Thread: I live with a bunch of Scrooges!!

I've always LOVED Christmas, everything from putting up the tree, lights, decorations, shopping, music, tv shows, presents...everything! The last couple years, however, my husband and 2 sons (19 & 13 this year) just brought me down, complaining when it comes time to put up the tree and decorate. My husband and younger son will help IF I ASK, but if I ask my older son, he grumbles, complains and does what I ask then disappears. I'm just dreading it this year. Last year I put the tree up by myself while they were at work and school. My husband did say it looked nice, but that's about it. I'm thinking about not even putting anything up this year, just waiting to see if THEY ask anything about it. We always used to have Christmas at my parents' house until my mom got sick, then a few years ago we started doing Christmas here. Last year we had to beg my mom and dad to come over, this year I KNOW they won't come because of my mom's sickness. My grandma who usually comes is in a nursing home (she's 91) so she won't be able to come over. It'll just be my family and my 2 sisters and their families. We have Christmas here because it's centralized for everyone. Maybe I just need a kick in the pants to get myself in the mood this year.

Oh please don't not put up your tree because the men in your life don't have the good sense to appreciate what you do to make Christmas special. Do it for YOU because YOU love it! Don't let their poor attitudes take away what it means to you. (and I DO think they'd notice but take all you put into it for granted)

Count me in on team I care about what the holiday means but not what it has become.

I honestly don't care whether we put a tree up or not. I will bake cookies & purchase gifts but all of this nonsense of Christmas decorations & caroles in October. People camping outside from Wednesday & not spending Thanksgiving with their loved ones to grab a TV cheap...this is just insane for me.

Originally Posted by gmyers

Remember the movie on Lifetime when the moms went on strike because their families didn't appreciate what they did for Christmas and wouldn't help them. After the men and kids had to do everything she did they learned to appreciate her more and get in the holiday spirit more. People definitely take mom for granted until she's not there and they realize how special she is.

I don't think I ever saw that movie. I'll have to see if I can find it. Sounds interesting!

Originally Posted by baragabrat

Oh please don't not put up your tree because the men in your life don't have the good sense to appreciate what you do to make Christmas special. Do it for YOU because YOU love it! Don't let their poor attitudes take away what it means to you. (and I DO think they'd notice but take all you put into it for granted)

What baragabrat says! Especially if YOU enjoy it, who cares who puts it up. I've done it for years without help, and the first year I didn't "WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TREE?" Said you put it up yourself. I know tradition in my house growing up was put the tree up on Thanksgiving day, decorate the heck out the place inside and out. Watch a stupid football game. There is just something about a decorated tree, no matter how you decorate, real tree, or fake tree, themed or what mood you are in that year. LOVE it at night when its the only lights on. AND yes I've put it up the week prior to Thanksgiving, cuz its such a short time to enjoy it till Christmas.

I wish I could find the joy in Christmas but I can't. Maybe if my husband would get in the mood again I could find it too but we haven't decorated since 2005

Originally Posted by wobblypops

I wish I could find the joy in Christmas but I can't. Maybe if my husband would get in the mood again I could find it too but we haven't decorated since 2005

I have you beat. We haven't had a tree and have decorated little since 1993 when my husband moved up here from AR. It was just my teen son and me and although we had a tree in 93, nothing after that. After I moved up here in 95 we just never did buy another tree. Holidays and birthdays don't mean much to hubby so I just bought for my adult kids and after their kids were born I just buy for their kids. It's what I can afford and no one minds.

But I realize how important Christmas is to so many and I don't think anyone should be given the power to take away the joy you feel in the season.