Anyone ever get the blues at Christmas?

[JeepThrills]

I usually find Christmas to be very stressful, but this year it is worse because my Dad died this past March. I'm kind of ignoring the holiday this year even though we will still celebrate. I was wondering if anyone else isn't thrilled about it being Christmas time besides me.

[charley]

Christmas, thanksgiving and birthdays are the hardest times to deal with the passing of loved ones. Partly because we spent those days with loved ones. I don't like the Christmas season because of the retail madness it has become. It also reminds me of ones who have passed.
I would suggest you try to remember the good times spent with your dad as well as the real meaning of Christmas. I know I will probably cry a bit that day.
You might try visiting folks in rest homes or hospitals during the season.

[Judy Ann]

It is natural to remember those that we have lost around the holiday season, rejoice in fond memories and shed tears because we miss them and good times spent with them. It can be a good time to bring out the photo albums and enjoy a walk down memory lane and have a good cry. Getting outdoors, helping others, learning a new hobby, reading good books, reaching out to family and friends, church, exercise, getting enough sleep, exercise, minimizing alcoholic beverages, music, movies sharpening your knives, etc can help you make it through the day/month.

The true meaning of Christmas is what gives me hope in my faith. It is the least stressful time of the year usually for me, but I can become melancholy if I'm not careful.

[oldsarge]

Sorry for you loss, hope and pray you can come to terms with it. I too get bummed out over what the Christmas season has become. Everything from the distorted religious aspect to the greed. But the colored lights and festive times with family can shine through the darkness. It's all what we make of it.

[wvbreamfisherman]

I'm closer to Judy Ann, really. This time of the year is busy, but I try not to get stressed out. I concentrate on trying to make the season a good one for my family and friends. It's not always about a gift, it can be just a phone call or a friendly text or visit.

I bake cookies and cakes and share them around.

I could get melancholy if I dwelled too much on how much I miss those who have gone on ahead. Instead, I try to focus on the good memories and how much those people have affected my life in a positive way.

I listen to Christmas music and sing along badly.

I think this season is mostly what we make of it.

I wish everyone here a happy and fulfilling Christmas season! This forum has a good sense of community about it, and I'm proud to be a participant.

[hummingbird]

I get depressed every Christmas Day evening. It's easy to ignore the fact that I have people gone during the thick of things but when the contemplative time comes, I get really down. I have tried to get past it and think like WVB says, but I just can't do it.

[Joe S.]

We do get a bit blue at this time of year. We ditched the rat race and moved to the boonies far from family. We are not inclined to go to the East Coast to visit, and they are not inclined to come to West Coast.

[Hikenhunter]

My family---- brothers and sister have all gone on to have children and now grandchildren of our own so we do not see each other like we did when we were kids going to grandmas house. I usually phone each of my brothers and my sister early on Christmas morning. Grandma and Grandpa are gone as is my mother and my father will have Christmas with my sister and her family. Yes we will talk of things the way it used to be. Yes we might shed a tear or two for those we have lost. For me it is about spending time with my sons and my grand children and my wife. at the end of the day when everyone has gone away again my wife and I will spent some quiet time together. It will be the happiest quiet time of the year for us, it always is.

[Grandpa]

The kids are grown and have their own families and one daughter is even now a grandma. Each of the kids have two sets of parents to visit and the grandkids have their own schedules to keep. That creates a busy month for us as they all are coming and going. Grandson is here tonight from Colorado as is his sister and family from Utah. We will be taking him back to Colorado in the truck with furniture for his new apartment and a visit with our son and his family. His sister and family are also here tonight. Yep, got that new great grandbrat here tonight. No time for the blues for us. Grandma and I may get a little alone time Christmas eve and morning but we will be inundated with kids before Christmas day is out.

Family and the birth of our Savior will dominate our holiday celebrations. We will miss those that have moved on but will save the tears for another time.

[Mudslide]

With the retailers hinging their entire economic forecast for the year on the Christmas season, the commercialism has left a bad taste for many years. I only put up a tree for the kids nowadays. Thanksgiving has become my favorite holiday by far.