Halloween may be my favorite holiday, but it is quickly followed by my two least favorites: Thanksgiving and Christmas. I know what you must be thinking: what a grinch, but please, sympathize with me here. Is it not stressful as all get out? You hurry to buy everyone a thoughtful gift while braving the crowds only to go completely broke in the process and don’t forget the tree! And the ornaments! And have you sent those holiday cards out yet? Hurry! As if the monetary stress and impeding time crunch doom wasn’t bad enough, put your entire family in one spot and see what happens. Some kind of drama always ensues in mine. So that results in anything but holiday cheer.
However, I’ve tried my best to change my attitude this year. It has been a really good year for us, so I figure it is only fair to close it out in the same fashion (or at least attempt to). I am doing all my holiday shopping online this year, relying mainly on Etsy, and restricting my list to only immediate family. Sorry, friends, hope you understand. I’m pretty sure we give you enough alcohol during the rest of the year to make up for any nicely wrapped gift (wink, nudge). I’m also pretty sure our annual holiday party will be put on hold this year because I just do not have time (or funds), which should minimize some stress. Finally, I hope to go artificial this year in terms of my Christmas tree, opting for a more kitschy, fun and low-maintenance feel. For reference, check out my dear friend, Missy’s Christmas habitat.
So let’s hope I am successful. It really does not help that somehow stores have completely bypassed Thanksgiving and are already going full-throttle with Christmas. Uh, seeing Santa, trees and candy canes the day after Halloween really threw me for a loop.
What do you guys think? Do you like the holiday season? How do you manage to keep your sanity?
michelle m. says
I completely sympathize. I would like to be able to opt out of these two holidays.
Andie says
Eh…I’m with you. Went to CVS November 1st to hear them blast Christmas music. Love Xmas, but I’m not ready for the year to be over yet! It is the $$ that makes it stressful!
Adrienne says
I can def relate to how you feel when it comes to the $ aspect of Xmas. Ben has a huge family & the day after Xmas they literally spend 4 hours opening presents. Last year I feel like we kind of set a precedent because we gave things to his aunts, uncles and grandparents (who are very generous with us) but I wish I could just say let’s skip the presents & not go broke (& crazy) trying to find something for everyone.
Elsie says
I agree! Screw xmas. It should be all about my birthday. I hate this holiday! It’s stupid.
Paris says
These are my favorite holidays because I completely adore my family because it’s large and loud and we all somehow still love each other. The fact that I don’t have to work and be with them is magical to me, just a gigantic drunken holiday extravaganza. I do not stress about gifts, because the holidays are not about that for me. We exchange tiny necessities like socks and toothpaste, and cook huge meals and just enjoy each other. We all pool the small amount/large amounts of $$$ we have and give it to charities. I bake and give away bounties of cookies and other baked goods, as well as mix CD’s. I think everyone puts way too much emphasis on gift giving and receiving and loses the fun of the season, which in my opinion, is to be together, and just remind each other that you’re thankful for them and love them.
Halloween for me however as always been “How far to total whore can I get without getting called out for it tonight while being simultaneously shit faced?”
Netty says
I love the holidays, but I live at home, am not married and do not have kids.
That is why I love the holidays.
🙂