xmas cuts-from your gift list and such

[miss missy]

I know every year we cut more and more buying, but this year seems no one is into it at all. I just decorated the house, 2 weeks late for me and I did it kicking and screamin'! I usually love xmas time, this year I am so not into it. I will do it as usual for my DD and GD who are still young, but if it wasn't for them, I think I would really stop how much I do. WHY is my spirit so low this year??? I was in WDW last week and enjoyed the decor so much, came home and bah humbug!

Who else is seeing or feeling this way? Is it money or the spirit that is the problem?

 

[LMO429]

I have to admit that I don't have the typical xmas cheer that I usually feel this time of year. I think it has to do with the fact that I am not use to it getting dark so early. today it was dark at 4:30pm. I think the fact that they extended day lights savings time is seriously messing with me. It seems odd to me as well my reasoning but I just can not get use to it and it's the only thing that I can pinpoint that has changed for me recently

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I pulled the fake Christmas tree out of the basement, set it up (no ornaments...no reason, no kids at home), bought a few things for the kids, wrapped them, and now I feel like I'm done...is it January yet? It's really sad...I usually love the lights and the glitz, and the pretty white snow.

For me, it's the bad economic news, and the state of my own personal finances, and just a stressful year all around. I simply don't have the energy to get all "ho-ho-ho".

 

[miss missy]

I have to admit that I don't have the typical xmas cheer that I usually feel this time of year. I think it has to do with the fact that I am not use to it getting dark so early. today it was dark at 4:30pm. I think the fact that they extended day lights savings time is seriously messing with me. It seems odd to me as well my reasoning but I just can not get use to it and it's the only thing that I can pinpoint that has changed for me recently

Well I don't see light all week myself I work 3rd shift, I see day light on my ride home in the am, but am usually looking for bed and don't care. Then we I wake up, its dark. I still make myself go out every night, to get out for a bit with my daughter. But the winter is tough for me, I NEED DAY LIGHT for energy!! In the summer, I am happy and go go go, in the winter I fight the urdge to not leave the house.

But I feel better I got the decor up Now the tree is next. I havent started shopping, so I am not feeling it.

I an't wait for GD to come over though, she is gonna love all the talking xmas stuff!!! That gets a smile from me for now!

 

[miss missy]

I pulled the fake Christmas tree out of the basement, set it up (no ornaments...no reason, no kids at home), bought a few things for the kids, wrapped them, and now I feel like I'm done...is it January yet? It's really sad...I usually love the lights and the glitz, and the pretty white snow.

For me, it's the bad economic news, and the state of my own personal finances, and just a stressful year all around. I simply don't have the energy to get all "ho-ho-ho".

January usually is the worse time for me. After all xmas is done, I usually am bummed its over and its cold and dark for months. This year, I am sort of looking forward to the down time of it.

The bad ecomony it a sad thing for sure. I hate that some of us in the world can have too much while other don't have basics. I have never been able to grasp how we can let that happen.

How did you like the snow today? Its freaking cold out!!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Well having a 3 year old around has me having to still go full out Christmas but I have to admit I do love it. However all my friends at work yesterday were feeling this same way. Saying how it is just about the wrong things and what not. I think it might have something to do with the state of the economy and the nation because alot of people are feeling this way.

 

[miss missy]

Well having a 3 year old around has me having to still go full out Christmas but I have to admit I do love it. However all my friends at work yesterday were feeling this same way. Saying how it is just about the wrong things and what not. I think it might have something to do with the state of the economy and the nation because alot of people are feeling this way.

True! ANd it is always better when there are kids around you too. My DD is 15, so its different now, my GD is onli 15 months, so she doesn't know yet. But nexy year will be a blast with her!

I wonder if it would be better to have it every other year wouldnt that be FUN! lol

 

[SamIAm21]

We usually have a grand Frasier Fir tree for Christmas and this year, it's a 5 1/2 Scotch Pine. We will not be sending Christmas cards and I'm also decorating kicking and screaming. I'm going to have a Blue Christmas, that's for sure. The only one receiving gifts this year is Megan. I had to cancel our cruise and we are sooo sad about that too!

Not only did I lose my job, they robbed me of Christmas this year too and honestly, that is just the worst.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I had the worst case of the blues ever this year, right around the daylight time change. When we got the outdoor Christmas lights up after Thanksgiving, things started to turn around for me. Having been out of work for so long really had gotten me down to the point I couldn't get back up without a little help.

Sam - I totally felt the same way last Christmas, when I had already been told I was being let go in January. The reality of how things are in the world really does put a damper on it. I'm blessed to have the girls, as they are too young to know anything of the world and it's displeasures. Their pure eyes really help. We have toys and clothes for their Christmas, but have foregone anything for ourselves, except one thing - I've sold enough soaps this year to pay for at least 1 AP renewal to DL and that means we can budget for the other 2. That will be our best gift to ourselves, as it means we can provide several days the entertainment for the girls without breaking the bank (we can go for the entire day and only spend $20).

Hang in there. It'll be better!

 

[dustyraye]

I have had trouble with the winter blues for years, and the doctors finally put a name on it - Seasonal Affective Disorder. The shorter period of daylight is definitely a issue for me. I've found that if I make a point to get outside in the light for at least part of the day, it can make a huge difference. (You may also want to talk to your doc about vitamins/herbal supplements that may help - for me B Complex helps.)

No tree for us this year. We just adopted 4 new fur babies, including 2 kittens under 6 months old, so putting up a tree would just be tempting fate.

I haven't seen many people with lights on thier houses yet this year. Usually, we start to see them Thankgiving weekend, with a lot of them up by the first weekend in December, so hopefully I'll see more on the drive home from work tonight. That always helps with my holiday spirit.

As for gifts & shopping, the list has gotten a lot smaller over the years. This year, other than my DP, it's just my parents and some small gifts for older relatives. My friends & I all agreed not to exchange gifts a few years ago, and instead we plan a night out some time in the new year. My DP & I agreed to a much smaller limit than usual this year, just enough to have something to open on Christmas, because we are trying to get ahead of our finances, in case the economy gets worse. If things stay OK with both of our jobs, we have some things planned for 2009, but we're going to wait and see how it goes before we spend the money.

 

[WaltD4Me]

ITA, I'm just not into it at all this year. I haven't put my tree up yet. I am excited because I got some really good "surprise" gifts for my nieces and nehphew, so I'm looking forward to their faces when they open them, but other than that... eh, not so much. I think it's mostly the weather has been cold and snowy early this year and the early dark. I need some sunshine!

I have been listening to a new Christmas CD that perks me up.
Have you heard about these guys...Straight No Chaser? They were an singing group in college and now 10 years later because an Atlantic Records executive saw this video on You Tube, they got a record deal!

Really, this is a nice Christmas Pick me up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

 

[disneym2m]

I think everyone is feeling IT this year. I noticed at the malls there aren't many decorations and my neighborhood is dark this year...usually it is full of bright colored lights.

The one thing we need to remember in this time of "crisis" is that we should still try to celebrate. Okay, gifts may be few but spending time with friends and family is what the Christmas season is all about. Take pictures, make a homemade scrapbook, play board games...just spend time together this year. That is what my family is doing this year. The presents are few but we are planning together time, with egg nog, music and games...and maybe a few pictures.

I also think that since Thanksgiving was a week later this year that also puts a damper on things. The Christmas season is shorter.

I know times are tough for all but try to do something festive if possible. The worst thing that can happen is that you don't celebrate OR do anything.

I hope everyone has a happy Holiday...no matter what your situation is...

 

[DLBDS]

Well, I'm lovin' Christmas this year. I have 3 trees up and the decorations are up around the house. This is my favorite time of year! Sure, we aren't spending as much (DH and I aren't buying stuff for ourselves...ya know, the stuff that Santa brings) but we're still doing ok financially. We're just being cautious. Knowing that others aren't fareing as well as we are, I have decided to donate a portion of my Star Wars/misc. toys collection to Toys For Tots this year. I figure their donations are gonna be low this year and they could probably use them. Now, I just need to stay away from eBay for awhile so I don't see what my Star Wars items are selling for. The TFT volunteers better not pluck my Star Wars toys for themselves. I'm kinda concerned about that but I won't let it stop me from donating.