<p>So we're just a few days into the month and I am miserable! I am finding this holiday so very hard and cant seem to shake it off. Tried to decorate last night, it looks so bad, I will tear it all down tonight after work. If I can talk myself into it, will make a second attempt, or not....... Went to bed so grumpy, I couldnt even stand my own self! Its going to be a long long month.</p>
<p>But I need to not be like this. So any suggestions to shake it off or up? New traditions to try, coping tips for reversing this mood? Scrouge has NOTHING on me!</p>
<p>You’re not required to decorate. You’re not required to pay attention to the holiday. You’re not required to do anything. Some of us call this the “December doldrums.” The good news is, there are lots of good movies to go see at this time of year.</p>
<p>We always seem to get into the holiday spirit later than most families. So what? Do this all on your own schedule and do what you want to do…it will make the season ever so much brighter!</p>
<p>I have a friend who calls this season, “the forced march of happiness.” </p>
<p>I happen to enjoy the holidays, but some people find them excruciating, and, from my perspective, those of us who enjoy the holidays would like those of you who do not to just relax and participate at whatever level feels good to you. So, if it is doing nothing, then do nothing at all. </p>
<p>Do what you like. Start with you. Do something nice for you. Just a thought.</p>
<p>Nice way Thumper to hint I should spell check- Thanks. Make that Scrooge. Bah Humbug! But you all knew what I meant. So now how do I edit my misspelling? </p>
<p>I really ought not be allowed in public right now. You can only imagine how the Christmas Tree turned out…</p>
<p>My suggestion against the holiday doldrums is to spend some quiet evenings at your favorite library - nice and quiet, peaceful, no commercials or outside influences to make you “think” holidays. </p>
<p>Holidays are overrated - I really am perfectly happy with regular, everyday life. </p>
<p>Feel free to rant on this thread till after the new year when things go back to being NOT about the holidays!</p>
<p>If you don’t want to decorate, don’t. If you want to put up one special decoration, do that if it makes me smile. </p>
<p>I agree with others, find something that makes you smile–manicure, volunteering to help others, making dinner for a friend, taking yourself shopping. What makes you smile?</p>
<p>Do you have a friend who loves to decorate and whose house makes you smile? Can you ask her for help? </p>
<p>I hate decorating and I’m not fond of Christmas trees (hard to keep puppies from peeing on them) so I buy those silly pre-decorated trees about 1 foot tall that they sell in florist shops. I put them on tables. At the end of the season, out they go to the garden. The only other decorating is a whole lot of candles in red and green. The house looks okay and I feel like I’ve made an effort.</p>
<p>I lost both my mother and brother this year (the brother over Thanksgiving weekend) and am not into Christmas at all this time around. I am just doing what is easy and mellow – some lights and candles. Have told the family and they are OK with it. (Kids are adults now.) No gifts, will donate to charities instead.</p>
<p>With the stress and time demands reduced I find it easier to relax and savor what I do enjoy.</p>
<p>Thanks, all. My Mom had Alzheimer’s, so when she died it was like the second time we lost her. My brother had a very fast cancer (stage 4 at diagnosis) with a dire prognosis from the start. Then Hurricane Sandy complicated things further, as he was being treated in NYC by hospitals that had to shut down, delaying his planned radiation treatments. (not to mention that his neighborhood lost power, etc. for an extended time) </p>
<p>A Perfect Storm. Just can not muster any enthusiasm/energy for the holidays. Feel like I could have used a “funeral planning confidential” site LOL.</p>
<p>People understand. We should all just do what feels right for us.</p>
<p>I don’t care for this season either. I absolutely can’t stand that it gets dark early and I want to pull my hair out when I hear “holiday” muzak. Bah! Count me in as a Scrooge!</p>
<p>Back when I was writing for a small newspaper, my officemate and I (it was a REALLY small office) noticed that we both got down and dumpy around the holidays, especially as we’re both non-natives to the rain and gloom that is Seattle at this time of year. So I did a story on holiday depression.</p>
<p>Turns out it’s real, and the person I interviewed about coping with it suggested some of the things already mentioned on this thread, but she also said it’s often connected with SAD-seasonal affective disorder. She recommended increasing the lighting in the room(s) and said though it seems counterintuitive, even hanging some of those mini Christmas lights. We did and we both felt a lot better.</p>
<p>Sunnie, JEM and everyone else, it is really hard at the holiday season when you think about those who are not with you anymore. I am so sorry for all. We lost MIL this year (also alzheimer’s), and quite a few other things have lead to a less than happy year (although of less gravity, the totality of it made for a glum year.)</p>
<p>Try not to force yourself. If your kids expect a house that is decorated, have them help when they get there. </p>
<p>I have almost always felt out of it in december, since I am Jewish. We were not raised in tradition that gives lavish gifts or goes overboard at Chanukah, so I have had a lot of practice getting through December. Some of the best times that I have had over the years were the charity work that I did for others this time of year. Just because it is not my holiday, doesn’t mean that I can not help others be cheered (especially the less fortunate.) Today, I was just thinking about where and to whom I will give gifts to others this year. We really don’t have a lot extra right now, but I am determined to find something to give to those who are forgotten.</p>
<p>I just returned home from Home Depot. I think everyone should run out and buy one of their bright red amaryllis plants and watch with wonder as it prepares to bloom around Christmas time. They still had tons of them available for $14</p>
<p>My mom used to put up a string of lights over the kitchen windows with garland. She had a cartoonlike Santa with attitude figurine that she hung from the lamp over the kitchen table. I find that as long as those were up I didn’t need much else. </p>
<p>Find the decorations that put a little smile on your face and forget the rest. </p>
<p>I found on my most difficult holidays that I had to allow things to be “good enough”.</p>
<p>Warm thoughts and hugs to you sistersunnie and to you Jem.</p>
