Holidays… I hate holidays. Does anyone out there like them?

[Patte Rosebank]

About 10 years ago, there was a Christmas special that aired on SCN, PBS, and other “educational” channels, about Tasha Tudor and how she celebrated Christmas. It was called “Take Joy”.

She was shown in her simple cottage, decorating her tree with ornaments that had been in her family since the 1860s and with homemade decorations, and carrying out the old traditions documented in several of her books. This included cooking the turkey in a Victorian-era roasting pan in front of the fireplace, and making & giving homemade presents.

It was all so peaceful and it was clear that the traditions were being continued because they were pleasant, not because they *had* to be done.

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[kc5jck]

One thing I enjoyed doing for years was sitting in front of a small artificial Christmas tree late in the evening and listen to Christmas and winter carols on a recording by Tony Barrand and John Roberts called Noewell Sing We Clear. There was also a recording of music box tunes as well. I would sit, listen to the music as the lights blinked, and sip on some stuff by Chivas Regal called Lochen Ora. It was a sad day when the last drop fell from the last bottle of Lochan Ora.

For years and years I searched for more Lochen Ora. Then one day I happened to search the net and found a place in England, bless you England, from which I ordered more.

Merry Christmas.

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[cloud1]

As always glad to know I’m not alone with this! This time of the year is the worst, the alienation, nerve-numbing social barrage of the crowds be it family or not, etc. On the negative side it is so much hypocrisy and commercialism. Just enjoy the small “accepting” side of the family and release the burdensome traditions.

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[Anonymous]

This year the media keeps saying spending it up, but I think it’s more because the costs are up instead of people buying more stuff. I know I’m spending way less on everyone.

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[Scattybird]

I haven’t worked out how to start a new topic so will hijack this one. So, I know none of us here particularly like holidays (!) BUT I’d still like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and I hope all your dreams and wishes come true next year. Everyone here is great – so thank you for this forum.

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[Stash]

I dislike that I can’t do as much as I want to for the holidays. Thankfully we are a very small family – my sister & her husband and my dad and me! My sis & bro-in-law love to entertain, so I just have to show up. I’ve cut down who I buy for – just a few select people that I really want to give to.

When life was simpler I used to do a Christmas craft every year. Ornaments or chocolates or jewellery. Something little to give to anyone who crossed my path. It made me feel good and the look on people’s faces when they realized I made it was awesome. This year I managed to make some truffles because I was babysitting a friend after they had surgery, so I had an evening with nothing to do and got to dirty someone else’s kitchen!

I find that by just ignoring what I think are people’s/society’s expectations about what I’m supposed to do over the holidays, I feel less stressed. I just stopped even trying to send gifts to my out of town family & friends. I’ve finally stopped even pretending that I’m going send Christmas cards. I still get all stressed out about the few things I’ve kept up, but at least it’s a bit more manageable.

Cheers all!

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[Anonymous]

I love the holidays especially Christmas and the big family Christmas. I just get too overstimulated with all the small kids and everyone talking to me at once. I get so overstimulated and I need to isolate myself after the party. My family doesn’t understand it; that is okay it is better than exploding at them on Christmas. Sitting in my room with headphones on is very peaceful/calming. It’s tough being the only one in my family with ADD- inattentive type. 😯

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[billd]

I love the holidays, just not the large social gatherings.

I get “sad”, almost “depressed” right after Christmas. many reasons, in big part all the build-up and anticipation, then boom, it’s all over.

I prefer the small things like this weekend, my son and his wife came to our place, we spent some time together, had our “Christmas” here, and it was fun, simple, not so loud.

Since my brother insisted that the only day he had free for our side of the family get together was Friday, he ended up convincing my son it should be at his place. An advantage for us since my son lives only 6 miles away – no long drive. We got there early, just my D-I-L, my wife, my parents, then my son got home, and my brothers and their families arrived. IT was fine until they arrived – LOUD, kids out of control, kids trying to talk over each other, total madness and noise and the fun disappeared. My brothers are almost afraid to disciplin their kids, never really have, so they are now teenagers with bad attitudes, talking back to their parents, no respect, almot abusive to the parents. My son after a couple hours of this mumbled just enough so my wife and I could hear it “I really wish they were ready to go home”.

It’s not the holidays, it’s the social gatherings, loud noises, disorder, frenzied shopping, and the madness promoted by the media and advertisers. Black Friday should be outlawed.

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[laddybug3]

Our family on both sides ended up playing games. One game, I forgot the name, but you had to pick a famous person, and guess who everyones famous person was. The name was written on paper. I was too happy when I got out. My cousin looked at me and said, “You know you didn’t win. Why are you so happy?”

I smiled. “Now I can do this! I am going to get something to drink anyone want anything?”

I got up and left the room. It was nice until we played another round. When it was my turn. I said this,” Hey, that was my famous person. Who wrote the name down? Huh, I guess it was not me. Okay, who was asked what again?”

My aunt looked at me. “You just told us who you were.”

“Yes, out again. Best game ever! Now who’s turn is it?”

Of course everyone thought I was being a smart a** but I could not stand it any longer. I mean, sitting there and guessing. It was hard when you picked a music artist and you have the songs stuck in your head.

Then we played Apples to Apples. Of course, I needed to defend my card and why I picked it. Then I got bored and put cards down, until I somehow won a card.

Food drives me nuts. “Did you try this cookies, or here you can have more then one?” I sneak the food and want to hide, but sit with a group of people and eat. Then someone asks, “Did you like the salad?”

Me: “It is okay, but so-and-so made the same salad and it was better last year.”

FM: “Oh, and how about the potatoes?”

Me: “I don’t know. I forgot. Um…the salad was better last year.”

FM: “So you are sitting in the adult table.”

Me: “I sat in the adult table since I was about 19.”

FM: “You like it?”

ME: “It is just a table. Do you want me to go to the kids table?”

FM: “No, you can stay here.”

ME: “You don’t have to lie. I go to the kids table.”

Walk over to the kids table and sit down.

Cousin “Why are you here?”

ME: “Because the adult table is boring and stupid.”

CO: “What is it like?”

ME: “Boring and stupid. They just talk about food.”

CO: “That does sound boring, but you can drink adult drinks and talk adult.”

ME: “It is always about food. Borning. Did you see any good movies?”

Then talk about movies we saw.

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[kc5jck]

Laddybug3 – great story! I can’t wait for the one from next year!

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[billd]

PLEASE invite me next time – I love your side of the conversation! Too cool.

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[Robbo]

What cool people we have here. When it hurts less I’ll tell you guys about a unique and priceless experience I had a few days ago. I’m really gettng close to deciding to adopt a cat. Cat’s are great creatures.

Cool cats billd, thanks for sharing about them. They’re easy to love huh? It’s amazing that I’ve survived this long without a pet. My last girlfriend had 4 cats and a dog. I watched a bunch of videos of them last night from an old backup disc. That’s the beginning of my recent cat encounter that’s still hurting a lil. A stray cat just ran up to me, rubbed up against me until I said “okay cmon, up up!” it jumped on my lap as if it was home at last… waited outside for me… for hours! Ack…

more later.

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[Robbo]

<<<<<Our family on both sides ended up playing games. One game, I forgot the name, but you had to pick a famous person, and guess who everyones famous person was. The name was written on paper. I was too happy when I got out. My cousin looked at me and said, “You know you didn’t win. Why are you so happy?”

I smiled. “Now I can do this! I am going to get something to drink anyone want anything?”

I got up and left the room. It was nice until we played another round. When it was my turn. I said this,” Hey, that was my famous person. Who wrote the name down? Huh, I guess it was not me. Okay, who was asked what again?”

My aunt looked at me. “You just told us who you were.”

“Yes, out again. Best game ever! Now who’s turn is it?”

Of course everyone thought I was being a smart a** but I could not stand it any longer. I mean, sitting there and guessing. It was hard when you picked a music artist and you have the songs stuck in your head.

Then we played Apples to Apples. Of course, I needed to defend my card and why I picked it. Then I got bored and put cards down, until I somehow won a card.

Food drives me nuts. “Did you try this cookies, or here you can have more then one?” I sneak the food and want to hide, but sit with a group of people and eat. Then someone asks, “Did you like the salad?”

Me: “It is okay, but so-and-so made the same salad and it was better last year.”

FM: “Oh, and how about the potatoes?”

Me: “I don’t know. I forgot. Um…the salad was better last year.”

FM: “So you are sitting in the adult table.”

Me: “I sat in the adult table since I was about 19.”

FM: “You like it?”

ME: “It is just a table. Do you want me to go to the kids table?”

FM: “No, you can stay here.”

ME: “You don’t have to lie. I go to the kids table.”

Walk over to the kids table and sit down.

Cousin “Why are you here?”

ME: “Because the adult table is boring and stupid.”

CO: “What is it like?”

ME: “Boring and stupid. They just talk about food.”

CO: “That does sound boring, but you can drink adult drinks and talk adult.”

ME: “It is always about food. Borning. Did you see any good movies?”

Then talk about movies we saw. >>>>>>>>>

That post is still the most hilarious one here. I’m glad I found it again. Just a lucky click.

Thanks Ladybug3.

Yep, “black friday” is insanity… I have never shopped on black friday. What for?

my poor laptop, it’s still good. Just not portable any more.

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