Holiday sentiment.

[Texasgal]

Just about everyone I've talked to are either:

A: Over the holidays

B: Broke and done

C: running severely behind

D: feels like the season just kind of came up too fast

There has not been ONE person I've run into that is enthused about the season, even people that usually are! . I wonder... are we all politically tired? Sad? Broke?

What's your holiday sentiment?

For myself, I am behind and have found myself not caring much... This is different for me! I am usually happy and excited at this time of year.

[Kali]

1. pretty much all of the above

but here is a hug for you anyway

[Texasgal]

4. Hugs to you sweety!

<3

[democratisphere]

2. Americans have unrealistic expectations about many things including the holidays!

This sets people up for huge disappointments. Throttle back the expectations and be thankful for what you have!

[Texasgal]

5. While I agree with your premise

I find that THIS year just seems different.

[democratisphere]

8. Agreed. The other significant downer element is the drumpf cult

and all of their chaos, ruination and destruction of our country. January 3rd is the opportunity for a truly new beginning!

[underpants]

3. I'm actually pretty excited

Going shopping with my daughter for Mom's gift tomorrow

In laws flying in for a few days. My folks will be here Christmas Day.
I've got some good gifts for everyone too.

[Texasgal]

7. Nice to hear!!

I am glad to hear that someone is looking forward to the season!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family!!!

[aeromanKC]

6. Is it January 3rd yet?

Our champagne in ready!!

[SWBTATTReg]

9. I've been burned out over XMAS holidays since my family (out of town) goes berserk for ...

the holidays and really overdoes it. Since then, I refuse to participate in any 'family' holidays (same way as Thanksgiving). Don't feel sorry for me, as I finally get time to spend w/ other friends that are rapidly dying off, calling them over the holidays, having parties w/ them, etc. Don't buy any gifts either (all of us have a strict policy of no gifts, no XMAS cards, nothing!). I don't know if this came about because all of us felt like the holidays are overdone (at least I feel this way).

I guess as one gets older as we all are (my friends and I), we don't care about the decorations, the tree, the presents, the songs, etc., but just simply to sit down w/ each other, enjoy each other's company, and have a couple of drinks w/ each other (or more). This is worth far more to me than gifts.

[Texasgal]

10. I hear you!

It's not really about gifts for me either although, I bake a lot for my family and friends. I just feel behind and OFF this year.

I hope you have a nice holiday..

[SWBTATTReg]

11. You too. Thanks so much and make sure you make yourself some goodies to eat later too! nt

[csziggy]

14. Since my family stopped getting together my sister gives a party at her house

For all her friends who either don't have kids or who can't make to their kids' holiday celebration. They grill hot dogs, people bring other dishes, drink wine or beer, and have a good time just being together. I've only made it to one of her get togethers (one year when my husband's family was not getting together and we went down to spend Christmas with Mom and took her over for my sister's party) but it was such a nice laid back group.

Frankly I'd rather do that again, even though it is a lot farther away and we'd have to spend two nights away from home, than go to my in-laws holiday parties. They have too many people, too many expectations, gift exchanges, and they play games which I don't enjoy.

Oh well, I will do my husband's family Christmas again this year and maybe next year we'll go to my sister's party for a change. But we won't be able to take Mom ever again.

[SWBTATTReg]

15. I am sorry about your Mom. Too many of my friends are getting to the point that they ...

can't travel the distances to family, so they make a point to come to a small XMAS like event, just to see friends and sit and relax.

You'll get there (to the sister's party), being that you went once before, and it'll stuck in your mind when you had such a nice time.

Something will work out in such a way that before you know it, you have your own little event (or maybe w/ your sister instead if you don't want to have the event(s) yourself). And it doesn't have to be your event either, I've partnered w/ 2 other friends to hold these events so at least we weren't overwhelmed w/ all of the details), and we each invited who we wanted to come and split the chores among us. It worked liked a charm.

In my case, I am getting up there in age, all of my friends were aging and slowly dying off, and my family is 4 to 6 hours away, and I can't travel that much anymore. So in a way, the decision was made for me (health).

Take care, and be safe traveling to your husband's family events. Happy Holidays!

[csziggy]

16. When my husband was working, taking time off around the holidays was impossible

And we can drive to his family dinners for the day be home that night. He worked at FedEx so you can imagine how much they appreciated an employee who didn't try to time off to travel out of town!

Since his Mom died almost two years ago it has been more and more important to him and his siblings to get together. On the other hand since my Dad died in 2013 my family has fallen apart, especially since Mom died in September.

I will make an effort to get to another of my sister's parties but right now it is more important for my husband to be able to support his family - most of them live in Panama City and they were all affected by Hurricane Michael in one way or another.

[SWBTATTReg]

20. Absolutely. Sister was in retail too, it was crazy during XMAS so taking off then was next...

to impossible. Usually had holidays immediately afterwards but was difficult to schedule for the whole family being that New Years Eve was just around the corner and of course w/ all of the returns coming back in (retail).

You and your husband sound like two wonderful people who are helping in any way you can, your families. Sometimes there is only the two of you, and you wish you could clone yourselves, so you could be in multiple places at the same time!

Hopefully things are picking up in FL after Hurricane Michael, I'm going to call a good friend of mine (Tampa, so I don't think they've been impacted much from what friends told me) for Xmas.

Thanks for the news on your families (stay strong!), stay in touch w/ us here on DU, for we do care about each other, and of course be safe and happy holidays to the two of you (and your loved ones).

[csziggy]

21. I'm glad my husband retired - the job was affecting his health badly

But he is the generous one. I'd like to give more of my time and effort but I've had tons of health issues over the last eighteen years. If it weren't for my husband I probably would not still be around. He not only makes sure I make it to all my health appointments, he does the same for several friends.

Tampa did not get hit hard, just lots of rain but there are still areas rebuilding after Irma went through the middle of the state two years ago. Things are getting done in the Panama City area but Mexico Beach and a lot of the little towns inland will never be the same. Marianna got hit hard and lost a lot of their historic buildings.

Have a good holiday season!

[Phentex]

18. These words...

but just simply to sit down w/ each other, enjoy each other's company,

It's times like this, the hustle and bustle, everybody going crazy trying to buy stuff and do stuff and bake stuff and plan stuff...it's THESE times when all I want to do is take time out to sit down, visit and enjoy the company.

[SWBTATTReg]

25. Amen! nt

[lindysalsagal]

23. It's all about the family and food. Good enough!

[orleans]

12. it hasn't been the same

since my mom died (9 years ago)

this year i was working on a xmas project that took me from may to the beginning of december.

so, between the sad xmas blues and being immersed in xmas for about seven months, i am feeling really numb/indifferent toward it this year.

but i remember the times when it was absolutely magical.

[Texasgal]

13. I'm so sorry,

I understand. I lost my husband just shy of two years ago and I am still not together. Holidays are the worst

I hope you are atleast able to have a nice holiday.. Hugs to you.

[orleans]

17. thanks. same to you.

[lindysalsagal]

24. My 1st w/o Mom and you're right: Not the same.

But there's a new baby this year, so, that will be great!

[Phentex]

19. I'm not behind but my mood isn't great...

I feel totally lucky to not worry about the basics but I do get overwhelmed by the pressure to do things just because of tradition. And the current idiot in the White House has me feeling like I want to hurt someone. And my work situation is in flux and that is adding to the feeling of wanting to run away. And I can't run because I'm wearing a boot because I fractured my foot. I feel like Eeyore. Aren't you glad you asked, lol?

[Harker]

22. It's all peripheral for me...

Buddhist widower of Hindu woman, now sharing life with a celebrant who is tired, sad, financially depleted, behind... all that, but not to excess.

Never thought I'd be the one most enjoying seasonal decorations and singing like Dean Martin.

Merry Christmas, Texasgal!

[kimbutgar]

26. I usually go all out decorating my house and tree.

This year I just couldn’t get into it with much gusto. I did the minimum. Same with Halloween, this year just couldn’t decorate the way I usually do. Had a lot of disappointed kids. I attribute to the flange maggot fatigue, depression and fear of the direction the country going in.

[Raven123]

27. Enormously grateful

I was fortunate to grow up in a family that valued time together above all else. Over many Christmas years I learned to enjoy the moments. With one parent deceased and the other affected by advanced dementia, I carry a lot of warm feelings.

So I hope you can ignore the poopy-heads, turn off the noise and have a Merry Christmas