Holiday Stress Begins....

[Phyllis]

So lame! 

My mom and my sister have been doing this whole "Oh, we really need to start getting together for the holidays as a family" thing for the past year. This year my mom volunteers my sister to having Thanksgiving at her house. My sister agrees. BUT... We are not having Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving. Which really bothers me. All this screwing around and we are having ti the weekend that follows Thanksgiving.

Now, I realize this is no big deal, but it really pisses me off. The whole reason why we were getting together as a family is so we could do this family get together thing. Well, my sister has plans. They are doing their family turkey day the weekend before. They are going to a cabin and what not. Then they are doing thanksgiving with her granparents in laws (both sets). So, by the time it gets around to having our family turkey time, they are going to be totally burned out and will just be going through the motions to appease everyone. So, it is not going to make it very special. I know people do this all the time, but we are not used to this and it seems like a big hassel. Wow, I sound like a bitch.

I mean, now we are going to have to get the turkey and trimmings to do it here at my house with our family and then do it again. I know I sound really petty but, damn!

And Christmas is screwed around this year too. Brians parents are usually  here for Christmas, but this year they will be here the week of new years instead. Which is going to be strange for the kids because they have spent Christmas Day with their grandma and grandpa ever since they were babies. Not to mention they are going to feel  a little screwed because there will not be as many gifts under the tree when they get up Christmas morning. Every year our living room is literally full of gifts. (Mind you our living room is NOT that big, but they are kids, things are visual) 

So, let the stress begin..... 

[spongebobfan]

Yes it can be very stressful around the holidays. Don't feel bad though. I think I would feel the same way in your situation.   My family is going to be a little stressed this year too. I can already hear it in my moms voice.  Neither of my parents are working right now. They are living on my dads pension which is fine for daily living but doesn't leave extra for holiday expenses. I just moved into my own place and I have no clue how it will be to manage bills again.  I have 3-4 friends that always exchange gifts and unfortunately they always spend a ton. I'm not sure how ill keep up this year.

[Paz]

  Sorry things are stressful. What about just having your Thanksgiving [you, Brian & the kids] on the actual day, and then treating the other Thanksgiving Celebration as an extended Family Holiday Party? That way you can have a nice Turkey Day on the actual day.

 As far as Christmas goes, well, the kids are bigger now, and can understand that Grandma & Grandpa are going to come visit before New Years. Just remind them that they will be getting presents after Christmas Day, too! How cool is that?

 And if they bitch about less presents under the tree, it might be a good way to gently remind them that there are many people who don't have a home, or enough to eat, let alone a bunch of presents under a Christmas Tree. It is never too early to teach perspective.....they are very fortunate that they have a loving and stable home with 2 parents.