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Title: holiday feelings........... Post by cootie on Dec 18th, 2007, 11:07am Do you all LOVE the holidays.....or HATE them ? I used to love them when it was a nice and quiet day for me and my family.....we'd have cinnimon rolls in the oven and coffee perking.....then we'd turn on sum Xmas music and prepare to sit down and slowly open our gifts. Then we'd all sorta lounge around nibbling on Xmas treats and snacks and have a nice dinner later. Now it is go go go go go.....no time to even think about makeing cinnimon rolls....anytime we have to sit down and open stuff at home is a TIME'D event.....gotta be at the inlaws by a certain time and spend the entire day there. We do Xmas eve with my folks....then two or three xmas parties before that in a row. And now our list of gifts has grown to where we got too many to buy for to buy for 'each other'....too many nieces and newphe's haveing kids all at the inlaws and my daughter has three she can't afford. So she put the pressure on us also sayin they could not visit for the holidays cuz there car is gettin so old and gas money issues (hint hint hint for a new vehicle ???) and since none of us can go there and take Xmas to them cuz of all the obligations and family comein in from outa state to see at the inlaws she says she is goin to announce to her 'children' that there will be NO XMAS this year and that they can't even pay bills (hint hint hint for me to send MORE money this year and sooner to compinsate)......what happen'd to this dam holiday anyhow ?? It is no longer feels happy and mostly a day set aside to buy all these people stuff you never even see other then Xmas.....and be 10 places at once or friends and family get pissed at ya......and try and give the best gift and bring the most gifts contest to show your love and loyalty.....plus blow the entire day sumwhere else.......and go broke !! Seems we've lost the meaning sumwhere here......it's gettin out of hand for us. One party is enuff for me.....not 5 or 6 !!!! Bah my humbug Pam |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by Monty on Dec 18th, 2007, 11:11am on 12/18/07 at 11:07:31, cootie wrote:
Yes - there are good things about the holidays I love, and bad things I hate. My take: people have this belief that it is The Ultimate, so they keep piling responsibilities on themselves and others. Which can stretch things too thin, wear people out, and take the spirit out of it. But it doesn't have to be that way. If I expect the ultimate, I might be dissappointed. If I am looking forward to a nice, quiet time with the family, I might get it if I can limit myself. |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by thomas on Dec 18th, 2007, 11:30am I absolutely hate Christmas more and more each year. >:( I used to love it. :-/ |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by George_J on Dec 18th, 2007, 11:34am I always want to enjoy the holidays. Mostly, the time I'm able to spend with my immediate family makes it all worthwhile. Gets so there are parts of town I don't go to from November to New Year's--who wants to get mired in a retail feeding frenzy, eh? Most of the purchases we make nowadays (and it's not a huge deal for us--we haven't escalated Christmas into a competitive sport) are done online. We usually end up going to my sister-in-law's house for dinner on Christmas Day. That's not so bad, unless somebody's on the warpath. Far as I know, nobody is this year--but sometimes I miss the subtleties, and there's a surprise. ;) Best wishes, George |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by cootie on Dec 18th, 2007, 11:36am I'm TRYING to limit myself......but I come off looking rude and uncareing in the process no doubt....I just "can't" do it all and keep up and don't even want to which is the bad part. You should want to I guess. We are expected at the inlaws for TWO days.....I will limit myself to the one long day Xmas day and that's it. We have 4 events in a row......5 or 6 if we tried to rush to do two in one day. Also we have alot of new years eve options but actually rather not go anywhere cuz that adds to it all. Wish I was more into it and go go go mood but I'm not.....I don't care for all the hype for a one day event that goes on for a week !!! Burn'd out Pam |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by BarbaraD on Dec 18th, 2007, 11:38am You're right Pam -- we ARE loosing the meaning and the spirit of Christmas. Years ago, I remember our house being full of kinfolks (everyone always gathered at our house) and it was mass chaos (great fun). We got to see all the cousins, aunts, uncles - everyone tried to help Grandmother make the turkey and dressing - and sneak the celery in when my Dad wasn't looking (he hated celery or pretended to). A big todo (my uncle was in charge) about baking cookies for Santa and arranging them just right for his visit. And of course the big dinner - we always did it on Christmas eve cause it was my Mom's birthday (had to have a party for her BEFORE we even talked about Christmas - that was a RULE!) Then we all loaded up and went to Midnight Mass. I miss all that. Several years back, Bill and I started "making" Christmas presents instead of going out and buying a lot of junk just to say we had a present for this one or that one. We had fun doing it and it was just as nice as something we'd have gone and bought. I'm still doing it. This year I made calendars for the kinfolks. They took some research and a LOT of work on my part, but I did them myself and I think they're cute as a bug. Christmas is a time for family and friends. Parties are ok, but just sitting and visiting with old friends is nicer. The best presents I've received this year are some "unexpected" phone calls from some "old" and dear friends. My Caleb is coming back up here Friday and we've got a weekend of "cookie" baking to do -- Old Santa is probably gonna be hungry when he gets to Granny's and we've got to be prepared. Hugs BD |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by Mosaicwench on Dec 18th, 2007, 11:41am on 12/18/07 at 11:30:21, thomas wrote:
I hear ya Thomas. Christmas is for parents and grandparents of very young children. We used to make it so special for my son when he was very young - even his grandparents participated. Now all my teenager wants is money money money (and video games), we only have one parent left (who can't be bothered to spend Christmas eve with us), and with Brew working for Santa's biggest elf, it's a downright humbug of a season. I used to make 20-30 different kinds of cookies every year to give as gifts. I'm down to 16 different kinds this year and only give to those who truly appreciate them. I'm sick of the eye rolling and the "cookies again?" comments . . . apparently some of the people I know don't appreciate how much love and work goes into making all those cookies! So they get scratched off the list. It'll be very quiet for us this year with no family to speak of. It might actually be nice that way! |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by chewy on Dec 18th, 2007, 11:46am I still have fun at Christmas. Problem is my energy level would't light a bulb. Its all in what you make it. You give up the spirit and replace it with attitude and misery then thats on you. I'm still going to enjoy the lights, the parties, and Christmas dinner with my nieces and nephews. Feeling overwhelmed? Take a break and go wrap some Toys for Tots. It'll make you feel better. |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by thomas on Dec 18th, 2007, 11:51am on 12/18/07 at 11:41:10, Mosaicwench wrote:
I got to witness that first-hand over the last two weeks. Thinking about getting Gena a baker's hat, lol. She has worked pretty hard on cookies etc. |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by chewy on Dec 18th, 2007, 11:59am Heres a simple suggestion. If you feel obligated to buy gifts for a household with numerous people simply offer to provide the family Christmas tree for all of them. Gather them all up, go pick out a tree, wish them a Merry Christmas, then on Chistmas Day go to there home, experiance the joy..................then eat all their food and drink all their liquor. 8) |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by artonio7 on Dec 18th, 2007, 12:10pm We place as much stress on ourselves as we WANT to during the holiday. I refuse to allow someone elses expectation of how I SHOULD be or act or feel during Christmas influence me. Due to extreme financial difficulties this year Ben and I decided not to do a gift exchange. Do we feel bad... NO. I think it idiotic the way people condition their children year after year to associate the birthday of Jesus with a day of want and greed. Giving and loving is something that should be a part of our daily lives. Christ seems to have gotten lost under all the used gift-wrap and tossed out with the day after christmas garbage. Would the world stop turning if you just took the day and relaxed? Would people love you less if that special gift did not come from you? Are you willing to feed the illusion that a person should equate self worth with "things"? I figure that if I treat people with dignity, respect, kindness and generosity throughout the year then Christmas is a truly happy time that lasts 365 days. I believe that everyday someone is in my life, be they; friend, family, neighbor or stranger... I have an opportunity to treat them as if they were Christ himself... if I fail to do so... then I don't think giving them a gift on the 25th of December is going to make a difference. Take a chill pill tootsie and enjoy the day... you'll be giving the world a present... One less miserable person. with warm regards, Tony |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by chewy on Dec 18th, 2007, 12:12pm Thank you Tony and Merry Christmas !! |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by thomas on Dec 18th, 2007, 12:16pm on 12/18/07 at 12:10:49, artonio7 wrote:
It would have taken me 10 years to write something like this, and it wouldn't have been half as close to the truth. Perfectly said. |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by chewy on Dec 18th, 2007, 12:20pm Thats alright Thomas. Only someone with the sensitivity level of a gay artist could articulate in that way. We all know your not an artist. 8) |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by BarbaraD on Dec 18th, 2007, 12:28pm Tony that was beautiful and so true.... And Chewy - your sentiments weren't bad either.... I think you guys have the true Christmas spirit. Now you've got me singing, "Joy to the World" Hugs BD |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by chewy on Dec 18th, 2007, 12:32pm on 12/18/07 at 12:28:07, BarbaraD wrote:
Just hum it so the neighbors dont call the cops. |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by BarbaraD on Dec 18th, 2007, 12:34pm Geezzz, you've heard me sing? You know I'll get you for that one..... watch your back.. |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by kimh on Dec 18th, 2007, 12:34pm Thank goodness for Christmas, that's what i say! What are we, WIMPS? What's a lil ole traffic jam in the parking lot anyhow? And who cares about the stampede for WII systems, et al.? That's what eggnog and rum is for ;;D I can't wait for church on christmas eve when i'll lite a candle for the world, and i can't wait to hear the ripping taring sounds and see my kids smiles***all's right with the world. Peace on Earth*** |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by chewy on Dec 18th, 2007, 12:38pm Quote:
Dont forget to look into their eyes. And get liquored up. |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by aprilbee on Dec 18th, 2007, 12:42pm I much prefer Thanksgiving these days...no presents to buy, just cook a side dish and show up for turkey, stuff myself silly, sit back, sleep and wake up every so often to see what the score is.... ;;D HOWEVER, I made a statement when my husband and I got married, I would not make our daughter leave her toys on Christmas to go see relatives, we take care of that the day before and then spend Christmas day with just the three of us, and now that my brothers both have families, they get what I meant by that.... ;) Family.... Merry Christmas!!! |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by sandie99 on Dec 18th, 2007, 12:54pm I LOVE CHristmas. I always have and I always will. Period. And I won't let physical pain, emotional pain, stress or anything else to ruin my fave holiday for me. I admit that this year has been painful for me and I haven't found that CHristmas spirit quite yet. My hand hurts, I'm feeling bit blue because of that and I'm attending a funeral before Christmas Eve. And I still recall vividly the CHristmas we had back in 1996, my dad's last CHristmas, which changed a lot. This year Timo and I won't spend our CHristmas together; he'll be here in Jyväskylä, with his sister's family. Still, I'm sure, that come CHristmas Eve, it all be well, because by then I have met all of my dearest friends - including one I haven't seen for ages because she is living abroad nowdays. AT CHristmas Eve my aunt, her two daughters and their partners and perhaps my great aunt, mum's cousin and uncle and his wife and three kids will all gather to my childhood home, as it has been, for the past 26 years. I'm more than happy to cook all sort of CHristmas foods and treats for my family and friends. I love decorating the house I grew up in, I love decorating the tree and listen to the CHristmas CDs (and I have plenty to choose from). I loved picking the perfect card for each person and finding a nice gift and the wrapping them up, knowing that the one who gets them will be happily surprised. My favourite moment comes when all the quests have left on CHristmas Eve, the candles are still burning, one particular CHristmas album is playing, the CHristmas tree's lights are still on and I'm watching the Mass from Vatican while mum is already sleeping. That serenity, that love, that togetherness with my life, my faith and CHristmas spirit cannot be bought, sold nor taken. It's all that matters to me. Sanna |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by cootie on Dec 18th, 2007, 7:36pm Ok....I'll go steal a tree sumwhere and then take sum valium and grab a bottle of whiskey....then drive over to the inlaws to setup the tree ta suprise them then start singin Christmas Carols. Maybe next year they won't invite me and Xmas will be back to basics. Hey sounds like a plan.......should I wear underwear Pam 8) |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by Jonny on Dec 18th, 2007, 8:04pm No stress here, I sleep late, go nowhere and buy no one anything. Just sit around all day scratching myself and farting. ;;D I work to fucking hard all year to be stressed on Christmas day! |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by gore2424 on Dec 18th, 2007, 8:19pm To me is all for her my Olivia granddaughter 4.4 years old Ü http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b16/gore2424/OliviaBallet.jpg and BTW tree is all decorated now Ü PaPa Ü |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by Kevin_M on Dec 18th, 2007, 8:44pm on 12/18/07 at 12:10:49, artonio7 wrote:
The few close ones wouldn't love less without, and sometimes things have much more personal worth than just what they are when they come from someone special. I save and cherish things that mean nothing to another, but because they came from a certain person I keep them because they meant so much. Being good to a person can come easy when you like someone, but an extra thought shown toward them, in whatever way, can mean something special to another beyond any value of whatever gift. Not expected, but in it's simplicity, just maybe well remembered. :) Giving can come at anytime though, Christmas expectations are sometimes overwhelming but it is a good reminder of expressing kindness and generosity to those we care for in a way that that shows them they are a little bit more special to us. If we haven't done that for another in awhile, Christmas can be that reminder to keep in mind showing someone they're special at least once a year, if not so much at Christmas some years. |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by Melissa on Dec 18th, 2007, 9:27pm I'd like to stuff my brother in law into a box and ship him to Guatamala for Christmas. |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by Callico on Dec 18th, 2007, 9:39pm A gift is not an obligation, andif it is an obligation it is not a gift. Keep it simple, share the love you have with your family and friends. Tony said it so well. I wish I could get my thought across so succinctly. Some times tough love is required for our children to grow up and become adults. It is hard for us as parents to see them do without, but sometimes that is what it takes for them to take responsibility for themselves. Don't let them give you a guilt trip for decisions they made for tremselves. If they were addicts you wouldn't buy their drugs for them for Christmas would you? It is the same concept. We will be keeping it simple. We will go to my son's inlaws for Christmas Eve as we have for several years for a quiet dinner and fun time together. Just good friends celebrating the love that has brought two families together. (And this year celebrating the first grandchild on both sides! ;;D) Christmas day Linda and I, and our two youngest ones, who are still at home, will open our gifts for each other, but they will be small simple things. Then we will drive about two hours to my parents and spend the afternoon and evening with them and one of my brothers. Perhaps we will spend the night there, don't know yet. On the 28th Rob, my middle kid, and his fiancee (if she says yes ;;D) will fly in from her folks home in SC for a couple of days before he reports back to CA and gets ready to ship out to Iraq in mid Jan. In the midst of all of that there will be services at church that I look forward to every year. We try hard to keep the emphasis of Christmas on remembering the purpose of the celebration and what it is that the Christ came here for. Wishing all a blessed and peaceful Christmas, Jerry |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by DennisM1045 on Dec 18th, 2007, 9:40pm Nicely said Tony! As usual ;) A long time ago we decided that no siblings would exchange gifts bigger than a scratch ticket and no one buys gifts for my kids. There are always some minor exceptions but there are no obligations. Our gift to my wife's extended family is Christmas Eve catered. We buy all the food and fixins and throw a huge open house for whoever wants to show up. It starts at 5:30pm and goes all night. Relatives show up as and if they can. That goes for cousins, brothers, sisters and my own kids. There is no pressure. Over the course of the evening we see ~55-70 people. Family and friends alike. The number varies every year. My kids have adopted the tradition by choosing the name of a sibling from a hat and buying only for that person. They agree on a dollar limit too. Of course my wife and I make Christmas for all our kids and their significant others special with a gift or two but that is our choice and we don't do more than we want to. It has to be sane. Christmas day is low key. Mostly opening presents and hanging around in my pajamas. We eat a mid afternoon meal; tenderloin and a turkey this year. I don't go anywhere and anyone who wants to find me knows where I am. My kids show up when they know the food will be ready ;;D I personally love this season. Christmas is my favorite day of the year. We learned a long time ago not to let it get out of hand. Merry Christmas everyone. -Dennis- |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by Melissa on Dec 18th, 2007, 9:46pm I read not too recently a good gift planning list for kids and anyone else. "Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read." Isn't that neat? I'd like to implement it starting next year (or at least TRY to :-[). |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by Charlie on Dec 18th, 2007, 10:17pm I like Christmas a lot so long as I get enough eggnog laced with Wild Turkey, Swedish cookies, lots of dip and junk to stick soak it up, and other diet-killing food. Seriously, there are only 4 of us now but I now have a 6 year old neice to buy for. It makes it fun. If if weren't for her, things would be a little bleak. Humbug. Charlie |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by chewy on Dec 18th, 2007, 10:21pm I only have my sister. Fortunately she's a breeder. 3 nieces and a nephew will keep me interested for a lot of years to come. |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by kayarr on Dec 18th, 2007, 10:48pm on 12/18/07 at 22:17:13, Charlie wrote:
Charlie, I made the pepporkakar and the swedish coffee bread day before yesterday:) |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by Charlie on Dec 18th, 2007, 10:58pm on 12/18/07 at 22:48:49, kayarr wrote:
You made pepporkakar? Neat. I haven't had homemade since my Grandmother made it. Everybody buys it now. I screwed it up when I tried. I want Cardamon. Swedish ladies devour more cardamon coffee cake than anyone. You're making hungry. http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/glomfood.gif Charlie |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by alienspacebabe on Dec 19th, 2007, 12:59am on 12/18/07 at 11:30:21, thomas wrote:
I love it. I hate it. I love being able to spoil people with surprises. I hated hearing that rude comment about my home-made gift a few years ago (yeah, you know who you are.....) I love being able to spend time with extended family. I hate having to spend so much time (isn't 1/2 hour enough??) with certain members of my extended family. I love hearing that my gift was the only one someone got - makes me glad I took the time to share. I hate that we're having spaghetti, etal for Christmas dinner this year. I love wrapping presents - because when they're done, they're done. I hate wrapping presents - because my back hurts (not to mention they were someone else's presents, not mine, so more wrapping to do). Lizzie |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by Turts on Dec 19th, 2007, 1:17am for me it used to bne a 'gift' holiday, who could spent the most, get the most, best presents. this year is different. it will be the last one before a little baby joins the crew around the tree, so i am attempting to make it a real joyous holiday us to share together and reflect on, then next year i expect it will get extra meaning having a baby to share it with. I think having kids around at xmas really does make a difference Looking forward to 'good ole xmas' Turts |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by sandie99 on Dec 19th, 2007, 4:56am Dennis, your Christmas sounds like a wonderful one! :) I'd love to see so many members of my family during one day, wow. :) (Well, Helsinki is the capital and more and more relatives ARE moving there and neighbouring cities, so who knows, it could be that within few years' time it will be like that...) And it's one brilliant idea that your kids are buy one gift, so they can concentrade on only that one. Hmm, I wonder what my friends would think if I suggested that for next year? :) I know for a fact that my aunt and my cousins would never agree on that one, though. And Lizzie, the one didn't appreciate your home-made gift - shame on him/her! When I think of the best gifts I've been given over the years, many of them have been home-made. A friend of mine has the talent and skills to make all sort of things herself; my god-aunt has made me lots of wonderful things and one year my best friend's mom knitted herself 5 pairs of so-called Lapland mittens for her kids and their best friends! I still have my pair, after 20 years, and they're the warmest pair of mittens ever - similar ones cannot be even bought! I admit it; I have made gifts myself over the years. Most of them to my parents and they liked them. One table cloth I made at first grade turned out so well, that we place it to one table every Christmas. :) Usually I bake something - cookies, candy, cakes. And this year, my annual baking extravaganza begins on Thursday. But still, I'll be baking a lot less of things than many others in here; just juustokuusia (cheese trees), juustosämpylöitä (cheese rolls), ruispiparkakkuja (rye gingerbreadmen), glögikakkua (mulled wine plum cake) puolikuita ("half moon"; cookies filled with apple jam), joulutorttuja (plum tarts) and if I can persuade mom, also hillosilmiä ("jam eye"; cookies with jam filling stripes), minttusuklaakeksejä (chocolate mint cookies) and piparkakkumuffinsseja (gingerbread flavour muffins). Charlie, I'll be making piparkakkuja - that's that us Finns call those Swedish cookies. :) For the past 11 years I've made ours from rye flour, which makes them softer and even more delicious. I'd sent you some, but I don't think that the customs would let them though. ;;D Sanna |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by Ghost on Dec 19th, 2007, 8:39am For me just holiday numb. Mike |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by deltadarlin on Dec 19th, 2007, 9:58am on 12/18/07 at 11:46:46, chewy wrote:
Amen chewy! *I* am the biggest kid in the world when it comes to Christmas and hopefully always will be. If you're feeling burned out, gather up things to donate to the Salvation army, find a needy family and help them with Christmas, adopt a soldier for Christmas. Think of those families that won't be together for Christmas (for whatever reason, be it a soldier away or a death in the family). Go to a nursing home, there are plenty of people there who won't have a *family* for Christmas. There are a gazillion ways to keep the spirit of Christmas, all you have to do is look (and hopefully not here Barbs' singing). I helped with the Jaycees kids' Christmas spree this year and I had a blast (even though I had to get up at 5 am on a Saturday morning to head out to the local Wal Mart). 'darlin who is NOT baking this Christmas because I'm saving all that for Dallas. 'darlin |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by Ghost on Dec 19th, 2007, 10:18am I gave a house away does that count? Still holiday neutral sorry Mike |
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Title: Re: holiday feelings........... Post by cootie on Dec 19th, 2007, 12:14pm Good points and views here.....and what I was tryin to say anyhow is that I think the holiday spirit and reason has been lost in 'sum' families and people. Esp when ya have to stretch the holiday out into mulitiple events to where you don't have time for the SIMPLE holiday things you used to do and enjoy. And a huge gift list so that ya can't afford to do much else either. We just did a military benifiet for area families and did a early Xmas party where all donations went to a close family IN NEED this year.........I give to goodwill on a regular basesis. I'm not all bad Pam |
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