all our familes used to draw names for gifts. We stopped that many many years ago (my youngest sibling is 50).

The only gifts I buy are for my grandkids. And it's not a lot. Being on a fixed income changed what I can afford (and took a lot of pressure off me).

I don't decorate or bake for holidays anymore. I prefer peace and less clutter.

Roscoe the Rascal · ‎04-19-2016

Christmas has always brought me mixed emotions. Use to have big gatherings and work so hard and just like that over and then the next day bummed out.

I have lost a few family members along the way and things have changed over the years. I try and make the most of every Christmas and try and do something different as well.

My two grandchildren live next door now for last 3 years and I have Christmas Eve as always and they have Christmas Day. They open gifts from me at my house and a simple meal and then Christmas Day I let them do their own thing and join them later for a special meal.

Just sort of changed rolls. My husband and I use to have a big gatherings and big meal Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day alone and sometimes guests over night and so much work before and after and at times I miss the crowd and other times I am glad it is over.

Not all Christmas time with family was great. Some I could have done without.

I enjoy decorating but I have simplified it some this year but I still like it. I use to put up more than one tree but not this year. Just got to be so much work and kind of went back to how it use to be.

I decided Christmas should be more enjoyable than so much work. I have cut back on some things and trying to balance it out more but still a work in progress. I have done my share over the years and created many a memory. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything but more to be made.

I am looking forward to the next two days but also missing many a loved one and first Christmas without my husband but I am hanging on to those memories and some of those traditions too. It will be ok.

Happy holidays to all and hopefully a better New Year.

RetRN · ‎10-01-2013

It has become simpler and more enjoyable.

LindaSal · ‎05-15-2014

Our holidays are fairly quiet now. I am thankful we will spend it with our adult kids and their SO's as always. No grandchildren so it's not too much to prepare for. My siblings do their own thing with their kids so we'll just talk to them on the phone. DH and I like to cook together and always say as long as we are physically able we wil continue to do it.

It's still enjoyable and a happy time for me. I hope everyone can find some joy in it while it's here, even if you are alone this holiday

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@QVCkitty1 wrote:
This time of year gets me thinking about holidays past and instead of being sad I'm kind of relieved that at my age and limitations that Christmas is smaller. Decorations are not as festive, but still pretty, food will be scaled back, but still tasty, and there will be fewer at the table, but congenial. Of course I miss those who have passed, but I'm deeply thankful for those still in my life. If you read this thanks for indulging me . I always shed some tears at this season, but my holiday will be peaceful and calm. My wish for you is that you have the holiday that you want, and if not ,it's only a few days and life will be normal again.

@QVCkitty1 You said it all for me. It's husband and me, catered food, and it is lovely! We have a huge tree up, the house was lit up by a crew not us, and we are very very happy.

What was at one time was wonderful, but the people are all gone now, and we are thankful for our stressless time here together.

Best wishes and blessings to all who have the big Christmas, and to those who don't! One thing that hasn't changed about Christmas is what Linus tells us in the Charlie Brown show.