Happy Holidays or Bah Humbug?


Ebenezer Scrooge's gravestone, ShrewsburyImage by HowardLake via Flickr


Well, Thanksgiving is over (WOOHOO!) & the holiday season is in full swing. Except for the fact that it is December 3rd & we have no snow (again, WOOHOO!) as of yet. Yes, they are calling for some flurries & snow showers during the week, but nothing to be worried about. In fact, just the past week has been chilly. We have had temps near 60 & above pretty much all autumn. I am enjoying the hell out of it. As you know, I absolutely hate & dread the winter season. The bitter cold, blizzard-like snow & the incredibly slick & dangerous ice that we deal with here in Michigan makes me want to hibernate until the temps hit 60 once again.

The weather is not the only dreaded thing about this time of year. All the shopping for gifts, finding parking, & pushing & shoving makes it seem as if selfishness has taken over. The news shows people physically fighting over the last popular toy that "my child has to have". Thieves are hiding around every corner watching & waiting until your arms, full of bags & boxes, are emptied into your trunk so they can knock you down to take your car with all the gifts that you worked so hard to save & scrimp for. The usually pleasant salespeople, that have been working many hours with angry customers who can't find what they want, are cranky when you get to them because there's no tag on the item you want & they have to search for a price.

Last, but certainly not least, we come to spending time with the family. Some we see all year long. Some we see during the year for events & get-togethers of sorts. And some come from out of town only a couple of times a year. It seems to me that the ones from out of town are the ones we'd rather see more than some we have closer to us. We are forced to make nice to others because "they are family" or "it's the holidays". Wouldn't it be nice to be able to be honest? So it hurts someone's feelings. I didn't ask to share my holiday with certain people. I would like to enjoy the holidays without any drama or negativity. I want the smile on my face to be genuine. I think if we could just eat & go, I would be very happy! But, it's not to be. I will be one of the few stuck cleaning up & being pushed out of the way so others can have their fun. The funny thing is, I'd rather spend time with my in-laws a during the holidays than my own family. Now you know I'm strange!

Well, I'm really tired because it's late, but I'm going to post this. It's how I feel most of the time during the holidays. The one really good thing about the holidays is having 2 weeks off from work. It's nice to work for a school district!

SO, how do you all REALLY feel about the holidays? MUHAHAHAHA


Hiding Behind My Babushka,

Collette

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21 comments:

Ron said...

OMG...if anyone can identify with your feelings about shopping it's me. I mean, I'm in retail and I hate shopping this time of the year - Bah Humbug!

It's been the same weather here too. It almost feels as though Spring is coming rather than Winter. Two days ago I actually saw people walking the city street with shorts and flip- flops - I kid you not.

Other than my mother and brother, I really don't spend holidays with the rest of the family. Because you're right...Italian DRAMA!@#?!

Enjoy your two weeks off, my friend.

I know you work very hard throughout the year, so you deserve it.

P.S. I just noticed your profile photo - I LOVE IT - you little devil!

Moonrayvenne said...

@Ron-I feel for you this time of year...UGH! Wish I could have a small, quiet holiday, too. I figured I'd trade in the santa hat this year for horns. Much more fitting for the way I feel...LOL!

ReformingGeek said...

I could do without all the shopping for presents. I like to bake so I focus on that. Decorating? I don't really enjoy doing it but I like the end result!

As for the family get-togethers, we try to keep it as simple as possible.

Jientje said...

I can't wait for it to be over again. I mean, yes. Really.

Moonrayvenne said...

@Reffie-Mmm, all those cookies & pies baking make my mouth water. We don't need a holiday to make those. I think the holidays should be simple & get back to the basics.
@Jientje-I think my favorite part is when it's all over & we're home just lazing around relaxing!

kathryn said...

I LOVE your new avatar...you devil, you! I totally understand about the holiday stress as well...it's truly a double-edged sword. I feel the pressure of cards and gifts and decorations and photos and visits and cooking...and yet, we're still supposed to live our lives and work!

It's overwhelming at times, that's for sure. I've pared back a lot over the last few years. Can't take the stress!

Momzombie said...

We've been simplifying the last few years,largely out of economic necessity but also because all the joy can quickly be strangled out of the season with all the so-called mandatory chores. I avoid the mall like a plague.

Moonrayvenne said...

@Kathryn-I was feeling a little evil this season. LOL. I've really cut back on cards-sending only to those who semd to me.
@Momzombie-Yes, the money is a big thing, too. The mall is just hell on earth this time of year.
I'll let you all in on a secret. Now don't be all pissed off with me. We haven't even put up a tree in like 2 years. If my daughter wanted it, U I would do it, but she's not all that into the decorating thing either. And at 16, she has more pressing things to worry about. I know I'm a Mom-humbug!

Jayde said...

I love Christmas, the idea of it being a time of sharing and giving. However, I don't care for the way it's been turned into a contest to see who gets the most stuff, the best stuff, whatever. I have always loved decorating for Christmas, buying (or making) gifts for all my loved ones, and especially Christmas morning. My kids have yet to wake up before me on Christmas, and I am not a morning person AT ALL! As for family, it depends on which family we're talking about. Some I can handle fine, but others I'd be happier to never see again.

I hope everyone can have a safe and happy Christmas, no mater how you feel right now.

P.S. (I too am a blonde Polish female, just not from Michigan)

Anonymous said...

Hey, thanks for stopping by my blog! I definitely don't like standing in lines waiting to get my gifts rung up. That's why I've done mostly online shopping this year so far. Thank goodness I was working Black Friday! I really enjoy the feel of the holidays: the hot chocolate, the warm sweats, fuzzy socks, comfy hoodies, crackling fire, smokey chimneys, Christmas lights. That's just me, though. I can definitely understand why you resent the selfish elements of the season, though. Gifts aren't everything. And sometimes self-made is much better. :) Hope you've had a wonderful weekend!

Lauren

Tracy said...

It kind of freaks me out that so many of our shopping centers here have mobile police stations that look like life guard stands for the holidays.

What I hate most about the holidays are all the amateur shoppers in the grocery stores, standing in the middle of the aisles with their cell phones asking where the cream of tartar is. What did they do before they had cell phones? Most people can't walk while talking on a phone, they think they can but really they are just impeding my progress.

I try to avoid it as much as possible and do it all online.

What I do like is how happy my kids are, they really get a kick out of all the decorations and parties.

Michelle said...

I LOVE christmas...but I dont get into the whole stressful side of it. I just enjoy traditions and family and fun. Visit my blog to read about some of that.

I'm visitng you cause you visited me on my SITS day. Sorry it's taken so long to get back.

Anonymous said...

I love the holidays, specifically Christmas. I don't shop retail though so that could be a large part of it. I only shop online and that way I can focus on the tree, the lights, the parties, the booze, the food and all the other yummy stuff that goes with the season.

Kevin McKeever said...

I'm only into the holidays for the eggnog. Mmmm, noooooog.

Bobby Allan said...

Honestly, I LOVE them. Crowds, snow and all. However, when I worked retail for 20 years, I hated Christmas.

I did most of my shopping online this year but I am going to venture to the mall to soak up the atmosphere. I know, I'm a freak.

Moonrayvenne said...

Wow! I don't stop in here for a few days & I have more comments! Thank you all!

@Jayde-SO you have a triple excuse, too! (Polish, blonde, female) Well, once Christmas is here, it's not too bad as long as I can escape if I need to...LOL!
@Lauren-I do like the warm feeling of the lights & all. Especially footie pj's!
@Tracy-It does take away the feeling of safety when you need the mobile stations. I do believe Christmas is more for the kids now, too. People can't walk & talk on a cell phone & think they can drive with one? UGH!
@Michelle-thanks for visiting me back! Yeah, the stress I could really do without!
@Hilly-I think the online shopping makes it a whole lot easier!
@Always home- I guess if you like eggnog, that's as good a reason as any!
@Chrissy-Yes, I was at the mall yesterday, too. It really weasn't bad yet, but I still have a lot to shop for. I usually wait till the last minute. You think that has something to do with my dislike of it? LOL

Michelle said...

I LOVE the holidays. all of it.

glad you get 2 weeks off.

Anonymous said...

BOY did you hit a raw nerve!! We see the grandkids on their birthdays and Christmas. We hand over the loot and have to pretend it's the MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR and act like we have no idea we're only "deeply loved" 3 times per year. Hell, Jesse James carried a gun,you didn't have to act like he was doing you a favor by robbing you.......AND it only happened once!

Romance said...

I usually do a big holiday shingding- after decades of traveling- the past few years, finally, had me hosting... Which I adored! But given the "state of things" - I am not sure what I am doing... My house isn't exactly a draw - "hey, I know, honey! lets go visit tension central out in California"

That said, I was so excited for Christmas this year- I started shopping in october- online, of course! - and cannot wait to take the girls to see Santa. Its the first year ever that the girls get it. I had the tree up on the 1st of December- that is how into it I am.

In other words- I am a holiday mess

Nanny Goats In Panties said...

And it's all that pushing and shoving and parking and selfishness that makes me stay at home and order everything online!

:)

Bah Humbug! (oops, I mean, Merry Christmas!)

Moonrayvenne said...

@Michelle-I'm glad that you like the holidays. The sights & sounds of the season can be nice.
@Dana-Isn't family wonderful? UGH!
@ZombieMom-For the girls, it's important to be a family & enjoy the magic.
@NannyGoats-The interwebs are a wonderful place to be (especially being away from all those crazy people. I deal with enough of them as it is...lol)

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