What can I do to get my Christmas spirit back?

Question

Ever year, I seem to have less and less Christmas spirit. I buy gifts and generally I am a rather giving person, but I can't stand the financial burden it causes each year. I live paycheck to paycheck and it is so difficult and causes so much stress. Also, I am single by choice. I am okay with it, but I can't stand it around the holidays because family members constantly ask, "Where is your bf?" or "Seeing anyone special?" It gets annoying and makes me want to spend even less time with my friends and family. I generally try to avoid my peers because they all tend to be coupled up. I just wish I can skip to Jan 15, 2007.

I forgot to mention that I do volunteer for a cat shelter. Last year, I volunteer to help clean the cat cages on Christmas and Thanksgiving day. Just becasue it is the holidays, the cats still need fresh food, water, and litter. My family failed to understand this. They complained becasue I came so late in the day and I did not come that dressed up because I just come from cleaning at an animal shelter. On the way home, I stopped at a friends house to give her gifts and she was like, so nice of you to dress up for the holidays. I felt like throwing her gifts down the steps. Writing this is making me think that maybe I should surround myself around new kind of people.

Answer 1

Im like you hon, i have a son who is out of this country & i cant see him, Christmas means nothing to me no more, but i do have my 95 year old dad to try to cheer up for. I wish i could skip christmas to. what i do is just talk to my friends on the phone & also call the local crises line here to, they seem to help. i get crying spellls & the works. when its real cold, ill get out & walk in it & it makes me feel more better, with the cool Crisp air, & watching the Birds & kids. I also write poems about my feelings, That helps to, I like arts n crafts & i make Collages & give them to people for Xmas, Or get old frames @ a Thrift store, Cut out pretty pictures From old calenders & magazines & Put them in frames For cheap Gifts & for myself, Its not money that counts for christmas, Its the Season. Its very Depressing for Lotts & lotts & lots Even Kill themselfs That Time of year, Its a Holiday That Can be Cherrfull for Lotts & Sad for Others, Christmas Songs Makes Me Cry sometimes, Cus To me, Its a Sad time Of year, I lost My son, due To him Going to a Nother Country, Its worse Than Him DEAD, he Has Mental Dosorders & wont Get Meds & doesnt Want To See me Of who Knows Why, I was a good Mother To Him,, But Gave Him To his Dad, Whom I divorced As hes 9 Years old then, Hes 26 Years old Now & his Dad let Him get In Trouble, & one Thing Lead To a nother & that Haunts Him. I really DREAD every DA# christmas EACH YEAR TO & try To FAKE SMILES, Its Hard Hon, I really Really Truley FEEL for YOU. I know How You Feel Inside & out. Thanks For reading & sorrry So Long, You Take Care & try To Watch Some Funny Comedys On Tv & forget Christmas As i Do & i Take Deep Breaths & say Ill Make It Threw It, HUGS.

Answer 2

This happened to me several years back and I decided to change the way I celebrated Christmas. My family is very far away and I have no one to celebrate with. So I started doing things for other people who also don't have anyone at the holidays. I started volunteering to deliver the toys for tots collected by the marines to see the delight on the children's faces who might not receive any gifts at all. I go to the local nursing homes, hospices and hospitals and read holiday stories to the shut ins. I make cards for people who are in the hospitals or nursing homes over the holidays. Sometimes, I help serve the holiday meals to the homeless or go around and pick up the food donations from the stores to make the meals.

Doing for others sure changed my focus from what I didn't have to what I did and helped me re-charge my Christmas spirit. Maybe changing the way you spend the holidays will have the same effect for you.

Answer 3

I think you have to stop seeing the Holidays as a burden. If you are really single by choice then all the asking shouldn't bother you so much and you r Friends and family should understand this about you.
Try not to worry about buying either. Maybe think of some "handmade" gifts. Last year I did a lot of picture giving. Just by some nice cheap frames and add a picture!
I think the more you think about it and dread Christmas the worse it will be. Positive attitude, plenty of friends that truly understand you and I think you'll be ok.
Chin up and I'm sending you some of my Christams spirit your way! : )

Answer 4

I agree with the other postings that the spirit is of giving. If you choose to spend the holidays with the less fortunate people or animals, good for you!

Also, I volunteered in an animal shelter and the first thing I did when I got home was walk in the garage, undress there and pop the clothes in the washer. Then I always showered. I never tracked anything in my house. Animals have diseases, and they are also dirty. My shelter recommended this during our training there. You shouldn't go to someone else's house with animal dander (and other unseemly items) on your clothes.

Having said that, with finances tight, perhaps you can convince your family to do a "Grab bag". A friend who has a large family does this. They put all the names in a bag. Each family members selects ONE and buys for only that person. The receiver gets a good gift, and the giver feels like it is not such a burden.

Answer 5

One thing you might think about is just give a gift certificate. Let them get what they want. As far as being single by choice no one should try to force you into a relationship you dont want. You are your own person that has to answer to no one but you and God. Why dont you think about helping out at a senior citizens facility or nursing home near Christmas. At this time of year many people in these places have no families to visit them and would just like some one to talk with. My church does it and I will tell you this it makes you feel great and can boost your holiday spirits. Who knows you might like it and do it regularly. Good luck and oh yeah MERRY CHRISTMAS and MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

Answer 6

i think somebody needs to be visited by the three ghosts of christmas.. the first ghost being the ghost of christmas entertainment.. you need to watch some good old christmas movies and television shows.. such as, its a wonderful life, white christmas, charle browns christmas, rudolph the red nose raindeer.. i could go on and on and on. the second ghost being the ghost of holiday cheer, why dont you have some friends over and play secret santa? or play christmas games, hang some mistletoe and bake alot of food and bust out the champagne and start singing, whether you are by yourself or with a whole bunch of people.. you should sing christmas songs, im sure you know a few by heart, even if its just jingle bells or deck the halls or have yourself a merry little christmas.. just keep singing them and make sure your smiling while your doing that, and the third ghost the most important of them all the the ghost of holiday love... start preparing OTHER people for christmas... say christmas is coming and i love you and i hope you have a VERY MERRY christmas.. tell people what they mean to you and tell random people you dont know merry christmas.. start now.. its christmas season whether you like it or not.. so stop being a scroogge cause i know you dont want to be one.. and put a smile on your face and loveeeeeeeeeeee the season.. and next time someone says wheres your boyfriend or seeing anyone special? just tell them nahhh i'm not looking for anything at the moment, i'm just interested in having a good time nad celebrating the holidays with the people that i love =) <33 goodluck and happy thanksgiving! and more importantly... MERRY CHRISTMASSS!!!!!<333

Answer 7

I think the whole idea of Christmas has been lost. Everyone seems to think it is all about getting presents. If we focus on the TRUE meaning of Christmas, which is Jesus Christ, we can have joy at this time of year. Don't get caught in the trap of going into debt to buy people presents. If you family constantly badgers you about your personal life, why not do something meaningful on Christmas instead, like go help serve food at the local homeless shelter, or something else that will be meaningful? You will be blessed by it!

Answer 8

Jesus is the reason for the season. Go out and love people, show them that you care. Volunteer to work with the homeless and the poor. Make this a year-long commitment. There are many churches and other organizations in your area where you can help. Helping people is the key---not presents or belief in fables. Yes, poor children do need presents----they need someone to show them that they are loved. Sometimes the greatest present that you can give them is a smile and a hug and to tell them that you love them and that Jesus loves them. Your avatar suggests that you are female---this gives you a powerful tool to use to reach children because most of the poor children have mothers that are under bondage to addictions and could care less about them, if the mother is around at all. Most of the fathers have split. Be bold and brave, but be smart and ally yourself with a successful ministry.

Answer 9

Volunteer to help out with kids in the hospital, or at a senior citizen home. You can also volunteer to help at a soup kitchen. My husband and I like to find a needy family and buy all the trimmings for a Christmas meal and get a few gifts for the kids. We enjoy our Christmas more this way.

Answer 10

Christmas is a time for giving, it doesn't mean you have to spend a dime. Give of your heart, and of your time to organizations that need help, or maybe go visit a nursing home, and visit the ederly. The ederly have a wealth of knowledge to share, if we would only take the time to listen.
You will find more joy in that one moment of giving and it only cost you time out of your afternoon.
As for family and friends, they are just trying to make conversation, and catch up. Try not to pay any mind to the intrusive questions, they just care about you is all.
Try to enjoy the holiday season, it is full of magic, and miracles.