Gosh, am I being a Scrooge?

[n2mark]

In years past it was always important to have a real tree.

Last year I said the heck with the mess, bought a fiber optic tree with multi-colored lights. This year I have no desire to bring it out.

As I posted before my adult children will not be with me until the day after Christmas, am I being a Scrooge not wanting to put of the tree? Is it because I am getting old, wiser, lazy or what?

Christmas was always my favorite time of year but for some reason this year it is like bah-humbug!

I was always excited about giving at Christmastime thoroughly enjoyed giving to others, this year I don't care.

Does this happens to parents who have children grown up who do not have children of their own?

I am for the first time in my life not excited about Christmas this year.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. no, it is the sudden realization of what Chirstmas is

all about, a celebration of life in the middle of winter, not gift giving...

Truly.

Revel in the spirit, you just found it and incidentally that will also help this country in the long run

[Hello_Kitty]

2. I've never been excited about it

I don't hate the holidays or anything but I'm not from a warm, loving family so the whole 'togetherness' thing has always seemed kind of alien to me. I guess that's why I saw through the crass commercialism easily, even as a small child. Always seemed pretty bogus. I say just do what you are comfortable with this year and don't buy into what you are 'supposed' to do or feel. You may end up feeling excited about it again, or not. No big deal.

I'm planning on visiting the veteran's hospital this year. I've done it in the past and it makes me feel good to bring some cheer to people who truly have no one during the holidays. Maybe there's something in your area that you could help out with to take your mind off not having a lot of Christmas spirit.

[donheld]

3. No you are not

You have just realized that a tree can be a lot of work, and a LOT of mess. I'm alone and do not want to go to the bother of all that decorating so i don't. If you are by yourself you can do what you want

[rhino47]

4. Then I`m with you

I usually sort of get into the spirit.This year as I stood in line
waiting for some crap my kids will probly play with for 5 mins I felt ashamed.I was thinking of the homeless,abused and neglected children the world over,the horrible situation in sudan etc etc .I was thinking to myself how truely horrid all this excess was in the face of such suffering.I was stressing thinking of all the things I had to do for the holidays on and on.I am glad in a way that I was able to put it all into perspective.
I find myself more determined to continue to teach my kids social responsiblity especially during the holiday season(and the rest of the year).I think it is the best gift I could give them.I don`t want to be a downer but thanks for letting me rant.So I`ll bah humbug with you .

[China_cat]

5. The last time we had a tree

we caught the dog carrying it around in his mouth. Decorated. (Big dog)

That was 1985. We haven't had one since and it has been such a relief not to have to worry about it.

[grilled onions]

6. No tree for me

Have not had a tree(fake or otherwise in years). I prefer to see my trees live--with roots still in the ground. Decorate with seeds and fruit and you can help feed our feathered friends and have something to watch at the same time. The money and time spent on this yen to decorate could be better spent on helping others. I call it thinking with the heart and mind--not being Scrooge.

[amazona]

7. maybe you are a bit depressed

I'd try putting the tree out anyway in a couple of weeks. Sometimes you don't get excited and start really enjoying something, until you have already started getting involved with it. Does that make sense? Get a couple good friends together who also have kids out of the house, get out the eggnog, and have a little tree-lighting party. I don't like the focus on gifts, indeed, I've tried to discourage promiscuous gift-giving from every casual acquaintance or former business associate. That takes the "special" out of gifts and makes them an obligation. Trim the card/gift list and focus on getting together with a few special people you don't see often enough. I bet the sparkle will come back to your Christmas.

P.S. If you are in a silly mood, have some eggnog with cheap bourbon in it and rent a DVD of "Bad Santa," it's pretty raunchy, but it's hilarious, and it is miles away from the syrupy Christmas shows.

[logosoco]

8. You are NOT a scrooge

. You are one who wants to feel the spirit of christmas and frankly, that is more important than what christmas is becoming.... a reason to shop and buy stuff. It's artificial and is demeaning the whole season.
TO me, putting up a tree and decorations is good for when we start feeling "glum" because of the shorter hours of daylight. It gets shoved in our faces too early, and the stores probably want us to feel bad that we aren't in the christmas spirit the week before thanksgiving, maybe they think we will buy more.
Put your tree up when the spirit moves you, and if it doesn't, don't feel bad. THere is more to christmas than decorations and presents , it's just very hard to remember that sometimes.

[flvegan]

9. Get a simple, silver metal pole and claim a Festivus celebration!

[n2mark]

10. Thanks

I just feel lost this so called holiday season. I was always so excited seeing the expression on people's face when they were given something. I just don't have that excitement, maybe this has something to do with this is the first year being retired. I'm frustrated with myself and also angry because I just don't have the desire to give to anyone. I really believe this election has a lot to do with it.

I don't know who to give anymore and who to help out. The church is out, let them rely on their faith based money, many agencies also receive faith based money, they want volunteers, but are the neocons volunteering or standing back and saying "let the liberals" do the volunteering while they enjoy their riches?

In my 62 years almost 63 years, I never experienced a holiday like this.

I've experienced the spiritual, I was a nun at one time where materials goods was not an issue, but I can't seem to even find the spiritual this year. I am so stuck in the mud.

[gollygee]

11. This is the first year my husband and I will have a tree

Our daughter is 2-1/2 and will know the difference this year.

But it's a pain in the butt.