Having serious pre-Christmas anxiety (details)?

Question

I've gotten it before, but never this early or this severely. It is comprised of a lot of things, but mostly things I feel I should do but fear I can't. Gotta shop more, gotta buy more, gotta send presents out early. What to do for my co-workers? What to do for the people in my pottery class? I'm afraid I've already spent too much and have too little to show for it. Now on top of that, my car's check engine light has come on. I'm freaking out! Any suggestions?

You have all given me great answers and I appreciate it very much. Can't decide which is best..must leave it to voters.

Answer 1

Aha. A soulmate. I seriously empathise. You need a 'true meaning of Christmas checkup'.
Buy yourself a Christmas carol album (a good one with a choir) not a cheap one that the stores play. Sit back, close your eyes and sing along. O Come All Ye Faithful and Joy To The World are two of my favourites to really remind me of what its all about!
Cheap but meaningful goodies for coworkers and classmates (but only if you really want to). Sometimes if you give presents to these people you will evoke panic in them if they havent bought anything for you.
Last year a friend of mine did something really clever that I am going to copy this year. She bought some really cheap white plant pots from Ikea and put in them a 'Christmasy' looking plant (dont know what they are called - poinsettas?anyway anything red will do) wrapped it up in red cellophane and a white ribbon. Total cost $4!!!! Bargain. All my not-super-close friends are getting that this year. And I will have fun doing it.
But truly what I want to emphasise most is get your car checked first. Take care of yourself first. What good will it do if you buy everyone fabulous presents, and you're totally stressed out with no car???
Do you have 'Carols By Candlelight' where you live? I love them. It evokes goodwill.
Also, TURN OFF THE TV. This time of year the advertising becomes unbelievable. It has a way of making you feel supremely guilty cheapskate unless you've bought everyone you know a mega expensive washingmachine/diamond ring/whatever they are trying to sell you!
Breathe deeply. Smile. Noone likes the Christmas Stresshead. (My Mum was one. And Ive inherited it. I have to remind myself of my childhood when you couldnt even ask Mum in the lead up to Christmas for a glass of water "DONT TALK TO ME IM STRESSED!!!!!!!!!! CANT YOU SEE IM TRYING TO MAKE THREE MILLION CHRISTMAS COOKIES FOR THE NEIGHBOURS???????")

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Answer 2

Anxiety is usually more about fearing that you'll forget something. Answer? Make lists! Write down all the people you need to buy gifts for and which you need to mail. Check the Post Office website so you know exactly what your deadline is. Don't worry that you have to buy a unique gift for each person at work or your pottery class. I get those individually wrapped Mrs. Prindables apples from QVC .com which turn out to be about $3.50 a piece. No need to gift wrap...just bring in a bunch and give everyone one. As for your car, most of the quick oil change places have the diagnostic computer. When that happened to me, I found out there was nothing wrong with my car...just the sensor was messing up. They reset it for me. Good luck and happy holidays :)

Answer 3

Yes I have. I suffer from this type of stuff too. For me I MUST make lists of those things I need to do. Just focussing enough to list things helps to lessen the anxiety.

I will put a category down: e.g. SHOP - then list all those I need gifts for.

It may be helpful to list all those you need gifts for, count them, see how much money you have, and then divide the money by the # of people - that will give you the maximum amount to spend for each.

It will also help sort out whether or not you can afford to buy gifts for so many people.

You can tell people that this year budgetary restraints are forcing you to just give token gifts, (remember dollar stores) or no gifts at all, and make an agreement with them accordingly.

Once you've made your list, prioritize what is most important. And deal with the top priorities first.

Good luck.

Answer 4

It appears that you are stressed out because you are trying to meet expectations which are beyond you or that you truly feel you must meet, but aren't sure you want to!

Slow down. Christmas doesn't have to be that way. If you've bought for co-workers and acquaintances in the past, just don't feel you must do it always! Going into debt or spending too much just makes the holidays that much more difficult.

Only do what you feel comfortable doing and consider gifts that aren't costly if you feel you must give to those you've mentioned.

The holidays aren't all about commercialism, you know. Relax. Try to do things which you enjoy and mean something special to you. Focus inward instead of on all the "fuss."

Merry Christmas!

Answer 5

Do you've a ladies and boys club close to you? Or a YMCA? Or the different "youngster" position? Do you bypass to any type of church? All of those places must be able that can help you indirectly. in the experience that they could't provide you counseling, they could nicely be able to point you someplace that would want to. there are a determination of different anti-melancholy drugs, and many require that you're taking them for a month before you get the finished result. If one isn't operating, you want to inform the prescribing regular practitioner about it. also, there are a determination of differing kinds of melancholy, so going to treatment is taken into consideration mandatory to parent out what form that is that you've. even if that in the experience that your mom received't pay, help is for sale. seem for a youngster outreach middle on your section and provides you them a decision. in case you may't locate one, make a level to take position to school faster or later and purely walk into the counselor's place of work and communicate with someone there.

Answer 6

Prioritize
Make yourself a list
assign each item a value (I'd use stars myself)

For instance your car light would get 5 stars absolutely
and breathe

I know it feels out of control and overwhelming
but if you really think of it
how many of your past Holidays
were totally defined
by the gifts people gave you

are there people you felt 'dissed' you because of a poor present?

Hope you will add how you survived the Holidays after they've happened.
Best of luck to you and yours
and I hope the caring and love of the season shines thru for you somehow.