Does Christmas seem less and less exciting as you get older?

Question

I was wondering if anyone felt the same way that I do. It seems as I get older Christmas doesn't seem to have the same excitement that it used to. I remember as a kid loving the lights, the decorations, and anticipating Christmas morning.

Now it seems as though the holidays are just regular days. The Christmas spirit just doesn't really excite me anymore. You know, the stress of Christmas shopping, deciding who to spend Christmas with, worrying about spending $$$ on gifts for people.

Don't get me wrong its not all bad, I see Christmas for being more of a family and religious holiday rather than a social one. But that seems to be a little boring to me. Anyways what are your experiences?

Maid in Cornwall.....

I totally envy you....that is the type of Christmas feeling that I wish I had......I can't really live the holidays like you do with your grandchildren (I'm only 32) but that is what I would want in my future Christmas.

Answer 1

Yes, it was a great time as child with the Xmas anticipation was so real. Yes there were the lights,decorations and total sense of security within our great neighborhood that we grew up in south central Texas. With a large extended family that would get together on special occasions made for the most fun you could have. I'm talking large families, Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts cousins, bothers and sisters and that was just my mom's side of the family, gee there must have been 40 to 50 people just at my great grandmother's small country house at one time. To bad it doesn't happen anymore, with time the families have grown even larger, but have grown apart. I think that's what I have missed the most in the last 40 years. Of course I still enjoy the season, now have my own grandchildren. There is always a time for like 5 minutes it all comes back as in days passed, that I see my grand kids faces light up just like it was for me years ago. No it isn't the same as it was long ago, but there always that smile that will brighten up your life. To all have a wonderful and safe time. Enjoy your families and hold them close.

Answer 2

No way!!! I have 8 little grandchildren, and I am so excited, their ages are all between 3 and 8 years, so most are now at school. I have found out that my one and only grand-daughter, is playing Mary in the school nativity, and all the boys, are singing solo's, so I will be a very proud Granny when I watch that nativity play, next Sunday ( a big box of tissues in hand) I have had so much fun shopping for their presents this year, as they are now all old enough to appreciate Christmas.

We usually alternate between my Son's house, and my daughter's on Christmas Morning, for the opening of the presents, as they live 8 miles apart, we will be up at 5am, and wait for the call to say they are awake, and anxious to open their presents. NO ONE dares open anything until we arrive, which adds to the excitement. We then spend a lovely day, visiting relatives, and even fit in the Christmas day carol service. CHRISTMAS IS WONDERFUL!!!

Answer 3

Christmas, to me, is still an important holiday. It is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. However, the excitement I used to feel, all the baking I did, the decorations, etc. have gone. I used to be called "Mr. Christmas". The tree had to be perfect, the presents had to be wrapped so beautifully that the people I gave the presents to didn't want to open their gifts. They spent at least 5 minutes looking at how the gift was wrapped. I baked at least 6 different kinds of cookies. I hardly do any of that now.
I don't know, like you say, the older I get the less excited I get about Christmas... and it seems to come faster and faster each year.
What I look forward to the most for Christmas is going to Christmas Eve midnight mass. If I didn't do that, it wouldn't feel like Christmas at all.

Answer 4

Don't give up completely. I remember a few years that I felt that way, but it didn't last. I think the excitement changed to enjoying and anticipating the little things, and some of those little things like decorated trees, hanging lights, and hot chocolate are memories that you can help provide for someone. That is where a lot of the excitement comes in as an adult.... getting to make someone else's Christmas magical!

Answer 5

Yeah the true excitement has been fading over the last 10 years. But to be honest, I found that it was the presents part that was really bringing me down. This year, I told everyone I wasn't doing Christmas presents. Instead, I made donations to charities and shelters in their names.

And I planned different days to spend with different people, doing things we enjoy. I am away at college, so it's just exciting being home, but now I'm looking forward to taking a walk in the woods Christmas morning with my mom and our dogs. That's the kind of thing Christmas should be about.

I'm not religious at all so Christmas never really meant anything religiously significant to me, but I always recognized it as a time to spend with the family. So even people who believe differently can take time to spend with the people they love doing the things they love before starting a new year together. =)

Answer 6

They key is to not let Christmas be all about chores, crap you have to buy, consumerism, and debt.

Assuming you are one of the millions who have lots of shopping to do...

Try this. It has always worked for me. Pick a day when you have to go out to a million stores to do your Christmas shopping - a day you know will be frought with lines, impatient people, frustration, packed parking lots, and a lot of aggravation. Make up your mind that THIS day, it is your mission in life to be kind, patient, and cheery, no matter how bad things are, no matter how long you have to wait, no matter what anyone else does. When clerks give you your change, look them in the eye with a smile. Tell them you know they must be having a tough day, but you are grateful for them. Wish them a Merry Christmas and MEAN it. Let somebody else go first or get the "last one." Decide that whether or not you get the things you are hunting, it really doesn't matter. Being nice to people is what matters.

Come home at the end of the day, and see if you don't feel better.

Answer 7

It is more exciting if you don't have to budget your gift giving like we have had to this year. It is still exciting to get the family together and have the big feast. My secret is to shop early. I try and have all my gifts bought by Dec 1ST. That way no last minute rushing to find the perfect gift. I also try to keep the faith and remember the real reason for the season. Christs birth. I listen to an all Christmas radio station bake lots of goodies and bask in the warmth of family. My daughter is moving back to Indiana from Mass. and we are so happy to have her near again. Don't loose your inner child, seek simple joys, love well, laugh often. God bless you!

Answer 8

Christmas does seem less exciting to me partly because of all the stuff I have to deal with and get beforehand. It's rather stressful trying to remember everyone you should buy for. Then of course you have the stress of deciding if what you bought the person will be what he or she likes. This may be terrible, but I'm usually glad when it's over because then things can go back to normal.

Answer 9

Christmas to me was about celebrating with my family - grandparents, parents, siblings, cousins.
My grandparents and parents are now deceased, our siblings have their own families or there is divorce and remarriage - and everything is just so different.
In our family, finances for the past few years have been very limited with little to no budget to buy gifts, decorate, etc. Newspapers ads/flyers are filled with tons of merchandise for sale - not to mention the perfect decorations for your tree and home. ...
My husband and I do not exchange gifts - we have small budget to spend for our kids needs.
I am thankful we are both now working - but I don't recognize Christmas these past few years as they way we have celebrated them when our kids were small early in our marriage. In my parents day, their future was brighter financially - our seems to be declining. There is a sense of sadness and loss.
However, I do have hope and true joy if I focus on the real Reason for the Season instead of what advertising says I should focus on. I will chose to focus on being grateful for the Gift of God's son, and celebrate the blessings He has given us (not count someone else's blessings).
It will be a very simple Christmas - but so was the very first One.

Answer 10

Yes, it does seem less exciting. I think it's because of the amount of stress you have leading up to the holidays--when you were a kid, you just woke up and it was all there for you! Now you're the one having to pull it all together. As stressful as it is getting ready for the holiday, I still really enjoy the actual day.