Christmas Depression

[Ducke]

Well went and cut down our Christmas tree yesterday then went to a Christmas House Party last night, Had a great time lots of Alcool Punch. mmmmmmmmmm. Today we decorated the tree and now I am sooooo depressed it isn't funny. It just came on as we decorated the tree, I have never really liked Christmas it never really felt fun to me even when I was younger. Its all the hustle and bustle and the so called need to out do last year and the Jones next door the bigger the better the more expensive the better it all just gets me down, Anyone else out there Hate Christmas and all that is "NOW" seem to stand for. Anyone else just want to crawl into the corner and wish it all away. I long for the care free day of Christmas past when I was little and it all seem magical, Fun, Special.

[The Cleaning Doctor]

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BAGH Humbug and Happy New Year. Christmas is just too commercial now. Hell they decorate the stores after Halloween. The best part of Christmas is the dinner and leftovers.

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Pat

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[TNTLawnCare]

I agree that is why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, I enjoy visiting with everybody!!! My kids need more "junk" in their life, yeah right!!!!

[bruces]

I hate christmas ,try to ignore it the best I can ,not going to the corner over it though .The best part of christmas ,is the look of pure joy on my dogs face ,when he gets his big bag of doggie toys ,the kids were never so fun .

It's my favorite time of year.

Our family never got caught up in the commercialism, never tried to outdo anything or anyone. It's what you make it, just because the stores decorate after Halloween doesn't mean you have to go to those stores...when i walk in a store and there is Christmas stuff up, i turn around and walk out.

Heck, I'm 39 with no kids and me and my wife sit back and watch all the old claymation shows, Charlie Brown, make Christmas cookies and all that fun stuff.

We just went Christmas shopping last night and had a great time. Finished shopping today...We went to Toys R Us for the niece's present and a poor looking guy was out in the parking lot with a sign that was asking for money so he could buy his kid a transformer...we go in the store, and while i'm getting my niece's present the wife wanders off, comes back with 2 transformers and mentioned we should buy them for the guy outside...made his day...and reminded me of why i married my wife.

We draw names and have a $125 limit....( draw names.com is awesome )... plug in who can't draw whose name ( husband and wives ) and the site generates names for everyone...then on Christmas we all throw in 10 bucks and guess which person had our names and the winner gets the pot, or splits it if more than one guesses.

Christmas ( and anything really ) is what you make it...not what everyone else makes it out to be. The Joneses are probably miserable trying to keep up with everyone, while we're happy and having a blast because Christmas is how we make it.

[CHEESE2009]

The key is to stay drunk.

Christmas is stressful, and can feel pretty lonely depending on how your life has been up to the point.

Most breakups happen right before a holiday. I wish for all of my ex's receive coal for Christmas, or maybe slip on the ice...

The girl i'm with now, I can seriously say that I often forget I'm with her.

"You're always busy, and I never see you"
I HAVE BEEN SITTING ON MY ARSE DOING NOTHING FOR MONTHS LADY!!!
Yet she's the one always busy now... with that.. "SCHOOL" or wtv you call it.

Women logic = Men are at fault by default, even when we're right.

She's getting coal for Christmas too...

[TiedemanLLC]

The big thing is make it special again. Start having fun, enjoying Christmas, don't buy gifts, instead look forward to the food and visiting with family.

Just tonight my wife and I sat down with our little boy and watched an old Disney Christmas cartoon. We got a kick out of it because we remember watching it when we were younger.

Do things that are crazy too, that may make it fun agian. Like this year was the first time ever that I did a Black Friday sale. It was crazy. My wife said I was pale white, but I still had fun watching all of the other people. Watching a grown man lay his body across a toy for his child so no one else would take it is just damn funny. Not to mention watching $9.99 griddles being thrown in the air and over the top of aisles. It was entertaining. I am already looking forward to doing it again next year.

Another thing that our family has done is get back to the tradition of observing the true meaning of Christmas. It just makes it feel so much better. We put caps on gifts, and only buy for children.

I remember in years past whenever I saw our Christmas lights plugged in I would say to myself "crap, how much is that going to cost us this month in our electric bill", but now I don't care, I am enjoying it. In fact, when everyone goes to bed, I keep everything plugged in while I am still watching tv.

[picframer]

Like many things in life it is what you make it.

Personally I have never made a big deal of Christmas in our home when it comes to gifts, if the kits (now both in University) needed something during the year, I bought it, if they wanted something I it made sense and I had the money we bought it.

Come Christmas morning there are a few presents and stockings however it's never been over the top.

If the weather allows we generally go on the ATV's which is what we are doing again this year and we play a lot of games, board games and some X-Box, visit friends and basically eat and hang out, in short we keep it simple.

[Hedgemaster]

Christmas can be a really difficult time if you're going through a rough spot in life. Everyone is "supposed" to be cheery and joyous, but sometimes life kicks you in the nuts and no matter what, things just SUCK - even if it's "Christmas".

There's pressure to be happy. Pressure to buy things to make others happy. Pressure to get fifteen dozen cookies "just right". Pressure to do all these things and more ON TOP of the normal, everyday pressures we all must endure.

We've been financially strapped for the last three years - to the point of giving essentially no Christmas gifts. Being broke sure does simplify things - if you can withstand the pressure. Some people will buy, and buy, and buy even though they have no means of paying for it. I have no sympathy for them when they later cry the blues about not being able to pay the bills. Learn how to suck it up and be responsible - if you can't afford to buy gifts - don't. Give cookies, or something homemade - people appreciate it more anyway. (And if they don't, screw them)

We've been struggling to get our dog back on his feet after his surgery. It's been a big hit financially, and emotionally. "Christmas" is the last thing on our minds. I said that if he can walk by Christmas, that will be the best gift I could receive. We can't go visit anyone because we can't leave him alone, we can't buy anything because we have $6,000 in vet bills to pay for.

As much as this Christmas (and the last few) "sucks", I am still grateful for what I have, and for the true meaning of Christmas. There is a home near here that sits up on a hill and each year they place a lighted star of Bethlehem out that can be seen from my second story window. No matter how crappy I'm feeling, I can look at that star in the night and feel a little better. Sappy, I know, but it reminds me that there are more important things than buying "things" and all the other stresses of the Christmas season.

Merry Christmas everyone! (Hang in there!)

[Ducke]

I agree with you hedge, Its been a very trying year here at the Duck Pond.
With the stress of starting a new business and the change in income (this the first year and all) My Mom passing back in April and the my Father in law falling ill and passing in August . Then my wife was laid off and again change in income.
2011 really sucked other then the fact I made the company work and i did make a profit small but it was there plus I managed to pay all the bills.
I am so looking forward to 2012 and my second year . I hope it will be much more happier then the past year way to many tears were shed in 2011.