Christmas is near and I’m wondering if you find this time of year stressful?

Christmas is always stressful for me. Every year I say I'm going to do my Christmas shopping throughout the year, but every year I don't end up doing it. So then I end up cramming all my shopping into november and december. Then, to make matters worse, my mother in law makes me feel like a horrible person because I can't afford to get them tons of exspensive things. We do our best and what we do get them is thoughtful. Then all the running around and lugging presents and our three kids...ugh, is it spring yet?

I am ready to do the shopping it's just that I have to find the time to do it. I got some stocking stuffers today at Dollar General so that makes me feel like I got something done.

It isn't usually, but this year it has been. I'm more or less the only person to be able to fund our holiday this year. Which means six day work weeks and me staying up late on top of things trying to take care of the house, mind the pets and my little ever-in-trouble brother. My parents have time to do things like wash dishes and at least vacuum the carpet, but they've neglected doing such things for years. Dad mostly only wants to cook dinner (and barely wants that) and the only thing mom wants to do is work lol. But she got layed off and then got sick, so...things have just kinda been all left up to me this year. And it's been just a tiny bit stressful, and I haven't managed the cleaning at all -- so I reckon the weekend before christmas is going to be VERY busy for me...but..I'll manage somehow. And I've still got lots of baking and present shopping to do *laughs*

I am the poster child for holiday stress! We haven't done any shopping for our kids (no one else is getting anything)we don't have the money to shop for our kids, and as usual it's a big broo ha about which family are we going to for Xmas Eve and which one gets us Xmas Day. I'll be so happy when it is over. I love baking with my kids, and spending time with my family, but all the other stuff that Xmas has turned into makes me dislike the holiday.

I am the same, i like to start my Xmas shopping early, i usually start at the end of Summer sales (I'm in Australia so they're the after Xmas sales) & then i pick up as many little bits & pieces as i can, throughout the year! This time of year is very stressful, for us it's making sure we have gifts for EVERYONE & being such a big family, it takes a lot of time to get everyone sorted, especially with our daughter & 8 nieces/nephews. I am pretty set for this year not but still get a little stressed when i think about Xmas day coming - we have so much travelling to do, on a VERY hot summer's day & the thought of it just makes me want to stay home & do nothing but spend the day with my daughter & partner! I don't think anyone would be very pleased if i did that so i guess we have to go! Try buying some cheap chocolate & some mould, then make everyone who still needs gifts, some homemade choccies & that will do the trick, thoughtful yet inexpensive! Good Luck & Merry Christmas!

Wow you really start early. Theres no way i would ever be able to start shopping that early. I would be dying to give everyone their gifts. I dont see how you do it! I havent even started my christmas shopping! Im going this weekend. I know its completely crazy that i waited so long. But things have been really hectic. I never let it stress me out though.

This year the christmas season has been really stressful for us. Right now we just don't have a lot of money which makes it really hard, especially with kids. We have been trying to make some of our gifts, but I am finding that there just isn't time. My boyfriend and I have been working evey day just to try to get a little extra money, but then we don't have the time to do things. I will be so glad to see Dec 26th this year. Usually I love christmas, but not this year.

You know, gone are the days where we use to buy for every neice and nephew in our family. That use to be very stressful for me. Buying for 11 neices and newphews was a headache for me. Now I just buy for my son and my sisters children, my parents and inlaws. My brothers kids are grown teenagers and pretty much get a lot from their own parents so if we were celebrating Christmas with them, then I would buy a gift card or give them cash. Since its just the three of us this year, its just my ssisters kids who are still very young and the grandparents. Its not as stressful this year for me as I've almost completed our shopping.

They say Christmas is the best holiday of the year. :( It is a happy jolly year but with everyone that I know expecting a present, it's kind of hard to think it that way. I haven't even thought of Christmas shopping and I'm planning on locking myself in the house this holiday season. There's just too many people that I know and too many family members with just a few dollars to spare. I hate it. Merry Christmas though everyone!