The Holidays are Creeping up on Us
By allearned
@allearned (50)
September 23, 2012 7:07pm CST
Whether we want to believe it, the holidays are fast approaching. And I am already stressing out. Personally, I enjoy spending time with family at Christmas and I also enjoy giving, but it's just not that simple.
Some family members want to implement a spending limit. Some want to draw names(we are not even a big enough family for that). Some have such a specific list that it's a total pain in the butt to find exactly what they want.
Additionally, planning the day to get together is an issue. First off, let me just say, that I am single, yet I have 4 family Christmas functions to attend. Three of those could be combined if it wasn't for my dysfunctional family. And then I have so many family members working retail, that their schedules make it difficult to plan around. I totally understand that, but others want to stick to the "tradition" of doing Christmas on a certain day.
In these times, I miss being a kid when life was simple and I didn't have a care in the world. We simply got together, played games, exchanged gifts and ate good food. As an adult, I dread the holidays and I feel really guilty saying that.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@kemak28 (724)
• United States
25 Sep 12
I can totally relate. I love the holidays but it seems some years it has been less enjoyable due all the nonsense. My husband just wants to stay at home, his family won't plan anything until the ladt minute and then my family plans way in advance so its just hard to.plan it all out so we can all see eachother. Then there are the gifts. My family is easy and laid back about it so I have no problems with that shopping ...but when it comes to my husbands side of the family there is always arguing over what to get his parents. My husband and I would like to spend maybe $50-75 on them but his brother and wife want to get huge elaborate gifts and spend way more! It just causes stress and the holidays are supposed to be enjoyable. I just want to try to.make them as simple as possible so we can actually just relax and enjoy them.
@allearned (50)
•
26 Sep 12
Last night I went to Hobby Lobby and spent $68 and got enough supplies to make 7 gifts. I think I did really well! I even crocheted about a third of a scarf last night. Last year I waited until the last minute to do this stuff and go totally stressed, so I'm getting a head start this year!
@allearned (50)
•
25 Sep 12
It really stinks that it has to be this way. Sometimes I think we all lose sight of what the holidays are really about. I'm with you, I just want to relax and enjoy each others company.
This year I am going to make a lot of homemade gifts for my family. As a single person (with a meager salary, I might add) have 20+ people to buy gifts for. So this year I will be crocheting some scarves and doing other DIY projects to cut down on costs. And personally, I enjoy receiving gifts that others have made, so hopefully people will enjoy receiving them from me as well.
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
24 Sep 12
How sad. I know when Randy and I were living in Idaho we would celebrate Christmas Eve with his cousins and then on Christmas Day we would visit our friends. Now that I am in Nevada last year we spent the holidays at my parents house. This year my sister and I both have our own homes and we both want to have parties. I told my sister since has the kids that we could do Christmas Eve at her house and Christmas Day at my parents house. I would do Christmas a week earlier so there will be no conflict. I am sorry that you are getting pulled in many different directions. I do not think that there should be a spending limit nor do I believe in pulling names out of a hat. I am setting a budget on how much I want to spend on each person because I need to live within my means.
@allearned (50)
•
24 Sep 12
Personally, I'm good with celebrating Christmas on whatever day we can all get together. And I do set a personal budget for myself based on what I know I can afford, but I don't like it when someone else (who is rolling in the dough, by the way) says, we are only spending $25 per family this year. In the end, we usually have a nice time together, but the planning leading up to it is a total pain in the butt.
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
24 Sep 12
Awwwww, that's so sad. It shouldn't matter what day you celebrate this on, even if it's two different days with different people. As long as you get together for the holidays, what's the difference? So sad for you.
I remember years ago when my kids were working different jobs and I also was working, we celebrated Christmas in January. That's what we had to do in order to get together. It wasn't so bad either because we got the Christmas sale prices, haha.
I really feel bad for you because your family is not understanding this...it's just a matter of getting together and who cares about the gifts anyways.
Yes, the three should be combined, for sure. How easy is that.
I can certainly see why you would like to go back to your childhood when you simply got together and enjoyed each others company. Sorry this is happening to you. 
@allearned (50)
•
24 Sep 12
I still try to make the best of it. I think you're on to something with this Christmas in January business! All of those after Christmas sales...that's awesome! I'm like you, I don't care what day it happens, I just want everyone to be there, be happy and enjoy each other's company.
Here's hoping for stress free holidays for everyone!
