Christmas

I'm already panicking about Christmas. ::sigh::

I don't know why, but Christmas depresses me sooooo much every year. I mean, not what Christmas is supposed to celebrate - I'm very thankful for our Savior's birth!

It's just the way Christmas is celebrated. It just overwhelms me. It's such a financial strain - even the little things, like dishes for potlucks, Christmas cards, cooking Christmas dinner, etc. Then, there are the big things - the gifts.

I feel this overwhelming responsibility to give my close loved ones these big, elaborate gifts. As if, somehow, if I don't give them the right gift, their whole holiday will be ruined.

With my poorer family members, I feel like I need to give them everything that they're in need of. For example, I honestly tried to find a car I could afford to buy my brother a couple of years ago for Christmas. He gave me a lava lamp and I LOVED it and appreciated it. But, somehow, I felt like whatever I gave him was insufficient because he was struggling financially - but my husband and I were struggling financially, too. In fact, we were literally out of propane and had no heat for three months that year at Christmas.

Then, there are the friends and co-workers and such. I feel like I need to give them each a personal gift. Even at $5 or $10 each, that adds up quick.

I won't even start on the guilt I feel about any families I know who are struggling and have kids. Or, trying to walk past the Angel Trees in stores. No matter how many Angels we do, if there's still one on that tree, I feel like it's my fault. And, I can't walk past a bellringer... just. not. possible.

Even my dogs. I must gift my dogs or I feel guilty.

I'm usually so emotionally exhausted by mid-December that I'm a zombie-basket case.

I hate receiving gifts. It just makes me feel worse - reminds me of all the people I couldn't gift, or couldn't gift to my standards.

I'm not normally a materialistic person. Really. But Christmas celebrations just... undo me. All over. Plus, we usually work a lot of overtime near Christmas (doesn't help with money, I'm on salary), so there's the added guilt of things I'm not able to attend.

I don't normally start panicking about this until around November. But, I've been worrying about it for the past month. With the shape I'm in right now, I honestly wonder if I should just PLAN to go into the hospital for Christmas. But, I don't think that would help escape the guilt. I'd just feel guilty about the cost and about not being here.

Any suggestions?

Agreed! Compartmentalize for now...or you are gonna lose it by November!:)

Do you think that this has something to do with being off work? Maybe it is easier to think too far in the future with your mind less distracted by work things?

Use my go-to mantra when I am worrying about things in the future of things I can't really change anyway...

"It's not time to worry about that right now!"

...and move on and get distracted/busy with something else.

Many people struggle with the holidays...but wait for it...we have a couple months here!:)

S.C.

Ok then, Joy the super bargain hunter to the rescue! If I win the loto im sending you a check! Peace

Larry ***

I think we all do this, please stop worrying.
Love
Larry