Need to vent

[mvd]

This might just be my worst holiday ever. No money, no gifts under the tree, and probably no special Christmas dinner. Constant stress. I know the true meaning of Christmas isn’t about gifts or money, but it is still frustrating. My friend has helped for some things, but she’s not rich. I refuse to create another GoFundMe. So I will have to just get through it. I am pretty sure things will improve in January, but as someone who always loved Christmas, this is not fun.

Happy Holidays to DU! I hope yours are better than mine.

[KarenS]

1. sending you ((hugs))

[mvd]

2. Thanks - much appreciated!

[Beachnutt]

3. Big ole hug to you..

Many families and children in Ukraine are having a rough time this Christmas along with many homeless folks around the world.
If you have a warm place with hot water and food to eat count your blessings.

[mvd]

4. Thanks

I do have a warm house, which I am grateful for. And I do have things to eat, though less than usual. And I have my mom. So I am thankful for those.

[LuckyCharms]

5. I haven't received a Christmas gift or Birthday present in years.

And that is per my request.

I look upon those days as a chance to do something for someone else. Not something material, but rather, a gift of non-monetary help or other form of kindness offered to another person.

My opinion is the best gift you can give yourself is to do something meaningful for others.

I prefer it that way.

I dislike receiving gifts.

Happy Holidays!

[mvd]

6. That's a good way of looking at it

I’d like to be more that way. It’s more the stress at a time when everything is supposed to be happy. I just wish that was gone.

[imaginary girl]

7. I love this!

My best to the OP as well.

[Skittles]

16. ditto

I just never cared about holidays, but I do try to help others.....

[zanana1]

17. I admit to being a gift hog.

I enjoy giving gifts and receiving them. (Actually, I get kind of excited about it).

[LuckyCharms]

18. Nothing wrong with that!

I LOVE giving gifts.

I'm just feel very awkward when receiving them.

[zanana1]

19. I always say something like "you shouldn't have".

But I'm glad they did!

[Wounded Bear]

8. Sorry to see you in such stress. I'm a Bah! Humbug! type myself...

but I don't get down on others for enjoying what I can't or choose not to.

Here's wishing for you to see better times soon.

[mvd]

9. Thanks

The support means a lot to me. I really appreciate DU, which feels like a family.

[debm55]

12. Think positive thoughts, mvd. Don't let the negative get in your way.

We have those times. believe me. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you. Christmas is in your heart=not about money or gifts.

[Elessar Zappa]

10. I've been there friend.

Here’s to hoping you and your mother see better times in the near future.

[mvd]

14. Thanks!

I think 2023 has to be better. Couldn’t be as bad as 2022.

[tazkcmo]

11. Focus on what you have.

I have three sticks of furniture. I have one set of utensils, a plate and a cup. I have a pot to cook my pasta in and a frying pan to cook my meat. My son is in Oregon halfway across the country from me. I have a 90 lb Labrador named Blue and a 3 lb cat that was thrown from a moving car and lived to tell about it named Maverick. I have a warm place to sleep on one of my pieces of furniture. I can text my son and tell him how much I love him on Christmas morning and on New Year's Day. I can snuggle with my puppy and play with my kitty.


I have everything I need and I'm happy. I hope you can find solace and happiness and in what you have with you right now. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[ailsagirl]

13. 👍👍👍

Thank you
🎄🎄🎄

[mvd]

15. I've definitely become better at that

I lived a comfortable middle class life for much of my life, so there’s an adjustment. But you learn to appreciate little things and what you have.

[mvd]

20. Merry Christmas, all

[niyad]

21. Holding you in love and light. May the coming days bring better times for you.

[mvd]

22. My Christmas was better than expected

No gifts but been quiet. Enjoyed sports except for the Eagles yesterday. Sixers won. Friend surprised me with some of her Christmas dinner. Counted my blessings.

[Maraya1969]

23. I have no tree, am with no family and am suffering from the work they did on my teeth last

week. But truthfully it has been nice. I felt so comfortable doing nothing! (A lot of times I have to practice not listening to those words, "You're wasting your life away" from dear old mom)

I've had a problem with Christmas for a long time now and especially since my mom died and my brother turned asshole out loud. So I learned to treat it as just another day and stopped buying into the forced merriment. I realized that the joy in my life comes at different times and usually when I am not expecting it. But misery will surely come if I have expectations that don't pan out.

I don't know if that will help at all. You do have a great big family here who cares, including me!