Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Holiday Blues

'Tis the season!

I always get anxious this time of year. My mind races and I have trouble getting to sleep some nights thinking about Christmas. I can't quite put my finger on WHY I feel this way. No, I know what it is.



It's the pressure of purchasing gifts. Trying to make sure that everyone is happy with them. I think to myself, "Am I spending enough, too much? Did I buy enough for this person, or would money in an envelope be O.K.? " Why should it have to come down to this? I hate how Christmas is so corrupted by all the retailers. Why can't it just be about family, and gathering around the table for a meal, and for crying out loud THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD!!!!!! I miss singing "silent night", and "Hark the herald angels". Most kids today think the holidays are about a Turkey and Santa bringing them gifts, how horrible!



From this day forward, I am making a promise to myself. I will enjoy the holidays! I won't worry about gifts, I won't worry about if someone is upset if we can't spend a holiday with them. I have to think about starting our own family traditions of going out to buy a tree, and decorating it to Christmas songs by the fire. Enjoying Christmas breakfast with my husband and kids. Going to church to celebrate, for it is a religious holiday.

I am going to relax, and take a deep breath.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!


11 comments:

E said...

Amen, sister! I admit I do feel the anxiety too, but less and less each year. Simplify. We have to pass down our warm memories to our babies.

P said...

to quote the ever-wise and powerful love and rockets, "it's all in your mind." if you feel pressure, it's because you're putting it on yourself. really think about why you feel the way you do, and examine the consequences if you "fail". remember exactly what the holiday means, or what you want it to mean, and go with it. breathe, smile, and when you are really stricken with anxiety, make lists to calm that monkey brain!

Dina said...

i know, i do it to myself. as you know this is a learned behavior. we were taught as kids that the bigger and the more the better. unfortunatly, too many others feel the same way. it's really the "thought that counts" isn't it? not how much you spend or what you buy. i am over searching for the "perfect gift" for anyone.

diane303 said...

Good for you. I especially like the idea of singing carols by the fire. What a wonderful legacy to give you kids.

As far as buying tons of crap for every single person, I really love our hokey family Secret Santa. It satisfies the gift giving spirit on so many levels, including that it doesn't murder you financially.

I hate having to go out and buy lots-o-stuff for everybody, have them look at it and shrug shoulders, and then work like a beast to pay off my holiday credit card burden.

P said...

you're smart enough to be aware of it, so change your paradigm and unlearn the behavior. let your present state of mind be your incentive to change -- you don't want to give your kids that same anxiety, right?

and as for other people and their bigger is better mentality, let them feel that way. what will happen if they don't appreciate your gift? nothing! the world won't end. usually, the people that are so base as to actually express disdain aloud about a gift can never be satisfied anyway, so why kill yourself trying?

casey has helped me a lot on this topic. his most poignant words of wisdom to me were, instead of worrying about matching the perfect gift to the person, remember that a gift is an expression of you , not of the person to whom you are giving it.

long live secret santa! huzzah!

Rizzi5 said...

theres nothing more rewarding and satisfing than the look on your children faces when they wake up Christmas morning and they can open boxes, and theres wrapping paper everywhere. your kids are still young enough to enjoy all that and they will for awhile. Enjoy that~ theres no need for the perfect gift. what is the perfect gift anyway ( for Daniela its now Spongebob body pillow) thats how simple it should be. Rock on Spongebob your my hero !

P said...

also, for whatever it's worth, it's likely casey and i will institute a rule that santa only brings three gifts. keeps that feeding-frenzy effect down so the day isn't all about gifts, gifts, gifts.

diane303 said...

There's a lot of great things that you can do with little kids during Christmas.

Write a letter to Santa!

Make special cards or little gifts for Gramma and Grampa or a beloved aunt or uncle.

Making garlands and ornaments for the tree.

Probably one the the most fun things that I remember letting my kids decorate Christmas cookies. They would invite a couple of friends over and spend the afternoon making their masterpieces. What a hoot! We would always display them with pride.

As I look at all of these things, the common thread is "What can I make for others?", not "What am I getting?"

P said...

totally, momma!

Dina said...

for real!
i remember making christmas cookies, and those snowflake ornaments that we covered with clear glitter. Watching the peanuts christmas, and listening to the Nutcracker record with the picture book.
The holiday's seemed to last forever.

diane303 said...

....and I better you remember all of that stuff much more than waking up and tearing through all the boxes.

In fact, can you remember any more than a precious few gifts that you have gotten at Christmas?

I remember a pair of gold patent leather shoes with rosettes on them that I received when I was about 4 years old.