Does anyone here NOT love Christmas?

[Hoot]

I hate to sound like such a Debbie Downer, but it seems like everyone is always raving about wonderful Christmas this and Christmas that this time of year. Does anyone else NOT love it, or am I the only one?

[Michelle My Bell]

I love Christmas so, not me!

[I.Dup.]

I love the spirit of Christmas and I loved it as a child. But I don't love everything I have to do around this time of year and all of the commercialism. There are SO many expectations around Christmas time and I've never been good with expectations.

[Mama Geek]

I love celebrating the birth of Christ, going to church and spending Christmas morning with my dd and dh. I hate all the stress, expectations and extended family issues that come with it. I hate that my mom has to work retail and we haven't spent Christmas with her in a very long time. We live in a different state than she does and she just can't get more than 1 or at most 2 days off at Christmas.

[Dana]

I'll join you.

 

I'm not a complete Scrooge, but the commercialism really bugs me. I hate seeing Christmas decorations up before Thanksgiving.

 

My folks are ministers, so Christmas and Easter were the busy times at their work.

I remember a LOT of rough Christmases. Issues with our expectations as kids knocking against the realities of the budget of ministers and the amount of work they'd be doing. One of my clearest memories of Christmas is yelling back and forth with my father in front of our lit Christmas tree about going to church, how I'd be dressed & how I'd behave. (That was for one of my mother's churches.)

 

My son's excited about Christmas & enjoys it.

We did Santa for a number of years and do celebrate. I've just got a lot of baggage with the holidays :)

[SunnyDays]

I enjoy the family get togethers and the *idea* of Christmas. As has already been mentioned, I dislike the expectations of Christmas, the constant deluge of advertisements, trying to come up with lots of good gift ideas... it all puts a lot of pressure on.

[Murphy101]

I dislike pretty much everything about Christmas.

 

Easter is my favorite.

[*********]

Well we don't do Christmas. So I'll sit with ya, OP. :D

[elegantlion]

I am not a fan. It's so much the season as the craziness and lately some of the financial pressure. I have told extended family our budget it tight and I don't want to make a big deal out of it, yet two people in my immediate family get bent out of shape and want a big gifts, food, stuff every year. Personally I'd like to go hide in a cave until the end of the year. Ironically, gifts is my love language, but it seems every year I get stuff that I don't need or want when really I'm thinking I would really just love an Amazon gift card. Yes, I give lists, but the people that buy for me like to shop and buy spontaneously a lot.

 

In the greater scheme I hate cold weather, property taxes are due, dh was in construction for years and holiday time is not a time when people want you working on their house.

 

Usually by the time we have money to buy gifts, we can't find what we want or it's too late to ship. This year we haven't even started shopping.

 

I'm holding my breath hoping dh doesn't buy a tree and I have to rearrange my entire living room. Ds doesn't care about the holiday so much either. It was more fun when he was little.

 

I did find Twinkies at the store yesterday and I'm wrapping the box up for my dad, who is about in mourning about Hostess.

 

Yes, I sound like a Scrooge and I feel like one, but I just want to scream STOP THE MADNESS!!! just in general, not to anyone in particular.

[Another Lynn]

I love good Christmas music.

 

I hate decorating. I hate buying, giving and receiving presents.

 

I hate disruptions to the regular routine.

 

If I'm going to have to interrupt the regular routine, I'd rather just sit on the beach. :coolgleamA: :D

[Harriet Vane]

I dread this season, every year. The rampant consumerism and kitschy plastic decorations and muzak everywhere are abrasive to the senses. I also hate the extra work (shopping, decorating, etc.) and snow and cold. Most of all, I hate the ugly family dynamics that come into play.

 

The saving grace, for me, is time with dh and the kids and dh's family. That's always fun.

[lewelma]

Ever since I moved to NZ 15 years ago, I love Christmas. No family, no presents to buy, no obligations, no tree, no busyness. My parents came last year and said they had the best Christmas they ever remember. Why, I ask, because it was so simple.

 

I think the answer is to "just say no." You have the power to make the holidays what you want. Do what you like and don't look back,

 

Ruth in NZ

[Georgiana Daniels]

Not a huge fan. It started when I worked in retail management and saw all the craziness, and for years I just couldn't get into it because while everyone was enjoying themselves, I was working my tail off.

 

Now my thoughts have evolved and I'm not crazy about it for different reasons, namely the fact that the real meaning--celebrating the Savior--is mostly lost in the commercialism and busyness. Plus there are so many expectations put on people and stress, which makes it less of a celebratory time for many.

[Georgiana Daniels]

I dread this season, every year. The rampant consumerism and kitschy plastic decorations and muzak everywhere are abrasive to the senses. I also hate the extra work (shopping, decorating, etc.) and snow and cold. Most of all, I hate the ugly family dynamics that come into play.

 

The saving grace, for me, is time with dh and the kids and dh's family. That's always fun.

 

OHHHHH, the muzak!!! It DROVE ME NUTS. Three full months a year of Rudolph made me nuts when I worked in a store. NUTS!!!!! Still not crazy about most of those tunes.

[Pawz4me]

I love good Christmas music.

 

I hate decorating. I hate buying, giving and receiving presents.

 

I hate disruptions to the regular routine.

 

If I'm going to have to interrupt the regular routine, I'd rather just sit on the beach. :coolgleamA: :D

 

That pretty much sums it up for me, too. I'm always immensely relieved when January 2 rolls around and life can get back to normal.

 

I think part of my issue is that I'm an introvert. And the holidays aren't an introvert-friendly time of the year.

[fairfarmhand]

Not my favorite holiday. Pressure to buy gifts, pay for them, run here and there, do this party and that party, make cupcakes for this shindig, visit this relative....blah blah blah....

 

Easter is much more to my liking.

 

No gifts or obligations. We stay home, go to church and worship our Savior.

[KRG]

There are parts about it that I love...other parts not so much.

[misty.warden]

I dread this season, every year. The rampant consumerism and kitschy plastic decorations and muzak everywhere are abrasive to the senses. I also hate the extra work (shopping, decorating, etc.) and snow and cold. Most of all, I hate the ugly family dynamics that come into play. The saving grace, for me, is time with dh and the kids and dh's family. That's always fun.

 

Having worked in retail and experienced the full effect of a 4 hour canned Christmas song tape, people fighting over cheap crap on Black Friday, and oodles of "Don't let them write Xmas, they're trying to cross out Christ!!" propaganda, no I don't really like what Christmas has become.

 

Now, if my future husband's family is awesome and interested in forming some Christ-centered holiday traditions, maybe with a few presents, I might hang up my Grinch hat, but I'm not holding my breath. (BTW I don't like Thanksgiving either.)

[Hoot]

As weird as it sounds, it's so nice to know that I'm not alone. :001_cool: Honestly, I would bag the whole thing if I could; no tree, no decorations, no fuss. DS, however, loooooooooves Christmas and DH is all about doing what is "normal."

 

I just find the whole season so demanding and abrasive.

 

The ridiculously over the top consumerism.

The wants masquerading as needs.

The greed.

The waste.

The decorating.

And then taking all of those decorations down and putting them away.

The cooking and cleaning and the people in my house.

The busyness.

Buying gifts for people that I have absolutely no real relationship with and therefore NO IDEA what to buy. This pretty much includes my entire family (dad, step mom, sisters etc.)

The family drama.

The expectations.

The money.

The random junk that I will either have to find a place for or figure out what to do with after Christmas is all over.

The traffic EVERYWHERE every. single. day. from Black Friday on.

A non-morning person DH who is grumpy and has to do things "just so" on Christmas morning.

The cats climbing the tree and stealing the decorations.

The constant bickering over "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays."

 

And then, I have childhood baggage on top of that. My mom was killed a week and a half before Christmas when I was 9. It just really wasn't the greatest time of year at my house growing up.

 

Ironically enough, the muzak and holiday movies don't bother me a bit. :lol:

 

This time of year I always feel like the lone Grinch while everyone else goes on their merry way. I don't begrudge others their Christmas happiness, but too many people seem to consider a dislike of Christmas synonymous with ungratefulness and akin to hating Jesus.

[Hoot]

 

I think part of my issue is that I'm an introvert. And the holidays aren't an introvert-friendly time of the year.

 

 

This!

[Hoot]

In the greater scheme I hate cold weather, property taxes are due, dh was in construction for years and holiday time is not a time when people want you working on their house.

 

 

:grouphug:

 

When we had our house renovated a few years ago (siding, roof, concrete work, enclosed porch etc.) we purposely had our work done just before the holidays. I figured we would get a good deal since it's not a prime season, but it would also give the local business some work during a time when there typically isn't much lined up.

[I.Dup.]

I do think it may be related to being an introvert.

 

Here's a question. Do you all hide your dislike from your family and everyone else and pretend to be cheerful about it all? Put on a smile and fake it? Or does your family know how you feel?

[BrookValley.]

I used to be pretty lukewarm about Christmas. I had good memories of Christmas as a child, but then it just got kinda "meh." I will say though, after having my son, Christmas started getting a lot more fun. Now I wouldn't say I "love" it, but I do have a good time with it. I do, as I always have, abhor the commercialism and the excess consumerism. But I really dig putting up a Christmas tree, and we do have a lot of fun in the few weeks leading up to Christmas and on Christmas morning with the kiddo.

[Desert Rat]

Well, I go back and forth.

 

I love decorating, but dislike the tree. We have a small house and it takes up so much space.

 

I love the music.

 

I love the excitement of my boys, but this time of year reminds me how quickly they are growing. I spend most of the holidays fighting tears.

 

I'll be the lone person who says I love giving gifts. I'm pretty good at it, too.

 

I love spending time with my family, not so much my inlaws. That is mostly fixed this year because MIL moved across the country and my SIL isn't speaking to us for the 6th year in a row. We will have a nice time with BIL though.

 

We have an annual Christmas party for our friends and we always have a blast. It's fun to think of new games and we have crafts for the kids. It's what Christmas really is about.

 

This year will be our first year without my Dad. Thanksgiving went okay. I'm hoping Christmas does too. This year we are very grateful that my brother is back with his long-time girlfriend. They have been on and off for 20 years. She has a 3yo cutie who brings such life and joy to our family. I'm glad she'll be spending Christmas Day with us.

 

So, definitely Love and Hate.

[Hoot]

Here's a question. Do you all hide your dislike from your family and everyone else and pretend to be cheerful about it all? Put on a smile and fake it? Or does your family know how you feel?

 

 

Hmmm... my immediate family (DH & DS) knows that I hate it. I do try to be polite to everyone and not be an over-the-top Grinch, but I don't overly fake it either.

[RoughCollie]

I have absolutely loved Christmas twice -- when I was a kid, and when my kids were younger.

 

We had such fun at Christmastime when I was a kid. We had class Christmas parties, Christmas trees in our classroom, did Santa-themed lessons, drew names and gave one another presents, sang Christmas songs, and had 2 weeks off from school. At home, we decorated, put the tree up on Christmas Eve, saved our allowances to buy presents for our parents and the dog, made the dog and our parents their own Christmas stockings and filled them, sang Christmas songs, celebrated Advent and St. Nicholas Day, colored in our Christmas coloring books, baked 20 different kinds of cookies, made decorations, watched the Rudolph movie on tv, and just had a grand time. Christmas was truly a magical time for us. I tried hard to create that Christmas magic for my own children, and I succeeded until they became teenagers.

 

I have loved the gift giving part of it always; everything about it is fun. Other than that, I like it okay now. Christmas, except for the actual day, doesn't seem to be very important to most members of my immediate family ... if it is, they hide it well. It's very strange -- the men are not eager to participate. I'd probably love it if I could drum up some enthusiasm, some eagerness to participate. We had our last large Christmas party the year DD was born. DH doesn't like it when people come over, and he doesn't like parties that are not related to business.

 

This year, I am requiring the boys to bake two items each with me. I bought a card table which I'm going to put a Christmas-themed jigsaw puzzle on, in hopes my family will participate completing it. I bought myself and iPod and speakers so I can play Christmas music, hoping to add some cheer to our home. I invited everyone to attend the town's Christmas parade, but only 2 of the kids wanted to go. We'll do some Christmas activities for those who will participate, and we'll take the kids to a large mall to shop for the gifts they will give, unless they decline and do their shopping online.

 

When my kids were children, it was a whole different ballgame. We had a great time. Now I just hope the boys don't marry Scrooges, so I can have a great time with my grandchildren someday. DD has no problem joyfully participating in Christmas.

[Belacqua]

I hate disruptions to the regular routine. If I'm going to have to interrupt the regular routine, I'd rather just sit on the beach. :coolgleamA: :D

 

I'm with you on the disruption to routine. I like my little rut...that's why I made it! I don't even care for weekends, so holidays aren't my favorite things. Give me a random, unspecial Tuesday any day.

 

OHHHHH, the muzak!!! It DROVE ME NUTS. Three full months a year of Rudolph made me nuts when I worked in a store. NUTS!!!!! Still not crazy about most of those tunes.

 

Oh, poor you! I've always wondered how people who work retail at Christmastime manage not to stab somebody with a plastic salad fork. Between the bad music over and over and over and the surly, stressed-out customers, it sounds like an impossible task.

[Mrs Mungo]

I love my extended family. Don't get me wrong. But, my favorite Christmases (as an adult) were those I spent with just dh and the kids. They are so nice. We do food when we want, we open presents when we want, we play games, watch movies, put together lego sets, it's so much more relaxing that way.

 

I would like to like Christmas more. The meaning of Christmas? Amazing, so important to our faith. But, how does that meaning come through the busy-ness, the expectations, the stress, the money, the shopping, the buying for people I have only met once. It is not my favorite. I wish it could be.

[elegantlion]

I do think it may be related to being an introvert.

 

Here's a question. Do you all hide your dislike from your family and everyone else and pretend to be cheerful about it all? Put on a smile and fake it? Or does your family know how you feel?

 

Oh, they hear me, but I might as well be talking to a wall. Dh got pouty when I said I didn't want a tree. Every other year he gets excited does the lights and then I get stuck doing all the ornaments. I think they get caught up in the excitement and truly don't see how antagonizing some of this stuff is. I'm glad other people decorate. I like looking at the lights down the street when I look out my window, I just don't want to deal with any of it.

[lynn]

I love everything about the Christmas season but most of all that we, as a family have a week or so of nothing on the schedule. DH has always worked for companies that closed 24th - Jan 2/3rd. It is nice to sleep in and spend days with my family. I guard that time, if people want to visit that's fine but we don't particularly invite anyone nor do we travel any where during that time. I visit extended family during throughout the year and Thanksgiving. Christmas is mine.

[Jenny in Florida]

There are parts about it that I love...other parts not so much.

 

Exactly.

 

I love the focus on giving, thinking of others. I love the special events that really make it feel like Christmas for me (dance and choir performances). I love the decorations and the music, even the cheesy stuff. I love the dumb holiday movies on TV. I love decorating our Christmas tree. I love the traditions we've created with our kids.

 

I distinctly don't love the pressure to find the perfect . . . or even an acceptable . . . gift for my husband. I struggle with the crazed throwing of money out the window. I struggle with accepting gifts graciously, because I carry around a lot of baggage from my childhood. I struggle to find the balance between doing everything I feel like I'm supposed to do so as not to disappoint anyone (including maintaining those traditions I mentioned) and stopping often enough to actually spend the season with my family.

[Elizabeth in MN]

My folks are ministers, so Christmas and Easter were the busy times at their work.

I remember a LOT of rough Christmases. Issues with our expectations as kids knocking against the realities of the budget of ministers and the amount of work they'd be doing.

 

This is my issue as well. My ex was always suicidal from Thanksgiving to New Years, so it didn't help matters. After he left us I decided to reclaim Christmas. It takes a few years, but it worth it to me. It sucks to be unhappy at the same time every year.

 

First I decided what I wanted to celebrate in December. Was it Christmas, Solstice, or what-have-you. Having settled on a wanting to take part in Christmas as a Christian I then decided what traditions I wanted to raise my dd with. I read about the history of the traditions and settled on a mix of Christian and ethnic holiday celebrations. We have decorations, which my dd has always loved and now does, a tree, and midnight Christmas services. I only give gifts to family that lives in the house due to my economic issues. I let go of the guilt that is pressed on me by the marketing of secular Christmas.

 

It doesn't all happen in just one year. It's little bit by little bit but eventually the good overcomes the bad and the month of December is no longer cringe-worth. Reclaim what you want and make it your own : D

[jenn-]

I hate Christmas and every year it surprises my DH when it comes out. You would think after trying to avoid it like the plague for the last 10 years he would get the hint. I even tried to convince him to go camping starting the weekend before Christmas through New Years, but he and the children rebelled. Then I tried convincing them to let me put up a 4ft tree. That worked until they saw just how small a 4ft tree really was. That tree went back to the store and the gigantic one came out of the shed. I did get out of decorating it though. Thank goodness DD is finally tall enough to reach the highest parts. I was content with buying the kids just a few things but DH has once again gone overboard because he wants them to have a "good" Christmas. I honestly think they would have appreciated a few things magically appearing at the camper on Christmas morning than the horde of gifts that will be under there now.

 

Oh and after working a combined total of 10 years of retail at Christmas you would think I would hate Christmas music, but that is the only redeeming quality about Christmas. I love Christmas music.

[Elinor Everywhere]

I love my extended family. Don't get me wrong. But, my favorite Christmases (as an adult) were those I spent with just dh and the kids. They are so nice. We do food when we want, we open presents when we want, we play games, watch movies, put together lego sets, it's so much more relaxing that way.

 

 

Although I generally love Christmas, I find this to be very true. The year we spent living in Hong Kong was a favorite Christmas of mine - just the four of us. No big cooking extravaganza for my dh, no hauling out 20 boxes of decorations and lights like we did this past weekend.

 

We did buy a tree in Hong Kong, but we ordered it through the yacht club and they delivered it, set it up, took it away, and the apartment staff vacuumed up all the needles. Who wouldn't want a tree when the ONLY thing you have to do is put lights/ornaments on? We didn't have any Christmas stuff with us, so we went to IKEA for some basic decorations, and my dh and the kids made a ton of paper snowflakes and other easy crafts. We ate Christmas dinner at our favorite place, watched an awesome parade, played Wii, watched movies, and just hung out. Lovely.

[chepyl]

I love Christmas Carols, I love the two weeks off from everything! I love all the time we get with our families. I dislike the crowded stores and the extra traffic with people shopping.

[Hoot]

I hate Christmas and every year it surprises my DH when it comes out. You would think after trying to avoid it like the plague for the last 10 years he would get the hint. I even tried to convince him to go camping starting the weekend before Christmas through New Years, but he and the children rebelled.

 

 

Dude, this sounds like my DH. It's like he forgets every year that I would rather be ANYWHERE else doing ANYTHING else other than all of this Christmas hoopla that has absolutely nothing to do with Christ anymore.

 

And, I've been trying to talk my DH into going away for Christmas every year. He likes the IDEA of it, but it's not "normal" so the answer is no.

[Mommy22alyns]

Nope, I don't like it either. I blame my many years working in retail.

[LibraryLover]

I am OK with Christmas. I like the idea of celebrating life.

 

I don't like to drag it out over weeks and weeks. I don't have a tree yet, and I hold off as long as possible, until the kids start asking. ;) Then they go with dh to buy it. I do not enjoy picking out a tree at all. Never have.

 

My kids still love Christmas, so dh and the kids did put up outside lights this weekend. I'm fine with that. Keep it outside. lol

[Abeille]

I used to be hugely enthusiastic for Christmas, but now the season just makes me melancholy. I try to keep up a good front for the kids, but it gets harder each year. All the moving around we've done over the years seems to have squashed the natural forming of yearly traditions, and it seems contrived to try and invent some. I guess I want to enjoy Christmas (and do enjoy spending time with my dh and children) but end up in a funk instead. I want to recapture my enjoyment of the season, and I'm not sure how. I really miss my grandparents - they were a huge part of the magic of Christmas for me, and though they've been dead for over a decade now it seems like I miss them just as much as the first year they were gone. Time to go put on some traditional Christmas music, hug my kids, and cheer myself up!

[hsbeth]

I dislike pretty much everything about Christmas, I always remember feeling that way, even as a child. I remember some excitement about gifts/presents back then, but overall still felt some stress/anxiety which I continue to feel as an adult. Generally speaking I am not a stressed/anxious person and am generally pretty up beat. I can't say I love any holidays really, but Christmas is definitely the worst. My father left my mother a few days before Chrismas when I was 3 and I know my mom never enjoyed the holiday either, so perhaps that something to do with it. I honestly don't dwell on that, but it might have something to do with why I feel so stressed/out of sorts at this time of the year.

 

I do enjoy going to worshipping and spending time with our church family during these times, but the rest of it...blech.

 

The extra time for preparations/decorating and money required to "celebrate" these occassions always makes me feel overstretched. It's somewhat easier now that we live too far away to make visits with extended family possible.

 

I will say that I try hard and mostly succeed (I think) in not ruining the experience for our children. My dh understands, is supportive, and picks up some of the extra duties required. It helps that as he is a teacher he has extra time off around most of the holidays. I keep things as low-key as possible, but still happy (I hope).

 

See, in addition to the stress about the holiday itself, now I get the guilt/worry that I'm not pretending hard enough for my kids. *sigh*

 

Don't get me started on Chrismas music. I only tolerate it on the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Beyond that it makes me nuts.

 

Faith in Christ is at the center of our lives so I do wish I felt more like celebrating.

[Hoot]

Okay, so my husband just dropped a fun bombshell on me tonight. And by fun I mean, frustrating and annoying. Doubly so to a person who already dislikes Christmas and hates shopping even more.

 

For the 14 yrs. that we've been married, DH and I have always set a spending cap and just given each other a list for Christmas.

 

Always.

Every. Single. Year.

 

Sure, we ended up buying one or two items for each other that wasn't on the list, but at least the list was a roadmap. Today, DH sits down and says, "We're going ROGUE this year! I've decided that we'll set a cap but NO LISTS."

 

I'm furious.

 

Truly, this has nothing to do with what I want for Christmas (because honestly, I can only think of two material things in the entire world that I really want or need. No, it has to do with the fact that I have no earthly idea what HE would want.

 

None.

 

He has no hobbies.

He doesn't read.

His one joy in the world is cutting the grass.

 

Had he decided on this little experiment a month or two ago I could have been really thinking about it, watching for sales, listening and planning ideas. And there would have been plenty of time to worry about shipping. But no, he drops this IN FREAKING DECEMBER.

 

I know this shouldn't make me nearly this angry, but today was not the day to just spring this on me out of nowhere.

[Pawz4me]

Here's a question. Do you all hide your dislike from your family and everyone else and pretend to be cheerful about it all? Put on a smile and fake it? Or does your family know how you feel?

 

I try to fake it, but I'm probably not all that good at it!

[RoughCollie]

He has no hobbies. He doesn't read.

His one joy in the world is cutting the grass.

 

What did you get him for the last few Christmases? Maybe someone will come up with suggestions using that as an interest guide. Does the lawn mower need a bag? Is the budget big enough for a bigger, snazzier lawn mower? Does 50 lb. of grass seed do the trick?

[elegantlion]

 

He has no hobbies.

He doesn't read.

His one joy in the world is cutting the grass.

 

Had he decided on this little experiment a month or two ago I could have been really thinking about it, watching for sales, listening and planning ideas. And there would have been plenty of time to worry about shipping. But no, he drops this IN FREAKING DECEMBER.

 

I know this shouldn't make me nearly this angry, but today was not the day to just spring this on me out of nowhere.

 

Here's a cute lawn t-shirt. http://www.zazzle.com/lawn_enforcement_officer_t_shirt-235340983442720173

 

Does he have a particular brand of mower he loves? Could you find some accessory to go with it?

 

There are some ideas on this blog. http://site.cleanairgardening.com/info/christmas-gardening-gift-ideas.html

[twoxcell]

This thread makes me feel sad for you all. :sad: Christmas/Advent is an extremely special time for our family. My dh loves Christmas even more than I do and that is saying a lot. For us the entire month is about doing things together as a family and learning/teaching more about Christ. I don't get caught up in all of those negatives mentioned here. It helps that we have amazing families and really do not get any outside pressure as far as gift giving or anything else. We don't really even do adult gifts anymore aside from really small things and even the kids(nieces and nephews) we only buy small things for. Maybe those that are feeling bogged down need to re-evaluate and just drop what ever is stressing you out and refocus. If you want to anyways. ;) No pressure from me. :seeya: But seriously slow down, light some candles together, read, sing carols, and enjoy yourself. :001_cool:

[LeslieAnneLevine]

Okay, so my husband just dropped a fun bombshell on me tonight. And by fun I mean, frustrating and annoying. Doubly so to a person who already dislikes Christmas and hates shopping even more.

 

For the 14 yrs. that we've been married, DH and I have always set a spending cap and just given each other a list for Christmas.

 

Always.

Every. Single. Year.

 

Sure, we ended up buying one or two items for each other that wasn't on the list, but at least the list was a roadmap. Today, DH sits down and says, "We're going ROGUE this year! I've decided that we'll set a cap but NO LISTS."

 

I'm furious.

 

Truly, this has nothing to do with what I want for Christmas (because honestly, I can only think of two material things in the entire world that I really want or need. No, it has to do with the fact that I have no earthly idea what HE would want.

 

None.

 

He has no hobbies.

He doesn't read.

His one joy in the world is cutting the grass.

 

Had he decided on this little experiment a month or two ago I could have been really thinking about it, watching for sales, listening and planning ideas. And there would have been plenty of time to worry about shipping. But no, he drops this IN FREAKING DECEMBER.

 

I know this shouldn't make me nearly this angry, but today was not the day to just spring this on me out of nowhere.

 

 

Get him a Spongebob Chia Pet. I bet next year he'll want to go back to the lists.

[Belacqua]

Get him a Spongebob Chia Pet. I bet next year he'll want to go back to the lists.

 

 

Ooh, good strategy!

[Hoot]

 

What did you get him for the last few Christmases? Maybe someone will come up with suggestions using that as an interest guide. Does the lawn mower need a bag? Is the budget big enough for a bigger, snazzier lawn mower? Does 50 lb. of grass seed do the trick?

 

 

For the most part he typically asks for things like DVD's, video games (that he doesn't play), hats etc. because he can't think of anything he REALLY wants or needs.

 

His lawnmower has a bagger already and he just put a new engine his lawn tractor. I wish I could get away with grass seed. ;-)

 

Okay, after I've had time to cool down a bit, I've got some ideas. I actually did buy him two things already. I got him a box of Orange Hostess cupcakes, which are his favorite. He was in mourning over the loss of them with this Hostess hoopla. Then, I also bought him an original Nintendo system. He found one at Goodwill a couple of months ago but didn't buy it. He's STILL kicking himself for passing it up. I found one on eBay and will get a couple of games to go with it. Tomorrow Season 15 of The Simpsons comes out on DVD so I'll get that as well.

 

Deep breaths.

 

I think I've got this.

[JeneralMom]

I used to love Christmas. We are secular but it was always a special time of the year (we also did Hanukkah as most of my firends growing up were Jewish). However, it is an extremely hard time of year for my husband as his dad passed away on Christmas morning. I hate the commercialism and the expectations but I love the idea of family and celebration.

[Jenny in Florida]

. Maybe those that are feeling bogged down need to re-evaluate and just drop what ever is stressing you out and refocus. If you want to anyways. ;) No pressure from me. :seeya: But seriously slow down, light some candles together, read, sing carols, and enjoy yourself. :001_cool:

 

 

Which would be great advice if we had families who would be cooperative about it.

 

Instead, I have a husband who simply cannot be cheerful unless he gets good enough presents and teens who look forward all year to the routine of rehearsals and performances AND the "few" special traditions that require the most time and effort from me AND who get their feelings hurt if I even hint that it's become a little tougher to keep up with creating the magic of those traditions now that I have virtually adult kids who don't go to bed any earlier than I do.

 

(And I do love those performances, but the rehearsal schedules are exhausting.)

 

I could, of course, insist on having the holiday I would prefer . . . by ruining it for the people I love most in the world.