My family used to have HUGE gatherings. Now my parents moved out of state and all my aunts and uncles do their own thing. I have my sister, but I feel like I'm intruding on "her family's" Christmas.
2006-11-27 08:12:02 · 23 answers · asked by baby1 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
oh yes, being older I miss the ones that are gone. the grand babies really help and make it worth while again
2006-11-27 08:15:26 · answer #1 · answered by treetown2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds about right. My mother's side of the family consisting of 11 brothers and sisters (11 aunts and 11 uncles (they are married)), and all 50 or so cousins all use to go to my grandfathers house, and have thanksgiving, christmas eve., and new years there. My grandfather moved to indiana, along with a few aunts and uncles, cousins and such. anotherwords, it's down to 3 families now. it's nothing like it use to be. Oh, also, I started hanging out with my best friend during the holidays as much as I possibly can. It's not really a good thing. His 18 yr old sister died in a car accident just down the street from where they use to live. It's been 2 years now, and just doenst get any better.
2006-11-27 16:21:09 · answer #2 · answered by Frank 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's easy to feel depressed during the holidays, because it is a time when a lot of people get together more than they do the rest of the year. As a traveling salesman myself, it can be a disturbing thing to be out on the road, facing my own difficulties, and see a family dining together in a restaurant. At those moments, for myself and most of us, we can become like little children, longing for the comforts and fellowship of home and family.
If you feel like you're intruding on your sister, then make your visit short and sweet. There's usually something else going on with them on other days of the week, and you could always show up for those gatherings.
Most of my friends are in the Gulf right now, so I don't have anyone to hang out with besides immediate family. My solution: Get around other people, and just talk to them about anything. I go to an all-night Starbucks in my area and have a great time mingling with the patrons on the outside terrace. Many of them are just getting out of the movie theater nearby, and that makes for a good topic. Also, it's cheaper than a nightclub, which charges a door fee.
If you're feeling depressed, fill your mind with information that is inspirational, even if you don't feel like it. Listen to tapes or CD's while you drive. Listen to inspirational speakers and lift your thoughts to a higher, less depressed level, even for a few minutes.
In Alaska, where it is dark for six months out of the year, one thing the locals do is drink hot chocalate. Even if you're a diabetic and have to limit your sugar intake, you can probably have a little, or just get the sugar-free kind. It seems to help your endorphin level, which is a remedy for depression.
2006-11-27 16:34:47 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
During the holidays especially during Christmas, there are bouts of depression. I moved away from my extended family and sometimes is is not always easy to go home for different reason. But I am blessed to have my family around me. We have taken up a practice that I saw in a movie where the family gathers on Sundays and all eat together. We enjoy being around each other, yes we have family issues just as any other normal family would but on Sunday , all goes out the door. When you walk in to my house on Sunday first we give praise to God for allowing it then we hug and tell each other that we love each other. This helps us on the times that we can not go back home not to be so lonely. We always remember the real reason for the season.
2006-11-27 16:28:29 · answer #4 · answered by debra a 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's hard when people move away. Once family is spread out, it's really hard to get everyone together. I didn't enjoy Christmas much when my mom was alive. There was always a problem. I don't get depressed, but I suffer from anxiety over Christmas because I spend it with my husband's family. They do things different than when I was a kid.
If your sister hasn't asked you, I would ask her if it's cool to spend Christmas with 'her' family. Failing that, I'll bet you can find a few friends or acquaintances or work colleagues who are single and make you own Traditional Celebration.
Just don't be by yourself.
Merry Christmas!
2006-11-27 16:54:43 · answer #5 · answered by katie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not really "the holidays' that causes the depression, its the weather believe it or not .
Studies show that in summer people are allot happier and energetic. I n winter they are indoors more and not moving around as much, loss of serotonin and endorphins both created happiness and energy in the brain.
As far as being alone for the holidays, I feel you, but you could donate time to the mission serving food, or hospitals visiting patients without family.
You would be surprised at how good you would feel about yourself if you did these things.
2006-11-27 16:24:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I sometimes get depressed during the holidays because back when I was 15 years old my mother had a terrible fall and spent Christmas and New Years at the hospital getting surgery and recovering from her fall. Ever since then I get sad during Christmas time because I remember the last time I saw my mother walk. Fortunately she is still with me, but in a wheelchair because doctors were not able to help her walk since that fall she had.
2006-11-27 16:21:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the holidays have always been a difficult time for me. I have very few family members left, and I find it to be a depressing time anyway as most people seem to enjoy the holidays. I see all the happy people enjoying themselves, the songs on the radio singing about how the holidays are happy, and so on. Its difficult not to be depressed.
2006-11-27 16:18:55 · answer #8 · answered by Edward 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We usually have our sons and their families gather here for Christmas. This year a daughter in law wants to again try to have it at her home..
Not everyone agrees with that, as it just doesn't feel right.
The month of December, my dad passed, then two of my aunts years later. They made it home for Christmas..
2006-11-27 16:16:11 · answer #9 · answered by sassy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its called the Holiday Blues or Winter Blues ...
I live in another stay so my family is in another state ...
Ask your sister if your intrudeing if your not enjoy being with your family its the way it should be
2006-11-27 16:54:46 · answer #10 · answered by BitchBox 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start your own Holiday tradition, like going somewhere for an adventure. Or, gather your best friends, and create your own type of "family."
The Holidays are what you make of them. You don't have to just be with your relatives.
2006-11-27 16:15:40 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋