I dislike this time of year. It brings back bad memories. It re-enforces the fact that I have no money, and this year I have no-one to share christmas with. We lived in poverty and christmas just made it feel worse. So you can take chrimbo, stuff it in a condom and shove it

I know what you mean. Although I am a little confused with your last sentence. I am not sure what you mean by "chrimbo" nor do I know if you are speaking in general to or to me. But thank you for responding. It is tough holiday season for alot of us. I chose to allow myself to get upset but lean on my FMily and the people I know I can truly trust.

There is a song by the group Alabama that says the nearest thing to heaven is a child. Nothing will erase the Christmas blues like spending time and talking with a child. I love to read Christmas books with my grandkids, i buy a new special book we read every year several times over. They love to play fish, or draw pictures of snowmen or Christmas trees. They love to go riding around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. They just are happy with the gift of your time.

Hi Tink,
Chrimbo is British slang for Christmas.

I fully understand what you mean. Christmas seems to start earlier and earlier, there is a huge build up to it then.. boom.. it kinda falls flat.

I tend to stress out too and it makes me flare.. so I try to stay relaxed and enjoy it as much as I can for my little grandchildren's' sake.

The look of wonder on their faces Christmas morning makes it all worthwhile.

Gentle hugs
Sandra

Thank you for clarifying for me. I understand what Vonny was saying now lol. Sorry I am not as buff on British slang as I should be. Thank you all for your replies. All of those things you do to lift you up sound amazing. I hope one day I am that lucky. It doesnt appear that way right now though. I will be ok. Just gotta get a grip on myself lol.

i was commenting in general, not to you, chrimbo is slang ffor christmas. Its not like me to be so blunt... sorry if I offended you

I know exactly what you mean by anticlimactic. As kids, it was so exciting & it was such a rush to get up on Christmas morning & get your presents. Before Christmas, you were making up your lists & seeing Santa, and maybe even sneaking around the house trying to find hidden presents!
Now, as grown-ups, you just don't get that excited by unwrapping a box of candy or a pair of gloves. Don't get me wrong, they're nice & I love presents...but it's not the same as it is for kids. For me, the fun of Christmas morning is just watching the kids open their presents, and seeing the joy in their eyes. Of course, after they open their presents, then you have to clean up all the wrapping paper & bows, etc.

The holidays are one of the worst times for depression. Documented fact. Grown ups get depressed around the holidays. There's so much to do, and if you don't have family you feel more alone. For me, it's just that rush of trying to get all the presents bought, the stress of trying to find money for presents. I used to LOVE decorating for Christmas, my tree should be up by now. I set it up Thanksgiving night. I still haven't cleared out the corner for the tree or dragged up the decorations. I'm hoping my stepdaughters will decorate for me today. So yes, I know what you mean. I try to enjoy the kids & their excitement, I love Christmas music, I'll turn on some music, light some pretty smelling candles. I also live by lists.

Try to relax & enjoy some Christmas lights, and don't force yourself to push too hard. We just can't do marathon shopping anymore. :)

IF YOU WANT SOME HELP WITH YOU BLUES RIGHT NOW, LOSTINPAIN IS REALLY SUFFERING TO DAY. THIK, I DIDN'T MEAN TO STRAY FROM YOU SUBJECT BUT THIS WOMAN IS IN MORE PAIN THAN I'VE SEEN HERE. PLEASE GO TO HER JOURNAL IF YOU WANT TO REALLY HELP HER. I WAS IN TEARS AFTER I READ HER JOURNAL,LETS PLEASE HELP HER....LOVE TO ALL

hey Tink...I totally know what you mean...it's like one minute I'm "in the spirit" adn then, as Vonny noted, I realize, I'm broke, hurting and alone. SO, what I normally do is try to think of things I can do to make other people happy and take the focus off of my ugly thoughts. Believe me, they get ugly!

I think Helen offered that Lostinpain is suffering. There's a place to start right here. I'm not trying to take your pain and make it seem like it's nothing, DON'T GET ME WRONG! I'm just trying to help.

I am struggling with this too, everyday. IT's like "what's the point of being happy!?!". But there is a point...there are people out 'there' that need you, me and Vonny and everybody else!!!

So, try it....it may work! I will try it too!!!

Love and hugs!
Morus

You're experiencing what so many people experience with the holidays. For me, it reminds me that my family (Mom, Dad and siblings), are not very close, and this has always pained me. They just aren't capable. We are all living in other states now, and we usually don't all ever get together. There is also the fact that as a Mom and wife, there is always so much to do, but I have been enlisting help from my kids and husband the last few years. I try and not have unnecessary things on my list of holiday do's for example, sending cards. To me, if there is no personal message (whose got time for that), then it's a waste to just send a card that says "Merry Christmas" and it's just one more thing to have to do or be stressed about. I think gifts should be given from the heart and not given only when one receives one back, but no one seems to get that. I love how my kids get so excited and they make is all worth it. I love showering them with gifts and love, and it just reminds me that God's love for me is many times more than this, and what a comforting and awesome thought that is. I try not to have so many expectations since that's what can get us in trouble. I do believe that when we are focusing on others who are needy, our spirits become uplifted. I'm glad you posted this, since it is a real reality this time of year. The fact that many feel depression instead of joy. I'm here for you if you need me, and I know many others are on this board are too. Gentle hugs...

As Shelli said, it is documented that Christmas season is the worst for depression. I think it's true for a lot of reasons. For one, I think people think they SHOULD be happy, and they're not, so it m ust be their fault. So they try to get in the spirit by doing more, or shopping more, or worrying more, all of which makes it worse, especially if the only one of those you can do is the worrying part! It should be a happy time, but the fact is, for a lot of people it isn't. If you are one of t hose, accept it.Don't try to force joy, it never works. Do the parts that give you joy, and that's all. Enjoy your family? then spend time with them, don't worry about shopping or presents if you can't afford it or don't have the energy. Don't enjoy your family? Say, sorry, folks, this year I'm not doing Christmas. I'm spending it....alone with a book, having a quiet dinner with friends, whatever. Do what makes the season joyful, or at least less stressful, for you! I think when you give up the idea of what shoul be, or used to be, or could be, or is exoected to be, you'll have a huge weight lifted off you. Don't let anyone guilt you into doing more, or trying to keep up with others. If you try to cram too much in, I guarantee there will be a letdown, and in the case of fibromites, most likely a physical price to pay as well. Love and hugs

Hey Girlfriend, The Holidays get me pretty down too. I have to put on a brave face and take it one day at a time. The commercialism of the whole season gets me. I refuse to buy toys or anything form China due to the lead threat. So we are going to have to settle with less this year. My kids and Grandkids are way toooo spoiled! They'll have to settle for Kookies, Kisses, and Kup cakes. And all the money I would spend on them is going to the Salvation Army. So they can stick that in their Christmas Stocking and pout. Christmas is all about celebratng Christs birth. Go to church, sing carols, and show love to one another. God Bless Us One And All! Bonnie

I don't know why, but for the last 10-12 years I have always went through major depression at christmastime. I loved it when my kids were little, we had good christmases every year, whether we had money or not. The kids always made it good. Now both of mine live in Florida, and its not the same, although my older son will be here for christmas. He came up when he found out my Dad was so ill, and is staying on until Feb. when he can transfer back to Florida with his company. My youngest was here last year, but it still didn't make it any more joyfull, although I was so happy he was here. From about the 2nd week of Nov, til the first week in Feb. I have a hard time. I feel like running around saying BAH, HUMBUG!!

I'm with Laurie, It isn't the same since my son moved. i don't have any grandchildren yet either. I now go to many christmas chorals and church events. I have spent more time on the religious aspects of the holiday. I help at a kids Christmas party and that is a lot of fun. Christmas is for the children so I go where they are. One of my favorite things is the Christmas play the kids put on at church. They are just adorable :)

I am way down this year...lower then usual...but my daughter is moveing far away from me...so i am gonna put on that happy face right up til she leaves...she has not lived with me for 9 years...but has usually lived close enuff I could get to her within a couple hours max...she is all the blood that keeps in contact with me...and shortly after she leaves my man will be heading south with our Bees for the winter...so I will be alone shortly after christmas...am kinda dreading that whole scenerio....but I will maintain at least...be able to focus on self and perhaps heal a bit if I do not have to constanly be running around picking up after someone...lol.