Today, I'm feeling like I just want to opt out and say, "No thanks. Not this year."I realize that may sound terrible to most of you, but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and over worked this year. I hate to admit this, but there's a lot of NO in my ho, ho, ho right now. I enjoy the spirit of the holiday season as much as the next guy, and nothing is more important to me than spending quality time with my family, but with all the added work of my new store, I'm looking at the holidays as a ticking time bomb that I have to out run.
It's a double edged sword because I hope to benefit greatly from the people who feel the need to drop tons of cash on the impulse and necessary items I have chosen carefully to display in my shop, but focusing on that leaves me no time to put together the drive or the thought needed to shop for my own family. And my family is used to a well planned and thought out holiday. I have always provided that for them because I had the time and it gave me pleasure. This year, that pleasure has been replaced with angst and fear that I'm not going to be able to pull it off.
So why do we do this to ourselves??? The holidays are supposed to be about love and family. Helping out your fellow man and celebrating the good fortune of living life to it's fullest. It's the time of giving, which fills my heart with joy far more than receiving. Yet I can't find any joy in the rush to shop till I drop. In fact, I just want to drop the next person who tells me they are all done with their holiday shopping and all wrapped too.
This year there is so much to be thankful for and so many blessings in my life, I'm feeling like I need to make that my focus. Keep my eyes on the prize and have faith that everything will work itself out, right?
Like the Grinch so eloquently put it, "Maybe Christmas, he thought, dosen't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps means a little bit more."
Maybe Dr. Seuss was onto something. Perhaps, but if I were voting today, I'd vote on Skipping Christmas.
13 comments:
I have decided that it's basically a "gift card" Christmas.
And I still have 19 Christmas cards to send. This is the latest I have ever been on them.
EVER.
But, it's my last Christmas alone, so while that makes me happy, it does tinge it with sadness that she's not here.
I kinda feel the same...of course the divorce might have something to do with it. Next year, I hope to DO something for Christmas..rather than get more stuff...This may be the last year Santa visits...
I just try to grab on to every little bit of "meaning"...family, as of late, really kinda sucks. I would like to block out everyone, and just be me and my kids...Hm..
I think you have it totally right. Screw everything else but what is truly important…spending some quality time with those you love and care about!
I definitely prefer "meal centered" holidays over "gift centered" ones.
This is my last Christmas here in Seattle - and that makes me want to do and see EVERYTHING one last time. There are no do-overs, you know? If we miss something, well, this might be our last chance to see THAT Santa and shop at THAT store and do all the things we like to do at Christmas.
But there isn't enough time. We can't possibly do it all. And I feel this uncomfortable pressure to make this Christmas PERFECT for my kid because she keeps saying, "this is our last Christmas in this house," and I want it to be a FABULOUS one. I want to go out with a bang, I guess. That is sooooooo a recipe for disaster, I know it. Perfection is impossible, especially this time of year. But I can't help it.
Then again, I'm also looking fondly towards next Christmas too. Think of all the new traditions we will get to start in Chicago! And, damn, it will be SO NICE not having to do it all alone, you know? Scope decorated our tree with us this year, and it was so much more fun having him involved! :-)
I think that this will be a major cut back Christmas for us. Too many bills, not enough time, and too little spirit are all ganging up on us.
overstock.com has free shipping right now
maybe a bit late but
take care ;)
Christmas is fine, but having it every year for the love of jaysus?
'Tis the season, Candy. Hang in there, it'll all be over soon.
Sometimes you've just got to give yourself a break--especially around Christmas time!
If it's any help, I haven't even begun with Christmas shopping, the tree is still all packed away with the decorations and I have no idea how I'm going to get all my work done before Christmas!
You are not alone! Don't beat yourself up for not feeling "in the spirit".
Darlin' not to be humbug and all but I personally opted out of the folderol decades ago. Not for the angst you have described but that is one reason to just say no.
Do what you can as you can and if the family is disappointed then it is their disappointment not yours, you after all, did your best.
Wake me when it's over, will ya?
Now, if you are going to post an emotional post like this one, at least get it accurate.
Here I am with my make up running and in tears only to be let down by the ultimate gesture of skipping Christmas?
Naw...please say what you really mean. Christmas you want to keep. Its about family. Its about love. Its about all the things that we take for granted everyday...like breathing.
I believe that what you meant to say is that you would rather skip all the commercialism. I mean, that is where the heart of selfishness and greed really lies doesn't it? The commercialism is where the almighty dollar rules and if you ain't got any then is sucks to be you.....
Keep faith in Christmas where it truly belongs. If there is love in the family, the commercialism has no really way of making any sort of significant impact.
Post a Comment