This is my third season and it doesn't get any easier. I try to remain as upbeat as possible for my daughter. She's 2 and loves all the holiday displays. So when I feel really depressed I take her to Walmart and go up and down the Christmas aisles. Seeing her eyes light up and watching her turn on all the annoying creatures that make sound make me feel better. It helps bring me out of my funk. Not sure if you have kids that still get into that. As it gets closer to Christmas we drive around looking at lights. Hope that helps. Remember to stay busy it helps take your mind off your loved one. Stay strong and take it one day at a time.

Do you have any children in your life? I see you have dogs, there are many nice things in pet stores to go and look at for the holidays, or if you can afford this, take your pets to get their photo taken with Santa, get a copy for your husband. Or if you have a hospital around that allows you to give something to a child, get a small Teddy Bear, I Love Bears, or what about a senior citisen home, there are so many seniors with out family, perhaps you can visit.

Its very difficult for me around the Holidays. Thank goodness for the grand boys, and we feed 3 outside cats, their like my babys, but their wild...

You could also just relax, sit in a mall, and watch the children when they are by Santa, that may cheer you up.

Hope the few sugestions help, I can try to sugest, but even I have the BAA-HUM BUGS this time of year.
Lynn

what a GREAT question..!! (tho i don't have any idea how i'll get thru-sorry!) feel paralized. know i gotta' keep things 'going' for the sake of the others, and put on that fake face-but other than that-no clue!
blessings

This is my first year without my son being home for the holidays :( I am trying to stay positive and upbeat for the rest of the family, but it is hard. My biggest question is do the prisons try and make The Holidays for the inmates a little special or is it just another day to them? They probably really don't care that is what tears me up. My son loves christmas, he is a big kid and has always made me feel special with how much he appreciated everything that mom did to make a Christmas filled with love!! Man this is going to be tough. Just remember we have each other and that is Good Thing. Hugs to you.

This will be my first Thanksgiving and Christmas without my daughter. She was the one in the family who would decorate with me. It is going to be rough but I do have grandchildren and that will help. Keep busy and maybe do something for a family or child less fortunate in your husband's name for the holiday. We are all in this together...hugs!

I agree, it is hard. I do feel alone. my kids are the only ones keeping me going and i try to hide my saddness from them sometimes. I get sick of being strong!!!Maybe buy a special ornament for them each year to remember.Visit them often. I feel bad, miss them, but at the same time I didnt make the mistake, in our case I had tried for so long with mine to get him to see the truth.I did not make the bad choice he did. I have to be in better spirits for my kids. I know it will be hard, because i love and miss him so much thoe. Lots of mixed feelings, I guess.

It might depend on the prison. But the one James is in they make a Turkey dinner for the inmates but that's as special as it gets for them.

Im really dreading the hollidays this year.And im not real sure how im going to get thru them. This is not the first time but the first time as husband and wife. I dont know how long your husband has left but we will be together next year for the hollidays so i keep holding on to that. he comes home in febuary. All you can do is take one day at a time. Thats what i do.

well for me with the kids.. I have to be in the spirit for them... its been 11 years and i have gotten use to the holidays being what they are.. my kids the angel tree packages from thier father.. do everyone else children received that???

I know that my brother got some crappy christmas dinner. Although we were always strapped for cash, my parents would save some extra and put it in his account, so he could buy something for his cell. Ex: one year he bought a little TV. It made him happy, and it made that time more special than the rest of the days he spent there. We did this for his birthday as well.

In the Prison my partner is in, they're having Carols By Candlelight on the 23rd December - no visitors allowed for that though. He has been told they do have a Christmas lunch also, but it's his 1st Christmas in Prison so he doesn't really know as yet.

Oh, the dreaded holidays! I have to say, it's not as bad as it used to be for me, but it still hurts. Here are a few things I do that have proven to help me:
I buy 25 cards and send a card a day from December 1-25 so Scott gets a letter every day as a "gift." I have an annual Christmas party at my house that we have had for many years. I continue to have it without his presence, but put up a picture of him at the party. I get Christmas cards made with my son and send to Scott - he looks forward to this every year. These are just a few things that I do that have worked for me. I also remind myself over and over "his absence is not forever."

THANKS FOR ALL THE IDEAS TO HELP MAKE IT THRU DENNIS ASK ME TO SEND OUT CHRISTMAS CARDS THIS YEAR AND SIGN HIS NAME ON THEM TO SO I WILL DO THAT.

Hi redneck. I put up my tree today because I may have to have surgery in December and I was worried that I may not be up to it.

What I try to do, is take the time to reflect on the good memories and celebrate that. My daughter is locked in the county jail waiting to be sentenced to prison again. My parents are both deceased, and well, I am basically alone. I will see my grandson, that that is always a HUGE JOY for me.

Maybe we can all meet on here at a certain time, and hold one another's hands for a while. We surely need the love and support..
EllaBlue

honestly, i wish i could stay in bed all day, and let the day pass. the thought of it makes me feel sooooo empty inside. but i will add this~~as i talked to my son about this VERY thing, these are his words, and i quote--"mom, if i was there, you'd make that big spread like you do every year, (he named EVERY SINGLE thing i make--, and i thought he didn't really notice) and you'd do it with a smile, like you do every year. so mom, keep keepin on, just like you tell me. oh, and mom, i would feel terrible if you didn't, as tho you guys are being punished for MY mistake. for the sake of the family, please carry on." so, with that being said, i will make the same spread i do every year, i'll try to smile, and i'll think and wish my son was with us the whole day thru.
i will also say a prayer for our ds family, and there loved ones, for peace, and comfort, and the blessings that may be hard to see, but are there to be thankful for....