I have a sister who hates holidays & birthdays & weddings and anything in life that means family unity and joy....but she's been like that all of her life. Another sister (the baby) doesn't spend alot of time on decorating or cards or the rituals of the holidays but always wants the biggest present. The other one decorates and cooks to the hilt but will work on the holidays to make the extra $$ instead of spending "the day" with the family, or if she's there she's sleeping because she worked all night. That leaves me, the oldest, the one who busted her a** for years to keep the family traditions going for them after dad died and mom didn't care anymore. It has taken me a long time to realize that we get out of the holidays what we put into them. I celebrate for my family now, and everyone else is welcome to join us or not.
We were all raised in the same home, had the same parents, ate the same meals, had the same pets & went to the same schools. We are all different.

I hate what Christmas has become to some people. It is not about gifts and Santa...It is about the birth of Jesus. I also don't like that I am pulled in so many directions at Christmas....my moms house, my dads house, my inlaws house, my moms side of the family, my dads side of the family it is very stressful and I can't remember the last year that I actually could just enjoy Christmas. I would love to go away for Christmas, but my daughter does not want to go away and I am not going to be without her at Christmas. It would be much simpler if my mom and dad had not gotten divorced and my ex-husband and I hadn't gotten divorced...it would be simplified to 2 houses. (plus I have to cook something for each of those Christmas gatherings that I go to)...I am exhausted until New Year.

OK, now that I re-read my previous post....it's not like me to be that way. I am beginning to realize that this year I just don't have the energy to be festive. I've been ill, there's some problems in my house that need attention and I just don't know how I could possibly decorate and cook and wrap presents and care for momma and the puppies and everything else that needs to be done this month. (I promise to get my cards out soon)
But, Christmas will come. Christmas with its beauty will be all around me as it has always been.Our family will celebrate the birth of Jesus and the wonder of Santa at the same time. I will listen to the true meanings of the carols and hymns this year instead of singing them out loud (the nuns trained me to be a saprano when I should have been an alto). I will miss my decorations and shopping for all of the presents and that will probably be the saddest thing if I let it be. But, Christmas will come. It truly is a magical time, probably the most magical time of the year. A time to contemplate renewal and re-birth and the start of the new year.
Thanks for starting this thread...I pray for my YT friends for a wonderful and safe Holiday season and a very happy New Year

I stress when I don't have money for a lot of gifts (like this year) and I hate crowded shopping malls and rude shoppers :)! But, I love the Holidays and decorations and everything that comes along with it.

I just try to keep everything in perspective and stay positive :)

I LOVE Christmas! Christmas isn't about giving, and I think alot of people forget that. Of course we all like giving and receiving gifts but, it's about celebrating the birth of Jesus and spending time with the ones we love. Alot of people get depressed this time of year. We ALL think of our loved ones that have passed and wished they could be here with us but, they are with us in memory. We should think (and be grateful) for who we have with us that we CAN spend time with. I don't have alot of money to spend this year but, I will get what I can and my girls are fine with that.

I hope you can overcome this feeling and enjoy the holiday.

Hugs,
Brenda

Girl - ANY CARD YOU LIKE. I custom make each one and you can say anything you want on them -here's some cards I just finished - there's still time if you want me to make you some - I have a 24 hour turnaround time - then 2 day delivery http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p26/red98vett6/

I wouldn't go so far as to say I hate Christmas...but I do have all the same feelings that you listed above, so I understand. It just isn't enjoyable for me. I'll also add to that list the decorating and then worse than that the un-decorating! I do hate that.:rolleyes:

But I know that the reason you and I and so many other people feel this way is because we really have forgotten the REAL REASON for the SEASON. We should all just calm down and focus on the Lord and then I think we would all be able to find joy again in this holiday!

But having said all that I'll end with a big

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I think today, I'll see if I can find the Christmas spirit again ;)

Well I have to say most of you have convinced me to reconsider hating Christmas.:D Ok, Ok...I will try to love Christmas by not spending another minute worrying about stupid stuff and just enjoy the time with friends and family.
A little background on why I'm double stressed this year: The day before Thanksgiving my son had a tread-separation tire accident. He did not get hurt, but it's put stress on us because we had to pay to get his car fixed and to top it all off, Wal Mart would not replace this 2 month old tire that completely fell apart. They are making me deal directly with Michelin, who sent me a letter stating I would have to send them the tire via UPS, along with 2 estimates of repair and invoice for the replacement tire...and they would pay me back for shipping later, and they may or may not replace the tire depending on if they think it was some fault of my son's that their tire fell apart. Oh, and I have to do all this in 30 days or they will consider it an abandoned case. My son is still driving on the spare tire because it was all we could do to fix the undercarriage of his car. So, I have to replace the tire and send the invoice to even get consideration for them to replace it. I can't tell you how much I'm burned up about this! Then my youngest daughter got a toothache last weekend and ended up having a root canal that my insurance paid alot of, but I had to use money I had put away to pay my car insurance bill (which is not cheap with two teenagers on the policy) which is due next week. So several hundred dollars spent in the past few weeks and still have "Christmas" to do. Still have a tire and rim to buy, still have a tooth crown to buy...I'm just not feeling Christmas. This will be the year of tires and teeth. Yet I'm still expected to make dishes to bring to family functions and church functions and gifts...arrrrrgh.

Ok, but starting right now, I'm going to love the reason for the season....sorry for venting. I know my life could be much, much worse. Thank you Lord for our family's good health (except dental) and thank you that we have a roof over our heads and warm clothes and sweet puppies!

Ooooooo Tiffany what a mess!!!! You need a big hug!!! :hug:

Isn't this WONDERFUL???
 

Oh my goodness...that is wonderful! She and my 16 year old would be two peas in a pod. She keeps apologizing for her tooth, and also says she is fine if there's no Christmas presents.

Awwww......I am glad to see that there are teens out there who are still thoughtful and respectful and have kind hearts! :wub: