Aa
Hate Christmas
I know this really isn't the place to post this but I know from reading the post on in this forum that you women can help.
I really can't remeber a time when I liked Christmas. Nother about it makes me happy. I dred the shopping, family get together, and how happy everyone is. I can't remember a any certain thing happening other then crapy things aways seem to happen on Christmas.
My question is does anyone have any advice to help get me out of this hole I can't seem to get out of? Because if it was up to me in our house we wouldn't celabrate Christmas.
I really can't remeber a time when I liked Christmas. Nother about it makes me happy. I dred the shopping, family get together, and how happy everyone is. I can't remember a any certain thing happening other then crapy things aways seem to happen on Christmas.
My question is does anyone have any advice to help get me out of this hole I can't seem to get out of? Because if it was up to me in our house we wouldn't celabrate Christmas.
Cataptra
Jesus IS NOT the reason for the season and folks should stop with that. Christmas was originally called Yule and celebrated life of all things, not some mythological person that was not even born on Dec. 25. This has more to do with other factors, but don't have my reference material here at the moment. Christians stole the holiday Yule and renamed it, then added Jesus to it. It's no wonder so many people that ARE NOT Christian find that Christmas leaves a bad taste in their mouth. I celebrate Yule and the equinoxes, not some person named Jesus birth, because that is just way to far off from the truth.
SWFarmersWife
I love Christmas, but let me tell you why and I think I can help you.
First: Don't worry about why Christmas is celebrated. Christmas just is and it certainly beats the crap out of a funeral for family and people you car about to get together. Christmas giving makes sure that at least once a year someone gets a present--many times that is the only time people receive a gift--even if it is only food--which is a marvelous gift. Historically Christmas is the middle of winter and a good time to put on a few extra pounds to secure one's health against lean times. Now about yourself. There is nothing wrong with stopping activity that you hate, doing things you like, and finding a compromise with your family and friends. I have given myself the gift of never celebrating Christmas again at my sister-in-law's house. I do go there during the season, but I don't open presents there. I asked each of my family members exactly what about Christmas activities they liked the best/least. I then tailored the season to match. My husband hates formal Christmas meals and my family loves them. With the compromise, he only has to endure one every four years. This year we made a huge pot of minestrone soup the night before and ate on it all Christmas day. That and a cake to nibble and we were all happy. Maybe you'd like to celebrate the night before when the lights are beautiful after a nice soup supper with everyone all snuggly. We've done that and it is beautiful and fun. I haven't had a tree for years. We have a sled we stack the presents on. I took pictures of the decorations last year so that this year all I had to do was look at last year's pictures and put the decorations which have been pared down to only the ones we love, back in their place--decoration time--less than one hour. I expect put up time to be less. I also belong to flylady.net and by following her suggestions I've had the best two Christmases of my adult life the last two years. Here's the holiday page of her website. http://www.flylady.net/d/cruising-through-the-holidays/ The next thing to do is make sure you get enough time outside in the fresh air blowing the 'stink off' as an old woman I used to know would say. I think it blows the stink out of our daily dismay. Nothing better than fresh air to perk anyone up a bit. A little fun music too. My husband hates Christmas music, so we don't play it when he's in the house. But that doesn't limit us to other fits of glee. Read joke books like Calvin. We have that in the bathrooms at our farm scale house during harvest because everyone needs an attitude adjustment when the mercury hits over 113 degrees in the shade.
If you don't want to decorate, go to a mall with a book to read and your favorite drink, and sit listening to the music. You can enjoy the efforts someone else made. Look at people too if you like. They all walk differently if you watch them. Some like horses, some like ducks, some like....well, you get the idea. Or delegate the jobs of Christmas to those who would like to do them. Of my daughters, one does all the shopping for the other! She gets paid in pedicures!
Now in defense of Commercial Christmas. The merchants all need an opportunity to have a deadline they change the merchandise out for the new models. We farm folk need a date to know when the store will have them so that we can go and take a look. It is nice to have a time the new merchandise will go on sale! Mid-winter would really suck without a reason for feasting. The feast needn't be much--just some fudge. But if that is the only time you get fudge, then you really look forward to it.
Travel: My family doesn't do it for Holidays but once in a while. Generally we have them floating through whenever they can. It is dangerous and costly to travel. However if that is what floats your family's boat, then that's a wonderful thing.
Feasting: Save for each Holiday the list your family makes of their favorite feast food. Make some of it. If it is costly, make only a little and celebrate it special. Do not make Holiday food the rest of the year. If you can plan ahead, most food ingredients will last a year. Buy them during the year on sale and stash them in a box under your bed or somewhere with a stable medium temperature until time to create. My mother in law had the driest turkey but the best leftovers. We serve turkey leftovers at the main meal now which is great because it can be made a couple of weeks in advance and is very tasty.
Christmas cards: I send them out on years I have time. I don't worry over something wonderful to write. Quite often I send a Christmas joke or enclose a cartoon. I set in a cafe booth for an afternoon drinking coffee or hot chocolate and do the whole job at once. It is wonderful to have someone wait on you while you do something simple that takes time. This year was not a Christmas card year. Wouldn't it be nice if someone invented After Christmas Cards? I see a source of humor there.
Finally: Past Christmases do not dictate future ones. The past is gone. The future really is what you make of it. If you have things, people, habits or thoughts that deny you happiness, consider either finding your former joy in them or discarding them or limiting your exposure to them. Find a small patch of fun and make it grow.
Best and Warm Regards to All.
N
First: Don't worry about why Christmas is celebrated. Christmas just is and it certainly beats the crap out of a funeral for family and people you car about to get together. Christmas giving makes sure that at least once a year someone gets a present--many times that is the only time people receive a gift--even if it is only food--which is a marvelous gift. Historically Christmas is the middle of winter and a good time to put on a few extra pounds to secure one's health against lean times. Now about yourself. There is nothing wrong with stopping activity that you hate, doing things you like, and finding a compromise with your family and friends. I have given myself the gift of never celebrating Christmas again at my sister-in-law's house. I do go there during the season, but I don't open presents there. I asked each of my family members exactly what about Christmas activities they liked the best/least. I then tailored the season to match. My husband hates formal Christmas meals and my family loves them. With the compromise, he only has to endure one every four years. This year we made a huge pot of minestrone soup the night before and ate on it all Christmas day. That and a cake to nibble and we were all happy. Maybe you'd like to celebrate the night before when the lights are beautiful after a nice soup supper with everyone all snuggly. We've done that and it is beautiful and fun. I haven't had a tree for years. We have a sled we stack the presents on. I took pictures of the decorations last year so that this year all I had to do was look at last year's pictures and put the decorations which have been pared down to only the ones we love, back in their place--decoration time--less than one hour. I expect put up time to be less. I also belong to flylady.net and by following her suggestions I've had the best two Christmases of my adult life the last two years. Here's the holiday page of her website. http://www.flylady.net/d/cruising-through-the-holidays/ The next thing to do is make sure you get enough time outside in the fresh air blowing the 'stink off' as an old woman I used to know would say. I think it blows the stink out of our daily dismay. Nothing better than fresh air to perk anyone up a bit. A little fun music too. My husband hates Christmas music, so we don't play it when he's in the house. But that doesn't limit us to other fits of glee. Read joke books like Calvin. We have that in the bathrooms at our farm scale house during harvest because everyone needs an attitude adjustment when the mercury hits over 113 degrees in the shade.
If you don't want to decorate, go to a mall with a book to read and your favorite drink, and sit listening to the music. You can enjoy the efforts someone else made. Look at people too if you like. They all walk differently if you watch them. Some like horses, some like ducks, some like....well, you get the idea. Or delegate the jobs of Christmas to those who would like to do them. Of my daughters, one does all the shopping for the other! She gets paid in pedicures!
Now in defense of Commercial Christmas. The merchants all need an opportunity to have a deadline they change the merchandise out for the new models. We farm folk need a date to know when the store will have them so that we can go and take a look. It is nice to have a time the new merchandise will go on sale! Mid-winter would really suck without a reason for feasting. The feast needn't be much--just some fudge. But if that is the only time you get fudge, then you really look forward to it.
Travel: My family doesn't do it for Holidays but once in a while. Generally we have them floating through whenever they can. It is dangerous and costly to travel. However if that is what floats your family's boat, then that's a wonderful thing.
Feasting: Save for each Holiday the list your family makes of their favorite feast food. Make some of it. If it is costly, make only a little and celebrate it special. Do not make Holiday food the rest of the year. If you can plan ahead, most food ingredients will last a year. Buy them during the year on sale and stash them in a box under your bed or somewhere with a stable medium temperature until time to create. My mother in law had the driest turkey but the best leftovers. We serve turkey leftovers at the main meal now which is great because it can be made a couple of weeks in advance and is very tasty.
Christmas cards: I send them out on years I have time. I don't worry over something wonderful to write. Quite often I send a Christmas joke or enclose a cartoon. I set in a cafe booth for an afternoon drinking coffee or hot chocolate and do the whole job at once. It is wonderful to have someone wait on you while you do something simple that takes time. This year was not a Christmas card year. Wouldn't it be nice if someone invented After Christmas Cards? I see a source of humor there.
Finally: Past Christmases do not dictate future ones. The past is gone. The future really is what you make of it. If you have things, people, habits or thoughts that deny you happiness, consider either finding your former joy in them or discarding them or limiting your exposure to them. Find a small patch of fun and make it grow.
Best and Warm Regards to All.
N
I was feeling overwhelmed as well...until I got this email today!!Who started Christmas?
On the radio this morning, I heard a story about a woman who was Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys, and everything else imaginable and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.
As they headed toward the elevator, she was feeling what so many of us feel during the Christmas holiday. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every openhouse, taste all the holiday food and treats, and get that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.
Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the elevator. She pushed her way into the elevator and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff.
When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should
be found, strung up and shot."
From the back of the elevator she heard a quiet calm voice respond,
"Don't worry, we already crucified him."
For the rest of the trip down in the elevator it was so quiet you could
have heard a pin drop. Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.
On the radio this morning, I heard a story about a woman who was Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys, and everything else imaginable and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.
As they headed toward the elevator, she was feeling what so many of us feel during the Christmas holiday. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every openhouse, taste all the holiday food and treats, and get that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.
Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the elevator. She pushed her way into the elevator and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff.
When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should
be found, strung up and shot."
From the back of the elevator she heard a quiet calm voice respond,
"Don't worry, we already crucified him."
For the rest of the trip down in the elevator it was so quiet you could
have heard a pin drop. Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.
Actually, xmas is notorious for being a difficult time of year; therapists work overtime during the entire month. Seriously. The truth is, real life almost never lives up to all the xmas myths about happy families and happy times, lol.
HEY IT ALL WHAT YOU MAKE IT...IT CAN BE HAPPY WITH NO GIFTS AND ALOT OF LOVE
LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT!!
LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT!!
Joanna.i could not agree more.it is about the kids. I do buy for my family members only because my side of the family is very small but i limit it to $10 gifts. Like this year i went and had Christmas pics of the kids made and framed them and i am giving them as gifts. Too much money is wasted on gifts that people do not appreciate when it could be spent on the kids. I know the memories i have of Christmas was riding around looking at lights and going to Christmas caroling and parades ect. but it is so strange now(at least where i live) i take the kids to look at lights and there are none. I do not understand. Its like people are not even taking the time to decorate anymore to celebrate and i took them to a parade and the whole thing was nothing but was beauty pagent queens(which i could not give a flip about) or stuff that had nothing to do with Christmas. Not even any music! Just people advertising. I got so disgusted i just left. anyway......thanks for letting me vent!
Blondie.........that is so true..and thankyou soooooomuch for sharing! I am going to print that out and read it before dinner at Christmas at our house just to remind mt family and myself what Christmas is about. Thanks!
Blondie.........that is so true..and thankyou soooooomuch for sharing! I am going to print that out and read it before dinner at Christmas at our house just to remind mt family and myself what Christmas is about. Thanks!
I love that--I just received it via email also.
That is the true meaning of Christmas, and if we can't find joy in that, then what's the point of it all anyway??
Have a great day everyone!
That is the true meaning of Christmas, and if we can't find joy in that, then what's the point of it all anyway??
Have a great day everyone!
I hope this does NOT offend anyone but I was hoping this would help. Our Pastor used this in his sermon last Sunday & it brought a tear to my eye. Take Care
Remember My Birthday????!!!!!!
As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.
It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.
I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation.
The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face......... and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me.
Since I was not invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a great time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying : "Santa Claus, Santa Claus"... as if the party were in his honor !
At 12 midnight all the people began to hug each other ; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and .... do you know .... no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me.
What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one ? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.
I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invitation, will be left outside.
Do you know how you can answer this invitation? it is by extending it to others whom you care for...
I'll be waiting for all of you to attend my party this year...
See you soon . I love you !
-Jesus-
Remember My Birthday????!!!!!!
As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.
It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.
I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation.
The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face......... and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me.
Since I was not invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a great time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying : "Santa Claus, Santa Claus"... as if the party were in his honor !
At 12 midnight all the people began to hug each other ; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and .... do you know .... no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me.
What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one ? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.
I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invitation, will be left outside.
Do you know how you can answer this invitation? it is by extending it to others whom you care for...
I'll be waiting for all of you to attend my party this year...
See you soon . I love you !
-Jesus-
For as long as I can remember, my mom ALWAYS baked a Birthday cake on Christmas Day and we always sang happy Birthday to Jesus. Now she is gone, but I have taken over the tradition and I know that my kids will do the same. My poor husband sisn't have a lot of traditions to bring to the marriage. His parents never gave them much and so when we got married he was a Scrooge. It only took one Christmas "my way" for him to see what it was supposed to be like. And in the past 18 years we have created so many of our own traditions. First one up on Christmas Eve morning that calls out "CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT" gets to open a special gift that is actually for the entire family. Like dinner at Red Lobster or Hockey Tickets.. It serves another purpose which is to get the kids up early so that they are realy tired on Christmas Eve night and will sleep so that Santa can do his work.. Sneaky heeheehee. I LOVE Christmas. The feeling that I get seeing my kids so excited. The innocence in their hearts and souls. The caroling. The giving. I could go on all day. We can NEVER afford Christmas, who can? From my first daughter's first Christmas, I have told EVERYONE not to expect gifts from us. We put the kids first and I am not going to go broke giving my complaining sister-in-law another gift basket of bath and shower products that she just doesn't need, nor appreciate. If they don't like it then oh well, too bad so sad.. My kids are IT. My husband and I hardly ever give each other a gift let alone someone that we don't even like and only talk to 2 or 3 times a year.
I digress..LOL Just had to add my 2 cents worth. To each his own! I hope the spirit of Christmas bites you on the hiney!LOL
Merry Christmas!
--J
I digress..LOL Just had to add my 2 cents worth. To each his own! I hope the spirit of Christmas bites you on the hiney!LOL
Merry Christmas!
--J
As I was reading, I wanted to post about SAD...and then saw that Andi already did. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a very real, and very treatable form of depression. It has to do with shorter days, less sunlight...very physiological reasons to become depressed. Please seek the help of a doctor...and maybe by Christmas, your spirits will be lifted. One word of advice, though. When I'm feeling down/sorry for myself, I ALWAYS try to do something nice for someone else. Go through the drive-thru at a local fast food place, and pay for the car behind you...and tell the cashier to say "the person in front of you said Merry Christmas". That is the best way to catch the Christmas spirit, by doing tangible things that help others.
Hopefully, you'll be feeling better soon----MH
Hopefully, you'll be feeling better soon----MH
I kinda' know what you mean, I worked as a florist for over 4 years and every holiday made me mad with all the rude people coming in. Valentine's Day was horrible, all these men who came in wanting the cheapest thing we had to their girlfriends/wives at the last minute, or the Christmas customers yelling and fighting over some stupid ceramic figurine we had on sale, it can make you really hate the holidays. I can't stand shopping either, but it really helps to have something going on for you and your family to celebrate Christmas. For instance, my family always goes to the Candlelight Service at our church on Christmas Eve. You need your own family traditions instead of abiding by other families traditions, that way it will take some stress off of you.
lol people arnt just like that at Christmas time its all year around. I work in a pharmacy and its my fault if your insurance pays certain copays for meds. We submit everything online and the insurance then tells us what to charge...lol..people!!!!!!
That is excellent advice!! We donate throughout the year to various charities, but I love Christmas as there are so many good charities out there like Toys 4 Tots, The Salvation Army (I keep a ton of change around for Jonathan to put in the buckets when we are out and about) I have gotten my oldest son into the spirit of giving. It is hard to explain to him (he just turned 4 today) how some kids don't get presents from Mommy and Daddy or Santa and that is why we give new toys to Toys 4 Tots. He is slowly catching on, in time I hope he realizes how wonderful it is.
Definitely look into SAD, for many years they just associated with places like Alaska, but they have realized it strikes many people globally. My dh's family has a really tough time with it. The good news is that light therapy has shown excellent results, so there may not be the need for medication. Just something to think about : )
Merry Christmas!!
Andi
Definitely look into SAD, for many years they just associated with places like Alaska, but they have realized it strikes many people globally. My dh's family has a really tough time with it. The good news is that light therapy has shown excellent results, so there may not be the need for medication. Just something to think about : )
Merry Christmas!!
Andi
lol KJSK, you just reminded me a few things. I didnt read your post before i did mine..
As you know, I work at a grocery store bakery, and man some people really know how to ruin your day. You just get some people who want to yell and complain at somebody. Since I work in a wealthy area, they treat retail people as pondscum. The nerve of some people!
You worked retail, it sucks. lol.
And then there's family... The joys of my moms blabber mouth telling everyone and anyone that I'm pregnant. Excuse me, it's my pregnancy, let me do the announcement! So our strict christian family knows that I'm unmarried, the WHOLE story of my relationship, and almost 4 months pregnant. Christmas Eve to me, is judgment day. Has been for years (being the black sheep). It's a "family obligation". It is what it is, an obligation.
K, so I vented..... Felt good. :-)
As you know, I work at a grocery store bakery, and man some people really know how to ruin your day. You just get some people who want to yell and complain at somebody. Since I work in a wealthy area, they treat retail people as pondscum. The nerve of some people!
You worked retail, it sucks. lol.
And then there's family... The joys of my moms blabber mouth telling everyone and anyone that I'm pregnant. Excuse me, it's my pregnancy, let me do the announcement! So our strict christian family knows that I'm unmarried, the WHOLE story of my relationship, and almost 4 months pregnant. Christmas Eve to me, is judgment day. Has been for years (being the black sheep). It's a "family obligation". It is what it is, an obligation.
K, so I vented..... Felt good. :-)
Another thing to consider is that it may be something more than the actual holiday, it is extremely common for people to get the "blues" this time of year. Seasonal Affect Disorder is a real thing and it happens more than people realize. It is just one more thing to add to the list of reasons why people become disenchanted with the holiday season, only this one has a physiological base.
Hopefully things will turn around for you. I love Christmas, it stresses me out,but I love to see the looks on my boys' faces when we drive around looking at Christmas lights, when they see the tree light up for the first time, and when they open their presents on Christmas morning. It is all worth it when I know that I have helped to create happy memories they will look back on for the rest of their lives.
Chin up, the season is only a few weeks and next thing you know it will be January ; )
Andi
Hopefully things will turn around for you. I love Christmas, it stresses me out,but I love to see the looks on my boys' faces when we drive around looking at Christmas lights, when they see the tree light up for the first time, and when they open their presents on Christmas morning. It is all worth it when I know that I have helped to create happy memories they will look back on for the rest of their lives.
Chin up, the season is only a few weeks and next thing you know it will be January ; )
Andi
Thank you all.
It really isn't the shopping I just hate to shop any time of your! I hate the thought of Christmas. I have tried to watch and listen to Christmas things. I hate to feel like this.
It really isn't the shopping I just hate to shop any time of your! I hate the thought of Christmas. I have tried to watch and listen to Christmas things. I hate to feel like this.
The girls are right about looking through the Bible for the real meaning of Christmas. Its really a beautiful story. :-)
But as the centries pass, 'Christmas' has become a marketing tool. And we love it. Dont lie, you LOVE to get preasents! :-)
Try a few things to make yourself feel good... Give some canned goods, and non perishables to a church, donate a few turkeys and gift baskets for needy familys. Buy or make some blankets for needy children. Fill a box with clothes amd toys your family has outgrown and give it to the salvation army.
Christmas is such a beautiful time of year. Yes the xmas tree, full stockings, preasents, food, eggnog, and the *SALES* or what-have-you is great, but the true meaning of christmas is something to make us all feel joyus. **Goosebumps just by thinking of it**
Scruge, the grinch, and the abdominable snow man all found the joys of giving..(although fictional)But Lighten up, enjoy the pleasures of love! :-D
But as the centries pass, 'Christmas' has become a marketing tool. And we love it. Dont lie, you LOVE to get preasents! :-)
Try a few things to make yourself feel good... Give some canned goods, and non perishables to a church, donate a few turkeys and gift baskets for needy familys. Buy or make some blankets for needy children. Fill a box with clothes amd toys your family has outgrown and give it to the salvation army.
Christmas is such a beautiful time of year. Yes the xmas tree, full stockings, preasents, food, eggnog, and the *SALES* or what-have-you is great, but the true meaning of christmas is something to make us all feel joyus. **Goosebumps just by thinking of it**
Scruge, the grinch, and the abdominable snow man all found the joys of giving..(although fictional)But Lighten up, enjoy the pleasures of love! :-D
i kind of know what you mean. i know i had great christmas's growing up. then i worked retail for 10 years while in college and after. the customers can sour the whole holiday season. they complain, rush, credit cards dont go through (and its my fault) stores open at the crack of dawn and close at midnight and its crowded.. once i left retail, it took me a couple years to begin to enjoy the holiday season again. then, i had a little girl. I began to enjoy it even more to see her excitement and enthusiasm about decorating, santa and all that. i do HATE the cold weather and snow and she enjoys it so she helps me in her own way to get through it. well, she's 4 now and i do not want to admit it but i am back to feeling the way i used to about christmas. my deal is that i do not like all of the social obligations that go along with it. there is too much going on with this side of the family having this and that side of the family having that. its a lot of pressure on me to try and please everyone when i would really just like to do what i want or stay home. then there are work parties, xmas cards to go out, spending $ that we dont have (and we even make decent $) fighting the crowds (although i discovered online shopping which helps).
i try to get in the spirit of things like even today my little one and i made xmas cards and decorated them. its just a very stressful time of year and when you are a home body like me and have a little social anxiety, it doesnt make for a happy time. i am not overly religous. i mean, we live our life accordingly but do not frequent church as much as we should. i try to think of it as celebrating jesus's birthday and avoid the commercialism but it is hard when most people "out there" are engulfed in it. i dont know what the answer is for you because like i said, i know how you feel. it will go by fast and this time of year is very hard for a lot of people. its more common than you think. i wish i knew a bit more about your situation like did something happen at xmas time for you? do you have kids? do you have some type of depression/anxiety? is money very tight and you feel obligated to buy? do you like/dislike winter? (its snowing here as i type)blah!
anyway, i hope you can keep your chin up and if you are of age (hee hee)..eat, "drink" and be merry. cheers!
post back.
i try to get in the spirit of things like even today my little one and i made xmas cards and decorated them. its just a very stressful time of year and when you are a home body like me and have a little social anxiety, it doesnt make for a happy time. i am not overly religous. i mean, we live our life accordingly but do not frequent church as much as we should. i try to think of it as celebrating jesus's birthday and avoid the commercialism but it is hard when most people "out there" are engulfed in it. i dont know what the answer is for you because like i said, i know how you feel. it will go by fast and this time of year is very hard for a lot of people. its more common than you think. i wish i knew a bit more about your situation like did something happen at xmas time for you? do you have kids? do you have some type of depression/anxiety? is money very tight and you feel obligated to buy? do you like/dislike winter? (its snowing here as i type)blah!
anyway, i hope you can keep your chin up and if you are of age (hee hee)..eat, "drink" and be merry. cheers!
post back.
Okay is this a trick question? are you the grinch??
JUST KIDDING
These posters are absolutely right!
Its about family, friends, spending time, NOT SHOPPING
Jesus is the reason for the season!
You know the littlest things are the best, when someone holds a door for you, when a baby smiles, just having a family,
be happy for food you have, a warm home, etc.... THIS is the important things NOT gifts under a tree..
It has become so commercialized and expensive!!
YOU GOT TO MAKE CHRISTMAS HAPPY!..ITS WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT
THAT YOU GET OUT OF IT...
WISHING YOU AND YOURS A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS ..MERRY CHRISTMAS!
JUST KIDDING
These posters are absolutely right!
Its about family, friends, spending time, NOT SHOPPING
Jesus is the reason for the season!
You know the littlest things are the best, when someone holds a door for you, when a baby smiles, just having a family,
be happy for food you have, a warm home, etc.... THIS is the important things NOT gifts under a tree..
It has become so commercialized and expensive!!
YOU GOT TO MAKE CHRISTMAS HAPPY!..ITS WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT
THAT YOU GET OUT OF IT...
WISHING YOU AND YOURS A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS ..MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I agree with the other posters. You might want to try just sitting and thinking about WHY we celebrate Christmas, and why you feel so bad about it. Read the book of Luke. I usually do that before Christmas, and it helps me get in the mood for Christmas more than shopping and decorating. Maybe attend a church Christmas pagent. In all this commercialism, it's really easy to forget the true meaning of the holiday. My mom used to work in retail, and for years she absolutely HATED Christmas. And it really bothered her, because she is a Christian, and that shouldn't happen. But she finally quit that job and her attitude towards Christmas has changed dramatically. Maybe you could wrap a bunch of gifts for underprivaleged children, and drop them off at their homes. We used to do that at my old job. We'd "adopt" different families and get a bunch of gifts, food, etc and drop them off. For different reasons, Christmas can be a time of great depression for a lot of people. They miss loved ones who have passed away, it brings back memories of once innocent times that are now gone forever, etc. It's a feeling that can be really hard to shake. And that feeling can also make people feel guilty. I hope some of these things we've posted can help you a little.
Christmas isnt about shopping Its about Jesus. Families should get together and be happy more than just at Christmas time. But this is a time of the year to remember the birth of Jesus. Its a time of Celebration!
This cite gives some ideas on where we got certain Christmas Traditions:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/christmas.htm
How was your childhood at Christmas time? If you dont have good memories of Christmas maybe that is why it is a dreaded time of year for you. Hope you find the answers your looking for!
Merry Christmas!
Jen
This cite gives some ideas on where we got certain Christmas Traditions:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/christmas.htm
How was your childhood at Christmas time? If you dont have good memories of Christmas maybe that is why it is a dreaded time of year for you. Hope you find the answers your looking for!
Merry Christmas!
Jen
Well, if you hate the shopping and the hoopla, dont do all of that. Everything that is done nowadays is commercialized Christmas. Christmas is supposed to be the day that the birth of Jesus is celebrated. You can do that at home with no hoopla. Try to think of it that way. You can celebrate Christmas the way it was celebrated before it was turned into the frenzy that it is today. Now dont get me wrong, I take part in all of the hubabalu, but I also take time with my family to appreciate the true reason Christmas is celebrated. Try that and see if it helps. Good luck.
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