My take on Christmas gatherings

[Bigoldogsmiles]

For the first time in my life I spent Christmas totally alone. By choice! I am taking time for self-care and healing. I had butter chicken, chocolates and other snacks and watched a very funny movie. It was lovely!In reflection, It seems to me to be a bad idea to take a bunch of stressed out, overworked, tired and anxious people and put them all together in a house at the same time. And then we wonder why the experience is unpleasant?

I am hoping to avoid celebrating Christmas in the future and instead doing something the whole family loves in the summer/spring. Going somewhere and having a big campfire where we can roast hotdogs and marshmallows and everyone feels relaxed, without expectations.

Just my take on things....

[HopeforMiami]

Funny that I just posted about being alone on Christmas, but for different reasons in my case. I agree that you should do whatever makes you feel better. And I'm happy for you that you can share good times with your family.

As long as you have your family life is good!

Merry Christmas 🎄❤️

[Bigoldogsmiles in reply to HopeforMiami]

Thank you Hope. I am blessed to have a family that is supportive of my healing. I wish you well. Merry Christmas!

[HopeforMiami in reply to Bigoldogsmiles]

Yes, you are blessed! Everyone is not as lucky. And you deserve all their love and support 🙏

[linuxusr]

Under these circumstances, it would be very easy to sulk and feel sorry for yourself. But you went all out to show yourself some love. That shows great resilience and the ability to care for yourself--and take a break from family conflicts, inevitable to one degree or another.

[Bigoldogsmiles in reply to linuxusr]

Thank you Linux. I am struggling with ptsd right now so I need to look after me. I am blessed to have a husband and children who love me enough to honor my need for space.

[linuxusr]

For sure, having a loving partner (and children) goes a long way . . .

[Nothing_but_books]

We must have some of the same go-tos for self pampering. Where on earth did you find an open restaurant to get butter chicken? Save me some, huh? And chocolate. You can't get better than that.

What was your very funny movie? I could use a laugh.

[Bigoldogsmiles in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Hi Nothing,I actually got the butter chicken from a grocery store the day before. It was really good though. The movie I watched was "The War With Grandpa".

[Hurtingheart2 in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Have you seen the movie the holiday with Jack Black Kate Winslet very good funny movie!!🍿

[Bigoldogsmiles in reply to Hurtingheart2]

No I haven't. I'll have to try it

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Hurtingheart2]

I have. Kate Winslet was heart-breakingly beautiful, and gave a touching performance. As an obsessive film lover, Eli Wallach's part made the movie for me.

I enjoy Sense and Sensibility, with Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, and, be still my heart, Alan Rickman. His voice makes my knees weak.

[Hurtingheart2 in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Yes totally agree with you on everything you said!!🫶☺️💞💐

[Hurtingheart2]

wow you are really on to something there totally agree with you about the over stressed people pressured to all spend time together and give gifts !!😂😖💞

[Mskitty21]

I love this! Good for you and I’m happy you had a relaxing day 🩷

[worthytobeloved]

Very well said! I totally agree, especially the part about celebrating in the summer when the weather is better and we're less stressed!

[Snowflake77]

I hope you enjoy your day. Congratulations.

[MaggieSylvie]

That sounds lovely (not that I eat meat), especially if you have family. I have not. My partner is in a care home and I visited him on Christmas Eve. It was a milestone birthday for me and I badly hurt my ankle in the house, so not good. Christmas day, I spent alone. I had plans to visit again but, having slept late, decided to be selfish and take it easy.

The only large Xmas gatherings I can remember were my several aunts, uncles and cousins at my paternal grandparents' house, where my poor grandmother seemed to do all the work, and most had traveled, what were,in those days, quite long journeys.

I don't celebrate, apart from my birthday, but I acknowledge my gratitude for the solstice and the gradual lengthening of the daylight hours.

[TooTidy]

Isn't it great to step away from the frenzy? I love being in the forest so went on a mountain bike ride (boyfriend's back was hurting so he stayed home), ate leftover ribs after a hot tub, and then I slipped over to my brother's to see some family after thier dinner to play a game. Next year will be different as my kids will be here but so nice to spend the day on my terms this year! Since my son was in the hospital Oct 13th through Nov 7th due to alcohol induced pancreatitis, I had no interest in the "season". So much anxiety!

Good to hear I'm not alone about not embracing the expectations of others and took care of myself.

Thank you for sharing.

[SsgCulldelight]

Hi I see your point, is better to gather on other days since we now Know that Xmas Is a misnomer because it was deemed af day and time that actually occurred 8 months earlier it out is indeed a fact at all. This was bestowed upon us in a very successful attempt to control the masses through religion, needless to say THEY were successful in their query to indoctrinate us all. Time alone And with your loved ones without the pressure of doing our buying is priceless. Cheers my friend. Cheers