Christmas plans and coping?

[Alive again]

Hey everyone, just wondering what plans you have for Christmas: hosting, family, alone, etc? And how are you all coping with the added expectations and stress and the long list of things to do for the holidays!

 

[lemonflavor]

Ativan! (Half joking)

 

[Alive again]

LOL! Been there and done that as you know! It does have it's place sometimes.

my father hated crowds and get togethers. We did not know he had bp until after he died, he was too ashamed to admit it. Now that I have this illness as well, I sure understand this issue better!

 

[rushingwind62]

Me and my wife are going to my sisters this year and I am actually looking forward to it. It use to be that I was always depressed because I couldn't afford to get anyone presents and I was alone. The reason I couldn't afford any presents was because of the how the bp affected me.I couldn't seem to hold a job. This year though I am not alone and we were able to get presents for everyone. I doubt we stay long though as neither my wife or myself like crowds. She is actually having more problems with it than me as she is bp and borderline personality disorder. Like I told her, just take one minute at a time and if we need to step outside for a few then we will. And if we can make it 2 or 3 hours then we are doing good. I have learned in the last few years not to worry about things till they get here. So as for dealing with the stress, like NO FEAR....I say NO STRESS...NO WORRY, just HO HO HO, Merry Christmas served with a smile...lol

 

[lemonflavor]

We'll be staying at my mother-in-law's for a couple nights and being with her and my sister-in-law and her husband. It's fairly stress free but the change in routine and travel is pretty difficult. Plus being with people a lot is difficult. Football will be on TV on Christmas Eve day so I can watch that and not have to be overly social.

As rushingwind said taking breaks can help. My mother-in-law knows about my difficulties so I can probably lie down as much as I need to. Not sure how much my sister-in-law knows. Even before I was as bad as I am now I would often take a break from people between dinner and desert. I just go and sit somewhere else.

 

[broken4him]

At this moment, I have overwhelmed myself, with decorating. I decided four years ago to quit decorating. I gave my large tree and all the decorations to my son and his wife. This year I thought I would decorate with what I had left. OH MY I have eight boxes somehow I forgot how much I use to decorate every room in the house. Of course being the perfectionist that I am I think that all windows need to be cleaned before I can but up a santa in the middle of the room!!!
Oh well, I will pull it together.
I will keep you updated.
The saga of
Sandra

 

[willmrcd1]

My husband, son and I have invited the family over again. My son loves to entertain and put on plays. It's wonderful, because my son is bipolar/autism and this is the only time he seems to want to be around others. He loves to sing and act. Loves to recite things and so he makes a wonderful show. It is one of the special moments in my life that I treasure the most. It's funny I enjoy entertaining as well, but only a few people at a time. Too many people and I start to get mood swings. Wow! I just found out something about myself.

 

[PrairieGurl]

As this will be the first year without Ativan and alcohol (since I can't remember when)...I really don't know what to expect. I know how I'd like it to go....

We go to my Mom and Dad's on the 24th, 25th or 26th and then to Mom -In- Law's on the alternate day (we switch off every year with the 25th)

We have really 'down sized' the giving of gifts...which is okay with everyone as we just want to be together as a family. All the neices and nephews recieve gifts and it's always fun to watch them open them.

My h becomes more stressed out than I, due to the whole 'money' issue (this sometimes, okay most times, causes me more frustration than stress)

I just pray this tiredness at least ceases during the week of Christmas and that I will be able to stay in the 'crowd' more than a couple of hours.

 

[angelkiss]

I have already beat the Christmas shopping chaos and got all but a few people over with on my Christmas list. Right now, I am still overwhelmed from Thanksgiving and trying to rest from that. I have so much I need to do as far as cleaning and such and I just feel so tired.

 

[Alive again]

I am trying to prioritze an dadjust my expectations of myself. But every year when I say things like how about only 4 kinds of cookies and let's pick one kind of fudge not 3, etc-I am met with disappointed reactions from various family members. So being the perfectionsit overacheiving peopel pleaser, I often cave an make unhealthy choices by taking on everyone's expectations and trying to make everything perfect-hmmm, now onder it doesn't work out!

Anyway, I am working on the cards and spent Blaco Friday accomplishing most of the shopping. Cleaning and the other stuff will just be however it ends up, but with daughter coming home I always try to freshen everything up so she actually doesn't come home and say "YUCK"

My housekeeping is one thing that has not yet recovered from this illness. Not even sure I have a place to put the tree this year!!!!

My sis in law and I are trying to be proactive about the where question and we have things planned for the coast vacation house of my mother's, only thing is Mom doesn't know yet. But if weather interfers who knows. Hmm maybe I need to remeber, one day at a time, make healhty choices, and when you feel the stress building-take that as a warning sign and back off!!!!

SO how many Christmas Tree Breads am I baking to give away this year????

ALready when I think about it, I begin to wonder where I can cut back.

 

[Alive again]

Okay, had to share-I bought an artifical tree this year for the first time as it was free after rebate-just for those years we are gone over the holidays and debate about putting up a live tree or not. And It is getting harder to find those $10 trees and our budget just seems to get smaller.

I dropped it at home and ran back out shoping. I came home later to find my son had been home and left the following note for his Dad.

"Dear Dad,

I would like to inform you that I was in no way involved with the purchase of this blatant disregard for the tradition of Christmas. Please spare me your wrath, for I was merely a bystander.

Josh"

I about fell over laughing. The sarcastic wit of my 21 yr old son was amazing!!!!

 

[Amin]

Hey everyone, just wondering what plans you have for Christmas: hosting, family, alone, etc? And how are you all coping with the added expectations and stress and the long list of things to do for the holidays!

Christmas is not one of my bigger holidays.

I'll probably wait it out and be glad when it's over.
Chuck.

 

[luvthebeach]

We okayed it with the rest of the family, so my husband and kids and I are going to Whistler Canada to snowboard and have Christmas there. All of our family (including our kids) understand that we are not exchanging gifts this year. We are exchanging hugs! With my illness being severe this year, we decided to get away. We love Christmas and the holiday is dear to our hearts as we love Jesus. We are not skipping Christmas, just skipping the Country. So I get to skip the crazy shopping frenzy. I will of course buy a couple of gifts in the shops up there for each of the kids and have them wrapped and waiting on Christmas morning. Then have a fabulous breakfast and hit the slopes! The trip will be very fun, just a very long drive. Merry Christmas to all.

 

[Alive again]

We okayed it with the rest of the family, so my husband and kids and I are going to Whistler Canada to snowboard and have Christmas there. All of our family (including our kids) understand that we are not exchanging gifts this year. We are exchanging hugs! With my illness being severe this year, we decided to get away. We love Christmas and the holiday is dear to our hearts as we love Jesus. We are not skipping Christmas, just skipping the Country. So I get to skip the crazy shopping frenzy. I will of course buy a couple of gifts in the shops up there for each of the kids and have them wrapped and waiting on Christmas morning. Then have a fabulous breakfast and hit the slopes! The trip will be very fun, just a very long drive. Merry Christmas to all.

Sounds wonderful!!! Enjoy this time!!!!

Well, I did buy enough stuff for 2 kinds of fudge and some cookies and more Chex party mix (I am going to take 2 batches down to the mission) and I will make the Chex wintery mix for my daughter.

It is put up the lights and decorate the house this weekend. Then should just be figuring out where to get and put the tree and baking as the shopping is done, well and the cards are almost done. The extra energy and feeling better this year makes it feel like the list isn't so long.

I am praying that you will all have the ability to be realistic and accepting of where you a re at and what you are able to do. May all family disagreements be far away in your Holidays!!!

Blessings and prayers!!!

 

[Alive again]

Oops, forgot the cleaning the house before decorating part!!!

 

[broken4him]

I am scrubbing floors on hand and knees...I am tired of cleaning. When is Christmas..

 

[Alive again]

I am scrubbing floors on hand and knees...I am tired of cleaning. When is Christmas..

Wish I could be there to help you! The work is always so much better with company!!!!

 

[Alive again]

My hubby and I got the Christmas lights up outside today and then also got a few minor jobs aroudn the house done! Christmas cards are done. SIGH!!!

Next cleaning and indoor decorating, then baking and more to come!

 

[Amin]

I'm the Grinch.
I wish it were over.
Chuck.

 

[Alive again]

Grinch's are welcome here!