@AngelPuppy1 wrote:
As far as baking, next year I am doing --- NONE! I baked for the majority of one day and was worn out. I have to say and I am not being rude, but people didn't appreciate it at all and so much was just left and not eaten or even touched. So, next year, I will buy a few and that's it. It's not worth the expense, effort and time.
I am not buying a bunch of wrapping paper and cards like I always do. I still have plenty left and need to use what I have.
I was very excited about Christmas this year as I always am and got disappointed in many, many ways. And I m not talking presents either. Just a lot of actions by a lot of people. So, next year, I am just going to do my thing as I always do and do right by everyone, but not expect people to reciprocate. In other words, I set high expectations and then get let down. I will try and not do that next year.
Oh, and I need to add --- people seemed to be trying to outdo each other with the amount and price of gifts. I felt kind of like my things were not good enough or that I didn't spend enough. Then I went home and regrouped and thought --- what a minute! That's crazy! I took a lot of time picking out things and I did the best that I could and spent what I could and what I thought was appropriate. I have nothing to feel bad about and I am not going to allow myself to feel like that next year. If people want to outdo each other and spend and spend and get themselves in a financial bind, then go ahead.
@AngelPuppy1
I do understand where you are coming from in this post.
I won't say I've been angry, or even hurt, but perhaps baffled might be a good description of how I've felt about a few things the last couple of years.
I love to send and receive Christmas cards. I spend a lot of time picking just the right cards that reflect who I am. I've never sent a lot, but maybe as many as 25 per year. I used to get back at least half of that. I'm just old (and old fashioned) enough to really look forward to getting cards in the mail from people I know and love. I save many of them, and put them out in a basket to review each year.
This year I sent out the usual amount and got only three. I know many are not doing it any longer. Some just think themselves too busy or stressed, others maybe going 'green' and not 'wasting' paper. No one I know has stopped because of finances. It is just disappointing, that something so simple, and such a tradition, has gone by the way side.
And the baking too. I cut back this year. My family loves and appreciates it, but there are fewer of them all the time. I used to give away a lot of cookies and candy, and while they have always been well received, I noticed no one else ever reciprocated.
It's not like I'm keeping score, and I still enjoy these kinds of things, but in the process of cutting back to make the holiday traditions more manageable as I age and my health declines, I have and will (sadly) cut back things like this, when it appears others don't appreciate the effort. There are still people who don't send me a card who will get one, because I understand their circumstance and know they like being remembered, and the same with the cookies. But those that seem to not appreciate it at all, or don't seem to care to reciprocate, are being removed from my efforts, so I have the energy and resources to continue traditions for those that do.
As I've stated, I'm not angry at people, or even hurt by their lack of appreciation (never have received a thank you note for a nice holiday plate, filled with homemade cookies and candy, or even a quick phone call), but I have reached a place in my life where I think I need to do for those that appreciate my efforts, and move on from those that appear not to.
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