moodyblue
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,246
Location: Western Illinois
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Dec 14, 2021 23:22:08 GMT
I won’t be hosting my husband's family on Christmas Eve. This is because of COVID and my niece's daughter and all four of my niece's grandchildren NOT being vaccinated. My niece has Cystic Fibrosis and really needs to minimize exposure/risk. I had hoped, with vaccinations available, that we could do it this year, but nope, not going to chance it. I got gifts for the kids (who are all old enough to be vaccinated) and will get them to their parents but I’m not having half a dozen people here who aren’t vaccinated.
I have still decorated the house, and even bought a bunch of new stuff. Most of it is simple decorating, in that it is just placing something in a spot. I had to get new garland for the stairway and loft railing and I did it all straight along the rail, instead of swagging some of it, which made it easier.
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Post by stampnscrap1128 on Dec 15, 2021 0:14:08 GMT
When I was in grief counseling this summer, one of the things that was emphasized was to keep things as simple as you want. No regrets, no guilt. Last year I put up a small skinny tree because of all the medical equipment needed for my husband. This year, with the equipment no longer there, I put up our usual tree. It's just an average tree and I put on non breakable ornaments due to the pets. I have some decorations on display but nothing over the top. We've cut down the number of gifts as none of us need much. What my family and I really want, we cannot ever have again (to have my husband alive and healthy).
Christmas Eve dinner will be a soup bar - several types of soups, cornbread, crackers, etc. Christmas Day will be a late morning brunch of scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, mimosas, fruit, etc.
This is the first Christmas without Jared and it feels so surreal to not be looking and buying gifts for him. I did send out some cards and it was bizarre to not write his name.
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Post by freecharlie on Dec 15, 2021 0:16:40 GMT
I put very little up/out this year. I just wasn't feeling it. Now it feels too late.
This weekend I will be wrapping and cleaning. I just need some stocking stuffers and I will be done
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Post by quinlove on Dec 15, 2021 0:17:22 GMT
((( stampnscrap1128 ))) ❤️
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Post by whipea on Dec 15, 2021 0:20:00 GMT
Apparently everything. Have not done a thing and and have no reason for this inaction.
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Post by refugeepea on Dec 15, 2021 0:22:19 GMT
This is the first Christmas without Jared and it feels so surreal to not be looking and buying gifts for him. ((hugs))
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imsirius
Prolific Pea
Call it as I see it.
Posts: 7,661
Location: Floating in the black veil.
Jul 12, 2014 19:59:28 GMT
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Post by imsirius on Dec 15, 2021 0:24:09 GMT
I bought a new tree this year and decorated my new home. My ex husband always hated Christmas and wanted minimal decorations, so this year, we did the opposite! I got a 7.5 ft tree and it's gorgeous! I bought new ornaments and put out all my Santas and snowmen. I decorated the front porch with small twinkle lights and garlands.
I have two gifts left to buy and then I have to wrap. That's the only thing I don't want to do..lol.
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moodyblue
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,246
Location: Western Illinois
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Dec 15, 2021 1:23:11 GMT
When I was in grief counseling this summer, one of the things that was emphasized was to keep things as simple as you want. No regrets, no guilt. Last year I put up a small skinny tree because of all the medical equipment needed for my husband. This year, with the equipment no longer there, I put up our usual tree. It's just an average tree and I put on non breakable ornaments due to the pets. I have some decorations on display but nothing over the top. We've cut down the number of gifts as none of us need much. What my family and I really want, we cannot ever have again (to have my husband alive and healthy). Christmas Eve dinner will be a soup bar - several types of soups, cornbread, crackers, etc. Christmas Day will be a late morning brunch of scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, mimosas, fruit, etc. This is the first Christmas without Jared and it feels so surreal to not be looking and buying gifts for him. I did send out some cards and it was bizarre to not write his name. Sending hugs to you. I’m coming up on three years, and it’s still bizarre and surreal. And yes, the only thing I want is the one thing I can never have. Do what you can and what feels right to you now. I didn’t do cards the first year, but did last year and am working on them this year. I try hard to not let the holidays be ruined but they are forever changed.
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Post by cmpeter on Dec 15, 2021 1:45:39 GMT
For our immediate family, nothing really. My girlfriends and I are skipping our in person holiday party. Both my work parties have been virtual over Teams. Although, my husband's office had a large in person party at the Space Needle (vaccinations required and masks when not eating/drinking).
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Post by kibble on Dec 15, 2021 2:06:21 GMT
I only put out about 2/3 of the decorations. Did get the tree up and all the ornaments, but felt like a chore. Didn't mail any cards. Giving more cash to the kids than usual, so less presents to wrap.
Idk why just feeling out of it this year, and ready for the new year, not excited like I usually am, and not that excited about any gifts I'm giving.
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Post by MorellisCupcake on Dec 15, 2021 2:10:22 GMT
Not really anything and it's stressful.
BUT.. Christmas is the only time that all my kids are together in the house, and I do it for them (ages 27, 24, and 21). Nine foot Seussical tree that my son asked for, lights everywhere, tons of food.. it's the only holiday I don't halfass.
Having said that, I think there's NOTHING wrong with saying screw it and doing nothing. For a while there was talk of renting a mountain house instead but that didn't work out. I would have been fine with just showing up and having fun.
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Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Jul 8, 2014 16:31:47 GMT
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Post by Loydene on Dec 15, 2021 5:14:58 GMT
Less baking. Stockings ... this is the one that rather makes me sad Less gifting -- my DS and his wife got a bigger gift, but my sister and I don't need anything so it seems silly to continue with that
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vexedangel
Full Member
Posts: 396
Nov 4, 2018 20:14:04 GMT
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Post by vexedangel on Dec 15, 2021 6:45:16 GMT
I didn't fluff the tree or garlands. They are up in all their wonky, slightly misshapen glory that dh put them up in. No one is coming over and I am the only one here that cares about it...and this year I didn't!
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