I used to Love the holidays...much like many of you I imagine. But, now that I am sick...it has taken a lot of the fun out of that too! I am grateful that we go to my daughters for Thanksgiving...but they want it to be a morning to night affair...and I am not sure how I will do that...and then start to get ready for Christmas at my house too. I have done some things over the last few years to make it easier...but it will likely still all be to much..and I am expecting to feel lousy for weeks afterward.
The things I have done so far...is most of my shopping is already finished, and most of that was done online. I don't decorate EVERYTHING like I used to...I was one that had a tree decorated in every room...a decoration on every flat surface..that was , in part, because I had ALL my family here on Christmas day..and all his here a couple days later. But , now I do a lot less decorating...and I do it all a small bit at a time. I have even tried to put things away afterward so that I can easily find the things I want to bring out. Dh helps a lot with the tree..thank goodness..I could not do all that anymore!!
But, I am overwhelmed thinking about present wrapping...and cookie baking ( although I do less of that too) and food prep...and shopping for it all...and then the travelling we will do...To my daughters Christmas eve..and to my SiL's the day after. I cannot easily pass on either of these events, so I will take my pain meds ..and go....but it is scarey to even think about!
So..I guess I am hoping for some handy hints and insights from those who have been in this boat...What do you do????
Ho Ho Ho!
Well, I have just stopped celebrating holidays, but then I have no family, so I don't have the feeling of obligation to other people. I ask my friends to make a donation to an animal shelter or other cause instead of exchanging presents, and I choose to spend a quiet day by myself in reflection and with my furry friend cats and enjoy the lack of traffic and phone calls and busyness of other days.
I can't imagine an all-day event, I could never make it through. Can you just attend for a few hours and then excuse yourself?
And I wonder how many others in your circle are feeling that they have to do these things, rather than really wanting to. You might have more company than you think.
Please try to do what is right for you, and not overtax.
I almost can't stand any holidays anymore. I hate it, but I miss niece's and nephew's birthdays, used to go 50 miles away to eat out on Thanksgiving with DH's Mom, but not the last 2 years. I haaven't decorated in at least 3 years, it's just us and our 4 legged babies. For Christmas we used to go to his Mom's then to my Mama's and then either to my sisiter's or my brother's house. No, if I could I'd miss the whole thing. I wish my Mama and step Daddy would go with us to DH's Mom's house, then we'd only have 2 other stop. I usually wind up leaving presents for my sister and brother's families in a building at my brother's house and leave then a message on the answering machine.
The shopping I ca do okay, I just try to spread out the buying through out the year.
I used to really love hoildays and decorating the whole house, but, I guess it's just one of those things I have to learn to accept.
i relax, find a balance between what i can do and what i want to do. i enlist the help of others when i have a project bigger than me.
no one expects me to do anything, so what i do is a gift and they are happy. the only for sure, is baking for my grandchildren. i start now and freeze stuff. a bit at a time.
i do not go shopping for presents. i gift my time and that is all. my time will not end up in a landfill some day. memories are timeless.
as for thanksgiving my brother and i are going to go out for dinner. i have never done this so it will be fun. no cooking, no dishes. the only downside is no leftovers to nibble on.
peace,
bluelakelady
ps. one year for christmas i gave my friend money to buy presents for the children in the homeless shelter and gifted my grandchildren with a certificate stating that because of them a homeless child was having christmas. i use each christmas to teach the lessons christ was all about. he was one very smart, caring man, whose essential teachings i want to pass on to my children and grandchildren. we all celebrate in our own way. find the balance between what you believe, what you want, and what you can accomplish and you will do great!
This year since my husband is also ill we are spending THanksgiving and Christmas at home instead of traveling for 7 hours by car. I always love it once we get there since we stay at the beach, however, I have a tremendous sense of relief knowing that I do not have to deal it.
To my surprise, since we were not going, some of my family is coming here. That is no problem, my mom and sister are so easy and loving to be with. They are coming for Thanksgiving, yipee!
I think when it comes to the holidays if it stresses us out, whether we are ill or not, the true meaning is lost. I love all the festivities and seeing relatives but I have approached it differently in the last 15 years.
I try to do something in the area I live in, as little as it might be. This year I am thinking off getting all my old coats, begging some from others and handing them out to the homeless. I will have my hubby drive around to be safe and hopefully make some people warm. This to me is what Jesus is all about. Now, I am not bragging here and probably shouldn't blow my horn. I have never done it so I hope it works out.
I do understand the stress that goes along with the holidays but I refuse to give into it. My mother has taught me that even though she had 7 children and at least 50 relatives descend upon her Christmas Eve. Then Santa would show up, it was so much fun and sometimes I think that the adults enjoyed Santa more than the children. I will miss this and having dinner with the whole family since there is always a lot of love.
My husband has played Santa in parades and such so this year since we are staying home he is going to go around to some of the homes and play Santa. It is hysterical to help dress him. His outfit is so awesome that I would not recognize him. This to me is the holidays.
Sorry to go on but I got excited about the holidays. WHen it comes to presents, my husband and I take a holiday later and this is our gift to each other.
Take care everyone and try not to stress out over the holidays. I know it is not easy. When I asked a therpaist once what are I going to do about the holidays, he looked at me and said "Whatever you want to do that doesn't make you sicker". Very good advice.
Peace and love, Hangin
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