I have a confession to make. Although I love so many things about Christmas and I have boxes full of Christmas decorations, most of the time, Mark and I don’t even bother to put up a tree. We don’t have children and we don’t have many visitors so it just seems like more trouble than it’s worth.
Plus, frankly, I get a little stressed out during the holidays. Everything seems so commercialized to me these days and the older I get, the more I care less about receiving gifts. Although I continue to enjoy wonderful vintage decorating and collections and I’ve still buy a thing or two from time to time, I have to admit: at this point of my life, my goal is simplicity and less about accumulation.
Does that make sense?
Maybe one of these days I’ll go all out at Christmas again. I hope so. I do miss unpacking and enjoying my Christmas decorations. (I’m sure it will feel just like Christmas to see some of my trinkets again.) So many of them remind me of my childhood craft projects that my mom always planned for us, and I treasure the crazy quilt and macrame ornaments that my grandmother and deceased aunt crafted.
I do very much remember how much I looked forward to Christmas as a child. There was nothing more exciting than the anticipation of Christmas morning and what awaited us underneath the tree. And I did believe in Santa for a time.
P.S. The image is a copyright-free image on Florida Memory’s Flickr page.
I’m sorry that the holidays aren’t happy times for you. I know others that feel this way too. I have no suggestions that you probably wouldn’t have already done.
Sometimes when we don’t have a lot to do at the holidays we just go to a movie. Do something for fun.
Hugs
Kim,…..Yes, we don’t have children either, and I agree that I don’t like the commercialism or the pressure of it but the following quote that I read on a blog a few years ago inspires me to enjoy Christmas every year getting out our decorations and loving the magic of it all….even though we don’t exchange gifts between ourselves rather doing something for someone else at Christmas…..Here is the quote….” The truest wonder of Christmas is to hold the playfulness, merriment, fascination, warmth, childlike wonder, joy and happiness of the season in our minds and hearts throughout the year-” Unknown author….And, knowing that every day is precious, be present and aware of every wonderful thing in our life! Hope this encourages, inspires, and uplifts you as it did me! One of the things I am grateful for is your blog which is uplifting and encouraging as well in all it’s “vintageness” which I truly relate to, and brings a smile in my mailbox every time! Merry Christmas!!! And, best wishes for a happy, healthy, joyful and fun New Year!!!!!
I’m the same way as you. The holiday season doesn’t thrill me like it used to. People drive crazy, stores are packed, and it’s too commercialized. I like giving to the community, but only when the community doesn’t expect too much. Then it becomes commercialized and a “what can you give me” fest. I wouldn’t say I’m unhappy during the holidays, I’m only saying it’s not my thing really. I like the new year so I can build on my hopes, dreams, and wishes. I purchased nutcracker soldiers this year (everything was lost in a wildfire a few years back) to display and it made me smile. I may get a tree again, but not in a big hurry to do so. For now I’m enjoying my nutcracker solders and my 4 legged pals, hoping that the weather stays as nice as it is today.
It makes perfect sense. If my twenty-year-old daughter didn’t want one, I wouldn’t put up a big tree anymore. I’d rather do one of my little theme trees that I really enjoy–the cowboy tree or the purple Victorian tree, and a couple of choice decorations that compliment my vintage décor and that’s it. We don’t get a lot of guests either and so I would do those trees because that’s what I like. Even turning on the lights on the outside of the house seems like a waste because once I turn them on, I don’t see them. And by the time it’s dark, no one comes down this road. And don’t get me started on the roast beast. Ha. Only kidding. Merry Christmas!
Kim,
I can relate so much to your post. We did not have children (not by choice) therefore no grandchildren. My Mother and Father have passed as well as my only sibling, my brother. My husband does not have a relationship with much of his family, so we celebrate with my cousin and her children. I do decorate for Christmas, but do less each year. This year I asked myself why I go to the trouble, as not many see it in the house or on the porch, but I still like it. I can see the time coming when I will just stop. I think this is just how it is as we get older, especially if you did not have children. You are not alone dearest Kim! You have all of your loyal readers!
Blessings
Merry Christmas Kim, the wonder of Christmas will come back to your heart and you will celebrate. It’s only commercial if that is what it is to you and from what I know from your post it isn’t, I use to feel like you until I realized it’s in your heart and that’s what it should be. Love to you and your family.
Just decorate for your SPIRIT !! Don’t overthink it ! Enjoy decorating your home to give you and hubby pleasure to enjoy your decorations! Doesn’t mean you have to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas ! Our Saviours Birth !