First annual Christmas tree lighting, I took my boy there. I expected Santa on a sleigh, hot chocolate stands and a big Christmas tree. None of that. At least it was snowing and there were singers. When they gave a few speeches saying next year it will be better and lit the (short) tree, my boy turned to me and asked, "Can we go home now?"
What was your last Christmas disappointment?
2007-12-01 13:24:04 · 26 answers · asked by Wickwire 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
I was married and divorced at a young age. In a small apartment ,22 yrs old with 4 yr old son, we decorated a tree then he went with his dad for a week-end visit. I sat to look at the tree in a dead silent room. As I stared across the room it's trunk was as crooked as an "S". It was an ugly, poor excuse for a Christmas tree (like my life!) I sat in the chair and cried for the next ten minutes. I was sooooo alone and afraid and that was my worst Christmas disappointment.
Fondly Juju
2007-12-01 15:01:12 · answer #1 · answered by Ju ju 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋
This is a very difficult question to answer without sounding critical...And I am not criticizing you in any way, please understand. But....Christmas has become so overblown with bigger is better, commercial this, commercial that...perhaps both your expectations were higher than reality...this was not network TV. When I used to take my kids to something, perhaps it was not grandiose, and certainly not what we may have expected..but we had a great time anyway. IF it had been snowing, if caroleers were volunteering to sing, I think I would have explained that this is what Christmas is really about..bigger is NOT always better. It is what is in the heart, not the stores. I would have gone crunching through the snow, had a ball. WE have all seen the huge trees...the National tree has enough wood in it to build a house. The tree here at the Fashion Island is almost 100 foot tall...and guess what...not impressive, for there is no feeling included with all the hoopalah! Hell, just walking in the snow can be wonderful with the right attitude. Who knows. I have had only one "bad" Christmas in my life, my mom was with my Stepdad by his bedside a hundred miles away, we were staying with cousins...it wasn't Christmas..but low and behold, about 2PM, Mom drove up and the day was suddenly bright as the star on the top of the tree. All the presents in the world do not make up for that. I was 11 at the time, my brother was 9....a bad Christmas was, with one door opening of a car, a wonderful thing..and I learned at 11 that Christmas was not about presents, it was about who your were with. I am glad I learned that lesson so young in life, Perhaps I am luckier than I think at times. Then again, I haven't hit the lottery either! I know, from previous postings you have made how much you love your son. The best of Christmases are those where he knows it also...nothing more, nothing less....all the Wii's Xboxes, etc., are meaningless without that love. Phil
2007-12-01 15:38:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
Sometimes we have to make our own Christmas traditions , like when putting up our tree we always played Christmas music . When children are little they like making decorations for the tree. We used to go out and collect pinecones(not the sticky ones) and bring a big bag. The kids love running around gathering them like an Easter egg hunt. We would bring them home and let them open over night and the next day you can paint some green and decorate by gluing on coloured beads. They look like little Chrismas trees. Tie a coloured ribbon on the top and hang on the tree. We also sprayed some with hairspray and shook gold sparkles on some . I still have the ones I made with my daughter when she was little.
I see a lot of Parents without Partners and their kids out together on excursions to play centers or going to movies. In the winter sleigh rides or skating is fun too. I call it building memories.
I have had many disappointments in my life at this time of year, but I hope you don't mind me trying to be a bit more positive this time. Kids grow up a lot faster than you think and before you know it they would rather be with their friends . Sounds like you are on the right track with your son.
2007-12-01 16:47:51 · answer #3 · answered by Donna 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Oh Wickwire, that must have been disappointing! All dressed up and nothing to do!
A few years ago I had been working out of state, in New York, for a month. I even got to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade but I missed my husband and daughters-I called them during the parade on my cell phone, they were watching the parade on TV. I didn't get to fly home until December 23rd. That was the first time I did not do any of the decorating or other preparations for Christmas. While I was thrilled to be home, and my family did a fine job.....I felt let down that I had not been a part of the preparations. Oh well.....I got over it....:)
2007-12-02 00:06:14 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Every year I start out so looking forward to the whole thing-Then by about today-I AM DONE! I start remembering the stress, the after Christmas letdown, the mess, the crowds, hassle and how I never accomplish the things I want to. I set out with good intentions (maybe too many of them) and then I don't get them accomplished and that just adds to the let down. I wish that I could lower my expectations of myself and just enjoy the season.
About 20 years ago our family Christmas was VERY strained and I had no clue why. Found out a week later that my father and my brothers wife had "fallen in love" he was 52 she was 24. It never led to anything and both couples stayed together, but I still have a hard time every Christmas. So does my sister who was 20 at the time.
2007-12-01 13:57:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I have to say I have been blessed with so many good Christmas's and it hurts to read all the awful things that happen to so many, my heart goes out to them...
the only one that I remember is when I was 5yrs old, it was Christmas Eve, my older Sister and I was laying awake so exited was I that I turned to her and said "l can hear the bells of Santa's sled"...well, she was not such a nice person even way back then, she just blurted out in a snicker.."there is NO Santa"....and she proved it to me...took me to where the presents were hidden....I was devastated, oh she was a nasty so and so...when I started school after the holiday, I told my friend what had happened...wrong thing to do!! I ended up upsetting her, not intentional,....and I got a smack from the teacher....flipping eke!!!.....lol
2007-12-01 15:19:15 · answer #6 · answered by ♥ HOPE ♥ 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
My last Christmas disappointment, Wick, happens every Christmas.
I think gift giving has gotten out of hand and should be banned all together. I am disappointed that Christ is so out of Christmas and the joy of a grand family dinner is displaced by the stress of buying so many gifts and searching for "just the right thing". I would choose a big family gathering, big dinner of assorted dishes made by each family member, and a christmas song sing afterwards. Sigh.
2007-12-01 14:21:41 · answer #7 · answered by Wrong number 5 · 7⤊ 0⤋
When I was little I asked for a "Patty Play Pal" doll. On Christmas morning I opened my presents which were small compared to what Patty should have been. There was this big long cardboard bow at the bottom of my little stack of presents. It wasn't wrapped. I turned around and sat down on the box pouting and said, "I didn't get my Patty Play Pal" It was in the unwrapped box !!!!! ... lol
2007-12-01 13:40:34 · answer #8 · answered by Diana 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
My christmas let down is that when you do go shopping for presents, If you look around you people are in such a hurry either in the car or in the store that they dont take the time to see the beauty around them..
Its really a beautiful time of year but everyone thinks of it as a rush here and there..... But just look at the beauty, take a minute out of the day.. I guess that is my let down..
Deb :)
2007-12-01 13:34:51 · answer #9 · answered by debbie 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sorry Wick....it will get better. After all Santa will be sneaking down the chimney in less than a month!
I'm sure I've had a few disappointments of my own, but can't think of them right off.
2007-12-01 13:30:26 · answer #10 · answered by Grace 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋