Why do we get "the blues" at Christmas time?

Question

...and what can be done about it?

Answer 1

You get the blues because Santa brought you a brand new 1962 Stratocaster reissue, or an Eric Clapton signature Strat.

What you do about it is join a band, and jam those blues!

Answer 2

It's an incredibly stressful time. There's gift-giving and entertaining/traveling of course, which require a lot of thought, planning, money, time and energy. Either you want to get that special someone the perfect present (which is never easy to find) or you're buying presents for the less than special someones who you feel guilted into spending money on. And let's be honest; being with family is stressful too. It's a group of people thrown together by the accident of birth, so it's no wonder that you grate on each other from time to time, if not more.

Finally, there's (in my cynical opinion) the biggest factor. You have to be happy. It's not even an option. You HAVE to be happy. Look at the stories of the Grinch and Scrooge. They're looked down on because they don't get with the "Christmas spirit." If you feel forced to be happy and you're not quite in that jolly place, it's a significant psychological burden.

If you want to do anything about it, something has to be sacrificed. You could limit your celebration circle to the people you're really close with to lessen the shopping strain. This naturally risks some bad feelings from the people you leave out. As for required happiness, there's very little to be done. Either you get the blues from faking happiness or you get them from not conforming and ending up as a bit of an outcast.

Answer 3

I think it's because commercialism has given joe public the idea of what a 'perfect' family and Christmas should be.. and when your own family or holiday doesn't measure up to what is perceived to be the norm, you feel cheated somehow. Like no matter how hard you try, or what you buy, or how many places you go, it's never enough, or never GOOD enough. When I learned that not only is the date of Jesus birthday NOT Dec 25, but that no matter WHEN he was born, Jews of his day did not celebrate birthdays, I began to realize that something was bogus in what I was doing and why I was doing it! I no longer celebrate any holidays, and I no longer feel pressured to measure up to any standard out there except the right one... God's. And now I no longer get the blues during this time of year! :)

Answer 4

Treat it like it's just any other day! Just because everyone else is going to be feeling all festive, I don't let that bother me at all! I feel festive pretty much everyday! All of the holidays to me now are so commercialized until I don't even get any joy out of spending my money at a certain time of the year or look forward to being knocked down in the stores trying to get the item before they're all gone. I know cash is so impersonal but my children are older and I just either give gift cards or cash. I don't get the blues because I'll have a cocktail while everyone else are losing their ever loving minds! Damn Shopping!

Answer 5

I think this happens because we start reminicing on the past. After all the stress of finding gifts, baking cookies, parties, wrapping presents, putting up the tree....etc, we are worn down to begin with. Then, we start remembering the past....those we have lost over the years. Our parents, grandparents, friends, and other loved ones. It's a sentimental time of year.

People should try to focus on what they have now, not what they have lost over time. Today is more important, and we should celebrate the joys of THIS YEAR. It's tough to do, as we are emotional creatures by nature. But, if we focus on the present, it can be done.

Answer 6

I'm a christian and I do not like Christmas! I start dreading it around September.
Shocked?
It really wasn't Jesus' birth date so...
I don't believe it's wrong to celebrate his birth.
BUT- It's more WORK for me! Money, time energy, I gain weight, I get depressed and CRABBY!
I say when the grandparents are gone, when the kid is older-I"M outa here, I'll be on a beach during Christmas if i can afford it!
†

Answer 7

If you get the blues at Christmas you do not rest in the true meaning of what Christmas is. Do you know why we should celebrate Christmas? For the birth of our SAVIOUR, and to get rid of all this santa business. It is only in Jesus Christ that you can have complete Joy and peace....after knowing what He did for you on the cross, and realizing you have sinned against Him and need His forgiveness- then do you receive not only His holy Spirit but JOY- complete and pure JOY that is unspeakable. I rejoice this time of year!


Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Answer 8

I think it is because we do not know why we are celebrating in any real way.. I am working on it for myself.... but I think if we could remind ourselves of the things Jesus taught, and then gave some repect and gratitude towards Him, that would give us some reason.... in other words, if we thought of Him as a sacred person who lived among us, we would give thanks .... but we seem to forget that ... there is not much Love sent in His way, from my observation... and everybody needs Love ...

Maybe if we took a few moments of silence in His memory ...

Answer 9

No doubt it is because you realize that you just went in debt for the next year, what can be done about it?

Get rid of your credit card, or cards.

Answer 10

Because the greens and reds are busy.