re: Anybody else hate the holidays?

There's a reason why this is a busy time of year for the suicide hotlines. You're constantly surrounded my reminders of Rockwell Christmas scenes and perfect families. The truth is maybe 1% of the people in the entire world have those Rockwell experiences. Life is complex and hard and it can unravel quickly. My best advice is to man up for your kids because as much as you think it sucks they are 100% the opposite. Don't shite on their experiences because you can't get over whatever it is you're dealing with.

quote:

---

My only wish is that it wasn't so expensive and commercialized

---

And therin lies the root of the problem in my estimation. It's become more about materialistic BS than anything spiritual or family oriented. We call it a time of giving, but really, it's a time of receiving, and a time where you end up stressed out trying to get it all done sometimes. Makes me wish for a good week of snow where all you can do is stay inside and spend time with the ones you love, or go out and do for those who cannot for themselves. We've been missing this boat for a long time now.

While most people are opening presents some others are opening a vein.

i have never been a fan. Holidays in my family growing up were not fun. Several people with issues that came out over the holidays. wayyyyyy too much drinking and frickwadery.

My father broke down my door on christmas eve and took away all my presents, after I set the carpet on fire. I think that probably has a lot to do with it.

I suggest you drink heavily for the new couple weeks

quote:

---

.this is the first Christmas since 2004 that I will actually spend with my parents and siblings.

---

This is going to be so great for all of you. I'm glad you get to spend the time with them

quote:

---

Hugs to you Noho, I know this holiday season must be really hard for you and your dad.

---

Thanks. We're keeping traditions going and making it festive and involving my niece. She has helped wrap presents, so there is random tape all over the gifts, stack them under the tree and helped pick out gifts. That's the part that we love. Seeing it through the eyes of a 2 year old.

quote:

---

And therin lies the root of the problem in my estimation. It's become more about materialistic BS than anything spiritual or family oriented. We call it a time of giving, but really, it's a time of receiving, and a time where you end up stressed out trying to get it all done sometimes. Makes me wish for a good week of snow where all you can do is stay inside and spend time with the ones you love, or go out and do for those who cannot for themselves. We've been missing this boat for a long time now.

---

That's what I feel. The one thing my boys and I started doing every year is going through old clothes and toys to donate. They didn't like the idea of giving up toys (even though they didn't play with them), until I explained how some kids don't get a single toy for Christmas. Then they both came dragging a garbage bag full of toys out of their rooms. Made me feel so proud of them.

quote:

---

The one thing my boys and I started doing every year is going through old clothes and toys to donate

---

That's a great idea.

No.

Sup Grinchy?

quote:

---

And therin lies the root of the problem in my estimation. It's become more about materialistic BS than anything spiritual or family oriented. We call it a time of giving, but really, it's a time of receiving, and a time where you end up stressed out trying to get it all done sometimes. Makes me wish for a good week of snow where all you can do is stay inside and spend time with the ones you love, or go out and do for those who cannot for themselves. We've been missing this boat for a long time now.

---

I hear yall, but I think it can be both.

The commercialization of Christmas just doesn't bother me that much. I still spend time with my family. I give gifts and I get some. I go through the "hassle" of shopping. Sure, Starbucks and Nordstrom are trying to use Christmas to make money, I really don't care. I like it going into places where they're decorating and playing Christmas music, even if it is just intended to get me to buy shite.

No, most of the country doesn't make Christmas about Christ and that's unfortunate. It those of us who want to can do so, and we can still enjoy all the other trappings of the season, I think.

I'm bad at shopping, I'm bad at wrapping presents, I hate Christmas traffic. But I think when we accept these a part of the deal and stop romanticizing about bygone days, it's pretty enjoyable.