Comments

• 11/11/2008 @ 08:02 UMxx said

  

  Hi Anon, Christmas can be a really difficult time of year for lots of it. I found Christmas really trying from about age 12 onwards - all I could feel was isolated and lonely - even though there were lots of people around.

  I guess the magic just disappeared.

  Do you think you have changed as you've gotten older?
  UMxx

• 12/11/2008 @ 06:09 Anonymous said

  

  Yeah , I guess.. I use to love Christmas, so much.. I was totally into decorating, and always wanted to make everyone gifts, and would have loved to had them do the same, but it is all so materialistic, and about all the wrong things.. And now, the ones, I want to share it with the most are gone, so I guess, so is my spirit for the hoilday... Lost and lonely time now... So I try my best to make it a wonderful time for the kids.... I hope they never lose their spirits...

• 12/11/2008 @ 10:35 UMxx said

  

  It is one of the sadnesses of our lives when we lose people - I find their absence at Christmas sometimes too much to see the fun in the day.

  I work hard just to have a fun day - not too much about presents or fancy meals - just a special day with the special people in our lives.

  I think it is just part of the transitions in our lives

  UMxx

• 13/11/2008 @ 09:00 Anonymous said

  

  Yeah, The show must go on, as they say, right? I wish everyone wasnt so wrapped up in gifts and such, it kinda spoils the family deal for me... I have asked everyone every year, not to buy me anything, but in place of my gift , they should get one of the angel trees a gift in our area, for less financially fortunate children, but not a single time have they done it, and it makes me sick for them to get me anything, knowing that , I dont need the silly crap they buy... But some kid, would be so happy over a cheap little toy.. It wouldnt kill them to tunr that into a family tradition, rahter than buying each other gifts... I think every grown up should do that for one another.. I do have to say though my mom gets several of the angel tree cards done each year, but no one else I know does... Its pretty sad.. I wonder how people explain that the magical santa just wasnt magical enough to make it to their house, then when the kids go to school, they hear how he had no problems getting to their friends houses... I think the world has made the whole holiday a joke, and it was just to line their own pockets... I wish that all those kids, could have at least one miracle, this year.... No reason they should lose their spirits so young.....

• 13/11/2008 @ 10:57 UMxx said

  

  Hey Anon - part of gifting is the giving - and maybe they don't really understand why you don't want to recieve a gift.

  What about this as an idea - ask them for food parcels or gifts for kids and then you recieve them - and show your pleasure - which will please them and then you get the pleasure of donating them to charitities you think are worthy. I am just trying to find some middle ground - and I understand you want to not receive things and make sure that those in need are respected.

  Our family gives each other goats and seeds and water tanks from Oxfam CAA but really they are gifted to communities in need. It takes a lot of the crap out of Christmas.

  hope this helps UMxx

• 14/11/2008 @ 06:19 Anonymous said

  

  Wish my family could do that, the ones that have the heart don't have the finances, and the ones with the finances, I guess just dont have the heart...

• 14/11/2008 @ 21:07 cherry said

  

  hi Anon ,
  you know Christmas for many people is a burden rather than a blessing, and for those who like yourself dislike it, learn to dread it.
  I agree with Um about family members may not understand your pleas for no gifts even with your suggested alternative.
  For them the spirit of their christmas has a gift with your name on it.
  I wonder if they really appreciate or understand how passionately you feel about those things you have detailed , sometimes it takes a little more than a mention to get your point across.
  You have a wonderful heart it seems and your 'show must go on ' attitude is honourable , but i fear this could become less sincere if you continue to not be heard about the things that for you are important and make christmas important or tolerable.
  Im sure those people that share christmas's with you want you to be happy , and you owe it to yourself to be honest and feel happy with all that christmas for you represents.

  Take care
  Love Cherry x