I'm having a miserable time gettin into the spirit

[El Jefe]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

+1

I love the Spirit of Christmas. The giving of yourself to others, being able to focus on doing good deeds, trying to be more Christ-Like, etc. To me, that is what pushes me into Holiday Mode. The fact that I have kids 8 & 11, who still really dig it as well, doesn't hurt my overall experience either.

Exactly, I love Christmas time, I love helping people who need it or getting gifts for those who couldn't normally. Now a days though the Media has us saturated with a "Must spend a ton of money to have a good Christmas" which is ridiculous. Jesus is the reason for the season.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

So, nobody really celebrates Christmas for the original religious purpose?

Sadly, the "religious part of Christmas seems like its getting less and less each year.

I do enjoy buying and recieving gifts, but the whole "Mall culture/BlackFriday" thing has gotten out of hand IMO.

I surely dont want to raise my kids into that sort of mindset.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

So, nobody really celebrates Christmas for the original religious purpose? Not to be a wanker, but that might be part of the problem. If you view Christmas as nothing more than a material goods holiday (which is sadly what it's become) then yeah, I can definitely imagine it being a very depressing time of year. I personally can't stand the "Christmas Season" as our society defines it, but I look forward to Advent every year on the Church calendar. I mean, I like Santa and A Christmas Story and all that, but really to me there has to be much more to it, otherwise it IS just another day that one must simply endure.

Please, I don't want to get into a big religious discussion, I just figured I'd point that out.

Whatever, wanker.



In all seriousness, I'm not a religious person at all and I totally agree. We are trying to get it down to less and less of a material holiday each year. This year my brothers and I have agreed there will be no gift-giving at our get together this year, not even for the kids. Not because any of us can't afford to, but the whole premise is just silly. What am I going to go buy someone else's kid for $20-30 that they are going to really need or have it mean anything to them.

For me, it's more about taking some time off and relaxing a bit, catching up with the family on what I've missed over the past year, maybe a friend that doesn't live in town anymore will come visit...and eating and drinking and being just generally merry.

Oh hell, I almost forgot, to the thread starter, sorry to hear you're down on your luck, hope it turns for you soon!

[Dayze]

I’m in the same boat. I’m not religious, so let’s get ‘that’ out of the way.
But it seems like each year as soon as Halloween hits we have to start planning our schedules and finances to deal with Xmas. We’re grown a** people – we can get whatever we want, whenever we want (within reason). But, each year, we have to buy gifts for like 20 people; and even if they’re small gifts, that adds up. Plus, it’s F’n cold and dark by 3pm; I’m wiped out from working, and have our own stuff to deal with without adding in the frustration of xmas.

We usually buy for our nieces and nephews who are still youngins, but man…those kids get a ton of stuff. I’m not sure we’ll be able to swing it financially this year anyway, so hopefully the parents will understand (I’m sure they will).

It seems like Xmas is just another holiday that occurs each month to stimulate buying goods. Each month there is a a holiday / big sale of sorts.

[El Jefe]

Originally Posted by Dayze

I’m in the same boat. I’m not religious, so let’s get ‘that’ out of the way.
But it seems like each year as soon as Halloween hits we have to start planning our schedules and finances to deal with Xmas. We’re grown a** people – we can get whatever we want, whenever we want (within reason). But, each year, we have to buy gifts for like 20 people; and even if they’re small gifts, that adds up. Plus, it’s F’n cold and dark by 3pm; I’m wiped out from working, and have our own stuff to deal with without adding in the frustration of xmas.

We usually buy for our nieces and nephews who are still youngins, but man…those kids get a ton of stuff. I’m not sure we’ll be able to swing it financially this year anyway, so hopefully the parents will understand (I’m sure they will).

It seems like Xmas is just another holiday that occurs each month to stimulate buying goods. Each month there is a a holiday / big sale of sorts.

This is true.

[kc rush]

As an adult I don't enjoy receiving gifts, but I love giving them. It will be tough this year due to finances, but we will be able to do a little for the kids.

We've been trying to plant the seeds by saying that Santa is working extra hard this year because so many people are out of work, and since other kid's families can't buy toys Santa will need to deliver more to those families. Since my kids are 7 and 3 it will still be difficult for them to get it.

[Iowanian]

Steel doesn't get it's strength until its' been put through fire.


Hang in there. Find something positive to do that makes you feel good.

[notorious]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

Steel doesn't get it's strength until its' been put through fire.

That is a badass quote. Good Work.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

As far as the OP, I definitely understand how having the Christmas (mostly shopping) spirit shoved down your throat can get annoying, and there will always be those who take it to the extreme and think you should be so happy this month that you sh*t candy canes..... but as far as the undue stress, I guess it's a perk of being single and not having to worry about who's place we're going to this year, etc; and my family is pretty laid back, so I'd end up being way too apathetic about other people's feelings on where I should be Christmas morning, who I should be with, blah blah blah.

People put way too much thought into that crap... give gifts to those you care about the most, or do what you can afford; be with those you want to be with, and make the most of it. It's not that complicated, mostly because there's another one next year, and the year after that, and the year after that....

This.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by AZChiefFan

No job. probably lose the house. can't tell if gf of going on 3 years. If she really wants to be a part of 'us' anymore. I am back in school for pharmacy tech since i've been unemployed since july 17. I am doing a bit of side work - laying out newspaper publications once a month. Guess I am just feeling miserable right now. Hopefully it'll pass if not well then I just don't know what I'm gonna do. - MERRY CHRISTMAS

AZ

I want you to do yourself a favor. Go to a homeless shelter this weekend, and donate your time. Take a moment and talk to some of these folks and listen to their problems. In doing this, it will help you to remember that in giving, that is when we REALLY receive. I promise you, that if you take the time to do this, it will help you to remember that:

1. No matter how bad your problems are, somebody else's problems are probably worse - and you can actually help them, just by listening

2. Christmas spirit is more about giving yourself to others, and when we do this, it's only then that we can fully capture what it means (and reap it's blessings).

Good luck!

[sparkky]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

AZ

I want you to do yourself a favor. Go to a homeless shelter this weekend, and donate your time. Take a moment and talk to some of these folks and listen to their problems. In doing this, it will help you to remember that in giving, that is when we REALLY receive. I promise you, that if you take the time to do this, it will help you to remember that:

1. No matter how bad your problems are, somebody else's problems are probably worse - and you can actually help them, just by listening

2. Christmas spirit is more about giving yourself to others, and when we do this, it's only then that we can fully capture what it means (and reap it's blessings).

Good luck!

very good post!!
I often remind myself that the local cemetery is full of folks that would trade their problem for mine.

[58kcfan89]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

AZ

I want you to do yourself a favor. Go to a homeless shelter this weekend, and donate your time. Take a moment and talk to some of these folks and listen to their problems. In doing this, it will help you to remember that in giving, that is when we REALLY receive. I promise you, that if you take the time to do this, it will help you to remember that:

1. No matter how bad your problems are, somebody else's problems are probably worse - and you can actually help them, just by listening

2. Christmas spirit is more about giving yourself to others, and when we do this, it's only then that we can fully capture what it means (and reap it's blessings).

Good luck!

This. I know there's a lot of people that don't have the time or don't care enough to do it, but volunteering really helps. One of the best Christmases I've ever had was 2 years ago when I volunteered at the United Way, just helping them clean their offices & doing some errands for them.

But yeah, if you can find something positive to focus on, it'll probably improve your outlook on everything. I hope everything ends up working out for you.

[Great Expectations]

You don't need a pharm tech degree to be a pharm tech. You probably won't make anymore money w/ the degree either.

[Demonpenz]

sometimes you just have to grin and bare it. My whole family including me had the flu through thanksgiving. So what should have been a well earned days off turned into everyone just being miserable. I urged my dad to go to the doctor but he is too proud too.

[Fairplay]

I feel so sorry for those on here who have lost their jobs and struggling.

And this time of year is depressing anyway.

Just hang tough man. Some good advise on this thread.