Stupid org, crashing on me!

I'm just not feeling the holiday spirit this year, for so many reasons. Probably the biggest being since I've been unemployed for the past 10 months, there is no way I can afford to buy my three nephews and niece gifts for Christmas. My family also puts our names on pieces of paper, put the pieces of paper into a bowl, and we each pick one name. Whichever name we pick, we have to buy a gift for that person. I don't have any money to buy that person a gift either. It breaks my heart, but what can I do? If I don't have the money, I just don't have it. I usually buy a live Christmas tree to decorate, but I'm not even going to be able to afford to do that this year.

Then there are various family members (namely my older brothers) who get on my last nerve. I find myself limiting the amount of time that I spend with them, which also saddens me, since I don't see them that often.

I just feel like saying, "Bah humbug!" about the holidays this year, sweep it under the rug, and just forget about it. But I know that it's just not going to happen. especially with my family being the way they are.

Does anybody else have a "bah humbug" attitude about the holidays?
[Edited 11/8/07 14:50pm]

$$$$$ $$$$$ $$$$$ $$$$$.

INSATIABLE said:

Yup, money, the root of all evil.

psychodelicide said:

I feel you on the cash thing, I seriously do. Hope you're able to juggle it--I'm seriously considering disappearing on the 25th.

INSATIABLE said:

Can I join you on that? I would loooove to go incognito.

Not in the slightest. I'm the complete opposite in fact. Last year was one of the few moments that I really missed home and my family. I was in a shack in Laos come Christmas Day morning being woken by the dulcet tones of a cockrels' call at 6.30am in the morning. On percussion snores were a Greek and a couple of Brazilians. I called my parents and received an E-Greetings Christmas card from them. Hearing then and my Granny really choked me. To know I wouldn't be sitting down and having a turkey dinner with them was a bit sad.

Me and Dino (my friend) flew from Luang Prabang to Bangkok to await the arrival of his girlfriend who came out to join us on Boxing Day. For those in the know, it's quite a distance into town from the airport in Bangkok so we unfortunately had no real option but to stay there. I spent Christmas night trying to sleep on a bench whilst 'Jingle Bells' repeated itself over the piped music.

This year I intend to fully embrace Christmas with my family as next year I could very well be away again.
[Edited 11/8/07 14:56pm]

I always do, but don't let the $$ get you down. People should understand. If they don't, fuck 'em. They don't get it anyway.

There's plenty of other reasons to hate the holidays!

Im just waiting for Thanksgiving for the food

JDInteractive said:

Wow, that's sad.

Mars23 said:

Thanks for the encouragement. My family will undoubtedly understand my money situation, but it still depresses me.

If you're Christian (and why else would you be celebrating Christmas?), give them a Bible. You can find Bibles at the Dollar Store for - that's right - $1.

Imagine - you're giving the greatest book ever written, and at a price you can afford!

DanceWme said:

Thanksgiving food is always delicious!

psychodelicide said:

Worse things happen at sea I suppose. Some of you are real miserable bunch though. You don't like Christmas, you don't like Prince....whatever next?! Next you'll be telling me you don't like Homer Simpson and everybody likes Homer Simpson.

psychodelicide said:

Always - I can't stand it, especially all that phony goodwill.

If it wasn't for my niece & nephews, I wouldn't bother with Christmas at all.

RodeoSchro said:

Great suggestion, but my family already has bibles. In fact they talk about the bible CONSTANTLY when we're all together (especially my two brothers that I mentioned earlier). It gets totally annoying because they act so self-righteous, like they know more than the rest of the family does. Hence, my desire to limit my amount of time spent with them.

JDInteractive said:

Hey I resemble that remark.

uPtoWnNY said:

I hear ya, little kids do make Christmas more fun, because they're so excited.

i'm poor too. plus, if my parents are stressed out and bitching at each other all the time i don't even really want to be home.

but two days after christmas...

I always dislike this time of year, mostly because I'm poor, so buying gifts sucks, and I don't get along with a lot of my family members and I can't avoid them during the holidays

evenstar said:

Same.

If I ever have a family of my own....etc.


New Year's Eve, on the other hand--favorite holiday.

I hope to find Insatiable under my tree come Christmas morn'.

uPtoWnNY said:

Make Christmas about Christ and you will want to celebrate it 365 days a year.

INSATIABLE said:

yeah. family drama is shitty.

JDInteractive said:

Does your cat like to lie under the tree? Mine absolutely loves snoozing under there and chewing on pine needles. She's constantly covered in sap. As soon as we bring it in each year, she runs straight to it.

evenstar said:

Would you like to come to mine for Christmas?

INSATIABLE said:

Not really. She likes to play in the used wrapping paper though. Not as much though now as she's old. I remember one year she singed her whiskers on a Christmas candle after jumping up when the vegetables were being served. It caused a bit of a furore.

eh. I'm eh about it this year. I'm not excited, I'm not dreading it.

eh.

CarrieMpls said:

Merry EHmas.

JDInteractive said:

it's cool. i'll try and get tipsy with my sister so then EVERYTHING will be fun!