I "just said no" to Easter this year...
By miamilady
@miamilady (4910)
United States
April 12, 2009 9:03am CST
No. This isn't an anti-religion commentary.
For those of you celebrating Easter this year, Happy Easter!
I just chose to take the year off.
In my family it's become more about the commercial aspects of Easter rather than the religious.
It's all about egg hunts and basket.
It's about impressing the family. Or catering to everyones needs but my own.
This year I just wasn't up to it.
I am usually the one that hosts Easter "brunch" or lunch or dinner.
This usually begins about 3 weeks before the Holiday with calls from my sister and/or brother asking..."So, what are we doing for Easter this year?"
Translated: "What are YOu doing for us this Easter?"
Okay, that might be a BIT of an exageration, but not entirely.
They do bring stuff. They offer up their suggestions, ask me what I want them to bring and then after they tell my that my suggestions are bad, they bring what they want anyway. So why did they ask to begin with? I guess to create the illusion of cooperation?
So, this year, I just decided to take the year off. It wasn't a truly concious decision. It just sort of "evolved".
My children are 13 and 16. By practical standards, they are beyond Easter Bunny and Easter Basket age. I could have bought them baskets for sentimental reasons for for traditions sake, but I'm just over that.
I'm hoping they don't take it too hard. They probably saw it coming. I was pretty miserable yesterday.
There is a lot more to the story than what I've written here, but I see thsi discussion is starting to get long, so I'll just stop here.
My question to you...Have you ever "just said no" to a holiday? Or, have you ever been tempted to say no? Do you say "never again" every year?
Have certain holidays just lost their true meaning in your family?
Do they bring you more aggravation than joy?
I haven't given up on things entirely. My sister-in-law and my brother have somewhat stepped up to the plate. They are bringing lunch stuff to my dads house today and invited me over (my father lives one block away from me).
My niece has made some arrangements with my daughter (and hopefully my son) to go to a nearbye park and do an Easter Egg Hunt of their own. They are too old for this,, but they enjoy the tradition.
My oldest sister is coming down to my dads house to bring him Easter Donuts. She hasn't called me. I haven't called her. I don't think we are officially not speaking, but things have been strained between us and we haven't spoken in a few days.
I've off to take a shower and do some stuff, then I'll peek my head out my front door (figuratively and literally) and see what's going on.
Have a Happy Easter!
6 people like this
16 responses
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
13 Apr 09
yep since I am disabled now I just couldn't care less. I am too sore and sick, if it is christmas I try to make a turkey just for my son and I and I don't bother with any other holiday anymore. In fact if I am invited out I just say no to that too.
2 people like this
@onlydia (2808)
• United States
14 Apr 09
Yes this last year I said no to Christmas and Easter as well. As the only time they want something is then. And it has nothing to do with Jesus so I just said no. They asked me well, what are you doing then. I said having dinner at home with my roommate and working on the yard. My Sister said we will make it for dinner then. I told her no you won't as what are you going to eat. She alway's brings a bunch of people with her and kids. Her Kids are 30 and 29 So what the heck not my house. It mite sound mean but no more. She brings over her Husband whole side of the family almost. I can't afford that I'm laid-off and she doesn't get it. You have a great day and yes I'm glad I'm not the only one that say's NO More
1 person likes this
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
12 Apr 09
I cannot blame you. Please enjoy your day.
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
12 Apr 09
Hey miamilady! And I want to wish you a Happy Easter and tell
you I think that you did the right thing! So good for you for
finally putting your foot down! You sometimes have to when the
family starts to depend on you to always be the one to take
on the burden of the holidays! I have seen it happen before
in many families! I don't have any family so it can't happen
to me! I am just doing what I want to do, and even that I think
I am just doing because... There comes a time when we just have
to say no and mean it and you did and I think you should feel
good about it!
1 person likes this
@handsomeitaliano (1050)
• United States
13 Apr 09
I could honestly care less about easter, really, I've got bigger things to worry about like money and the economy. I'm trying to take care of business if you catch my drift. Once I'm financially settled and comfortable, then I'll enjoy easter. No offense to anyone, but that's the brutal truth.
1 person likes this
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
12 Apr 09
Been there. I no longer do things. When the kids were all living own their own I did not bother. Now they just do their own thing...
1 person likes this
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
12 Apr 09
Oh, that's what you get when you start making them comfortable with the routine! 
We used to do that too, we play host to every year's Easter Celebration. We stopped when the economy was bad, nobody was angry at us though, they never really put much emphasis on Easter anyhow, it was all my dad's idea to get the family and relatives together.
However, we do have 'gatherings' every month (almost), but it's always potluck.
We used to do that too, we play host to every year's Easter Celebration. We stopped when the economy was bad, nobody was angry at us though, they never really put much emphasis on Easter anyhow, it was all my dad's idea to get the family and relatives together.
However, we do have 'gatherings' every month (almost), but it's always potluck. 1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
12 Apr 09
Usually easter is a pretty easy time for me, the shops are always full of easter eggs and they put good offers on which meant I could pick up eggs pretty cheap. I have a lot of children to buy for in mine and hubbys family so it can work out pretty expensive. This year there seemed to be a real lack of eggs in the shops in my area, what there was available were really expensive and with my hubby being out of work there was no way I could afford, so instead I made cakes!!! I made about 50 chocolate easter cakes and put them in decorative boxes and gave them as easter gifts instead it worked out so much cheaper and my friend who received some was so pleased and touched by it that I think it was the best thing I did.
1 person likes this
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
12 Apr 09
Since I am no longer a practicing Catholic (I tease people and tell them that I no longer need to practice) and do not believe in any organized religion (but I DO believe in God), we use this, as Christmas, as a time to rejoice in the earth, our loved ones and new beginnings.
Anytime I can use an event to get together with loved ones, I do. Is it commercial with the cards and baskets? Probably, but I like it, it is fun and God wants us to be happy and rejoice. So I shall!!
1 person likes this
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
14 Apr 09
Christmas is the holiday I stopped doing. I still celebrate the birth of Christ and go to church services, but I no longer give gifts or put up a Christmas tree. I found that the commercial part of Christmas just make me angry. I don't know if you've noticed, but Christmas shoppers aren't very nice. I didn't see any reason to put up with it, especially since nobody, except the children, wanted anything. I stopped buying for the children because they never appreciated what they got. Why should I put myself through that hassle?
@BlueGoblin (1829)
• United States
12 Apr 09
I was thinking the other day how different our customs are today. In the past, the pagan aspects of Easter weren't as prevalent as they are today. The pagan aspects of Easter and Christmas have been more embraced as to not offend non-Christians. The Easter Bunny is neutral to all religions. You don't have to follow Christianity to celebrate the Easter Bunny. Whether people of other religions bought into this I don't know. I'm sure they buy Easter candy though.
The pagan aspects are more fun for children. I'm sure more fun for adults as well. Consumerism is just another aspect of how the holiday went wrong. Us Christians put little stock in faith and Christian traditions anymore. Jews and Muslims don't turn their religious holidays in huge indulgent parties. Those were just some thoughts going through my mind.
1 person likes this
@csrobins (1120)
• United States
13 Apr 09
I don't see anything wrong with it...That's kind of cool you just cut it out. Easter isn't one of those official holidays anyway you do a lot of stuff and traditionally celebrate per say. I know a lot of families that don't get into much once their kids get older. All my family does is church and a easter meal. I do miss the eggs and candy though..I love being festive.
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
13 Apr 09
Well, my kids are in their 20's so there hasn't been "Easter" here for a long time. I have actually worked on Easter because it's fallen a week or two before the end of tax season for a while now. This year I worked again, even though my son was home. I figured he'd go to his fathers or my mothers. He went to his fathers. No big deal, because I'm having everyone over to see him for his birthday this weekend.
I have been kinda skipping Christmas lately though. A few years ago I won a trip to Jamaica and the only time I could really take it was in December. So we went like the 2nd week of December and when we got back we figure we didn't really need the hassle of trees and decorating when we don't even spend Christmas day at our house. We go to my husbands brothers for Christmas Day and the following weekend is usually split between my mother and step-mother's house. That kinda started a tradition with us. This past year, I even went away for the weekend after Christmas! My mom was so not happy, but I am so tired of doing what everyone else wants done for the holidays. AND, it's my birthday and I think it's about time I celebrate my birthday with something I want to do. My dream is to go away for the entire week of Christmas, but for my birthday celebration! Still working on that one with my hubby, he's still worried about what his family will say. ARGH! BAH HUMBUG!
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
13 Apr 09
I think all the holidays are very commercialized. It kinda takes the special out of the holiday. I don't blame you and I wish you a very Happy Easter. I hope you relaxed and enjoyed the meaning of Easter.
