Does Anyone NOT Have Holiday Guilt?

I don't have any guilt. And I don't feel overly stressed. But...

My pessimistic side: I just get tired of the never-ending talking about "the Holidays". Everyone trying to outdo each other about how "busy" they are. The traffic on the streets and in the stores of people buying things no one needs for people they barely like. By now I'm just wishing the whole thing was over. This is the first holiday season since my father died in August, too.

My positive side: I'm excited for my 9 year-old daughter and how psyched she is about school vacation, presents, and all. It will be good to have some time for ice skating, reading, and stuff with her. I will enjoy the one day with my extended family where we will talk, eat, maybe take the kids sledding (if we get any snow by then!).

I am very excited about Christmas and have no guilt or stress whatsoever. I have been done with Christmas shopping for a while now, got a ton of good deals, everythings wrapped, and no family drama this year!

I do not feel a bit guilty. I am loving every minute of it. Bring it on! I'm at work and all the grouchy people keep trying to piss me off. But I refuse! No scrooge is gonna take away my holly jolly! I have gifts to wrap, treats to make, house to clean, stuff to buy. Fun since I have 2 little ones and work full time. I feel rushed, but not stressed. My blood is pumping. It's good to be alive. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.

No guilt for me either! Why? Because.....

1. We are only visiting family that we want to see.
2. We bought small gifts for all the kids (including our own).
3. We sent Christmas cards only to people that we don't see very often, yet we want to still keep in touch with them.
4. I did most of my Christmas shopping online.
5. I opted out of the cookie part of my annual Christmas cookie/gift exchange and politely declined invitations to parties that I don't care to attend.

Now I get to relax and enjoy baking, cooking, watching Christmas shows, and wrapping gifts on my own terms. And because I am under budget with all of my Christmas expenses, I don't have to worry about a big credit card bill next month either. Merry Christmas to you too McMama :-)

I'm excited. Not sure what I'd feel guilty about. We don't spend a lot on Xmas, and we even bought my dad an iPad. Keeping it simple and doing fun things with famy is what it is about for us. We are taking everyone to the zoo! And on Xmas eve, we are starting a new tradition with just our nuclear family watching movies and doing take-out.

I'm excited - way excited - cause we ARE going home to NY!!! Surprise surprise - I can't wait to see my sisters and my parents - my Mom is the only one that knows (on my side of the family- MIL can't keep a secret and blabbed to everyone on hubbie's side) and I'm just ready for my kids to spend time with their cousins. So so ready this year.

Granted - this is out of the norm for us - the past 5 years we've done Christmas in Colorado and if we HAD to fly to NY every year I'd probably be dreading it - but since we PICKED going and weren't obligated to do it I can't wait.

Love a surprise...just love it.

I don't feel guilty either. We just had my in laws with us for an early Christmas weekend, because we didn't want to fly out there with our two year old, nor did we particularly want to host them during the actual Christmas eve/morning.

I know some folks on here would poo-poo on that arrangement, but you know what, it worked great for us. My in laws really are a trip, and it's not just me being a difficult DIL - my husband has been semi-estranged from his parents, for some very valid reasons, since long before I was ever in the picture.

We got our holiday time with them over with and sure enough, it was drama and stress filled. But now it's over and I can concentrate on enjoying Christmas! And I have peace of mind in knowing I did include them (even if it was in a somewhat limited fashion) and give them grandparent time despite the difficulties.

While I don't feel holiday guilt, the stress can get to me.

But I also think this is a personality thing, first and foremost. There are those personalities who, no matter what they do or what is happening around them, will feel worry or guilt or stress.

But a lot of it can also be family dynamics. I am blessed with an incredible in-law family. My immediate family can be frustrating - there's a lot of bickering. A lot. But, I've realized I can't control it, I can't fix it, and if it's really bothering me, I can walk away from it. My mom can sometimes try to lay a guilt trip if there are scheduling conflicts, and she takes way too much on herself, but again, I've learned that I can't control it and I can't fix it.

I dont feel angry, or mad or guilty. I am a little stressed that I waited so long to get my kiddos Christmas eve presents(pjs) and I will have to go out and do it tomorrow. I save for months for Christmas shopping and I do usually spend a little over what I budget but we dont buy on credit either and I buy gifts because I truly want to buy them not because I should. I am super excited about the weekend. Friday is my sil birthday and we are having a party, Saturday with my in laws, Sunday at home with my kids and hubby, my parents will come over as will my brother and other sil, and my grandpa. Next week is my youngest sons birthday then New years :). So we get weeks of fun. I love this time of year too much to ruin it with stress and guilt. Today we have big plans that include hot chocolate, and baking banana bread, cookies and fudge. Later we will go see the lights. My in laws make me crazy sometimes as do my parents and my sil is enough to drive anyone mad but it wont be me .....this week anyway.

I am absolutely in love with the holidays this year. The last two Christmas mornings were rough. one because we were in major debt, so it was a very small Christmas, the second because my daughter was int he middle of dealing with chronic ear infections, for which she got tubes last March. This Christmas, we were able to save through the year and get them great gifts, our family and loved ones are coming to our house to celebrate, and I am SO looking forward to smiles on faces, the "ooohs..." and "aaahs..." and hugs from our kids, seeing the look on my hubby's face when I surprise him with his gift from the kids, and just a houseful of love.

Have a wonderful holiday!

I am VERY excited about this coming weekend!
We don't spend a fortune, but our kids are very lucky. We also adopted two needy children from our town this year, and I dropped off large bags full of gifts for them so knowing that they will definitely get some things they asked for makes me really really happy. And these kids didn't ask for much!
I am also very excited because every year I have gotten more and more stern on MY holiday plans. And this year I will host Christmas eve in my home, and then spend the morning and afternoon at HOME and will not travel anywhere until later in the evening. It had gotten way too stressful in previous years, and honestly I was unable to enjoy my holidays. This year, I took control and I love it :)

TOTALLY amped, as I am every year since I've been married! MORE excited and happy now that my youngest knows how to open presents and understands the concept (we "practiced" on 11/29 for his 2nd birthday). That always makes it better, lol. I truly, truly love everything about it.
Now....am I slightly concerned that there are going to be A LOT of presents under the tree? Hm. I noticed it last night. I don't feel badly; it was all in budget, I guess I just was a good shopper. The only thing that could make this coming week any better would be if my mom would agree to let us fly her in.....oh, and a housekeeper. ;) :)
Merry Christmas!

I don't. :)

Started early, didn't spend much, won't be hosting. DS is too little to understand any of it. We're just glad he hasn't pulled down the X-mas tree.

Best wishes to you and yours,
F. B.

I feel great about this holiday this year. I have not over spent (well yet could always change:) ) and I love spending time with all of my family and my husband's.

I am however dissapointed about the amount of outside lights people put up now. That was my fav. part when I was a child. I loved to drive around with my parents and look at all the lights.

I love Christmas and the weeks leading up to Christmas! I think it makes us think more about spending time with family, We've taken our youngest to see the decorations and shows at Sesame Place, four of us went to see the Nutcracker, my older children joined us in Church (rare) celebrating with co workers, planning surprises and thoughtful gifts, yes I'm busy but I love it.

I love Christmas and have absolutely no guilt surrounding it! The only negative feelings I have revolve around wishing my mother were still alive and here to be with us. My dad comes over for several days, and my MIL comes over and spends the night Christmas Eve. We see assorted relatives and friends on Christmas Day depending on the year. We have fun and enjoy giving and receiving presents, Christmas music, decorations, baking, good food and just hanging out!

Merry Christmas!

No guilt.... little stress though. Cant wait!!!

Merry Christmas!