Christmas Spirit?

[jeninnc]

A few years back we over-simplified Christmas.

We only buy presents for our kids and each other and our neices (4 girls). My kids get about 5 gifts and that's all they expect.

We don't travel. We host a fun Christmas party for our friends. I clear my schedule around Christmas so I can help with the school parties. I hire a cleaning lady to come over and detox my house for the holidays. I don't feel the need to put out every decoration I have, just enough to be festive.

Dh isn't super into Christmas, but I am and I took control and every one is happier.

[jenm]

Why in the hell would you be decorating and hanging wreaths if you don't care about it and no one in your family does?!?! And trimming the tree by yourself? That's crazy talk, girl.

But here's a question for you, are particular about what your tree looks like? Do your lights have to be positioned just so? Do ornaments have to hang in particular spots on the tree? Does your tree have a theme? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, decorating the tree may not be much fun. I say put up a tree, string a few lights around it, slap some ornaments up and call it a day. Wreaths? Don't worry about how pretty your house will look with tasteful, simple wreaths hanging on the windows--even though we know it does. That's taking on too much. Gingerbread house? Don't do it! Christmas cookies and candies? Too many calories! Gifts? Most people have too much crap anyway. Wassail? Never heard of it! Good cheer? Totally overrated!

Find some time to relax and enjoy your family--and your tree with minimal ornaments on it.

[AmandaG]

I have just been feeling guilty about this (m)

Usually I love Christmas, and I used to go all out with different activities with the kids etc, but this year I just can't get into it. I don't feel like I can enjoy the fun things because there is so much on my to-do list that seems overwhelming, and which seems to get longer every year. Honestly Xmas was way easier when my kids were really little - they loved whatever they got, I didn't have to coordinate teacher gifts, there were not multiple Christmas concerts, choir recitals, and assemblies to attend, and I certainly wasn't trying to create 27 party goodies (must be colour red and contain no dairy) for a class party. I won't even get started on the IL's - just glad to know I am not alone. I thought I was some rare Christmas grinch, but it helps to know I am not the only one who is finding this hard.

Amanda

[zody]

I'm totally on board with you JV

I end up doing all the decorating and putting away. The putting away is the worst. Plus my birthday is the day after x-mas, so I end up having to plan everything for myself for that as well. This year I'm not celebrating my birthday. I figured after I hit the half century mark, I don't need to celebrate anymore. I hurt my back a few years ago and I feel like everything is such a chore! Yeah, it will be a very simple x-mas for us as well.

We usually just exchange books and music for family gifts, so that makes it a bit easier. My mom is turning 92 in January, and she is harder and harder to deal with. Not that she is a difficult person, she's not. She's just very dependent on me. In fact, I need to go take her shopping now. My 2 brothers usually come and stay with us. One of my brothers is mentally ill. It's a lot of work and we don't really have the space for them. I know when my mom isn't around anymore things will get easier... but of course I want my Mom to be around for as long as possible! Uh, the topper this year... Mom has to have her front tooth removed 2 days before x-mas. She's just miserable about that, and why shouldn't she be? It's just all yucky this year. I could go on and on complaining....

[SharonB]

If I had to do the tree and all the decorating myself, I'm not sure I would do it. My kids decorated the tree after I put the lights on, and dh puts all the outside lights on and helps with the rest of the decorations. In fact, I was out of town last weekend and he put our outside wreaths up, brought up a couple of bins from downstairs, and he and the boys decorated the downstairs bathroom and dining room. They did a great job!

We always have a neighborhood party so that helps me get motivated to do it, but without help, we would do a lot less.

Cookie baking is a big tradition here, we are doing it on Sunday - the boys are already talking about which kind of sugar cookies they want to make and how they will decorate the gingerbread men. I'm really looking forward to it!

Sorry you are not feeling the holiday spirit - when the boys were little, there were holidays when I felt like I had to do everything. Not so much anymore - both dh and the boys help out a lot more and really enjoy it.

[SueW]

Could have said it myself:

If it were up to DH nothing would be done for the holiday, except maybe some last minute guilty shopping

'nuf said, we are in the same boat, I guess I do it to create memories for our childen, though the kids do get excited and do help out, DH, well, he'd just be as you said.

Ba Humbug!

[Jeannie]

it is something to get through while trying to avoid anyone (esp. my kids) being disappointed.

That just about sums it up for me. But just because your kids don't join in doesn't mean they don't appreciate all the magic you create for them.