and I'm not ready.
I am feeling more and more that Christmas has become too commercialized and full of empty traditions.
Why do we have to buy a gift for everyone?
Why do we have to eat a big meal that only ends up being more work than it's worth after it's gobbled down in less than 15 minutes? It only leaves a whole lot more dishes to clean up after supper than it would on any other given day.
Why is it so much more important to get together with family at this time of year than it is at any other time of year?
I guess you could say I'm a little like scrooge this year. I'm just so overwhelmed with all of the things I'm expected to do that I don't have any joy in this season.
Everyone has their own expectations of what Christmas should be like and is about.
My expectations just don't exist anymore as I strive to (for some crazy reason) fulfill all of the things expected of me by others.
This year a good Christmas present for me would be to have no Christmas.
Christmas equals stress, disappointing at least one family member (although it could be a different person every year), making a big meal that no one really appreciates in the long run so it's just more work, and buying meaningless gifts for people that they don't really need.
So that's my rant.
Who knows, I may feel different about things in years to come, but for now...let's just get Christmas done and over with.
5 comments:
You're not alone Candace and it's not just me that's with you. I've noticed a larger number of people this year that just aren't into Christmas. I'm feeling glad that this year it is just Angie, me & my parents.
I enjoy the big gatherings, but being ill this year the smaller, QUIETER, gathering is much more appealing. As for the gifting, I think it gets overdone.
Candace, I am sorry the season has caused you stress. I think you need to find a way to say no to some tradtitions that others have set and decide as a family what you want to do with it. I know my mom wanted to rent the Hospitality Room at the church for another big gathering of Amanda's family and ours, and I said I was not interested after 2 years of that. It was too big and not relaxing.
She asked a couple more times but I made up my mind. As far as the gift giving thing, I agree it is stressfull, and there should be a secret santa thing, where you draw one name and buy for only that person. You only get one gift outside of imidiate family an only give one. (I have yet to impliment that yet) I get far more worried about not giving enough to others than worrying about what I am gonna get.
I say we have to change the norm instead of bending to other's expectations. Christmas weekend is the only weekend I get off in a very long time, and I am not giving it to a big crazy event that is characteristic of the rest of my life.
That being said, there will be some dishes, some meal prep, but is everyone involved in helping with that? It should be this way. (I know I am horrible with this through the year, but at christmas i usually help.)
I think the majority of people I have talked to (including myself) have felt that Christmas snuck up on them this year and are no where near ready.
Last year I (we) got sick of doing things at Christmas just because we're "supposed" to, and also there were too many things we just didn't have time for. So, Greg & I sat down, decided what was important to us and what traditions we wanted to have with our kids, and that's what we're gonna do.
We get a lot of flack. Some people think it's un-Christian or something. But really, most traditions aren't even Biblical! However, Christmas is now a lot more relaxing, and the simplicity actually allows me to focus on the meaning of Christmas, which is really the most important thing. And also, Greg & I agree what we want to do, so we just stand firm, no matter what other people think. Everyone can do what they want in their own houses.
So, I don't think you're being a scrooge. You just have to get to this point to really realize what's important to you and to be fed up enough to implement it.
-Jessica
Hey Candace,
With financial issues my family cut down on presents. But the problem is there are still those 2 or 3 people that feel like without presents it cannot possibly be Christmas. It was easier when I was in Kenya. My wife and I merely spent the money we would on presents and instead went to a hotel for a couple days. We swam, we watched tv, we went out to eat. What better way to spend Christmas than with my favorite person with no responsibilities but having fun. I think presents should be done away with. Truth be told I mostly find myself dissapointed when I get my presents anyway I built it up way too much. But I've learned not to worry if I don't quote "make it" to a Christmas party. I'm not responsible for everyone and shouldn't be expected to please everyone. If your experiencing frustration by people worried you will dissapoint someone trust me most likely you will anyway so you shouldn't let it stress you out. Just accept that Christmas never ends up perfectly. Instead spend Christmas thinking about what your greatful to have rather than what didn't happen that will make it a much more enjoyable Christmas.
Patrick
HEY YOU GUYS....this is the first year that I actually am not dreading Christmas....although I agree with you in the present dept. I have bought only a few this year....sorry, but thats the way it is. With our family, we get together lots, and it is important to us...we make Randy play a game he doesnt like...but the best part are the Christmas baking that we wait for, adn all the treats.....we make.
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