Not feelin' it this year.....

I'm not feeling it either. I am hoping getting the tree up and decorated will put me in a more festive mood. I only just started my shopping last night and I am feeling so uninspired.

We have a 4 ft prelit tree that is very pretty even without ornaments. Last year we put it up Christmas Eve and took it down Christmas afternoon.

LOL about it being November. So hard to remember when even the grocery store started playing carols weeks ago!

I could be a slacker or underachiever. We've had a few years where we weren't feeling it due to other commitments, fun travel. Maybe I'm blessed with flexible family but we all survived and enjoyed the other things happening. The holidays, all of them, still happen no matter what level I've reached decorating.

Last year we took a vacation size trip over Thanksgiving. We came home ready to rest, prep for finals, etc. Decorations were bare bones. I was a little disturbed because it was one kid's Senior year. It turns out it didn't matter. The kids were happy to be home relaxing and we ended up doing more family nesting things, not commercial events. I just looked at the photos and we look very happy!

I think the fluff or traditions matters to us as Moms, but the kids don't take it as seriously. In the long run we're probably benefiting them by teaching them to enjoy the moments and experiences.

Why do you have to snap out of a funk?  You are very busy right now and in the foreseeable future; it isn't a funk it is a reality of living. Create a new idea of Christmas that lets you go with this year's flow. Next year will be a different year. Next year you can drag out all the decorations, or, go with the new alternative you establish this year. 

I'm pulling out my tree/decorations and going full tilt on the decorating. It has been about 4 years since I've had it ALL out. Some years I put out the tree only. Other years I've put out my nativity only.. one or two years it has been just my door hanger (a metal plague type of thing).  Do what makes sense to you and don't get hung up on all the decorating hype others are doing. 

I totally agree! Some years I get out the big tree and do it all up, and some years I do a tabletop tree, and a few years we haven't had a tree at all. Same with decor--some (most) years it's just a trinket here and there. It takes a lot of energy and sometimes I just ain't got it. I haven't decided what to do this year. I'm thinking a fresh tabletop tree so I can chuck it when the holiday is over. I did that last year and it felt freeing. :-D

I'm not either - I was...until thanksgiving when we were presented the news that we would be hosting christmas this year - I kind of expected it but I'm not too happy about it now that reality has set in.

I had planned to relax Xmas Eve with the four of us and now I'm hoping I can keep my self from not stressing out over the impending company the following day .

Plus DH is having surgery to fix a torn shoulder which is something unplanned - and will be home with me for the next month. DH is the worst patient and I'm the worst nurse when it comes to him and his crankiness so the month can't possibly be more miserable sounding filled with cleaning and cooking with him here all day every day - omg someone kill me now.

I haven't felt it for a long time. I'm done making my house look like it threw up Christmas. It's a giant PITA. Only 1 child cares but not enough to help put it up and put it away. I put a few things in my living room. I live in a house with small rooms. I don't have the space for the big tree this year. I'll use the white one above our entertainment center.

I've had a couple of years like that. For me, the solution was limited decorations (the only consistent was the stockings hung on the fireplace mantle) and a table top tree.

I always thought that this is one of those things that I get to decide how I want to celebrate.

If it makes you feel any better, there will be NO Christmas decorations around here this year. I am packing to move and the very last thing I want to do is unpack Christmas (which will then have to be repacked because my closing date is December 27th) while packing up the rest of my house. No thanks and anyone who wants to judge me because I don't have a tree can suck it.

I didn't plan it to be a huge lesson, but one of the things we've done over the years that has been a big gift to us as a family is to not feel like we had to do the same thing every year for it to "be Christmas". There have been years where we've had a fully decorated tree in every room. There have been years where we've left all the trees in the storage room except the main one. I have Christmas decorations for every room. Some years we get them all out. Some years we just do a room or two. And some years it's just the tree. Same with outside lights. Sometimes we have a ton of people over during the season and others we don't entertain at all. Sometimes we get tickets to all sorts of Christmas events, and not other years.

We've just been super flexible with our expectations with what we feel like doing, and we don't feel like if we don't do it all then it's just not Christmas. That's too much pressure if we can't pull off the same thing every year.

Do what you can do. Very little of what we've bought into as "must haves/must dos" is the important stuff anyway. Resolve to do what you can and enjoy what it is you do.

Exactly. You've got a lot going on. And the people are the important part! 

I think it's absolutely fine if you're not really feeling it. Do what feels right to you. We change up what we do, especially with the outside decorations and lights. Last year we didn't do wreaths in the front and side windows, which we have done for years. We just decided not to put them up and we didn't again this year. For years we have wrapped the columns on the front porch with lighted garland but we didn't do it last year since we had just had them repainted, and we didn't do them this year either. It's nice to change things and not feel locked into the "but we always do ..."

Maybe you'll feel more into it in a couple weeks, maybe not. If you do, do what feels right or what you decide is most important.

Be amazed - being honest has nothing to do with it. I was being snarky by saying it was presented to me - DH mom can't do it and he knows I hate leaving so figured I'd feel better being at home. I'm not thrilled his family is coming over but it turns out to be a better deal overall just a fee weeks of cleaning which to be "honest "needs to get do r anyway I'm just not happy about it when I was hoping to get done crafts and baking done with the time. DH said I need to get the kids to help me and maybe him bring home will help in that regard as he usually isn't home when I need to do things and need help from them . But I'm not super excited yet - maybe I will be soon after some of the big projects are done and we've decorated .

Me either. This has been a lousy year. I'm so glad that it's almost over.