You make it what you want it to be.
I lost my brother many years ago 2 weeks before Christmas and it was hell.A few years ago I made a change in my thinking....Christmas has nothing to do with my brother.So I give myself that day and a few days give or take to feel down....then it's time to turn my attention to the real meaning of Christmas :)

Usually, I find it a very renewing and hopeful time. Last year's holiday season was bad for me, as stbx told me he was unhappy being married on the 13th and my mom died on the 19th.

Great answer and attitude Deb! I have very mixed feelings that has absolutely nothing to do with the opposite sex... My kids are grown and on their own and I am just flat lonely for children to enjoy the holidays with!

This is my first by myself, I think it's a good time and peace on earth. chec that I KNOW its a good time and PEACE on Earth. The last several years Christmas was difficult at best. This year I really don't think they're be sadness, it WILL be different. So was Thanksgiving, no sadness there either, but it WAS different. You never know I may hit the bottom so hard I sink to new lows....naahhhhh I can and will make it a great time what ever I do, whether is with friends, family, or by myself I will make it good. besides NO MORE EGGSHELLS "Yes Virgina, There is a Santa Claus"

Peace on earth, good will toward men for me.

It's what you want it to be.

I did not have any good holidays with the ex. So what's new.

He never took me out for New Years that's for sure. Although, he had me looking for a dress and foolish me would look. But when he left me the first time a few years ago he took out his girlfriend for New Years but told me he was with his brother and the family for NY. That was a lie, jeeze everything he said and did were lies.

God bless cocaine and vicodine!! I'm being sarcastic.

This year I was asked my the man I'm seeing to do things with him. But I'm not sure since it's so knew between us and well there the holidays and people remember them.

So I think I'll be at home by myself with some candles and a nice glass of vino.


~Idio

I still have kids at home so I will not be alone. I don't know what the extended family will do, if anything. I was always the one to make the big dinner and have the whole family over. My Mom would criticize me, my ex husband would get drunk with my brother in law and piss me off, then Mom would get mad at me about that too. The kids would get mad because I would make them stay home to visit with the family, etc... This year it will be whatever I want it to be. I want us to give thanks to God for keeping us well and together (me and the children) I want to give them the best I can give them and do as little work as possible (Maybe we will have pizza or hamburgers). No dishes, no drunks, no fighting or criticizm. Just love and joy and Thanks to God for the gift of his son on his Birthday!! I am looking forward to the day off of work too. Simple pleasures now mean so much more! I hope we all have the kind of Christmas we want to have and not feel like we are missing out on what we think it is supposed to be!

Two thumbs up for the Rage. This year I have my two year old daughter for Christmas and I am going to make it good. I am broke, my job is in jeapardy, and with nothing to display christmas (store windows and shops) not to mention 70 degree days it does not feel like Christmas. I was going to be thoughtful and take my daughter to her mothers to visit since this is the first Christmas without her. But then I think to myself. Why??????? She is so selfish and is alienating me from my daughter and will only let me see her during court apointed visitation. She even takes her to night care while at work wich is one light down from were I live and picks her up at 3 am when she gets off work. I think I will spend the holiday with my little one and my family. Screw the ex and her selfishness.

its just another day to me but I get to sleep in but oooh I get a four day weekend out of this one WOO HOO. Four days to sleep in.

I agree, it is what you make it. This will be or second christmas without him. My kids are grown but we will be together - my sister and her family, my brother his son. The time is spent with family, we enjoy it and they have been with the three of us since this has started.
Money is tight but with a little effort, we get things for one another so not to go into debt but give with our hearts.
The hardest part this year will be that my Grandma is no longer with us - I was so blessed to have this wonderful woman a part of my life for 49 years - she is no longer with us this year - that will be the biggest hole to fill. No more hand knit socks, she gave us all each year - but we have a lifetime of memories and she too will be with us during the holidays in our hearts.

Mixed bag of emotions.Wish it was peace in my heart then we can work on earth.LOL, not really that funny,sniffle.My is piece of hell along with the torture.I was kinda in the mood after taking my 3yrold for Santa pictures.Until momy-law dropped bomb stbx is no longer working period.And had to go thru storage today with stbx.Nightmare before my christmas!

I've had 21 years of it being a piece of shit and torture.

I'm trying to pull it out of the piece of shit catagory

For me it's all about the kids. They love it and are so happy.
If it weren't for them, I'd be in a beach in Mexico throwing back Patrn.

This will be the second christmas in a row. It won't be about how many presents we spoiled the kids with.

In fact my kids will get a card with twenty bucks each in it. This far contrast all the previous christmas were it was a mad dash to get as much as posssible for everyone. God that added so much stress to life.

This christmas will be Dad and the Boys cooking something and relaxing together.