Where's my Christmas Spirit?

[LunasMomma]

I wish we could just cancel it this year We have no money for anything and are struggling to pay our bills. AND I just found out that the dog-sitting job I was supposed to do over the holidays is no longer happening, so there goes my daughter's Christmas

We have nothing up and haven't done ANY shopping at all, since we don't seem to have even enough to pay the bills right now. I want to go to bed and hide. The worst of it is, my MIL AND BIL are coming here for TWO WEEKS on the 20th and I have no idea how we're going to feed or entertain them like we have in years past. They invited themselves and of course my husband said come on down

[margaritaville]

I feel like the GRINCH this year. Just can't get it together. Usually, just watching It's a Wonderful Life and putting up the tree gets me going but not this year.
Adm. we need a Grinch icon!

[celstu1]

I think you lost the spirit of Christmas due to the economy. Im sure EVERYONE is feeling it and it hurts. Try to remember that christmas is about getting together and being with family and friends. Do not worry about gifts and presents and spending money. Offer everyone who comes a glass of eggnog, hot chocolate or warm cider, some homemade sugar cookies and have some Christmas music going and your tree lit up!

I know its hard to feel the spirit when things seem so bleak, but if you don't put in the effort you'll regret missing it when things start to look up again. This is my first Christmas in 32 years that I will not be with ANY of my immediate family. Im trying to not to think of that and just enjoy it for what it is now.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[Valeria Morriso]

WOW! It's amazing how many people are feeling the same way. I agree that it's the shape our world is in today. I usually put my tree up as early as October 31st. My family doesn't celebrate Halloween, so I always let that be the time my boys got to put the tree up. I have often been laughed at for putting mine up so early. Maybe God is trying to remind us what the Season should be about. It's all about HIM! I have often felt that we do commercialized the holiday too much. Maybe we should focus more on the meaning of the holiday. I don't know......I just know I am having a difficult time being merry this year. I, too, am thinking about all of the things I have to do after Christmas.

[Yorkiekids]

I can't seem to find it either. My son left on very bad terms, and my youngest is planning on having Christmas with her sister, so it will be just my husband and me. It just makes me feel very down.

[bdbmamaw]

I know what you guys mean. I was watching a video of when the kids were small and we didn't have much money. I actually got excited over an electric blanket and a griddle...! It made me realize that every year the price of the gifts keeps going up and I don't seem as happy as I was in that video. So this year we are going back to the basics. We are really limiting our spending this year and buying way below our budget. I can actually feel myself getting excited again because I'm not worrying about money. I'll probably just bake cookies and such for friends. The whole family wants to do the same, so we exchanged names, so we only have to buy one gift for whomever we picked. And we put a limit on the price of the gift. It has really made a difference. So if you don't have much money, don't let it get you down!!! Just think of the fun from years gone by when you made homemade gifts. You might find your fondest memories were of times spent with those you love and that the price of the gift was not even close to being important. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas!!!!

[Jenn218]

Goodness...I hear you all! Everyone's story is the same, but yet unique - layoffs, struggling to make ends meet, holiday time without loved ones (Connie, you are always in our thoughts and prayers).

I absolutely LOVE Christmas. I love the smells (my parents house still smells the same now as it did when I was a kid on Christmas morning), the spirit, the reason for the season, etc.

BUT this year...everyone is just bringing me down...and I don't like it. I mean, the guys in our family are NO gifts...no big dinner...etc, etc. They fear the economy will just keep getting worse! I didn't even feel like putting a tree up...and normally, my whole house, inside and out is all decorated before Thanksgiving weekend is over. I finally put the tree up...my excuse, for family pictures...but I haven't even done those yet. My holiday shopping...sigh....I have so much to do!

This year, to make the guys in my family happy...we are just buying for the kids (and NOT over doing it) and for the adults, we are doing the "dirty santa" game...which means we just need to buy one generic gift for male and female -- which I am finding that kind of hard to find special gifts that would suit anyone!

AND for the grandparents, we are all pitching in to make big goody boxes of items that they use every day and need - with a few little extra's thrown in - because they are living on such small incomes already, and with this economy, they need all the help they can get (even though they never ask for it).

Sigh....this is NOT how Christmas should be...there isn't a need to worry about money or gifts because this isn't why I celebrate Christmas...but in this world we live in now, it is all about money and material things. If we could just focus on the real reason and celebrating this special time with friends and loved ones - we wouldn't be stressed over money and gifts, we wouldn't be frazzled over holiday shopping in crowds, we wouldn't be so tired of all the running around and holiday cooking of huge meals and baking.

My BIL was laid off, but has another job, which he now has to work his way back up to where he was at his old job. My father works at home, and business has been very slow. My FIL is having some sort of surgery on where in neck and spinal cord meet after the holidays and fears that he will not be able to work after that. My DH has a good job and with all the layoffs, he will be one of the last ones to go (we are thankful for that) and he works his home business too (which has slowed down tremendously). I am trying to find work, but there really isn't much out that anymore. Working at my DD's school is not cutting it...not much work and pay is so small.

So...yes, sadly, you are NOT alone......

Big hugs to you all!

[celstu1]

Originally Posted by Jenn218

Goodness...I hear you all! Everyone's story is the same, but yet unique - layoffs, struggling to make ends meet, holiday time without loved ones (Connie, you are always in our thoughts and prayers).

I absolutely LOVE Christmas. I love the smells (my parents house still smells the same now as it did when I was a kid on Christmas morning), the spirit, the reason for the season, etc.

BUT this year...everyone is just bringing me down...and I don't like it. I mean, the guys in our family are NO gifts...no big dinner...etc, etc. They fear the economy will just keep getting worse! I didn't even feel like putting a tree up...and normally, my whole house, inside and out is all decorated before Thanksgiving weekend is over. I finally put the tree up...my excuse, for family pictures...but I haven't even done those yet. My holiday shopping...sigh....I have so much to do!

This year, to make the guys in my family happy...we are just buying for the kids (and NOT over doing it) and for the adults, we are doing the "dirty santa" game...which means we just need to buy one generic gift for male and female -- which I am finding that kind of hard to find special gifts that would suit anyone!

AND for the grandparents, we are all pitching in to make big goody boxes of items that they use every day and need - with a few little extra's thrown in - because they are living on such small incomes already, and with this economy, they need all the help they can get (even though they never ask for it).

Sigh....this is NOT how Christmas should be...there isn't a need to worry about money or gifts because this isn't why I celebrate Christmas...but in this world we live in now, it is all about money and material things. If we could just focus on the real reason and celebrating this special time with friends and loved ones - we wouldn't be stressed over money and gifts, we wouldn't be frazzled over holiday shopping in crowds, we wouldn't be so tired of all the running around and holiday cooking of huge meals and baking.

Remember Christmas is one day. Its 'US' that makes it a month long. Things you can do after christmas are things you can do before Christmas, one day should not stop you from doing what you need to do! Enjoy the one day. You don't know what next year will be like and you may regret being bah humbug this year.

[Carterna]

I agree wit all that is said! I hope that we all find the christmas spirit here in the next couple weeks!
I love christmas n I wish we could all get together and have a big pitch-in christmas feast! At least that's what my family is doing this year. My mom usually does all the cooking but this year my parents don't really have the money so I am bring some things and we are all going to the Hoilday Inn to have dinner and swim and hang-out! I wish the best to all this christmas! I hope your spirits are lifted!

[Jenn218]

Originally Posted by bdbmamaw

I know what you guys mean. I was watching a video of when the kids were small and we didn't have much money. I actually got excited over an electric blanket and a griddle...! It made me realize that every year the price of the gifts keeps going up and I don't seem as happy as I was in that video. So this year we are going back to the basics. We are really limiting our spending this year and buying way below our budget. I can actually feel myself getting excited again because I'm not worrying about money. I'll probably just bake cookies and such for friends. The whole family wants to do the same, so we exchanged names, so we only have to buy one gift for whomever we picked. And we put a limit on the price of the gift. It has really made a difference. So if you don't have much money, don't let it get you down!!! Just think of the fun from years gone by when you made homemade gifts. You might find your fondest memories were of times spent with those you love and that the price of the gift was not even close to being important. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas!!!!

So true - wonderful post!

I still get excited over something small or something needed or especially anything handmade!

I asked for no gifts this year from anyone outside our family (since the family is doing the $30 dirty santa). I asked that if there was a need for gifts..to please think of the kids instead of me!

I still prefer handmade gifts over store bought...any day, for any occassion.

And for celebrations, such as my birthday...I always ask for something that the entire family can use or needs. Like a new iron or set of glasses or a donation to a charity, etc.

People seem to like that....and it is something small and simple and that can actually be used for years to come....not something that is the "in product" at the moment and will be tossed aside and forgotten in a few months.