DEX
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,355 
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Post by DEX on Nov 27, 2021 18:32:03 GMT
I am sure there are a million chores that are our least favorite during the holidays. Mine would be buying and wrapping gifts. I do spend a lot of time being creative with my presents. Maybe that is why I feel so overwhelmed by it.
I also dread putting together my Christmas cards/letter.
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lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,184
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
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Post by lesley on Nov 27, 2021 18:40:18 GMT
Persuading my DS to go into the eaves to get out the tree and the decorations. And listening to him complain loudly as he bumps his head/can’t find the boxes/brings down the wrong things, etc. He is the only one ever to do this job (including putting the decorations away again) so I can never understand what the issue is. 😄 Everything else is easy after that.  |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 22:45:49 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2021 18:41:07 GMT
Putting all the decor away.
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Post by Basket1lady on Nov 27, 2021 18:49:41 GMT
I voted other. For me, it’s all the cleaning. I clean before I decorate, I clean around the decorations, all the baking requires a good clean of the kitchen before starting. Then there’s the clean up. I really don’t decorate until mid September and I feel like I’m doing a deep clean every few days.
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Post by myshelly on Nov 27, 2021 19:00:27 GMT
When my first DS was a baby I spent his first few Christmases being stressed out and miserable doing a bunch of tasks I didn’t like. When he was 4 I decided I was going to cut out anything that didn’t bring me joy (as much as was in my control).
So now I don’t send cards. I don’t bake. I don’t scramble for family pictures (we take them at other times of the year). I don’t buy a bunch of gifts - suggested cutting out gifts to the adults on my side of the family (everyone happily agreed) and having the kids draw names amongst themselves so we only buy one, told my husband that if his side insists on exchanging gifts I wash my hands of it and he has to take care of it (still chaps my hide that we spend money on that, but we have done less every year and he does it all). I love my decorations, but I hate the actual work of putting them up, but everyone helps a lot and we can usually knock it out in a day now, same with taking them down.
We spend December doing lots of family activities that we actually enjoy. Multiple productions of The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, renting a limo to look at lights, carriage ride to look at lights, drive thru light events, walk thru light events, parades, tree lighting ceremonies.
I refuse to spend the years that my kids are kids being more stressed about Christmas than I am happy about Christmas.
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Post by MichyM on Nov 27, 2021 19:01:23 GMT
Without a doubt, back when I was married to a Christian and we had a tree, it was putting the lights on the freshly cut tree. I am allergic to most green things, and I had to wear gloves and take extra allergy meds when stringing the lights. And the lights couldn't jut sit on the branches, each branch had to be wrapped end to end so it took forever.
Ex didn't help because he didn't care and would have been happy just throwing lights on the branches and calling it good. I'm far too OCD for that.
We finally got a pre-lit faux tree for the last few years of our marriage. OMG, it was amazing not to have to do the lights!
Now, my least favorite chore by far is putting the office back together after my son and his partner leave after their never-long-enough holiday visit (they alternate years between partner's family and ours).
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Post by Merge on Nov 27, 2021 19:06:05 GMT
Pretty much all of it, lol. If it was up to me, our gift every year would be a nice trip somewhere over the holidays. No presents, no decorations, no extended family.
Why perpetuate these rituals if we don't enjoy them? What's the point?
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Post by MichyM on Nov 27, 2021 19:08:45 GMT
Pretty much all of it, lol. If it was up to me, our gift every year would be a nice trip somewhere over the holidays. No presents, no decorations, no extended family. Why perpetuate these rituals if we don't enjoy them? What's the point? Could you do that once your children are grown and settled? What a wonderful gift that would be for you and your husband  ...and also the kids on the years that they could join in as well. |
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Post by stampnscrap1128 on Nov 27, 2021 19:12:35 GMT
Cleaning, before and after. Then again, cleaning is a chore I always hate, no matter the season or holiday. LOL
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Post by scrapmaven on Nov 27, 2021 19:18:19 GMT
I hate taking down the decorations. I love buying and giving gifts, but I hate wrapping, because I suck at it.
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Post by epeanymous on Nov 27, 2021 19:41:24 GMT
Cleaning up the house for people to come for holiday events! I like hosting, but not that part. It used to be, having to travel, but the great thing about having a bunch of kids is that we’ve gotten out of that  . |
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Post by mnmloveli on Nov 27, 2021 19:50:20 GMT
The only thing that annoyed me for years was putting the lights on the tree(s). Now since both our trees are pre-lit, nothing really bothers me.
I enjoy every minute of all of it, even though it seems to take me longer. LOL
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iluvpink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,298
Location: Michigan
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Post by iluvpink on Nov 27, 2021 21:55:30 GMT
Wrapping. I really do not enjoy it. It used to be that dd enjoyed wrapping and I could get her to wrap everyone but hers of course. We give to mostly just close family so it didn't matter if it wasn't perfectly neat. But she's 21 now and has better things to do than wrap for me!
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Post by AussieMeg on Nov 27, 2021 23:02:10 GMT
I LOVE wrapping gifts, but I HATE buying gifts, so I didn't choose your first option. Also, I don't have to travel anywhere for Christmas, but I know if I did I would hate it. I guess I would have to say hosting events is my least favourite. We are having about 15 people over for DD's birthday on Tuesday, and I really can't be bothered. Luckily I won't be hosting anything at Christmas. Persuading my DS to go into the eaves to get out the tree and the decorations. And listening to him complain loudly as he bumps his head/can’t find the boxes/brings down the wrong things, etc. Yes, I have to wait for DSO to get up in the ceiling to get our Christmas tree and tubs of decorations every year, and every year he asks why we're bothering with the tree.  This year, thanks to the thread about rainbow trees (I blame you!) and teal trees, I bought a new aqua/teal tree that should be delivered soon. Won't he be surprised when it turns up and he doesn't have to get up in the ceiling. |
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Post by elaine on Nov 27, 2021 23:05:57 GMT
I like the shopping for/buying gifts, but I HATE the wrapping. And I wrap everything for everyone, usually even the gifts for me.
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Post by ~summer~ on Nov 27, 2021 23:12:23 GMT
Cleaning to have people over. Not a fan.
I would also love to just take the family to Hawaii over Christmas break but my parents would be super bummed.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,630
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Nov 27, 2021 23:14:43 GMT
Cleaning, before and after. Then again, cleaning is a chore I always hate, no matter the season or holiday. LOL this is me. I love shopping; love wrapping; love doing our card; love cooking for the family. Haaaaaaaate the cleaning. |
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Post by gar on Nov 27, 2021 23:27:35 GMT
Wrapping! Ugh… My younger DD used to do it for me but doesn’t live at home now so I have to do it. Stupid shaped presents (yes I am gradually collecting boxes to wrap them in) paper that doesn’t cut straight, sellotape not cutting properly on the dispenser thing, corners not meeting and the wrap going wonky or looking bulky…the whole damn thing.
I do use some gift bags but they’re so expensive and not environmentally friendly and don’t take as long to unwrap so my family prefer traditional wrapping.
Every year I swear I’ll do them as I buy next year but I can’t be bothered so I’m my own worst enemy I guess!
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Nov 27, 2021 23:54:37 GMT
Getting the decorations out, putting everything back and doing it all over again. I’m decorating today and am ready to be done.
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Post by Zee on Nov 28, 2021 0:04:08 GMT
Only the first one applies to me. Work keeps me from traveling during the holidays and there is no one to host here except MIL. I like buying presents but I hate wrapping and rarely do it. It's a waste of time and paper. I much prefer gift bags but DH feels hurt if I don't wrap his presents 🙄😂
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Post by leannec on Nov 28, 2021 0:05:24 GMT
I have a huge amount of Christmas decorations ... not including the two trees and their ornaments ... I'm in the middle of renovations because I'm downsizing in the Spring ... nothing is coming out this year except a new 5 foot white tree I bought and my decorations that will go with it ... Taking it down again will be a PITA  |
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Post by myboysnme on Nov 28, 2021 0:09:55 GMT
I really dislike putting up my tree, especially the lights, and I hate taking it down and putting it all away. While it is up I enjoy it immensely.
I use many old fashioned type of tree lights and each strand goes on individually. It is a pain, but the result makes me happy.
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Post by stampnscrap1128 on Nov 28, 2021 0:21:58 GMT
Wrapping! Ugh… My younger DD used to do it for me but doesn’t live at home now so I have to do it. Stupid shaped presents (yes I am gradually collecting boxes to wrap them in) paper that doesn’t cut straight, sellotape not cutting properly on the dispenser thing, corners not meeting and the wrap going wonky or looking bulky…the whole damn thing. I do use some gift bags but they’re so expensive and not environmentally friendly and don’t take as long to unwrap so my family prefer traditional wrapping. Every year I swear I’ll do them as I buy next year but I can’t be bothered so I’m my own worst enemy I guess! If the gift bag is in good condition, I keep it and reuse next year. I've found lots of really cute gift bags at Dollar Tree over the past few years. |
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Post by maryland on Nov 28, 2021 2:12:12 GMT
I don't like holiday chores, haha! I do love to host because it means we don't have to travel. I don't like to have to worry about the house, make pet arrangements, and travel. And I feel having the 5 of us is a lot to have in someone's house. Our relatives live 3-5 hrs. away, so it's always traveling. We hosted Thanksgiving the past few years and I enjoy it so much, no travel stress.
I am the worst at gift ideas, so I wish gifts weren't the most important thing about the hoidays (at least that's how I feel with all the sales, and shopping). I try hard, but can't come up with good ideas. And it seems we are always hurting for money this time of year. So I hate to mess up our budget just to get gifts. I wish the holiday was like thanksgiving, all about food not gifts. Haha, I am no fun, I know!
I look forward to Jan. 1st, when we can take down decorations and get back to normal. When I was young, I loved everything about the holidays! And when the kids were little, it was so easy to buy stuff. I am a good gift giver of babies and young kids, haha!
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Post by maryland on Nov 28, 2021 2:13:14 GMT
Wrapping! Ugh… My younger DD used to do it for me but doesn’t live at home now so I have to do it. Stupid shaped presents (yes I am gradually collecting boxes to wrap them in) paper that doesn’t cut straight, sellotape not cutting properly on the dispenser thing, corners not meeting and the wrap going wonky or looking bulky…the whole damn thing. I do use some gift bags but they’re so expensive and not environmentally friendly and don’t take as long to unwrap so my family prefer traditional wrapping. Every year I swear I’ll do them as I buy next year but I can’t be bothered so I’m my own worst enemy I guess! If the gift bag is in good condition, I keep it and reuse next year. I've found lots of really cute gift bags at Dollar Tree over the past few years. We reuse bags and go to Dollar Tree too! I hate to wrap gifts. When we were kids, I always had my brother wrap gifts. Now I have my husband do it! Or we use bags. |
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Post by lisae on Nov 28, 2021 2:17:25 GMT
It's knowing that I have an attic full of beautiful decorations and absolutely zero desire to get any of them out and display them. I used to love to put up my garlands and decorate them. (The stairs would already be done by now and I'd do the mantle tomorrow). The last two years I did not do them but had excellent excuses both years. Last year, I couldn't have even if I wanted to because we were having the house painted.
This year I've talked myself down from garlands to only doing the tabletop tree and the mantle cloth that I finally found in the attic earlier this year. Now I can't even get myself to open those doors and get that stuff out. I'm not planning to invite anyone over. Dh doesn't care about decorations at all though he did mention the tree today. I just feel bad that I have this stuff not being used. I'm not ready to get rid of it either. Eventually I'll want to decorate again. I hope.
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Post by SockMonkey on Nov 28, 2021 2:22:01 GMT
The absolute worst holiday chore for me is TAKING DOWN the decorations, especially the tree and all the ornaments. Torture.
The second worst is wrapping presents. HATE.
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Post by picotjo on Nov 28, 2021 2:22:28 GMT
I like our whole house decorated for the holidays. But the older I get the longer it takes to put it all up. My dh helps now that he is retired. I hate taking it down. We leave on Dec 31st to go to Florida for 3 months so the day after Christmas it is rushed and we have to make extra effort to be kind and patient. It takes about 2 days to get everything down.
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scrapngranny
Pearl Clutcher
Only slightly senile
Posts: 4,765
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Post by scrapngranny on Nov 28, 2021 2:44:02 GMT
Having list after list running through my mind. Making sure I have everything done for each event on my schedule.
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Post by Scrapper100 on Nov 28, 2021 3:20:18 GMT
It’s mostly the cleaning. But putting up the tree is a pain. We have to move furniture around and I have no idea where we will put one fake tree that gets moved for our Christmas tree. It usually goes into the guestroom but we still have our inherited stash of TP and paper towels in there lol. After a year there is still a lot. I like the tree once it’s up but I’m not a fan of putting up our main tree. I bought a skinny tree that we put in the dining room and I love that snd I have my favorite ornaments on it. I bought a few gnomes this year that I’m looking forward to using but the idea of putting up the village does not thrill me at all.
I’m not a fan of wrapping and we usually use a lot of gift bags but am trying to use up some paper and our bags are getting old and need a refresh. We don’t give to many people as our family is small and we aren’t exchanging with a few as we were just exchanging gift cards so that’s a relief. Most presents are wrapped. I’m making some new tags.
We host meals for thanksgiving and a brunch the Saturday before Christmas so no travel for us but the stress of cooking and cleaning for the meal. Even going with an easy menu means a day or two of prep.
I like it once it’s up but don’t enjoy putting it up or taking it down. Not a fan of the clutter of extra decorations either at this point. Trying to figure out possible scaled down decorations over the next few years.
Any one slowly scaling back their decorations? What did you scale back on first?
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...and also the kids on the years that they could join in as well.
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This year, thanks to the thread about rainbow trees (I blame you!) and teal trees, I bought a new aqua/teal tree that should be delivered soon. Won't he be surprised when it turns up and he doesn't have to get up in the ceiling. 
