Is anyone else “overdone”? - Page 4

SXMGirl · ‎07-07-2010

It is so easy to be overwhelmed or overdone during this season. I am not one of those.

This year, I chose to cut back on presents and sending cards. I did send a few cards and also sent some to the Angel Network folks. My holiday baking is minimal. Part of all of this is my knee surgery, but I have just gotten tired of buying a lot of things that no one needs. I am really looking forward to having no holiday bills due in January. I know that I sound like a Scrooge, but I just want the holiday to be peaceful and stress-free. Merry Christmas everyone!

The next time that I hear salt and ice together, it better be in a margarita!

lucymo · ‎12-13-2010

@RedTop wrote:
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.

@RedTop My family always comes to my house for holidays. I cook a traditional Thanksgiving dinner but for Christmas we have a much simpler meal. I'll make a ham, a few sides and others will bring a favorite of their family, we'll eat and enjoy just being able to get together.

@So, get some rest and it will all work out. You're starting a new tradition, relax and it will be a wonderful day with you family.

Merry Christmas. Please post back and let us know much you enjoyed being the family host.

qvcfreak · ‎03-10-2010

I hear you. I love Christmas. It’s my favorite time of the year. This year I have a part time job that is very busy this time of year. Today was my first day off after working 8 days straight. I decorated early. Today I was hoping to clean house and get it ready for Christmas but instead took car to dealership to get oil change and key fob battery replaced and then they inform me my car battery is low so replaced that as well.

Went to Petco to get dog food and my debit card was declined. Called bank and was told it was compromised and needed it replaced so more waiting. Then back to Petco then off to get inspection sticker then to get license plate renewal. I got home after 3p and did not do one bit of cleaning. I work tomorrow and I’ll be off Friday and need to go finish my Christmas shopping.

Im definitely making a plan for next year.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

@lucymo, @jlkz,

I am stepping up to simply do what needs to be done.

However, now that a new plan is in place, my Mom feels “guilty” that we are not “coming home for Christmas”. I’ve been telling her since December 26, 2016 that we have to start doing something different, and that me, and my family would not be coming to her house on Christmas Day 2017. She understood, and was fine with it until a new plan was actually put in place. To clarify “coming home”, one brother and I simply walk across the road to her house, and my other brother drives less than 10 miles to get here from the far side of this neighborhood.

I learned today that Mom has asked my SIL to cook, and bring the same food to her house that would have been brought in if the Christmas carry in meal arrangement was still in effect! I’m not saying anything else to Mom about the meal at my house, and will not turn this into a power play; it will all work out the way it’s supposed to.

lucymo · ‎12-13-2010

@RedTop wrote:
@lucymo, @jlkz,
I am stepping up to simply do what needs to be done.

However, now that a new plan is in place, my Mom feels “guilty” that we are not “coming home for Christmas”. I’ve been telling her since December 26, 2016 that we have to start doing something different, and that me, and my family would not be coming to her house on Christmas Day 2017. She understood, and was fine with it until a new plan was actually put in place. To clarify “coming home”, one brother and I simply walk across the road to her house, and my other brother drives less than 10 miles to get here from the far side of this neighborhood.

I learned today that Mom has asked my SIL to cook, and bring the same food to her house that would have been brought in if the Christmas carry in meal arrangement was still in effect! I’m not saying anything else to Mom about the meal at my house, and will not turn this into a power play; it will all work out the way it’s supposed to.

@RedTop. I guess it's hard to change traditions to a person that's always been the main host. Maybe your SIL will try to help your Mom understand that you all are trying to reduce the workload for her. I hope it works out for the best for all concerned. Have a blessed holiday.

catwhisperer · ‎07-11-2010

I refuse to allow myself to get caught up in all the holiday hoopla anymore. I'm getting too old for that cr*p.

I promise to remind myself every day that I am strong, courageous, and resilient.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

I think we have all been there, at some holiday or another, at some time or another, and no criticism from me for sure.

Some years just don't come off as well as others, regardless of our intent, our planning or our execution.

I would let it go for this year. Just go through with what you have, how you have it. If it disappoints anyone, they can get over it. Don't push it any further, as not only will it spoil the season even more for you, but physically you don't need it.

My only suggestion would be in two parts.

Spend the next year contemplating just what different you wish to try. Be thinking what you can eliminate or change, that will make less work (less money, less stress) without making you feel that you are cheated. I'm sure there are a number of things that each of us is doing, simply out of habit, or obligation, that if left undone, would not ruin anyone's holiday (but might actually improve it!).

Don't spend the whole year ( or the last quarter of it) stressing about what to do or not to do. Let it just come. Every year doesn't have to be the same when it comes to the holidays. Some years, when all the stars align, there is the time and energy to 'do it all'. Other times there simply isn't . This was an 'isn't' year for you, but next year could be an 'all' year, and you simply won't know it till it gets here.

Make some contingency plans to do less for those years you feel like it, but (and this is the second part) keep your options open for doing more in years where it just feels right. Again, every year doesn't have to be the same, and making rigid decisions that it will forever be a 'simpler' Christmas isn't alwasy necessary either.

Just for me personally, downsizing the amount of 'stuff' associated with the holiday is stress relieving. This year I put less decor out, and I bought fewer gifts. Both made me feel good and took some stress off the season.

I'm already planning on trimming back a little more in those areas next year, and with positive feelings about it.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@sweetee2 wrote:
gidgetgh: I'm so glad you started this post because I wanted to do the same but I was afraid I would get beaten up. I just haven't been in the mood this year for all hoopla work, work, did I say work. I've always decorated to the max ( 4 trees). Done all the shopping. Cooked dinner Christmas Eve for family. Then their here early Christmas morning for quiche homemade blueberry muffins and fruit bowl, open gifts. Usually they are here most of the day. Don't get me wrong, they are all appreciative, but this year all I can see is the work it's going to take and I'm in the mood.
I'm afraid I'm turning into one of those people that gradually stops putting up a tree next it will be nonething at all.
It doesn't help that we haven't gotten any snow this years yet. I'm hoping that' what' wrong with me this year.

Thanks for the vent.

I get a sense that many of us have done too much.

We started out young, and had a passion for it. We may have had families, and really loved doing it. We set a precedence ( for them but mostly for us) and we kept building it bigger and bigger.

The bottom had to fall out at some point, didn't it?

At least that is how I see it, for me anyway.

So I guess if we/I built it up, we can ramp it down.

Unless there are little kids in the home still, I'm betting most people won't notice a lot of the things we scale back on.

Another thing I have done over the years is increase my candy making and baking quite a bit. This year, I cut my list of people to give those things to, and while I still made every kind of cookie and candy, I made much less. It's my beginning to scale back. The next step in this area will be to see if any of those things aren't really as popular with those I'm still cooking for, as I think they are. If they won't miss a particular thing (or two), I'll be done with those.

Baby steps!

ECBG · ‎01-08-2011

@gidgetgh,When I taught and had a week off before Christmas as well as weekends, getting things done was managable. I made 16 inch rounds heaped with homemade candies and cookies and a chocolate pound cake for about six people. I make 1/4th of the pay I previously made in the retail position I took after retiring which was nice with my teaching retirement. I don't have that position or the money now. I have no time to do anything for the holiday without working into the night and getting up early to go to work. But, I will get it done. I love making special people happy and I will get it done. That's an important part of my Christmas too.

Catiele · ‎08-20-2012

Overdone here. I got through the parties, the wrapping and the cards. I am tired, feeling down and have a sore throat. Maybe a cold. Lost my best friend in September. I have scheduled surgery January 4. Defibrillator ———a new one. I am trying to keep myself together. This time of year can be really hard for some people. I know that I have so much to be thankful for. As they say this to shall pass. I have always liked ordinary time.