How do people enjoy Christmas?

[Darcy03231]

I love Christmas! Its truly my favorite holiday. I shop year round and wrap as I buy so I don't get overwhelmed right before Christmas. All the decorating is done over the Thanksgiving holiday. I don't buy for anyone I don't want to and we don't go anywhere on Christmas Day. Whoever wants to celebrate is welcome to come to my house and if they don't want to come - no hard feelings. My family does its big celebration the Sunday before Christmas (they're an hour away) and DH's family lives 18 hours away and really don't celebrate at all (his nephew died at Christmas time - niether his sister nor his mother has really recovered and understandably have a hard time this time of year).

 

[momrek06]

That sounds great! I took Kendall to her first casino over the summer. We went to the Hard Rock in Tampa. We had a blast playing the slots together. I won $2500 on a slot. I may have to plan a Vegas trip for us after Kendall graduates in May!

Have a wonderful time!

Thanks, Peg!! We are excited!!

$2500 WIN!!!!!!! How cool is that!!!!!!

Kendall is already a Senior.....my Lord, Peg, I remember when she was accepted and heading off to college.......my, my, does time ever fly!!!

Happy Holidays to you and Kendall!!!

 

[arminnie]

It's Christmas? Really?

So many other things have been going on in my life since Thanksgiving this year that I feel like I'm watching a Christmas movie in the summer time. I haven't even thought to be bummed (or relieved) just so surreal. Anyone else have this happen to them?

Going through this right now. I am half way through moving from the house to a condo. Nothing has been done for Christmas at all except for the gifts for out of town that I ordered online a few weeks ago.

I am sitting in my dad's hospital room as I write this. He had a massive stroke a few days ago. He was not expected to live more than a few hours. There is NO chance of recovery. He is not on any life support but that 88 year old heart just keeps on beating. This could last another week.

I am surprisingly calm about all of this.

 

[Feralpeg]

Going through this right now. I am half way through moving from the house to a condo. Nothing has been done for Christmas at all except for the gifts for out of town that I ordered online a few weeks ago.

I am sitting in my dad's hospital room as I write this. He had a massive stroke a few days ago. He was not expected to live more than a few hours. There is NO chance of recovery. He is not on any life support but that 88 year old heart just keeps on beating. This could last another week.

I am surprisingly calm about all of this.

 

[Sparx]

I love christmas. i love shopping, and decorating, and wrapping, and visiting. i've been christmas shopping since august, and my tree was up (and decorated) before halloween. i LOVE christmas, its my favorite holiday.

 

[mumom95]

Thanks for your wonderful response. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and personal experiences. It helps hearing all the different perspectives.

I like the thought of saying no in THEORY. The thought of actually putting it into practice however, practically gives me hives. If I were to say no to running around and seeing all of my husband's family, I can't help but think it would cause more problems then it would solve. My husband would be put in a terribly awkward situation, his family would be more upset with me than usual, and other extended family would be caught in the middle. Does that make sense?

I understand where you are coming from and yes, if you say no, the first year won't be easy. And the second year, while easier, still won't be a walk in the park. But you know, after a couple of years they get the hint and get over it.

You just have to decide, do you want a couple of years of a tough holiday season and then the rest are the way you want them. Or do you want to spend the next 20 years hating the holiday season.

If they love you, they aren't going to disown you because you are choosing to do what makes you happy. They'll eventually get it.

But yes, it is much easier said then done.

 

[C.Ann]

I understand where you are coming from and yes, if you say no, the first year won't be easy. And the second year, while easier, still won't be a walk in the park. But you know, after a couple of years they get the hint and get over it.

You just have to decide, do you want a couple of years of a tough holiday season and then the rest are the way you want them. Or do you want to spend the next 20 years hating the holiday season.

If they love you, they aren't going to disown you because you are choosing to do what makes you happy. They'll eventually get it.

But yes, it is much easier said then done.

I agree.. It has to start sometime - and the longer you put it off, the harder it will be..

If you think it's too difficult - or will be too much of a "shock" for them - start small - just change one or two things this year.. Next year add a few more.. Continue on in that manner until you finally have the happy, relaxed, carefree holiday season that you truly want (and deserve)..

Good luck!

 

[bigbabyblues]

I like to grill with christmas music on!

I had to reply to this one.....we grilled breakfast at the IL's one Christmas morning in the snow because the power was out. It was so much fun, one of our favorite Christmases! (Thank goodness for the woodstove to heat with!)

I was starting to get overwhelmed this year too, but it seems to mostly have passed. We don't have many obligations or invitations to do, and I think that helps. The bad weather coming this weekend is stressing me out, but I'm trying to ignore it.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I had to reply to this one.....we grilled breakfast at the IL's one Christmas morning in the snow because the power was out. It was so much fun, one of our favorite Christmases! (Thank goodness for the woodstove to heat with!)

I was starting to get overwhelmed this year too, but it seems to mostly have passed. We don't have many obligations or invitations to do, and I think that helps. The bad weather coming this weekend is stressing me out, but I'm trying to ignore it.

what is this snow you speak of?
I think you might be talking about that stuff that we have in the ski areas!

(78 degrees today!!)I have taken to cooking all the bacon we use on the grill
gridle, so the bacon smell dosn't overwhelm the christmas tree smell!!!

 

[Lucky4me]

I'm sorry you're feeling this way. I have been there for many years, most of my adult life really.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we skipped Christmas last year.
It ended up being one of the better ones we've had. Four hundred miles from home, no tree, no extended family and no presents. We had a quiet dinner, played board games and watched movies. We were just so happy to be together, nothing else mattered.
This year we're home and things are back to normal. Except for Christmas. Last year allowed me to change things up. I cut out anything I did not enjoy or that had become an obligation. No one cared when we didn't buy them gifts last year, so I cut our gift list in half this year. We've spent more time just hanging out and less time running around. Decorating and baking has been fun. I can't wait for Christmas eve and day.
A year ago I didn't know if my husband would live to see another Christmas, so this one is going to be very special!