Is there anybody who just isn't into Christmas?

[Hoosiermomma]

Quote:
Hope things start looking up for you!

I usually get into Christmas big time, putting up decorations etc the first part of November but this year is different. My mom and MIL have some really serious health issues going on. My mil has been given a 2 month prognosis so I don't think we'll be doing alot of celebrating this year. Who knows though the Christmas season seems to be a time for magic, hope and miracles so I won't write it off just yet. After all to me it really isn't about all the hoopla and commercialism surrounding it, it's about being with family and friends and being thankful for the time you have together but more importanly about about celebrating Christ's birthday b/c without that none of the other things would be possible.

 

[ranchhand]

We do a pretty tree each year, and I try to barter for it. I have zillions of wildlife ornaments, so it's fun to get them out once a year. They are fragile, so I tie the top of the tree off with fishing line to 3 points. And all breakables go higher than 3 feet up, because of 2 monster dogs and 3 cats.

Perhaps a few lights on the front porch and that's it. Oh wait - okay, I confess, I do have lights on the chicken pens - but those are year round! We do remember the reason for the season as well, but privately.

Several years ago I got the family to agree to no gifts, just a phone call. We are all adults, no small children, so it doesn't make sense. It was awkward as we got older, and everyone seems relieved to not have to worry about it. I do make food gifts for the local fire station, Post Office, vet clinic, DH's co-workers, etc.

And I DO say "Merry Christmas!".

 

[meriruka]

Decorating the house is still fun for me. I love to sit in front of the tree at night with a glass of wine & some classical music. So relaxing.
The gifts & the crowds don't appeal. Walmart employees trampled to death and people brawling over cabbage patch dolls is just ridiculous.

 

[Hoosiermomma]

Quote:
Beautiful tree!!!!!! Are those books, dvd's,or cd's on the shelves behind it? I love it!!!!

 

[Lunachick]

Wow, I thought I had a lot of books! Very pretty meriruka!

 

[CTChick]

The Christmas spirit doesn't usually hit me until a few days before the actual day.
I'm more into the peace and beauty of the season than I am all the frantic preparations.

Yup. I'm with you. I have decorations that belonged to my great-grandmother - tree (artificial) was a gift from my grandmother before she died ... these things are special. Do you remember (and I'm NOT that old!) back when the day AFTER Thanksgiving, that's when the stores would have their decorations up, music playing ... and it WAS special??? Christmas has been ruined by commercialization. The DeBeers Diamond commercials are the worst ... give her a big ol' rock cuz THAT'S what matters! The only way to protest is to not "buy" into it all. Not many of us have a lot of extra money, anyway.

I love filling the kids' stockings (4 of 'em - aged 16 through 5) with fun, personal gifts. The older kids get one nice gift and the rest is stuff they need. When my oldest daughter started wearing bras two years ago, I bought a bunch of pretty ones and wrapped them individually and stuffed them in her stocking - "Christmas Bras" still get a laugh today! I look for things all year round for family, everyplace from antique shops, craft show to tag sales. Magazine subscriptions make GREAT gifts, easy to send out with the cards. Cooking, baking, spending time with family and donating whatever you can to those less fortunate ... all this is what makes the holiday season special.

Laura​

 

[Sunny Side Up]

It seems that most of us are really into the REAL substance of Christmas, but not much into all the other hype & hoopla that comes in its wake. Doesn't sound like a bad thing to me, to unplug & pare down and instead keep Christmas in the ways that mean the most to you. Instead of dreading the holidays let's just try to adjust our focus to what's most essential for each of us, and not be concerned with anyone else's expectations.

I wish the nicest holiday blessings for each of you. And a special

for Kathleengp, and an extra

too. I bet your son at 20 would want all the best for his family, for you all to have special times together throughout the holidays, to continue to appreciate each other, and maybe do something nice for someone else in his honor. My heart aches for you in your loss.

 

[GaNewChick]

We love Christmas and the older we get the worse we get ... me 49 tomorrow (

) and DH is 50. We buy a real tree, we have about 30 of those Village Houses, stores, etc. with the lights and have them all over the house. The front yard is decorated with the big blow up thingys. We have Santa on a John Deere, a Pirate Ship, Snow Globe, Santa under a Palm Tree, and more.

I have to start getting it out of the attic this weekend....ugh. Only bad part about it.

 

[meriruka]

Thanks Lunachick!
Quote:
All books. The other side of the room has more. I guess you can tell I love to read........

 

[Eggs4Sale]

After falling asleep during dinner at a Mandarin restaurant on Christmas day TWO YEARS IN A ROW, I found an article in Country Woman magazine that inspired me. The woman said they hang their stockings on the eve before St. Nicklaus Day (which is Dec. 6th, but I thought she said they hung them the on the first, hmmmm) and all family members contribute something to the stocking, from cookies, an orange, homemade gifts, etc. Once the stockings are taken down in the morning, the rest of the month is devoted to preparing for Christmas, making presents, baking cookies, etc.....

I lost all passion for Christmas after being the only one to put up the tree, decorate it and the house, do the shopping, the baking, the wrapping of presents, the stuffing of stockings, and getting those things put out just so in the middle of the night.

This year will be different. Stockings will be but a memory, and if it ain't wrapped by 9 p.m. Christmas Eve, nobody's getting it. Presents will be under the tree a few nights before, except Santa's, of course.

Mom's getting some sleep this year so she can enjoy watching her kids on Christmas morning.