Does anyone feel like not celebrating this year?

[MamaMootz]

Or is it just me?

Honestly, the holidays seem like more of a burden than a joyful time this year. We overspent, my husband has to work Christmas Eve, our families are back on the east coast and we can't fly out to see them due to lack of vacation time/funds.

I don't want to ruin it for DD so I'll try to keep my lack of enthusiasm hidden, but it's all just ... ugh.

Anyone else feeling this way?

[grinningcomb]

Not this year but I did 2 years ago.  I was afraid I was getting to the point that the holiday just wasn't holding as much charm as it did when I was younger.  But last year and this year I'm loving it again. 

here are some *hugs* and know that it's alright to not feel like celebrating every now and then.  I hope things do look up for you.

[Bibliophile]

I always gain weight when I'm expecting a visit from my mom...  I stress about it too much and she always gets on me about weight and the thought of it makes me feel worse so...  I love the cooking portion of the holidays, but hate the clean up portion because the only one who helps is DH - the rest of my family (guests) are content to just make messes for me to clean up.  Plus, we'll have to drive into downtown on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.  This is about 45 minutes from my house to downtown and I hate the drive.  Argh. 

[FoxPaws]

It's not just you.

I am nursing a cold/flu and feel like reindeer poop; my bed broke and I had to disassemble the whole thing and am now sleeping on the mattress on the floor; my mom, sister, and I are in charge of the family Christmas and can't quite seem to get it together; I didn't get the vacation time off that I asked for; I still haven't finished my shopping, despite only having to buy for three people; AND I don't bake, which means I have no cookies to go with my Christmas whine.  

I'm looking forward to January 2nd.  

(The PP is right - some years are better than others. Perfect Christmases are an Evil Urban Myth.)

[rashea]

What parts of the holiday do you enjoy? Do you hate the shopping, but like to bake? Do you hate wrapping, but love caroling?

It might not work for this year, but try to figure out what parts you would enjoy if you weren't so stressed out and then try to eliminate the things that stress you out. If you have someone you are close to (spouse, family, friend) see if you can't compare lists, then try to share duties. Maybe you love to bake, and they love to wrap, so take care of each other's responsibilities.

Simplify, I had to do this 2 years ago, it has saved the holidays for me.

Now, if I could just figure out how to deal with my crazy extended family...

[AprilRenee]

I can't WAIT for the holidays to be over. I'm tired, stressed I have to work Christmas eve night, Christmas morning, and Christmas night. My husband has to work Christmas eve. I am NOT finding any charm in the masses of people shopping, and I can't wait for the day where I can run into a store and grab one thign and leave, all within 5 minutes again, instead of having to battle the crowds to get my stuff and then wait in a 20 minute line, all for a gallon of milk.

I am a scrooge this year

[Waltraud]

I do - at least a little. But in my family Christmas is a fairly low-key event, just tree, a few small presents and lots of nice food. Thanks Mom, BTW!

It's the few weeks before Christmas that make me dread the holiday itself. Usually, by the time the 24th finally arrives, the whole family is sooo fed up with hearing those horrid "secular" Christmas songs in shops and on TV, seeing blinking lights and lurid decorations everywhere ...

... and if I come across one more charity event and/or childrens' choir I swear I'll scream!!!

*deep breath*

Yes, I will celebrate Christmas with my family but boy am I glad it will be over soon.

Feeling grinchy

Waltraud

[Waltraud]

Sorry, but WOW!

Four new replies while I was struggling to make sense in English. Somebody has hit a nerve, it seems...

Celebrating UnChristmas

Waltraud

[Sabbyfrog2]

You are not alone. I use to feel pretty blase EVERY Holiday. I think that is because Holidays in my family and step family are for the kids and I was not really allowed to participate in ANYTHING. Seriously. I was not allowed to help cook, clean, serve, open presents, anything, despite my consistant offering. I was just expected to show up, eat, sit and watch the kids (half of whom I do not know very well and am not really related too) open thier gifts, then go home. BOOOOORRRIIINNNGGGG!

The past few years though I had been on my own and loved it. I got the whole apt to myself. (Roomies were out of town) Just me and the dog. I worked on Christmas Eve because I wasn't gooing home so the extra money helped. I got out early and went home and I made my self my favorite dish, drank some wine, and curled up with my favorite Holiday movie "White Christmas". My grammpa and I had this tradition to watch it every Christams Eve but not so much anymore when I moved out. I still do though.

This year, FH and I are actually together and with HIS family so we will see how it goes. 

[purplemuse]

I'm looking forward to parts of Christmas, but...

I've just been diagnosed with an as yet to be determined anxiety disorder/depression, and while in theory my mom is supportive, in practicality, it feels sometimes like she's trying to talk me out of having these problems (if that makes any sense).

So I'm scared that if there's an event that I can't handle, and inform her that I can't handle it, I'm going to get told to "suck it up and deal," and/or get into a huge argument over it, thereby making Christmas unpleasant for everyone else.

[GunStreetGirl]

Same here.  I feel like I'm too young to have my own traditions, but it's what I would like.  Working Christmas eve, my boyfriend's job is looking pretty bad for 2008, his dad (whom we live with) lost his job this year so everyone is struggling to pay the bills.  His mother is in poor health and now has no insurance.  I won't see much of my family at all.  It's just not that exciting. 

Then there's the people who are shopping around me all "I MUST HAVE A PURPLE CERAMIC GOURD FOR MY COUSINS SECOND EX-STEP DAUGHTER-IN-LAW RIGHT NOW!" running red lights and causing accidents because they can't be 10 seconds later to buy the latest tickle-me-furby-wii. 

Wow, okay!  I'll be moving to my cave soon.  Here's to a better 2008!

[unicornbee]

The last few years have been pretty blah. Last year was the best one of the last 4 (including this year). The first two my dad was unemployed so things were very stressed. Doesn't make for much of a merry time in my family. Last Christmas Dad had a job, i had a new boyfriend, my younger brother had just dumped his crazy ex, so all was good. This year, DF is stressed because he is working 2 jobs and just doesn't feel like he can get ahead, so I pick up on that stress and just haven't felt very festive.
Writing this makes me want to cry because I love this season so much, I want to enjoy it this year. Not even listening to tran-siberian orchestra is getting me into a festive mood.

[blue2000]

Nope. Not going out of my way to be festive. I am a grinch.

I celebrated this year by getting two albums of decent Christmas music to drown out the dreck the store is playing. That is as much holiday spirit as I can drum up.

I will be going (under protest) to visit the family for Christmas lunch and Boxing day dinner. I have presents for the kids, and they will be cute as anything.

The adults will likely be gossipy, vicious, and treat me like I'm invisible.

But then I get to come home and cuddle with my kitties, have some nice treats, and celebrate the fact that my obligations are over and I can just be by myself!!

[Cyradis]

I'm feeling a bit let down this year too; I'm an only child and most of my extended family has moved abroad. I love my parents more than anything but I miss the big family Christmases we used to have. I miss Christmas lunch with my dad's parents and the afternoon at mum's sister's home. I'm tired of being afraid of the escalating crime rate island wide and ever rising prices. * pulls self back from verging on the political *

And silliest of all I'm sad because I haven't seen any of those adorable old fashioned Christmas specials. I want my Jack Frost and Year without a Santa Claus! 

[Scritzy]

I never look forward to Christmas. I was doing better this year because I did all my shopping early. But now I'm stressed over the first family gathering on Saturday, I felt like roadkill yesterday (bursting into tears every five mintues) and I'm absolutely furious with my sister. So it started out okay but I'm just waiting for THE DAY when Chip and I can be alone, open presents and play with our new toys.

I start my new exercise program on January 2. Good way to start the new year.