Know Any Christmas Grinches?

Me. It takes me a while to warm up to the holidays. I get sad and would like to fast forward sometimes because my parents are gone and they were an intricate part of my family's holidays.

You know, with each year that goes by I'm better and better about making Christmas special--as in do or the way I want to do it.
I've found if I drop expectations and focus on what makes ME enjoy the holiday--it's better.
For us it includes Angel Tree, Toys for Tots, and the local shelter.
So I make those activities a priority--not something I look back & think "I should have..."
No O. is gonna have a perfect Martha Stewart Christmas, and once we embrace that, it gets SO much merrier!

I had the opposite of a Grinch moment. I was at Costco last night and in line to get a churro and drink for my son and I while we shop. I forgot it was cash only and was telling my son we had to just get the churro cause I didn't have enough cash in my purse (I was just a dollar short) when the lady behind me hands me a dollar and said "Merry Christmas to you and your lovely boy!"

I ended up finding a dollar in a wierd pocket of my purse that I don't use much, but she didn't want to be paid back. So I'm looking forward to paying it forward :)

Yep and after 25 years, I quit participating in her reindeer games and her Grinch personality. My husband and daughter now go alone to that mess..

I swear you get what you project. You expect ugly people you will meet ugly people you snarl at the sales clerk, they will either get freaked and make mistakes, or not give you their best service. I know, I was in retail for over 30 years.. and have seen it all.. I loved helping people find the perfect gifts.

You set the priorities you want and can fulfill and be happy with that.
If that means no tree.. so what? If it means, hot dogs instead of a fancy meal, sound like fun..

Christmas is a state of mind. It just has to come from your heart or what is the point? To those searching for happiness, you will not find it, until you are happy first.

I'm one. Quite frankly I am tired of the fact that my Christmases have become a part-time shopping job. I think the materialism is ridiculous and we have lost the true meaning of the season. Our family spends so much money and everyone nags everybody for gift ideas and it's all just silly really. I love Thanksgiving because we can all get together, enjoy a great meal and play some games and watch TV. Why can't Christmas be like that?

ummm, well, i guess that would be me,

the anger comes because i can't just "not be into it". "not being into it" would be great, I could just decorate as much as "I" want, and bake if and when "I " want, and buy gifts only because it would bring "ME" great joy.

But alas, dealing with the consequences is way worse than trying to grin and bear it. But then the pressure it just too much and i can't keep the fake smile on one more minute and I snap at the cashier that just messed up my order for the second time instead of just getting the manager like i asked. OR i go off on DH when his mom informs me what lovely thoughtful gifts my sil has purchased for mykids and dont i want to think abou picking up just a little something extra before they come this weekend.

Its the inadaquecies and the time crunch and the expectations. At least for me, but then im' not a happy person in general so why would dec be any different?

I don't hate christmas per se, but a holiday lovin' type A personality can really ruin it for me.
You know the type. Everything has to be perfect. They have a list of like 30 things we must do or it's just not christmas. They insist you get up early to get started on the prep work for all this christmas cheer. You don't like it, but you do it rather than face the nagging, crying and/or pouting that will come if they don't get their way!

I don't! But I avoid things like shopping malls around this time of year because the Christmas season is only skin deep, and people can be pushy and nasty as they fight the crowds. But I haven't personally encountered any Christmas nastiness, and I'm so sorry you have!

Angeles T! Amen! With the loss of my parents (dad, January 2012), I could care less about the holiday season. My adult son and I will go on a shopping spree when he comes to visit, and I put on a happy face for him but inside I am crying of the losses in my family unit.

As for the mama who says to be happy and attract happiness-if it were that easy--no one would be unhappy. Wow--I hate euphemisms, cliches, and unrealistic Sally Sunshine folk.

I guess I would be a Grinch by your definition because I seriously thought, "Is this lady for real?" LOL.
Given the economy, the recent events of the past week, the weather being unseasonably warm, illness, bills.....why would anybody WANT to be jolly? Why would you need to ask what they are sad about? Does it really matter?
As I sit here typing I am reminded of that adage, "Be kind to everyone you meet for everyone is fighting some sort of battle."
You may not feel like you are forcing your cheer on anyone-but to anyone dealing with hard times your "joy" may be unwelcome. People may also think you are oblivious to the world outside thus casting a rather ugly hue on your holiday tingle.

My mom died a couple of years ago on December 23rd. Christmas day that year was going to the corner gas station to buy the stack of newspapers where her obituary and beautiful photo appeared. My son was a toddler, so we just skipped Christmas that year. Each year I try to be better about the the many joys of Christmas (my son definitely embodies this, in a million ways), but Christmastime is still very hard for me. My mother LOVED Christmas, so I try to take that sentiment forward, but it's still so hard to have Christmas without her.

Just wanted to write to say that you never know what people have going on, so however joyful your Christmas is, others may be struggling for a variety of reasons to emotionally get through the holidays. Sometimes people are not Grinch-y so much as just trying to work through complicated mixed emotions.

It''s funny that you brought this up, yesterday was my anniversery. ( yes that has something to do with christmas)
I am a Christmas nut. My husband well . . . let me put it to you this way, his grooms cake had the grinch on it. Now that was 12 yrs ago he's either learned to tollerate my nuts christmasness, or he's gotten better. LOL

I overly decorated inside the house this year and I've been done shopping for a couple weeks, but for some reason, I HATE CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!! I was over it before Tgiving was over. I don't know why, its never bothered me before, but it is this year for some reason. I don't know anyone who is in a funk this year and is acting like a Grinch. I guess I hang with a good crowd. lol =)

My husband doesn't love Christmas. I think it's because he has no family in this country, so we never get to see his family at this time of year, and it just bums him out. Plus, he's just not a super gifty person anyway. He doesn't really get excited about receiving presents, and really won't shop for gifts for others.

So, it is what it is. I decorate the house, do all the baking, shopping, shipping of gifts, menu planning, party schedule keeping, ordering cards and mailing them out, etc. He shows up as requested and tries not to look surly, usually unsuccessfully. Merry Christmas, friends. Ugh.

I may fit in this category when it comes to gift exchanges. Hubby and I do not exchange presents for Christmas. But then we don't remember anniversaries either. It always takes a friend to remind us of these things =).

It is not that I don't value Christmas. Every other day has just become more significant to me. Maybe because there had been so much loss in my circle of family and friends this past few years that we don't hesitate to celebrate a day simply because it is a Sunday =).

My brother-in-law's brother got killed in an automobile accident on Christmas; therefore, he is always depressed or afraid to drive anywhere on Christmas. Tradegies happen on holidays; also, my grandmother died near New Year's Day. So when deaths happen near holidays, it's hard to forget them, because it is a consistent reminder to some people.

Also, my in-laws are jerks, but we no longer associate with them anymore...so my last Christmas's was excellent without jealous sister-in-laws!!!! More presents for my kids!!!

First and foremost, people should try to be nice to people! We wonder why kids don't get it - look around.

But, secondly, you just never know what is happening to people that you can't see on the outside of their person. Until you walk a mile in their shoes, just try to be polite. So many people have lost loved ones and it is very hard during the holidays. So many people are unemployed and underemployed and feel so terrible for what they can't give at Christmas. Many people are sick, some know they are near death. It's just very hard for a lot of people. The best that you can do is care and be kind.

We do some good deeds and remind the children around us that it is not about what we get - to be just as excited, if not more, about what we give because that is the reason!!

And, as far as happiness goes, we do all have our moments - and some have medical conditions, but let me tell you there is great truth in this statement: "People are about as happy as they make their minds up to be." - Abe Lincoln (If you don't believe me, try it - you will be amazed.)

My ex husband was a grinch and every year before he passed away my ex father in law was in the hospital for some reason or another at christmas time. My sister starts 'fighting mode' just a couple of weeks before Christmas and starts all sorts of family problems. I just try to tread lightly since I love Christmas.

I love the holiday season; from before Thanksgiving through New Year. I figured out awhile back that a lot of holiday stress is avoidable. I shop early, and mostly online. I find super sales and discounts that usually can't be had in the physical stores. I can do it in my pajamas, sipping hot tea instead of rushing around in traffic and snow, having tug-of-war over the last Lego set on the shelf.

We are not high income, but we try to live within our means. That means having a budget and not overspending. The stress of knowing you're going to have a Holiday Hangover in January can darken anyone's mood.

I don't feel the need to compete with friends or neighbors for the best cookies or most decorations. I almost never bake specifically for holidays. We're not big sweets eaters, so nothing is lacking in that area. I do love a traditional candy cane though. Just ate a mini one. :-D

We don't spend time with toxic-behaving relatives. We don't give gifts to people that complain, compare or belittle. For your own mental health, you must have boundaries.

I spend most of the month of December helping others. This is not only good for them, but for me too. If you ever need perspective and a reason to feel contentment and thankfulness, help a homeless family with their laundry as they look for a permanent place to live. Clean out your child's overflowing closet for spare clothing for that little boy that doesn't have any pants without holes. Take outgrown coats and extra gloves to the local elementary school. You'd be shocked to find out how many kids go without. Have neighbors that will be alone for Thanksgiving or Christmas? Invite them to your dinner.

Donate to a local food pantry - call and ask if they would rather have cash or items. Pantries can often use cash to buy food in bulk as a discount.

Donate to Toys for Tots - I took my kids to the store while they were having a fill-the-van drive. They each chose and donated a toy. I put money in the Salvation Army bucket every time I pass one, even if all I have is a loose quarter in my pocket. I feel superstitious about it, like it brings luck. :-)

I can't do anything about losing a job, illness, or if my husband backs the car into a close garage door (yep, he did!), and I can't undo that a class full of babies was just killed. But most days, I can just try to be my best self.

I don't do or say anything to crabby people. I do avoid them if they start to suck the joy out of my day. I figure they have the right to their feelings, but in turn I expect them to keep it to themselves.