I am not a big fan of Christmas....

[pupaloo]

For the past several years I have grown to dislike Christmas. I am the type that would rather just have a nice get together, enjoy a meal with family and friends and celebrate that way, instead of having concerns about what gifts to buy someone.. Maybe because we have lost several family members over the years on both my husband and my side of the family, I do not have grandchildren to buy toys for and some people in my family make a big deal about the quantity of gifts you give.. and now we are all at a point in life where we don't "need" anything, so we basically pass around money and gift cards. I just do not like that.

I have tried with some family members to change things up a little and instead of buying gift cards and such for each other, why couldn't we pitch in and provide a nice Christmas for someone that might need it.. Well that Idea was shot down in a minute. 

My husband and I have provided Christmas for Children at local churches and last year I gave gifts to a girl I work with, a single mom with 2 kids.

I get more satisfaction out of doing for others, that really need it. Because one day long ago, we (husband & I) were in that position and people we most generous to us. We made a pack that if there ever came a time in our life where we could give back, we would, and we do.... 

 A few family members can't understand why I am like I am, but I have seen a selfishness out of some of my relatives that just makes me mad..

 I the past, I have seen my sister run all over town trying to find a gift for someone, then calling me crying because she is stressed out about what to buy, when will she have time to shop and on and on and on.  

Yes I guess I am a scrooge..

 

 

 

 

[Seraphim]

Maybe you are just not a fan of the way some people do Christmas. Just do you. If others don’t want to participate just have a nice quiet Christmas with the hubby.

[itsallgrand]

You are the opposite of a scrooge in my books. Merry Christmas. I think your way of celebrating is just lovely. 

[boltnrun]

I don't like the commercialism of Christmas either.  One year I asked my family members to bring a warm clothing item or a blanket they weren't using anymore so I could gather them and donate to homeless people.  Only one cousin brought something.  I felt deflated, but then decided I would continue to try to help.

I think the way you "do" Christmas is the true spirit.

[melancholy123]

I'm with you about the commercialization of Christmas and the unrealistic demands people put on themselves.  My husband and I have everything we need and I really dont like trying to come up with ideas for him when he doesn't want anything in particular!

We buy for the 2 little grand kids and small things for our own kids and their partners.  Next year we are going to set a limit of maybe $20 on a gift as most people do like having something to open on Christmas day.

My grinch-ness comes from my mother who was very demanding and no reason was ever good enough to not do the command performance at her house on Dec. 25.  Even when I was 30 yrs old and got chicken pox a few days before that!  She cried and yelled and carried on like the wold was going to end because I had dared to get sick at Christmas. I'd never been so sick in my life at that point and there she was. making it all about her.  When I was better and not contagious we went to her house and she was as cold as ice to us.  I vowed then to never do that to my own kids, to be that demanding and hard hearted.  If we cant get together on Dec 25 then we will do it another day.  Mother ruined Christmas for me for a long time after that.

I say do what you want to do and to hell with the others.

 

[Wiseman2]

7 hours ago, pupaloo said:

My husband and I have provided Christmas for Children at local churches and last year I gave gifts to a girl I work with, a single mom with 2 kids.

We made a pack that if there ever came a time in our life where we could give back, we would, and we do.... 

This is the true spirit of Christmas. Kindness. Charity. Compassion.

Continue your good works. If family want to engage in the way they do, that's fine, just know that you are doing what's in your heart.

[Rose Mosse]

Too much frustration.... the next time your sister calls let her know you are sorry to hear about the troubles and take her out to lunch. Sometimes people just want to be heard. They don't need their problems fixed. I think the biggest givers actually need some TLC themselves.

That frustration though is coming from inside you so why not do something you feel is a bit more proactive? I think you can easily cure this by volunteering at a local charity or donating or spending time with an organization or association you feel is a worthy cause. Let your love and kindness radiate outwards. You seem to have a good heart and kind intentions.

Get rid of that wriggling wormy feeling inside, all that frustration and anger about the situation, by doing something else that means a lot more to you than the status quo. Hope you feel better soon. 

 

[Jibralta]

19 hours ago, pupaloo said:

My husband and I have provided Christmas for Children at local churches and last year I gave gifts to a girl I work with, a single mom with 2 kids.

Sounds wonderfully Christmassy to me!

What if you asked people to make a charitable donation in your name instead of getting you gifts?

If they still want their gifts (or gift card), so be it. But at least some effort towards charity has been made.

You can also say, "Let's stop exchanging gifts," especially if it's gotten to the point where everybody is just trading gift cards!