Community Chat

[Bri36]

I just try not to think about how overwhelming it can all be.  I think part of it is it's also the end of the year too.  There are a lot of things that have to be wrapped up (no pun intended)

My sister was just telling me the same thing @gidgetgh.  She starts planning for Christmas around the end of the summer.  IMO, that's just too many months to think about it.   LOL

I'm sure because of your knee and all the other things you have going on are not helping you right now.  

Just try to take it easy and don't over-commit yourself.  Do what you want when you want...

[SahmIam]

Yep, I hear ya.

For me, I black out the entire week before Christmas for ANYTHING other than:

*wrapping gifts

*food shopping

*food preparation

*cleaning where necessary

*school events (though our public schools due nothing at this point).

If it isn't one of those things, I don't do it. I don't schedule appointments, I don't meet friends, I don't go to any mall or store that is near a mall or a bunch of other stores (traffic in and out). Nope, won't do it anymore. I do what I need to do for ME because I carry the bulk of the responsibility for Christmas in my house. So, my rules rule and that's that.

Hugs and good luck to you and everyone else going through this crazy yet wonderful time of the year!

[RedTop]

Absolutely yes, I AM TOTALLY overdone!   

I am not normally an anxiety ridden person, but this time of year my anxiety level is about as high as it gets.  

Knowing I was working towards knee surgery in mid October, I had more than half of my Christmas done before I went in the hospital.   What little was left to do was easily taken care of in these last weeks.   Our Christmas celebrations are always nice, but small and low key.  

The big change this year is that for the first time in 43 years, I am cooking a meal on Christmas Day, and inviting my family.   At 83, my mother has reached the point she cannot handle a family get together in her home, so I am moving the meal here.   I am cooking exactly what my husband and daughters voted on, and keeping it very simple, but it will be different for all of us, and a bit of anxiety comes with that change.   

[cherry]

Not this year. I just couldn't cope with much, and so I kept everything as simple as possible.

[Noel7]

I'm drained, I can't even decide what to have for Christmas dinner.  I have yet to recover from the flu and being in the hospital.

Thank goodness for ordering online, I bought a lot of nice presents for my husband and daughter.

[jlkz]

@RedTop

Don't worry about the new way you're celebrating the Christmas dinner.

Back when my favorite aunt was alive, I told her that DH and I would take over the dinner at our home...more room and more room for help in the kitchen.  Well, she was very sad to hand the responsibility over to us.

One of my most favored photos ( and occupying the main space in the bakers rack in our living room ) is the picture of her sitting at the large table, relaxed, and smiling the most beautiful smile imaginable.  It all worked out.

The important thing is the company and the love there.  Don't make the menu the be- all and end-all.  It will be consumed and soon forgotten;  the folks around the table remain in your heart and memory.

[lucymo]

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@jlkz wrote:

@RedTop

Don't worry about the new way you're celebrating the Christmas dinner.

Back when my favorite aunt was alive, I told her that DH and I would take over the dinner at our home...more room and more room for help in the kitchen.  Well, she was very sad to hand the responsibility over to us.

One of my most favored photos ( and occupying the main space in the bakers rack in our living room ) is the picture of her sitting at the large table, relaxed, and smiling the most beautiful smile imaginable.  It all worked out.

The important thing is the company and the love there.  Don't make the menu the be- all and end-all.  It will be consumed and soon forgotten;  the folks around the table remain in your heart and memory.

---

@jlkz Very well said.  We worry too much about things that really won't matter much in the end.  We'll go to church, eat dinner, open gifts and have a merry, happy family day.  Will everything be perfect?  Of course not but we'll be together.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[lucymo]

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@cherry wrote:

Not this year. I just couldn't cope with much, and so I kept everything as simple as possible.

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@cherry  It will all be fine too.  Simple can be the best way to go. 

Merry Christmas.

[SeaMaiden]

No. I quit celebrating the holidays years ago, no stress, no over spending....  do not miss it at all. 

[jeanlake]

It's so easy to get overwhelmed. I'm sorry. That was me last year. Simplicity this year and I haven't budged. I let all know we're going simple this year. Not only with events but gifts. New tradition -- not getting sucked in again, I hope.