The holidays have long been stress from start to finish. I used to always start the Christmas holidays off sending cards to a long list; at one time at least 75 people. Then one year, I decided to just wait - until someone sent us a card - then I would answer the card with a card from us. THAT cut down on it hugely. I surmised that if anyone really wanted to swap cards with us; they’d do so. It then relieved those who didn’t want to send cards. - We still get the braggadocio holiday “newsletters” from a few people; but we don’t do newsletters ourselves. Some friends who used to do those elaborate and braggy newsletters don’t anymore because of some less than fairytale events in their lives. (I was sorry their illusions of perfection got deflated.) - Doing stuff you don’t want to do for the holidays and then collapsing from exhaustion is not very honest, or smart.
I am at the point where I really dread Christmas and am glad when it ends.
It is the same stuff I get caught up in by relatives who want to go to the same Christmas events at the same places and are always on the lookout for new ones just like the old ones to reinforce the experience. They are always on days where I want nothing more than to be left alone to do things I want and need to do.
I can forget a free weekend throughout the month of December. If I can have a couple of hours on a Saturday or Sunday, it is a miracle.
I will do my shopping online this coming week and get the few stocking stuffers and I should be done.
I am at the point where I really dread Christmas and am glad when it ends.
It is the same stuff I get caught up in by relatives who want to go to the same Christmas events at the same places and are always on the lookout for new ones just like the old ones to reinforce the experience. They are always on days where I want nothing more than to be left alone to do things I want and need to do.
I can forget a free weekend throughout the month of December. If I can have a couple of hours on a Saturday or Sunday, it is a miracle.
I will do my shopping online this coming week and get the few stocking stuffers and I should be done.
I quit sending cards years ago, especially to people that I will see during the season. I can wish them Merry Christmas in person, or those I call because they are close friends and wish them Merry Christmas...I would be perfectly happy if no one sent me a card...My kids do yet they have Christmas at my house...its downright silly and expensive. cost of cards and stamps.....After years they still send me cards and I am then obligated to return Merry Christmas....Years back I’d send out 50 or 60 and then it just seems silly....the one that got the most cards was the most popular to some people and they’d brag about how many cards they sent and got.....Off my list entirely... Better to put that amount of money to Salvation Army. They do good with it, or St. Jude. Those are my 2 charitys that put money to good use....