Is it over yet?

[AnnK]

I feel bad that I feel this way but won't Christmas just get over with already?


I have tried everything, eggnog, baked cookies, played Christmas music. We even road around to look at lights. And frankly I'm just not feeling it. At all.

I have zero interest this year. ZERO. I'm not grumpy about it or bah humbug I'm just not interested.

It's too much work and cost too much money.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am very particular about my gift wrap. Just now I was in my room trying to wrap gifts. I am almost out of tape so I was using tiny pieces and what does my kid do? Barge right on in and pulls the whole roll of tape off. Then as if that weren't enough she insists on helping and folds my paper for me. In the wrong spots of course. I decide to wait to finish the wrapping and she throws a total fit because I remove her from the room.

Tonight I have to brave walmart to get some last things and then tomorrow I begin my rounds of visiting friends and family. I'm sick of going all over town every holiday. After this I am done. I don't wanna do it anymore. If they must see me, they can come to my house. The older I get the less eager I am to do whats easier for everyone else. I believe that years of bending over backwards has gotten me nowhere.

[MamaTreadler]

I agree. I've never liked running all over the place on holidays. Truth be told, kids don't like it either. So we don't do it. If somebody wants to get their knickers in a knot over that, then so be it.

I'm ready for it to be over with too. I felt bad the other day because dh and I were talking and we were both complaining and wishing that Christmas was just over with already and then after the words were out I realized both our kids were right there. Yay us. How's that for a holiday memory? (sigh) Oh well. It *will* be over soon and life can return to normal.

[MrsMcDowell]

Hugs to you Ann. I hope your Christmas spirit shows up. I'd share some of mine with you if I could.

Don't be too hard on the little one. Sounds like she was just trying to help her momma out. Wesley likes to help do dishes, laundry, sweeping, etc. with me. Usually makes it twice as hard on me since I have to redo it all, but he gets a hoot out of it. Maybe the little ones could help you 'decorate' the presents. After all 'decorating' the presents with stickers and coloring their own pictures on the wrapping paper is the most important part of wrapping the presents, right?? (Can you tell Wesley and I have had this battle?)

[Ebbie]

I was afraid to post this publicly, but your admission inspired me: I haven't even put up a tree or decorations this year. I'm single, so it's not like I'm denying the kids or anything but I just judge year-to-year whether I want to put up a tree. And this year I'm not "feeling it". At least I know when I *do* put up a tree it's because I really want to and not because I feel obligated.

That's not to say I don't have a little bit of spirit this year...went on two Christmas lunches already, sent out a few cards and have enjoyed some old-time Christmas movies, but just don't feel like decorating this year or making a big to-do about anything.

[Nana2two]

I have done alot to try to get the mood, im just not.Maybe our hearts are heavy this year with problems or concerns. I keep thinking about the look on the grandsons face this year, when they open presents.

[QM]

I'm sorry you don't feel in the Christmas spirit yet. Perhaps if you ask your kid to put stickers on the present as soon as its wrapped. (That's what our DD1 has been doing with some of our gifts. She's been using any stickers she's found...Halloween...you name it!)

Maybe a way to get into the Christmas spirit next year is plan far in advance. I don't know how to help. ((HUGS!))

[Persimmon Lace]

You sound like my mom....who could then never figure out why, when we got older we didn't want to help her with Christmas stuff. If you aren't careful you will ruin it for everyone. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh but I'd rather have a child wrapped gift than one that is too pretty open.

[C@rol]

Originally Posted by AnnK

It's too much work and cost too much money.
The older I get the less eager I am to do whats easier for everyone else.

I can totally relate.
But it doesn't even bother me.

[joyofsix]

Well, getting older does change the perspective. And I do understand having waaaay to much help. And tv and magazines keep making it a bigger and bigger production. Several years ago I weeded out just what parts I like (church, hanging with the kids, just very close family) and I've let the rest go. I also don't really do much until a couple days before Christmas. The 'season' is just too long. Here's hoping this season passes quickly for you.

[FrugalMomof3]

I agree as well 100% seems like I really haven't been into Christmas for the past couple years.... it isn't like it used to be. Family expects extravagant/expensive gifts so when I had them something small they look at me with anger, I am just not really into Christmas anymore.

What happened to the real meaning of Christmas?

[lmbaker520]

I agree with you because I have also had a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year. My grandmother passed away about 2 months ago and it has just made it very hard on all of us because Christmas was such a special time for us with her. I spent hours baking with her each year and it has been a huge adjustment to not do that with her. I have pushed myself though to do everything that we would have done because I know that is what she would have wanted. We are keeping happy faces on though because my nieces don't understand.

[Nishu]

I'm so with you on this. Although I've already given up. I meant to get my husband a little something although now I don't know if he'll be home. ( I haven't heard from him in over a week.) I wanted to pick up a couple more stocking stuffers for the girls but I'm done with that too. We've been to the ER once, everyone has been sniffling and now I'm sick and the baby has a fever. I spent most our extra funds preparing for a storm. Now were stuck in the house because of the roads and snow. I'm not even sure my husband could get to us if he wanted to. But what's it matter? He'll leave right after Christmas anyway.

To top it all off, I had a dream last night that he was holding hands with some girl and now I'm all ticked off at him. And the real cherry on top of this poo sundae... my hot water heater isn't working right so I can't even take a hot bath!!! Oh that just puts me over the edge.

I am so done! The girls' presents aren't getting wrapped because they already used last years bargain paper to wrap up all their toys. My oldest wants to make some cookies... but anything beyond watching Christmas specials and drinking hot cocoa is officially off the agenda!

I sympathize. I'm faking it because I don't want my kids to have a crappy Christmas, but I seriously need to have a good cry.

[rosey7415]

Originally Posted by AnnK

I feel bad that I feel this way but won't Christmas just get over with already?


I have tried everything, eggnog, baked cookies, played Christmas music. We even road around to look at lights. And frankly I'm just not feeling it. At all.

I have zero interest this year. ZERO. I'm not grumpy about it or bah humbug I'm just not interested.

i sooooooo agree with you ann. i used to be such a christmassy person. i just loved it. but the last couple of years not so much. i am just going through the motions. i had my xmas cards ready early, got all my gifts bought and wrapped in good time, food list all figured out for the party, and all bought already......hmmmmm.....just no spirit. i usually have the tree up the day after thanksgiving....boy i dragged my butt on that one this year and could just about care about it going up. but the party for the family is christmas morning at my house. so i HAVE to have the tree up. i do have to say that now that it is done, i enjoy looking at it and truly love all my special ornaments.

tomorrow is mega cleaning, next day is mega cooking.........blah, blah, blah.........dh is also feeling this way. he never feels that way as he is "santa" around these parts. he puts his smile on and ho ho ho's out the door. usually he comes back in the spirit until the next gig.....lol so he is starting to get to me a little now..............lol

[Denvergirlie]

Well we don't even "do Christmas" at all, so no blame from me.

Christmas is a religous holiday that has become commercial. We flat out refuse to participate in all the hoop-la.

We do get roped into going to X-mas dinner, which i dread every year. Hanging out with awful family who won't give us the time of day during the year, borrow money and never pay it back as they are always in between one drama or another, but once a year we have to gather about like we are some Norman Rockwell family. What a load of carp. At least if they would let us bring some of the food, it might not be that bad, but no, they want the instant mashed potatoes and stove top stuffing from a box. Home made food is icky to them. Blah.....

I do enjoy talking with the family that is out of town on the phone more around the holidays but honestly that's about it.

Now egg nog.... any reason to have the stuff is fine by me!

[katholc]

I understand your feelings. Years ago I got over the commercialization of Christmas, then always having to go somewhere on Christmas day instead of being able to stay home with my children and enjoy the day. Believe me, your kids probably don't want to leave home on Christmas day either, mine never did. Oh, and don't worry about ruining anybodies Christmas, kids always seem to know whats going on no matter how hard we might try to hide it.