[whenwillitend]

Dh and I just don't feel it this year. If it wasn't for our 8 year old, we wouldn't even put up the tree. But our son insists. The two year old doesn't care either way of course, but the older one does. So I guess we'll put it up this weekend. Dreading it. But when you have kids, cancelling christmas is just not an option.

Feeling pretty down. Things just aren't going well right now. And every day it's something else. I"m exhausted from all the stress. I cna't wait for the holidays to be over.

[Omers]

I would LOVE to cancel christmas!!!!! I am SO with you and this is the first year my son has wanted a tree so I feel obligated. My plan was to be setting up the tree... ah.... Now. But you can see where I am with that!

[lynn P.]

I know how you feel - I haven't done anything yet and I could live without christmas too. I have 2 daughters though who like it, so I make the effort for them.

I think part of my feelings come from a long time ago when I was young. I used to get many gifts but my mother was very moody around Xmas because my father died close to Xmas. I remembered seeing her sad and this put a damper on Xmas for me. Now I try to put my feelings on hold because I don't want to repeat history. Try to keep things simple so you don't feel over whelmed. Buy some board games/crafts projects and play them together.

[(JD)]

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. ~Janice Maeditere

[pegasus]

I would like Christmas cancelled also. Too much stress all round.

[Petunia111]

My hub and grown son put up the tree and decorate. I'm not into it at all. My hub is unemployed and this year, we aren't buying presents because of our finances.

I can hardly believe, but without the shopping, runnning around, mailing gifts, stores, post office and this and that, things this year are more peaceful and less stressful than when my hub was employed and we had all kinds of running around to do.

I'm not glad that my hub is without a job, by any means, but the peacefulness is really nice.

My mother-in-law makes a big deal for Xmas, but she knows that this year we are having to be frugal. She loves to spend money on QVC, the junky stuff, so we go over and make like we are having a nice time......it's the thought that counts!!!

Any way, merry Xmas to ya'll.

[lynn P.]

I agree with Pegasus - Christmas is extremely stressful especially for us women - we're usually the ones decorating, shopping, wrapping cooking etc. etc. I also hate the way the dollar stores where I live start getting the Xmas isle going before Halloween in done.

[whenwillitend]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way. We do have presents for the kids, but we got our shopping done early, so now we can avoid the madness out there. We just have too much going on this year to feel the christmas spirit. I feel bad about it, but I'm too exhausted to get in the mood for christmas. We don't even have a church right now, and it's going to feel weird not going to church on christmas. But really, I don't care this year.

And on top of that, monday is our 12th wedding anniversary, and we don't have any money to get each other something, or do anything special. Usually, we get a babysitter and do dinner and a movie. Not this year. It's just going to be another day.

[hayward]

I just think it's nice that you even wish you had the money to get each other something, or do something special together. Try celebrating that, because you are lucky to feel that way with someone. There's your gift- right there.

[racee]

my christmas tree is up and has not even half the strand of lights put on it just kinda hanging there.(been that way for a month)..i think im going to take it off and put the tree back in its box tonite...no one in the house cares that it's not all decorated and no one comes over and it's just taking up space......oh well good gesture though no one can say i didn't make an effort!

[(JD)]

I do so understand you-all's feelings about this holiday stress. Even if you need to put on a good face for youngun's, you can still step back and breathe. It really is just another day, and will be over before you know it.

Don't make a big deal out of it. Goodness, having a tree, no matter how small, and a gift or two for the children is really enough...that and love and maybe some pie They are all excited and that's a part of it.

Of course, materialism isn't the reason for the season now is it?
It isn't about what you have or don't have in this life.

Breathe, and allow the children's (and anyone else's) holiday spirit carry you along. Don't think about what ifs, or what was ... be! Truly we can enjoy other's happiness for a day? Just like we do for someone else's birthday party, right? We're there, but if it isn't our party, it's hard to get excited sometimes.

Maybe...by stepping back and breathing some of the Christmas spirit will find you too.

[NuckingFutz]

I don't think I can do Christmas again. Those last 2 I spent with my ex were horrible!! I am so glad to be Jewish this time of year. Everything is so geared toward Christmas, the marketing world forgets about us and we get to have a nice peaceful day eating Chinese and going to the movies.

[whenwillitend]

Just put up the christmas tree, since the kids insisted. Feeling a *tad* more christmassy now. Still don't feel like making cookies though, which is highly unusual for me. Oh well, it'll be over soon.

[Elana05]

Thinking of you WWie,

I hope some calm and peace and self-assurance find their way to you. You deserve to feel better, not just now but always.

Happy Solstice.

-Elana

[Perna]

We were away for the middle of December and I got cards and gifts out before I left (the 5th) so I don't feel very stressed but kind of miss something. I only have one stupid gift for DH and we don't do a tree anyway as we don't have space and have two cats

I discussed the lack of even presents around and DH said it was good we weren't spending money but I'd like some sort of acknowledgment. We're probably going to my stepsister's for dinner Christmas Day and the day after we go up to DH's brother's house with other family members so I'll have parties enough and not have to do any work toward them.

But I still feel a bit sad.

[Michah]

When faced with the onslaught of Xmas, I don my kevlar vest and 18 hole boots, put paint on my face and wait for the enemy

I love Xmas, but am totally drained by the experience. Put the tree up if you can. I do every year regardless of how I feel, even if my family finds me a shivering, blubbering mess under the tree on Xmas morning.

You might be surprised at how much that shining tree and the joy it brings to your kids, brings you a bit further out of the funk.

Take good care of your precious selves, and remember to find time to "reboot".

Michah

[altacleo]

I know how you feel. No family that has the time to come here, or invite me anywhere. I didn't even put out Christmas pillows this yr. Oh, well, its about over, and I can't wait to see the end of those damn movies about hope, family, and love.
Altacleo

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by lynn P.

I know how you feel - I haven't done anything yet and I could live without christmas too. I have 2 daughters though who like it, so I make the effort for them.

I think part of my feelings come from a long time ago when I was young. I used to get many gifts but my mother was very moody around Xmas because my father died close to Xmas. I remembered seeing her sad and this put a damper on Xmas for me. Now I try to put my feelings on hold because I don't want to repeat history. Try to keep things simple so you don't feel over whelmed. Buy some board games/crafts projects and play them together.

Same thing here. We buried my stepdad on Christmas eve and it changed Christmas forever.

[ayana95]

My daughter insisted on us putting up the tree. She's 15 and still believes in christmas. (she has autism). She believes in Santa. I am vey stressed out.

The only thing about I look forward to for christmas these days is getting together with my family that I havn't seen in awhile and eating good food. My parents still stress out over gifts though even though my brother and I insist that we really aren't the kids we used to be so it's ok. It's not like we need the latest toy and we're not addicted to the latest gadgets like some people our age. I remember last year I spent almost all the money I had received on christmas on books! I havn't even read them all yet!

UGH! I usually am ok with it too, but this year, I'm so tired of listening to christmas music. To me it's more like, "Why are we still listening to music about this great farce like it's important?" I mean, really? It's like mass media influencing a tiny location. What the hell? If it's about family get togethers, that's cool, but don't make it become law or anything, we'll be who we'll be and no body has the right to tell us we're wrong. SO we have to learn to show the same amount of respect to everyone.