How Do You Get over the "Holiday Blues"?

I'm so sorry that you're having to deal with all of that! If it makes you feel better, your baby won't care or know the difference if she gets a gift or not. All my 3 year old wants for Christmas is cookies, lol. Little ones don't care if their gifts are from the dollar tree! Go spend a few dollars and put some crayons, color books, stickers, etc. under the tree. Things won't be like this forever. We've had our hard years too. My heart goes out to you! I hope you have a very merry Christmas.

You're daugher won't remember her first Christmas but you can keep things simple. If you have some decorations, put them up and take some pictures. I would also recommend getting out of yourself. You could do some volunteering or do something nice for someone else. Local churches in your area may be doing something for family's just like yours. Check out local food pantries which may be at local churches. This will help with the food issues.

To get out of the blues, dare to do something different and stop looking so closely at what you don't have but look at what you do have. You have a loving husband, your health, two beautiful children. Perhaps your family can come to see you or perhaps you can meet up somewhere in the middle.

Christmas is always on December 25, that is just one day out of 365. You can buy simple gifts throughout the year when things are a little better. I love going to the dollar stores in my area. They have great things for only $1.00.

One year a few years ago my best friend needed to decorate for Christmas on a tight budget. So for $10, she got a tree, lights, ornaments and decorated for the holidays all from the dollar store. It is worth a look but really getting out and doing something for somebody else might be just the thing to snap you out of your blues.

The best gift you can give your kids when they are from 7 and under is the largest cardboard box you can find. This box can be a car, a fort, a bus, a house, and is only as limited as the imagination. Some paint or crayons can decorate the box but is not necessary. I found this out the hard way. Bought all these gifts for the sensational six only to discover they loved the tv box best of all.

I'm so sorry you're going through rough times right now. I know it is hard to not have the means to buy gifts for your children or your spouse. While Christmas is not about the gifts at all, it still feels good to buy loved ones a gift during the holidays. I agree with one of the other mamas that your baby will not know if you get her a present or not. My son had no clue about his gifts at his first Christmas. His favorite part was tearing the wrapping paper and putting it in his mouth (he was only 6 months old). I think if you just got her a little age appropriate stuffed animal and wrapped it in a box you're good to go. She'll be excited about the box and wrapping paper. I'm sure your older child will be happy with anything you can afford to buy and like the other mama said--Dollar Tree, Dollar General--kids really don't know the difference. Good luck!

Are you spiritual or religious in any way? Can you focus on that aspect of christmas instead of the gifts that are hard to buy? I think I would look for some of the joy and kindness that you see this time of year. Do you have a computer? Can you Skype with your family? I hate not seeing my family at this time of year too

As for your daughter's first Christmas, you will remember it much more than she will. I couldn't even tell you what we got my son for his first. I'm sure that the box and paper were much more interesting to him. Depending how old your kids are, can you have a special breakfast and bake some cookies and spend some quality time? Take pictures and appreciate those that are there....it will get better.

Your situation stinks, but honestly you are going to be fine. Money isn't everything and your daughter won't remember her first Christmas so don't stress about buying her gifts.

You're not a horrible person, but you might want to consider taking this as an opportunity to focus on spending time as a family. Your children sounds as though they are very young so dollar store toys would be find. Order a pizza on Christmas Day and spend time together.

Times are tough and everyone is feeling the pinch, regardless of income. We are hoping to move to FL to be closer to my family in the next couple of years, but have realized that the real estate market has tanked to a point where we literally cannot sell our home- unless we want to hand the bank $50,000 for the pleasure of selling. It all sucks, but just remember that your family and your health are most important...and your mother and siblings could come visit you too!

Depression at this time of year is at its HIGHEST. My sister is a psychologist, and she told me that it's the busiest time of year for people in her profession, for some of the very reasons you describe. So please, don't feel horrible for feeling depressed--that just makes it worse for you, and you have every right to feel the way you feel.

I also want you to know this: I grew up on welfare, and we always had very, very little. My sisters and I all ended up going to college and ending the cycle of poverty. No matter what you give your kids, if you give it with love, then it will be appreciated.

I'd also try calling local churches and charities to get a Christmas box of food and gifts for your little ones. There is no shame in it! I promise you that, for I've been both a recipient and a giver to such charities.

Hang in there, darling. Sending you hope.

You are not alone!

I'm in the very similar situation. My family is in Alaska, my in-laws are in Mississippi. My father's gone nearly a full year without seeing my daughter. I was always close with my family, I miss them and it makes it hurt that they can't visit.

I've been lucky, my parents are doing well so my daughter's gifts are possible via gift card, my husband and I can do without just fine.

Take a deep breath and look at your babies. They are young, they don't need much. I've realized that my daughter likes opening things better then the things she's getting. If you're able, get a lot of little things you can wrap. Second hand is just as good. Go look, you might find some really nice things.

I've learned to take a lot of pictures and my husband's found a phone provider that gives free long distance. Talking to my family every Sunday really helps and getting my daughter to talk on the phone helps them feel close.

Hug and kiss your family whenever you feel down. It helps me. Good luck.

I KNOW you're gonna be ok.....

Perhaps you can gently remind yourself it'd be WAY worse if it were the other way around..
If you had all the STUFF in the world and all the MONEY in the world but you DIDN'T have a loving family and those gorgeous kids.

Hey, you already got the GOOD stuff!

Merry Christmas, enjoy all the OTHER aspects of it if you can (at the very least, thank God it's only once a year!).

:)

The holidays always magnifies the sad memories and situations. Do for others! Volunteer at a shelter on Christmas Day--you can eat thee and get your kiddos a gift.
Take advantage of food pantries, freecycle, craigs list, etc.
Happy holidays--count your blessings.
Doing to others ALWAYS makes our own problems get smaller!

I'm in the same boat you are. I'm almost 7 months pregnant and unemployed. My hubby is the one who works and it's a temp job that will end in March (when our baby is due) or if he's lucky he'll get hired on. It's been so tough on our relationship. He's the one with the money, I literally don't have any $$$ in my bank account. He is the money keeper. I need to ask him for things and he gets them for me if it's a nessecity. It really does suck. I'm depressed because I feel so lonely being at home all day, the pregnancy hormones don't help either. We're not giving eachother presents for xmas and not giving any to his or my family. I feel so ashamed because we're going over to his mom's house on xmas eve empty handed. I just wanted to share my story with you so you don't feel so alone. Have faith that things will start looking up next year, I am trying to be optimistic thinking about the birth of my baby. But even that is starting to freak me out. Merry xmas and here's to a better year for both of us! *Hugs*