Christmas

[Kaynil]

Do you feel anxious during December as Christmas approaches?

When I was a kid it was fine but now that I have grown up I find it a source of stress.

The pressure to find something yo give and that it has to b e meaningful. I am not very good at picking gifts and receiving a gift from people I couldn't give anything makes me feel like a failure even if I had proper justification for not giving it (like a lack of income).

I also get anxious on the idea of going out for Xmas and opening presents in front of others and have other people announce which is my gift so everyone can whisper-judge ir. So this is not the most relaxing season for me.

But maybe us just me, how do you feel about Christmas approaching?

 

[Alex]

These days I'm not that bothered, but I used to work in retail and that destroyed any sense of enjoying Christmas for me as it was all about targets. I don't really celebrate it much, but I like the run up to it, and generally people seem nicer. I am more anxious about my my brother visiting as he disrupts things.


We don't do gifts any longer and while it used to be fun, I prefer to buy gifts throughout the year when people need them and call them an early Christmas gift, I mean why make them wait when they want it then? I do make more of an effort to email people I haven't been in contact with though, and that's always hard because you feel guilty for not doing it more often.

 

[biege]

Honestly, I am. Recently, I've been buying a lot of stuff for my family and I almost forgot to buy stuff for the kids in our community and I'm almost out of budget now to buy gifts. I don't really want to touch the money I have on my investments but then I'm thinking of borrowing some from my stashes. We're about to get our 13th month pay this month but then, I'm not sure if it's enough to buy gifts for the less fortunate kids as I have to buy stuff for my upcoming business as well. I guess I would have to think about setting up priorities but then, if I do this I would have to pick my business. I feel confused and so anxious thinking that I may not be able to see kids smile this year's coming Christmas.

 

[TheKnight]

To me, it's seeing my entire family again and especially when it's been an entire year or even more. 


I used to be very shy when I was 13-16 years old and seeing the cousins I used to play around with all grown up made me a bit sad. They aren't the same and I would be afraid to talk to them and discover they somehow dislike me now. Some even looked at me with disgust.


As an adult now, I go up and talk to anyone even if they may dislike me. Once they see I'm comfortable with them even though I may not be, the act itself makes the ambiance less tense. 

 

[jy76]

A lot of people have a tough time at Christmas because it's expected that they will buy a lot of presents.  However, due to various factors, they often cannot afford them.  In fact, sometimes crime increases during the Christmas season as desperate people cannot front the bill.

 

[Alexandoy]

At this early I'm already in a quandary on how to stretch my budget for gifts.  I used to earn good money so people in my circle  are  used to receiving nice gifts from me. But I had lost my job last July and I don't have enough money to buy all the usual gifts that I buy. It is very stressful to think about Christmas.  I really don't know what to do for now.  Maybe I will just have to face the people who are expecting gifts from me.

 

[DDNatureLover]

I can relate to what you're saying about the anxiety of trying to find the right gift, being on display when opening gifts, etc. The more I read on this site, the more I realize how long my anxiety has been with me. I didn't realize quite how prevalent it's been throughout my life. Now that I'm a bit older and have more autonomy, I make my own plans and only participate in events that don't stress me out. I also don't buy many gifts these days. I've had some bad experiences with that in the past, and prefer to only buy a few gifts for those I know will appreciate them.

 

[to7update]

I cannot say it's a time that I appreciate and it does stress me out. I mean, I love the Christmas spirit and seeing everyone being nicer than during the rest of the year, but the part of buying gifts and being with people I only see once per year is something I don't enjoy and makes me nervous, I just want to get it over with. As for gifts @DDNatureLover, I buy them just for the kids and we have a lot of them in the family!

 

[Kaynil]

Now it is just a matter of days. I have no gifts. No Xmas tree. No social gathering planned. This year I am basically shutting myself down. I think I'll be just spending the day under the blankets. A lot of it has to do with this commercialism being so prevalent everywhere I go. It is making me feel sick in my gut when I see all the sales and people just rushing and being rude. The otehr part is that I moved away from the country I was born and raised and this is the hardest season for me to deal during the distance.

These days I'm not that bothered, but I used to work in retail and that destroyed any sense of enjoying Christmas for me as it was all about targets.

Oh, man. I feel you. Just seeing the malls with all the extended trading hours and how full of people is at all times. It feels like one thing is preached but another is expected (love is the way.... and if you love them you'll show it by getting these material possessions for them!!!).

We don't do gifts any longer and while it used to be fun, I prefer to buy gifts throughout the year when people need them and call them an early Christmas gift, I mean why make them wait when they want it then?

I've never been good at delaying gifts. I can't buy a gift and store it for months in advance. That said I would buy gifts through the year when I see fit and still feel pressured into buying gifts for Christmas.

I do make more of an effort to email people I haven't been in contact with though, and that's always hard because you feel guilty for not doing it more often.

That sounds like a nice thing to make yourself do, as heart racing as it can be to sit to do it. It is hard for me to write them so the idea of calling them just wouldn't fly with me.

Honestly, I am. Recently, I've been buying a lot of stuff for my family and I almost forgot to buy stuff for the kids in our community and I'm almost out of budget now to buy gifts. I don't really want to touch the money I have on my investments but then I'm thinking of borrowing some from my stashes. We're about to get our 13th month pay this month but then, I'm not sure if it's enough to buy gifts for the less fortunate kids as I have to buy stuff for my upcoming business as well. I guess I would have to think about setting up priorities but then, if I do this I would have to pick my business. I feel confused and so anxious thinking that I may not be able to see kids smile this year's coming Christmas.

Man, that sounds, though. Hopefully, you can find a nice middle point.

As an adult now, I go up and talk to anyone even if they may dislike me. Once they see I'm comfortable with them even though I may not be, the act itself makes the ambience less tense.

I guess it is good to try to talk and go from them. Sometimes it turns out it was on our heads or whatever sparked the argument in the past is no longer relevant for the person. on the other hand, since you are going to be sharing the space for a while, might as well try to make it easier on everyone.

At this early I'm already in a quandary on how to stretch my budget for gifts. I used to earn good money so people in my circle are used to receiving nice gifts from me. But I had lost my job last July and I don't have enough money to buy all the usual gifts that I buy. It is very stressful to think about Christmas. I really don't know what to do for now. Maybe I will just have to face the people who are expecting gifts from me.

Although cliche, it will be a good opportunity to find out who actually likes your company regardless of your wallet. If they know your situation, they can be grateful you thought of them all these years and think nothing of not receiving anything fancy. Most likely they will be just happy you spend time with them. I hope that is the case.

I also don't buy many gifts these days. I've had some bad experiences with that in the past, and prefer to only buy a few gifts for those I know will appreciate them

Sounds like a pretty good idea to just leave it for the circle you are comfortable with. To be honest I don't think I'll be dishing Xmas gifts at all this year. Maybe something simple, like a "I thought of you" kind of gift, but no spending big bucks on them.