Holiday Blues

Is anyone else having a hard time getting into the christmas holiday spirit?? Sorry for being such a downer ,but I am having a really hard time feeling any ho ho ho jolly stuff this year..Mind you christmas has never been the great celebration time for me..(long story )and I seem to get depressed this time of year for ages now..But this year it seems to be hitting me extra hard..I think I am going to volunteer at a soup kitchen or something worthwhile this year..Hopefully it will put me in a better frame of mind..But I just want to go hide until the end of january..Does anyone else get like this and please share what you do ,to get through it all..

[wondergirl9847]

I think you have a good idea, to volunteer. Also, I started a tradition last year to get a name from the Salvation Army Angel Tree. It's fun to pick a name and go find gifts for that little boy or girl. It makes you feel good.

Last year, I was in a funk, didn't really decorate like I usually do. This year, I hope it hits me hard. Wait until Thanksgiving is over and see how you feel, maybe. It's difficult to get into the holiday spirit when those around you are all bah-humbug. My mom is like that, and I wish she wasn't. Also, perhaps making gifts for people instead of buying them. I'm doing that this year for a couple of people.

This year will be difficult since we lost my cousin in August. We'll be there for each other to get through the sadness of it though.

Good luck on losing the funk.

[SuzeQuze]

Yeah, Christmas and the rest get me down. I can't do any of the traditional things I did because my parents split and I'm no longer with a person I spetn 8 years with. I feel displaced. I'm having Thanksgiving at my Mom's boyfriend's sister's house. Wahoo.

I think giving really is the way to get out of it. It isn't easy for me though. I just sort of hold on tight until I get through it.

Thanks !! Your right .helping some one does make you feel so much better.and I am going to go to town today and see what I can do to make a difference..I am just having such a really hard time ,,I dont; even want to decorate..and I love doing that..usually..Last year we did not celebrate xmas as there was a death in the family too..and this year we decided we are not going to exchange gifts..which is ok with me..as I am still paying my daughters wedding off..lol..but I don;t know..I can;t seem to shake this gloom..ARGHH..I;m usually the upbeat get everyone in happy mood person..lol..I just want to SCREAM>>>lol ...Hopefully I can shake it off soon.

[Livia]

Like Kyle, "I'm a Jew, a lonely Jew, at Chriiiiistmas...."

But as for the season, sometimes I really get into it and sometimes not...It hasn't hit me yet this year, which way I'll end up going...

Jews usually spend Xmas day going out for Chinese food and to the movies. At least that's what my family always did...

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

Yeah, Christmas and the rest get me down. I can't do any of the traditional things I did because my parents split and I'm no longer with a person I spetn 8 years with. I feel displaced. I'm having Thanksgiving at my Mom's boyfriend's sister's house. Wahoo.

I think giving really is the way to get out of it. It isn't easy for me though. I just sort of hold on tight until I get through it.

I hear you..I feel really really diplaced.I live in a really small village and don;t speak the language ..My husband are the only english..We are trying to get the h@@ out of here.have house up for sale the whole bit..But it could take a while..all my family live in the states and I guess being so far from everyone really gets to me this time of year..Over the years I have made new traditions with new people and it has seen me through..but this year is turning out to be a killer..Hang in there you just might enjoy your dinner at mom's boyfriends sister house..

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by Livia

Jews usually spend Xmas day going out for Chinese food and to the movies. At least that's what my family always did...

I wish I could do that but unfortuantely I always get wrangled in by family to do "family holiday things" blech. And the suckier thing is, the week of Christmas (between Christmas and New Years) is the only time Zach has off from school and teaching between semesters and instead of taking a vacation (which is what I would RATHER do) we have to spend it with stinky old family .

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by MoonChilde

I hear you..I feel really really diplaced.I live in a really small village and don;t speak the language ..My husband are the only english..We are trying to get the h@@ out of here.have house up for sale the whole bit..But it could take a while..all my family live in the states and I guess being so far from everyone really gets to me this time of year..Over the years I have made new traditions with new people and it has seen me through..but this year is turning out to be a killer..Hang in there you just might enjoy your dinner at mom's boyfriends sister house..

Thank you. After I wrote that and sent it I was thinking how great it was that my mother is here to spend it with. Maybe I am already having an attitude adjustment.

I can see why you are down. That would be rough for me, probably for anyone. Keep trying to do things you enjoy and do give, I think that will help. Even if its just cards! I'm psyched I got my cards last year half off after Christmas. Wait a minute? Psyched? Hehe, I think this thread is working.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by Livia

Like Kyle, "I'm a Jew, a lonely Jew, at Chriiiiistmas...."

But as for the season, sometimes I really get into it and sometimes not...It hasn't hit me yet this year, which way I'll end up going...

Jews usually spend Xmas day going out for Chinese food and to the movies. At least that's what my family always did...

My Jewish friends go skiing on Christmas. They love it because nobody's there. I would love to do that.

[Raeven Skye]

"The Holidays" have always been a little hard for me, but now with Dad gone, I'm not sure how I'll get thru it. This is my first year without him, and my whole life is completely different. He was in the hospital last year at this time, and while "not here" was still here, you know? We held everything for him, but he never came home. There are still unopened gifts at my Mom's house. I wish I had an answer on how to make it better, but I'm still unsure myself. I suppose (like everything else), I'll hit it head on, and see what happens. Maybe the fear of it is worse than the reality. And I apologize if i've been talking about Dad a lot lately...I guess this is the time of year when all the heavy reminders come....

[GypsySorcerer]

I really enjoy the time leading up to Christmas, but I don't enjoy Christmas Day itself. The family dinner annoys me. Blech.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Livia

Jews usually spend Xmas day going out for Chinese food and to the movies. At least that's what my family always did...

And laughing about that damn dreidel song which non-jews think is so amusing.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by MoonChilde

Is anyone else having a hard time getting into the christmas holiday spirit?? Sorry for being such a downer ,but I am having a really hard time feeling any ho ho ho jolly stuff this year..Mind you christmas has never been the great celebration time for me..(long story )and I seem to get depressed this time of year for ages now..But this year it seems to be hitting me extra hard..I think I am going to volunteer at a soup kitchen or something worthwhile this year..Hopefully it will put me in a better frame of mind..But I just want to go hide until the end of january..Does anyone else get like this and please share what you do ,to get through it all..

I always get down this time of year. Another birthday , more holidays alone(not meaning family), dreary weather. BAH HUMBUG!!! Bring me April!!!

It is weird when you lose your parents. This will be my third Christmas without Mom. The first year, I still put up all the lights and decorations. Last year, I did NOTHING. I think this is going to be another year of nothing. Hell, my family only comes to see me in the summer. I have to go see them in the winter, so it's not like any family would see all the stuff anyway.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

I always get down this time of year. Another birthday , more holidays alone(not meaning family), dreary weather. BAH HUMBUG!!! Bring me April!!!

Awww. At least you're avatar is a reindeer. There is a little shred of spirit somewhere in you. I actually want you to enjoy yourself.

I think I need to have a Egg Nog (the real deal) party at my place. Do come by.

[estranged4life]

will be hard, but I will get by (Not in a festive mood at all.)

I will bury myself in music and trying to maintain what health I still have is all.