I could have gone to Jamaica
 

instead of buying these heathen children Christmas presents.

I think I may just do that next year.

Of course, said heathens will get to go too, but I really think that sounds like a better idea than stressing the fuck out, trying to figure out how to pay for a bunch of shit, then trying to figure out where to put all the shit that I just stressed over paying for, then stressing if it isn't utlized to a degree that corresponds to it's full purchase price, then stressing over getting someone to come haul it the fuck away so that I can

STRESS OVER BUYING MORE SHIT!

Re: I could have gone to Jamaica
 

Good idea .. Change of clothes, money, passport and just bolt :) Buy what you want there and get pampered :okthumb:

Re: I could have gone to Jamaica
 

My parents did that more & more as I got older. They started going on vacations, and I could choose who I had Christmas with (grandparents, or aunts & uncles). They don't subscribe to the commercialized version of the holiday season.

Re: I could have gone to Jamaica
 

I've already done the stressing over buying all the shit part.

I've done a lot of the stressing over wrapping all that shit part, with more to go as more ordered items trickle in...damn it, damn it, damn it, I wish they'd get here.

I'm about to do the stressing over shipping all the shit part.

It looks like a mailroom blew up in my living room. Four cats and one very small dog have mightily enjoyed boxes, styrefoam pellets, wrapping paper and watching me go totally out of my mind.

I may pop "It's a Wonderful Life" into the machine and just sit here and cry for a while.

Re: I could have gone to Jamaica
 

Go to The Bahamas instead.

Re: I could have gone to Jamaica
 

I want to take a cruise to Alaska. :(

Touching all this paper, boxes, etc., etc., ETC.! added to the total lack of humidity has sucked every bit of moisture out of the skin on my hands. I'm going to need some of the heavy duty cream with cortisone *very* soon.

selena...do you ever get the feeling that you work so hard making the holidays nice for other people that it sucks all the joy out of it for yourself? I think I bought my first Christmas gifts in October. That makes it a very long season.
I hope I can find the switch in my head to flip that will turn back on the "empty nesters do their first solo romantic Christmas" thing my husband and I had going on. Which is a tad bittersweet, because that means my youngest is attempting to cope with her first Christmas away from home. Luckily, Santa gave her an early 6'4" present this year. :) His t-shirts arrived, finally, too. He also has the great goodness to be a total chocoholic, so buying for him was easy. He's going to have one wicked sugar buzz Christmas Day, though. :speedbana

In all seriousness, I don't think I could do the holidays any other way than the way that I do them now. I love that "unwrapping presents" thing and want others to have it. I scored a first edition Hummel bell for my mother-in-law's bell collection on eBay, too. :)

Re: I could have gone to Jamaica
 

Morgan, you said the "H-word" on Oprano!! :1thud:

Re: I could have gone to Jamaica
 

There are two "H-words" in the preceding.

Which one caused you to fall over in a faint...and...why? :blink:

Re: I could have gone to Jamaica
 

I - I - I dare not repeat it. :o

Re: I could have gone to Jamaica
 

I think Jamaica is a good idea. FB and I need a rest. :okthumb:

Re: I could have gone to Jamaica
 

im doing the alaskan cruise for my honeymoon next year. it looks awesome. we are going on excursions on glaciers, in the copper river salmon fishing, anchorage. we have both done the carribean thing, and while its fun and relaxing, we wanted something different. so next year it is Sao Paulo to visit the in laws and alaskan cruise.:)

Re: I could have gone to Jamaica
 

I don't really 'do' the holidays outside of my boys. I am pretty much estranged from my father, and totally from my mother. So the 'other people' for me is a very small circle.

I think it is more a "wtf is the point of this" kind of deal. And I have no one to blame for the commercial aspect of it but myself.

I do hope to shake off the humbugishness so that the boys can enjoy the holiday. :)

Re: I could have gone to Jamaica
 

That would work too. Never been there either.

Re: I could have gone to Jamaica
 

I don't mean this to sound snooty, but it sounds like you're really letting the commercialism and materialism get to you. It's not the number of gifts you give, ya know. The kids will be just as happy with one cool gift as they will with 30 cool gifts... plus they're guaranteed not to ignore the one gift (which with 30 they'll end up ignoring 29 at a time).

If the buying, wrapping, shipping etc is stressing you out, then you're doing too much of it... and think of what you're teaching said heathens (it's not about family, it's about how many gifts you receive). Remember you're setting them up for later in life, do you want them stressing out and emptying out the bank account every year and going through all of that mess and worry once they become adults?

*You* make the season what it is. Whether it's about how much stuff you have and how "perfect" everything is, or whether it's about being together and enjoying the family... it's up to you. All of this commercialism can't control you if you don't let it. Send handwritten letters (from you and the kids) instead of gifts to relatives out-of-town, with a few pictures... that will be cherished more than an expensive gift. The folks who are in town, something small (even just homemade cookies or a pie) or a few hours of your undivided attention does wonders and doesn't have an exhorbitant price tag (and the stress that goes along with it)...
Make it simple, keep it fun.. the only one who can put the focus back on the holiday and get it away from the "how many presents did I get" or "how impressive is my present" (for both kids and adults) is you.