I know it's early but here it is

the thread to support us through christmas and stuff (well I guess haloween's a holiday, so not really early)

but anyway yeah. if you're struggling, this thread is for you

[wildflowerchild25]

I hate the holidays. I hated it from the time I was ten and my dad died. When My son was born I started to enjoy them again, at least a little bit. But then my husband died. Now I'm back to finding no joy or happiness at all. It's going to be tough getting through them. I'm already dreading it.

I've been depressed during Christmas for many, many years. It's a very difficult time for me. I try to keep up appearances but I fail. I've felt like a stick in the mud party pooper for years. Christmas was always very special to my family and I want it to be like that again. I hope this year will be different.

My heart goes out to everyone who is suffering right now.

[TishaBuv]

Grandma got run over by a reindeer-- support needed here, thanks!

[BipolaRNurse]

This is going to be my first holiday season without my husband. Needless to say, it's going to be difficult, and it doesn't help that my birthday and his follow the holidays swiftly. Next year my family and I will be at Disney World on Christmas, it's this year that's going to be rough. Thanks for starting this thread.

[Anxiousvalkyrie]

I'm going back to the states to see family for thanksgiving. It's really stressing me out. I'm nervous being so far away from my doctors. Plus my husband and son aren't going so I'll be traveling alone. All my family is going to want to hear all about my exciting adventures living in Europe and I've been in bipolar hell the majority of this year.

I'm usually really depressed by Christmas. I'm hoping this year is different. I'm gonna try and decorate and start Christmas shopping early. I'm really hoping this year is different...

[wiretwister]

my wife and sons visit family (several hours travel ) ... during turkey and christmas weekends ... so I am alone (I do not travel anymore) ... it was during a long lonely 3 day weekend that I attempted ... so it is a time when I keep my system as level as possible ... and keep my prn close ...

[The Uncon Pera D.]

I'm not looking forward to the holidays this year. My dad's been gone 4 years, my mom moved halfway across the country last year, and this March my stepmom (like a second mom to me) passed.

We can't spend Christmas with Mom or my brother (he lives far from us as well) because I can't get the vacation time.

My husband's dad passed 26 years ago right around Christmas, and he doesn't get along with his family and has no desire to see them. So there is literally no one for my husband and me to have the holidays with.

We've been talking about starting our own new holiday tradition. One thing I'm going to do is go to the butcher and pay for someone else's turkey. Last year we were on hard times but we were going to buy a turkey anyway. When I got to the butcher they told me someone else had already paid for my turkey. That was such a blessing, so now that I can afford it, I'm going to hope I'll make someone else's Christmas a little brighter.

I think on Christmas day we'll spend it the way my Jewish best friend does: go out for Chinese food and see a movie. Maybe that'll become our tradition. Unfortunately it still pales compared to having Christmas dinner with your loved ones--but you have to take what life dishes out!

Originally Posted by wiretwister

my wife and sons visit family (several hours travel ) ... during turkey and christmas weekends ... so I am alone (I do not travel anymore) ... it was during a long lonely 3 day weekend that I attempted ... so it is a time when I keep my system as level as possible ... and keep my prn close ...

I hear you

I'll be alone too

I really don't think i'll do much (if any) decorating

binge and watch repeats of rubbish on TV probably

and post here

[luvyrself]

Originally Posted by shattered sanity

I know it's early but here it is

the thread to support us through christmas and stuff (well I guess haloween's a holiday, so not really early)

but anyway yeah. if you're struggling, this thread is for you

-----thanks so much for this. I Try to really pare down the craziness of the rituals (thank goodness for gift cards) and use all the shortcuts for holiday meals (Try Bob Evans mashed potatoes in the meat section and evans cream pies at walmart)

Gonna bump this thread since Christmas is drawing near...

I'm a bit stressed out with Christmas shopping and I haven't even started yet

I just don't know what to get anyone, and I've sort of "cheated" in the past by purchasing gift cards for everyone. I feel bad about that.

I normally don't have a great Christmas anyways. I'm not trying to be hipster by saying this, but I think Christmas is too commercialized and there's not enough focus on being with family and friends. I mean, sure... you spend time with family and friends, but it's all about the gifts and the $$$. Family and friends seem to come second.

Not that I have a support system anyways, but I think for most people, Christmas is jus an excuse to spend loads of money on overpriced products that will be put on sale for 50% off right after New Years.

I'm not bashing anyone for going Christmas shopping. I don't think it's bad to give gifts. In fact, I think people SHOULD give gifts if it makes them happy. But like I'm implying, family and friends should come first, not the gifts. But that's the reason I'm stressed -- the gifts seem to come first.

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

Gonna bump this thread since Christmas is drawing near...

I'm a bit stressed out with Christmas shopping and I haven't even started yet

I just don't know what to get anyone, and I've sort of "cheated" in the past by purchasing gift cards for everyone. I feel bad about that.

I normally don't have a great Christmas anyways. I'm not trying to be hipster by saying this, but I think Christmas is too commercialized and there's not enough focus on being with family and friends. I mean, sure... you spend time with family and friends, but it's all about the gifts and the $$$. Family and friends seem to come second.

Not that I have a support system anyways, but I think for most people, Christmas is jus an excuse to spend loads of money on overpriced products that will be put on sale for 50% off right after New Years.

I'm not bashing anyone for going Christmas shopping. I don't think it's bad to give gifts. In fact, I think people SHOULD give gifts if it makes them happy. But like I'm implying, family and friends should come first, not the gifts. But that's the reason I'm stressed -- the gifts seem to come first.

if it makes you feel any better, I don't have anyone to buy for. just gifts for myself

i'm going to be alone anyway, so...

I think children are especially ungreatful when it comes to christmas, asking santa for all manner of toys (not always in the most polite way), get them, use them for 5 minits- then they throw it in the corner

so what

all that money spent on 5 minits of wonder

ultimately christmas is just another day for me

I buy my own presents, cook my own food, spend time in my own company.

what's so special about that.

Originally Posted by shattered sanity

if it makes you feel any better, I don't have anyone to buy for. just gifts for myself

i'm going to be alone anyway, so...

I think children are especially ungreatful when it comes to christmas, asking santa for all manner of toys (not always in the most polite way), get them, use them for 5 minits- then they throw it in the corner

so what

all that money spent on 5 minits of wonder

ultimately christmas is just another day for me

I buy my own presents, cook my own food, spend time in my own company.

what's so special about that.

That's how my sister is, and she's 19. lol. She wants something, uses it for 5 mins, then forgets about it! But then sometimes she actually returns the item for money AFTER she's used it. (She won't do it for personal care stuff tho.)

I don't ask for gifts. I buy my own too, but I wait until the After-Christmas sales. I get stuff I need for 50% off.

I usually "celebrate" christmas by sleeping

[Ocean Swimmer]

I'm on my own For Christmas too.
But I'd like to invite everyone to my virtual party in Costa Rica. It's on the general social chat forum. It's a hoot.

[JustJace2u]

Until just a few weeks ago I didn't realize how bad the holidays are for me. For many years I've gotten 'sick', especially during Christmas. I always chalked it up to just being nervous for whatever reason. Anyway, this year my Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday ended and began with me being hospitalized because for the last few weeks at least, I've been feeling suicidal. Right now I'm feeling ok, although feeling nervous about seeing my folks for Christmas, especially my dad.

[usehername]

This year, I finally have Christmas off... I should have my daughter?? But it depends on what happens with the custody case... other than that, we have nobody anymore... we don't have any money, I'm not sure how to come up with gifts for her... we will be decorating a stick, but agreed that's not sad, because we've been doing it for years... therefore, it's cute... I guess it'll be a quiet, boring holiday where we miss my mom a lot...

[Unrigged64072835]

Christmas is usually a quiet affair. We make a big dinner and that's about it. We normally open presents on Christmas Eve; however both kids are working so it may be a matter of when. We may open them Christmas morning.

Right now I'm just counting down days. This week will be a little busy; pdoc and regular doc will discuss lab results. I'm not looking forward to that.

[luvyrself]

Originally Posted by shattered sanity

I know it's early but here it is

the thread to support us through christmas and stuff (well I guess haloween's a holiday, so not really early)

but anyway yeah. if you're struggling, this thread is for you

----response. Thanks so much for doing this. It is very common for those w mood swings to have trouble w the holidays. Just too much stress and emotion. I try to cut my holiday routine to the boe-no cards no wrapping, gift cards except for small children. I think i get a bad case of what i call my Waltons syndrome. Guess im showing my age. Remember that tv show where the huge extended family got along so well. On the holidays i look around and expect my fractured and VERY dysfunctional extended family to be perfect like them. Ouch, this is real life.
Hugs to those of you w recent losses. I should go down to a rescue mission to help serve dinner to the homeless. Blessings to all of you. I have learned so much from you folks and never feel alone because of all of you.

[misscath007]

Christmas will be difficult. My dad passed 6 months ago and I was his caregiver for many years. I will probably spend the holiday with my sister. I have no money for presents and hate the commercialization of what used to be a religious observance. JMO. I think Christmas is really for children anyway. I try to count my blessings for what I do have.

[usehername]

Christmas will be difficult for us, too. My entire family (what's left of it, most have died recently including my grandmother 12/20) hates me. I have no idea why, I just know they are the most unsupportive bunch of assholes I know. It'll be just me and my daughter. My charge nurse gave me a stocking for her and a $50 gift card to buy her Christmas presents. I had no idea what I was going to do before she did that.

[LadyShadow]

((hugs))) for all that need it this holiday season.

[Misssy2]

usehername, I'm sorry it sucks when family suck.
Mine does too.

I'm glad that someone helped you out...God works in mysterious ways...I hope that you and your daughter can make the best of what you have (each other).

[Ocean Swimmer]

I'm estranged from my family too.
My 1/2 brother was a self medicated BP street drug addict. He used to steal from me every chance he got.
My parents were in my life for awhile too. Then they moved away.

i've had nothing to do with mine for over 12 years

sometimes, it's hard. but when it becomes hard, I try to remember why it happened in the first place, and feel slightly better that i'm not connected to them