Sephiroth
Wade Wilson
Surviving
Posts: 29,316
|
Post by Sephiroth on Dec 1, 2022 10:44:53 GMT -5
This was discussed a bit in the thanksgiving threads. My brother and I recently agreed that holidays don’t mean much to either of us; neither of us have kids, our family is very spread out across multiple states these days, and there are a actually rather few that we are truly close with, so the ritual of getting together becomes more hassle than anything else. Thanksgiving and Easter mean nothing at all and while we’d like to see the family for Christmas a morning video meeting to open presents together would suffice perfectly. We’d both welcome giving up getting together fir her holidays in exchange for a family reunion style get together once a year.
I write this because I’m giving serious thought to skipping this Christmas, a major first. There is some conflict going on between myself and my mother that I doubt will be resolved by then. I am working two jobs and still recovering from a stroke in September, so I am thinking of simply avoiding the problems spilling out on the holiday by telling her I don’t feel up to the journey. I’ve no doubt it won’t improve her mood any, but I am simply not in a state where I care to go through this song and dance, especially on what should be a special day. And again, for his spread out we are this was bound to happen eventually, may as well be now. Just not an easy decision to make.
|
|
Ultimo Gallos
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 15,322 
|
Post by Ultimo Gallos on Dec 1, 2022 14:20:55 GMT -5
7 years ago every year I dreaded Xmas. Cause it meant I had to be around a cousin who while the rest of the family choosed to ignore this I rather not be around a dude that beat his girl and abandoned his special needs son.
So after my grandfather passed I let my family know that I would be spending xmas with my girl and her family. Much smaller gathering. No yelling and arguing.
Been a great 7 years of holidays.
|
|
Spider2024
Patti Mayonnaise
Dedicated 6,666th post to Irontyger
I believe in Joe Hendry.
Posts: 39,779
|
Post by Spider2024 on Dec 1, 2022 14:37:06 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by ElmerFudd on Dec 1, 2022 15:03:57 GMT -5
I haven't celebrated Thanksgiving or Christmas with family since 2017. I just enjoy the day off work sitting home alone drinking and watching TV and playing video games. Come to think of it that's pretty much everyday for me since I've been working from home for going on 3 years now.
|
|
|
|
Post by mcmahonfan85 on Dec 1, 2022 17:16:14 GMT -5
I write this because I’m giving serious thought to skipping this Christmas...  |
|
|
|
Post by Banjo Is Broken on Dec 2, 2022 2:18:29 GMT -5
If the movies has taught me anything, its that Santa Claus will beat the shit out of you if you try and skip out on Christmas. Do you really want to risk that?  |
|
schma
El Dandy
Who are you to doubt me?
Posts: 7,545
|
Post by schma on Dec 2, 2022 3:39:23 GMT -5
I'm a seven hour drive from back home. The caveat every year is, I will make it home if I have enough time off. So far every year I have, but this year I might not. I let my mom know and she understands. Beyond that I mostly see my family at weddings and funerals. I like them, it's just not easy to get up there.
I think it bothered my grandma while she was alive, but then I don't think she liked me all that much anyways.
|
|
|
|
Post by ElmerFudd on Dec 2, 2022 3:43:58 GMT -5
I'd be open to celebrate Festivus with my family on December 23. Putting up a pole and airing our grievances and having the feats of strength sounds like a fun family reunion.
|
|
|
|
Post by thechase on Dec 2, 2022 4:49:30 GMT -5
A F.A.N Carol
|
|
|
|
Post by An Dog On An Skateboard on Dec 2, 2022 6:39:51 GMT -5
I wouldn’t say I skip Christmas, but it’s a bit of a non-event for me. My parents are divorced, my brother often spends it in Spain where his wife’s family lives, and our extended family are scattered all over and aren’t especially close anyway. I actually quite envy people for whom Christmas is a big event because I sort of feel as if I’m missing out a bit.
My dad has largely skipped Christmas for the past couple of decades since one of his best friends died around that time, and when I was a kid we used to spend Christmas Day with his family. It’s pretty sad.
|
|
Push R Truth
Patti Mayonnaise
Unique and Special Snowflake, and a pants-less heathen.
Perpetually Constipated
Posts: 39,372
|
Post by Push R Truth on Dec 2, 2022 7:14:14 GMT -5
It's not that I hate the holiday's... but Covid Christmas was the most stress free most soul satisfying Christmas I've had in 30 years. Zero stress. Had about 4 video chats totaling about 90 minutes combined. No fighting travel. No fighting scheduling who is going to be where at what time for what meal to bitch about what presents.
Just pure bliss. Zero family drama despite talking with everybody. Amen.
|
|
|
|
Post by Baldobomb-22-OH-MAN!!! on Dec 2, 2022 7:31:06 GMT -5
Since COVID my mom has changed the Xmas get together from her entire giant ass family (including her 4 siblings, their spouses and all their kids) to just the immediate family (me, my parents, my sister and her husband) and it is so much less stressful now. We can enjoy each other's company without anybody shouting across the house or whatever. I love Xmas but my favorite part is having a week off work after.
|
|
Ultimo Gallos
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 15,322
|
Post by Ultimo Gallos on Dec 2, 2022 9:32:16 GMT -5
Since COVID my mom has changed the Xmas get together from her entire giant ass family (including her 4 siblings, their spouses and all their kids) to just the immediate family (me, my parents, my sister and her husband) and it is so much less stressful now. We can enjoy each other's company without anybody shouting across the house or whatever. I love Xmas but my favorite part is having a week off work after. See that is why I love Xmas at my girl's family. It is just her parents,her and i,her brother and his fiance. And maybe one or two cousins. My family has to have 45 people packed in a room that isn't big enough for 20. Then if I dont eat at least a bite from eat dish whoever made the dish I didnt eat gets all mad. Never mind that I have to watch what I eat. Never mind that my body does not process pork well. Legit last Xmas I spent with them the cousin I mentioned actually said "well unlike Gallos I am a good dad." My brain told me "Ok it is either get up ask him to step outside and take a swing at him. Or get up and walk out and walk home." I choose option 2. Stood up "Yea this is it. I am leaving" and left. Planning on walking from Diberville MS to Brookhaven,which is a 3 hour drive. Made it 4 miles,found a baseball field with a dugout. So called my girl to tell her I was ok. Called my mother told her I was ok but I was not coming back into that house. ended up going to a cousin's house. And since then havenn't been to the coast to see family. |
|
|
|
Post by Baldobomb-22-OH-MAN!!! on Dec 2, 2022 11:17:50 GMT -5
Since COVID my mom has changed the Xmas get together from her entire giant ass family (including her 4 siblings, their spouses and all their kids) to just the immediate family (me, my parents, my sister and her husband) and it is so much less stressful now. We can enjoy each other's company without anybody shouting across the house or whatever. I love Xmas but my favorite part is having a week off work after. See that is why I love Xmas at my girl's family. It is just her parents,her and i,her brother and his fiance. And maybe one or two cousins. My family has to have 45 people packed in a room that isn't big enough for 20. Then if I dont eat at least a bite from eat dish whoever made the dish I didnt eat gets all mad. Never mind that I have to watch what I eat. Never mind that my body does not process pork well. Legit last Xmas I spent with them the cousin I mentioned actually said "well unlike Gallos I am a good dad." My brain told me "Ok it is either get up ask him to step outside and take a swing at him. Or get up and walk out and walk home." I choose option 2. Stood up "Yea this is it. I am leaving" and left. Planning on walking from Diberville MS to Brookhaven,which is a 3 hour drive. Made it 4 miles,found a baseball field with a dugout. So called my girl to tell her I was ok. Called my mother told her I was ok but I was not coming back into that house. ended up going to a cousin's house. And since then havenn't been to the coast to see family. Can't blame you dude. I have an aunt whose just a terrible walking ball of negativity and actively excluding her from family gatherings has made things so much better. |
|
salz4life
Grimlock
Prichard is a guy who gets that his job is to service his boss.
Posts: 14,352
|
Post by salz4life on Dec 2, 2022 11:55:00 GMT -5
Since COVID my mom has changed the Xmas get together from her entire giant ass family (including her 4 siblings, their spouses and all their kids) to just the immediate family (me, my parents, my sister and her husband) and it is so much less stressful now. We can enjoy each other's company without anybody shouting across the house or whatever. I love Xmas but my favorite part is having a week off work after. That's kind of what happened with my parents. My mom's side of the family is a bit of a mess and it's gotten to the point where, even though she loves them, she just doesn't have the energy to deal with it. My family alternates Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year we went down and spent Thanksgiving with my parents and also my sister's family. For Christmas, we will spend with my wife's family and head down to see my parent's the day after and stay for a couple days. It's a 3 hour drive and then when we went to my mom's family on Christmas as well, you would add another hour and a half drive. Skipping the hour and a half has been glorious the past couple of years. |
|
Sephiroth
Wade Wilson
Surviving
Posts: 29,316
|
Post by Sephiroth on Dec 3, 2022 13:38:16 GMT -5
I write this because I’m giving serious thought to skipping this Christmas... All kidding aside, that movie had a kernel of an idea for a decent holiday comedy with a cast who could have pulled it off easily. Somewhere along the watch the editing took a turn down the crazy lane. |
|
|
|
Post by Lizuka #BLM on Dec 3, 2022 16:55:38 GMT -5
I think without family around to talk about and make a thing of it I'd barely even notice Christmas was a thing.
|
|
The Unconquered Sun
King Koopa
He has no pants! What a heathen!
Lord of Storms and Kittens!
Posts: 11,554
|
Post by The Unconquered Sun on Dec 3, 2022 17:33:58 GMT -5
Is it just me, or do people actually dislike being with their families, instead of disliking the holidays?
|
|
|
|
Post by Big BosskMan on Dec 3, 2022 20:20:05 GMT -5
My family and i won't be skipping holidays but we will essentially be skipping any sort of gathering for my 50th which is prior to Christmas.
Mainly because my side of the family is notorious for late coming and no showing, hers is far away, and I've got friends who are feuding and not speaking.
To quote Danny Glover, I'm too old for this shit.
|
|
|
|
Post by G✇JI☈A on Dec 3, 2022 21:57:59 GMT -5
Sometimes I want to. I hope some feasible excuse pops up that prevents me from going. I don’t mind spending time with my intimidate family.. my mum and siblings and their spouses and children.. it’s the extended family that gets my anxiety up. .. in-laws, cousins and aunts and uncles, and their hell spawn they call children.
But one of my siblings is already done the dipping out thing, and I don’t want to upset my mother with having two of her children not attend.. so I clench and go.. just try to enjoy myself.
Tip: scope the surroundings and see if you can find a quiet spot you can escape to if things become too much. Ask the host if you know them well, sure they will understand and help you.
|
|
