Does anyone feel the same way I do about Christmas?

Question

I just can't get in to it anymore. I don't have the money plus I have three cats who would have the decorations torn down in no time. Don't get me wrong, in my heart I know the true meaning of Christmas but can't deal with the commercialization of the holiday. I get the bah humbugs and can't wait til it's over. If I had kids it would probably be different. My husband and I have so many bills that I would feel guilty spending our hard earned money on gifts when we have all these other expenses to take care of. I send cards out for my husband's sake but I don't even really enjoy doing that. I never go to company Christmas parties and I stay away from the malls from the day after Thanksgiving until a few days after New Years. I hate the crowds and the cards I send are made on my computer. I mean, we have a family dinner (me, my husband, mom, sister and her kids) but that's it. We spend that time together which is a good thing but like I said, no gifts for anyone and no decorating.

Answer 1

I know what you mean. The commercialization is annoying. When Halloween stuff is in the stores during the summer and Xmas stuff goes in before Halloween is even over, it's too much.

The season should be about caring and is to some degree still, but the pressure to buy and spend is unhealthy. We decided last year to just scale down and not spend on those outside our immediate family. There's no point going broke.

I enjoy sending cards and writing little updates on what's going on w/us to family/friends outside the area.

You shouldn't need to make excuses for how you feel. Celebrate the holiday the way you feel comfortable doing and don't give in to outside pressures.

By the way, this will be our 1st Xmas w/3 cats, and I'm sure our two newest ones will try to destroy any decorations I put out.

Answer 2

I have three cats and two dogs. I feel the same way. That feeling of excitement and high expectations is over now that Christmas has been commercialized. Plus we are moving into the first house we bought and packing and unpacking. I mean damn I am only one person. Price Chopper has precooked meals. That is what my hubby and I got. You have to cook them for two hours and you can season them but it is already to go without endless hours of preparation. Moving around this time of year is horrible and I am still grieving from the funeral I went to last month. I try to get into the spirit. I try watching the 25 days of Christmas on the Family channel. Maybe Christmas is inside us somewhere and it will be awakened this year by a surprise.

Answer 3

can't get into it either. i send minimal cards and if hubby wants to send one to someone he can do it. i have an attic full of trees and decorations. i have lost 2 sons in last 3 yrs and have a daughter that is still here with me. but i just can't get into it anymore. i live away from the rest of the family so no one sees the decorations i put up any way. all the adults in my family decided that we can get what we want for the most part so we adopt a family. the adults don't exchange...we just do for the kids . it is amazing how the kids kick in to help and we feel so much better helping someone in need.

Answer 4

I feel the same. All the trappings detract from the meaning for me. I try to come up with traditions that have some meaning for me personally, but that don't reflect the dominant culture (tree, santa claus, expensive gifts, etc.) It's not easy. I always wish I could just avoid the whole thing, but my family wants more of the traditional stuff. P.S. I never send cards!

Answer 5

No, I don't feel that way at all. Christmas isn't about decorating the house or shopping, it is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

If you don't believe in that, you shouldn't celebrate Christmas at all.

If you do believe in the true meaning of Christmas, maybe you should try to think about what you're thankful for, and that the reason Christians give gifts is that Jesus was God's gift to the world, and we are celebrating that gift. I don't think it's at all hard to pick out a few meaningful gifts for people, and I think it is selfish not to want to buy people anything or grudingly sending them cards online.

Answer 6

it form of appears like the right of 2009 purely kind of sneaked up on me. i believe like I blinked and it became right here. I nevertheless managed to be all waiting for it in spite of it seeming to come back from no the position although. It doesn't experience like Christmas Eve for me yet probable because so a techniques the day is going like another week day does, even though it is going to later tonight. we've an annual family contributors Christmas Eve get mutually to bypass to so once i'm there it is going to magically experience like Christmas. although, I purely complete making my very last bow (I make all of them by hand) for a present so for a second it felt like it became truly Christmas yet now i'm decrease back to my common recurring. Merry Christmas! Brit

Answer 7

I know the commercialization does suck....the religious part is the only part I really like and the dinner with my family...but problems come when divorced...i dont want to see the ex so my duaghter is doing two dinners which is nuts....the Ex can afford to take her out to eat...Hes loaded but boring and not s*xy and chauvanistic Ugh....just buy ppl really simple stuff like candles and candy...i got blankets for my son and daughter stuff like that....i have a really tiny tree that is up high in the window and thats enough for me with some snowman ceramics and candles

Answer 8

Just remember, Christmas wasn't meant to be gifts and decorating anyways. It is too commercialized and crazy. Just spend time with those you love. I've always thought Christmas should be all year round anyways (the thought, not the gifts).
Just take the "mas" out and remember Christ, that ought to do it. :)

Answer 9

I love the whole buzz of christmas and love to see how much my seven year old gets out of it all. She goes to a catholic school so they keep the true magic of christmas alive for her. This year my partner and I are being really selfish, we normally visit both sets of parents on christmas day, go to church early on and at the end take my Granda back to his home. This year though we are spending christmas just the three of us in the house and I cant wait!!

Answer 10

i cant believe it theres someone out there just like me. i know how you feel.every year it gets less in less for me.i just cant pick myself out of this any more. the trees up and yes i have cats too i know how you feel.and i have the out side done but still feeling nothing.my kids are older and have young kids there self but still nothing.i think all the stress just depresses us .Christmas is too commercial now.its all about money.[the root of all evil}