Does anyone else get overwhelmed at Christmas?

[Anonymous]

I have two big sides of the family to shop for, as well as my immediate family and multiple friends. Every Christmas, I get overwhelmed and a bit stressed out, from all the planning and the cost of everything.

[Anonymous]

Everyone in my life teases me about my love of Christmas, but what they don't realize is while they are poking fun of me for starting my planning, and shopping in October every year, it is for the sole purpose of allowing me the absolute freedom to enjoy the entire month of December, which includes my birthday, with friends and family without the stress and hassle of dealing with planning, crowds, or cooking.

The reason the holiday tends to be hectic and overwhelming is because a lot of people wait to handle all these crazy to do lists, and shopping lists, and all the things, but try starting now on what you can so you can lessen the load the later the season gets. Like I know every year, I'm the desserts lady, so I make batches of cookie dough that can last for months in the freezer or hit up Amazon for your gifts instead of going in store, or buy your decorations now when there are no crowds in most stores.

Another option is to outsource. I have medical issues and sometimes they can hit at the most opportune times. When they do, I don't put any pressure or stress on myself, I just outsource when I can. Do Doordash, go out to eat instead of cook the holiday meal, hire a professional cleaner even if its just to clean up before your guests get there, do grocery pick-up instead of shop, or have really nice friends help you tackle some things. It also helps to have some gift cards at the ready. Mine are always for food, gas, and groceries, things EVERYONE needs especially young adults.

Start now, work out a to do list, and see if you can't get some things checked off early so you can actually enjoy more of the season and if it gets too much, give yourself grace, put up your feet, and cancel some plans and just enjoy a night in.

[RageBabe]

Melancholy; so many loved ones have departed, and while it brings me solace to know their spirits are with me, I still long to give them a physical embrace.

[RageBabe]

Thank you for the MHO! 💖

[exitseven]

I used to dread the holidays. My parents were divorced and always gave me a bad time about it. On Halloween I used to get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that would remain until after New years. Running up the credit cards to buy gifts for my kids and relatives was another headache I did not need. It would take until next November to pay them all off just in time to do it again. My kids would want to hang out with their friends and my wife would want them to stay home. A big fight would always ensue. I figured it out one year and between presents and meals and other stuff it would coat about 5000 dollars to have Christmas. I had an idea that we could all go away to some warm place for a week and buy each kid one present for 5 grand. My business was always slow so I could easily get away. My wife would not hear of it.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Last year I was trying to make thd perfect Christmas running back and forward to the shops with my new 3 week old baby in the car and I stalled the car at the lights and a fat guy in a Mercedes hit me from behind. Got out of the car and started shouting and screaming at me banging my window. I just broke down in tears. The police were near by and they took me and baby home as well as drove my car.

[Asker]

How stressful. Were you and your baby okay?

[Opinion Owner]

We were fine. I was a new mother and it was really too soon after giving birth. My hormones were up and down. One minute I was being super sweet to my husband the next I was flipping out because he hadn't taken the trash out 5 minutes after I asked, the next I'm in tears at a restaurant because he talked nicely to the hot waitress.

[Opinion Owner]

The stress I put on myself for the perfect Christmas was just too much.

[Asker]

Yeah, it wasn’t your fault. You were just trying to help everyone and giving birth is a huge experience for women and their husbands. Sometimes we women can be our own worst enemies, with the pressure we put on ourselves.

[Opinion Owner]

It's true. Yes there was a lot to do but most of it wasn't important and I probably could have done it all if I slowed down and just took a breath.

[Rosexøxø]

Usually but it’s possible to change perspective and not take it so serious. Enjoy appreciate and just live the day. Live the moment. People gotta stop being doers on Christmas and just live the moment cause it comes and it passes. Live the moment. Don’t do it. Control it. Perfect it. Live it and appreciate it. Cause it’s rare. 💯 🎄

[Bkay123]

I hate Christmas. It’s not like it used to be. Where family would come over. It’s depressing.

[Rosexøxø]

Yeah. It’s fine for me. I spend my Christmas with Chevy Chase Griswold and the Griswolds.

As well as James Stewart George Bailey and the Baileys. 🎄

[Bkay123]

@Rosexøxø I like that Christmas

[Rosexøxø]

Yes! I laughed when the family came to visit and they were not excited at all. 😆

And then you see the wholesome part of family and appreciation of life with Mr. And Mrs. Bailey and the kiddos.

When my family was really just starting out I used to enjoy

A Christmas story and seeing the family live in poorer times. It was still funny, wholesome, and a bit of a reassurance.

It was has reassuring but less dreamy than Christmas with Tim Allen, and his son facing a split family (divorced parents), and polar express which involved a friend named Billy being poor, but still included and deserving on the journey to the north pole and seeing Santa.

Even Jingle all the way with Arnold Schwarzenegger is nice since it briefly covers on divorce and shows a father not always reliable for his kid in the ways the kid would’ve hoped. But that being resolved.

I don't know now I’m thinking about it I guess a lot of Christmas movies cover on tough things like this. Not every Christmas is perfect!

And it’s not meant to be. And not everybody has life and Christmas lists together or always figured out. :]

[Bkay123]

@Rosexøxø I love Jingle all the way. So much memories from when I was little. A lot of my cousins would come over with their husbands and wife’s. But now everyone doesn’t talk anymore. It’s just me, my sister, her fiancé and my parents. I loved it when everyone got together. We don’t even put a tree up anymore.

[Rosexøxø]

I mean I know where my family is but and I live close to a lot of them. I’m even renting with some- and DESPITE this info and close proximity we will not be celebrating the festivities together.

Like just a few feet away!

It’s crazy we went from decorating a whole hallway in a high rise in New York for us and neighbors. Throwing lights to each other out the windows to dangle. Playing the Christmas tunes ALL DAY.

To not even seeing each other ON the day.

Trust me Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect. 😂

I used to be sad from some of this stuff, but I’ve learned adapted healed and I learned to appreciate the simple. There’s a world of gifts in the tiniest of things.

All I need is a cup of hot cocoa and that will be a cup full of magic to me. I’ll probably phone call the family that’s quite a ways away as I’m still in onboarding for a new company. But I’ll gladly take a phone call from mom and dad over not having a visit or any call.

It doesn’t have to be the same but it can still be special, if not- beautiful. :]

Maybe a way for you to make some new traditions or try new things.

Maybe not Christmas caroling but Christmas karaoke? 🎤 ✨ ⛄️ 🤷‍♀️ 😁

[Rosexøxø]

I do apologize for the change though. I’m sure you’ve missed the gatherings like missing a really good and old time friend. 🤧

[Nonamez]

Never get that feeling of Christmas ( had no Christmas at childhood ) , but I do see stressy people when Christmas comes closer , when you have a family , it does matter more I guess , but it is very commercial business 👀🤔

[JustinTheGreat]

Yes, that’s why I don’t even like Christmas anymore and usually I can’t wait for it to be over

[LadyBecks]

My family isn't as large as yours, but I also get overwhelmed at times during the Christmas season

[Nikki1989]

That is impossible when you don't celebrate it.

[Staximus]

Just don't buy anybody presents except immediate family unless you're rich. Tell them sorry, you can't afford all that bullshit. The holidays are not a present giving contest.

[LiamJHayden]

I don't, but I have no family so I only invite friends and their families who are remaining locally whom I want to have over.

[Anonymous]

I know of an Christian internet news podcaster who gets very stressed, distressed and nervous every time the holiday season rolls around, due to visions of bad things happening to or in this country during the holiday season

[seeyounexttuesday]

Yes, but then I become thankful that I have a lot of friends and family, money to buy presents and food and the joy of spending time together.

[Anonymous]

Nope. I love shopping and wrapping the Christmas presents. I feel so cozy and happy. I love decorating and spending time with family.

[Crazzyyworld]

I like Christmas’s sales and gifts