What do you do on the Holidays?

[Sherry]

What do you do on the holidays? Do you have a big to do with extended family or just a intimate gathering with your immediate family? How do you handle the stress??

Growing up, holidays were a big extended family affair. After I married it became more difficult to schedule holidays to please everyone. After many years, I think I have become harden and just have decided that we will do what we need to do to make us happy. We find that though it may not be popular with some (mostly my stepmother ) it is important to start our own family traditions.

I use to love the holidays, but I have noticed the older I get the more I dread it each year. Is it just me or does anyone else share that same feeling?

[INLOVE]

Eat.

[Susie Hamilton]

I don't get home for Christmas very often but my sibs and their kids go to my Mom's or sister's house next door, eat and have a movie to watch while some of them play card games. There is usually about 20-25 there. It is fun. Always something to do.

[Pastor Gary]

We share Thanksgiving with our church family and friends, but Christmas is a stay-at-home with the immediate family day. I'll be in pajamas til noon if I have anything to say about it.

Sometimes we have people drop in late in the afternoon for pie/coffee, but everyone knows we won't accept invitations to come over that day.

[Paully_44]

Christmas Eve, we unwrap 1 present..... pajama's.
Track Santa on the internet.

Then we roll out the sleeping bags and sleep next to the tree. Bright and early Christmas morning, we unwrap, then head over to Grandma's. This will be the first year without my wife's dad, so I am not sure how it will be.

[jinjer]

I am an only child. Christmas Eve was the time we opened gifts with my mom, dad and grandparents. On Christmas day we usually went or had to our house my mom's brother and family and/or my dad's sister and family. After I got married, Jeffery and I always spent Christmas Eve and Day with my parents and family, since I was an only child. We had Christmas with Jeffery's family either before or after Christmas. Since both of my parents are deceased, it has been very different for me. I have felt lost at the holidays. We spent Christmas Eve with my dad's sister and family for the first 2 Christmases after my dad passed away. We have spent two Christmas' with Jeffery's dad, one of which was at our house. Nothing has just felt right for the last few years. This year we will go to Kentucky to be with my dad's sister and family on the 23rd, and friends before that. I don't know what we are doing actually on Christmas. We will either go to Jeffery's dad's or they will come over here.

I am sort of like YR, it is more of a drudgery as I get older. I don't really feel like we belong anywhere at Christmas.

Jinjer

[RamboPreacher]

What do you do on the holidays? ...

spend as much time with my family, just like any other time of the year. by the way, which holidays are you in reference?

[Sherry]

What do you do on the holidays? ...

spend as much time with my family, just like any other time of the year. by the way, which holidays are you in reference?

Well, I guess Christmas since Thanksgiving has passed, but in the original post I was meaning Thanksgiving and then Christmas.

[RamboPreacher]

What do you do on the holidays? ...

spend as much time with my family, just like any other time of the year. by the way, which holidays are you in reference?

Well, I guess Christmas since Thanksgiving has passed, but in the original post I was meaning Thanksgiving and then Christmas.

ahh - I was wondering if you mayhaps have been in reference to Saturnela/Yule/winter solstice, or Chanukah, or Kwanzaa, or Bodhi Day, or Dong zhi, or Modranect, or Sadeh, or Yalda, etc... okay - just razzin ya.

[Jennifer Smith]

I don't dread, I diminish..!

Everytime I begin to feel obligated to do something, I take that as a signal that I may not need to do that something.. (Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light! ) We only decorate and shop and cook as much or as little as is pleasing and acceptable to everyone in the immediate family (our extended family lives far away, but we do send them care packages)

Since our imm. family has grown to 6 this year, everyone drew a name and list for one person to shop for! Whew. That was a relief for me.

[Alan]

My wife and I had decided that since we've got 2 little ones now we'd spend Christmas Day at our house, we'd normally go to her parents when I get off for Christmas Break and then come home Christmas Eve. Unfortunately I have to work through the 21st this year and then get 2 weeks off, so we'll be at her parents this Christmas so she can spend some time with her family. I don't mind too much, at least I'll get in a little extra hunting while I'm up there.

[teach]

as little as possible

wendy k

[lady4jc]

Thanksgiving we are home usually. Or next door at my parents house. Mom and I cook. Then we all sit down at the table and each one of us takes turn telling what we are thankful for this year. Then we eat.
Christmas eve there usually a small Christmas eve service at church. Then we go to my parents house after church. We have a huge Christmas dinner Christmas eve. After the dishes are done and kitchen is cleaned, my Dad reads the Christmas story from the Bible out of Luke. Then he asks if everyone understands what Christmas is really about. Then my mom goes to the tree and gives out the gifts.
My husband and I exchange the gifts we get for each other Christmas morning. Then we go to his mom's house and exchange gifts there and have lunch with her and my husband's sisters. That evening we go to my parents house which is just next door and have dinner .. left overs from night before. This year my daughter wont be here till 2 days after christmas so I planning on fixing a dinner for them and we will exchange gifts with her and the kids when she gets here. When my son gets home from Iraq in Jan. I will probably fix him a dinner and exchange gifts with him. So for us this Christmas will last a while. But it ok I love it.

[paul]

I enjoy christmas more than any other holiday. Our family always gathers together on Christmas eve. We spend time eating, my sons bring their instruments and we sing carol's always ending with Silent Night. Then Raymond sings his mothers favorite.. Oh Holy Night.

When the boys were little they woul take turns sitting in my lap as we read the christmas story from the bible. Now the grand children take turns sitting in my lap as we read the story. then it is mayhem as we open the gifts. Laugh, cry and watch the grand children.

As the fa,ily has grown and we live in different areas of the country. We still get together each christmas. This year it will be at my home. My daughter in Law will deliver her Bably tomorrow ( C section ) her family is coming in from Peru.

Sometimes we wil travel to Milwaukee where one of our sons lives with his family. But no matter where it will be. We will all be together. Our family has been blessed in that we can afford to travel.

I love all the noise, busyness, carol's, shopping, house full of people. the food. And celebrating the greatest event known to mankind. The manifestation in the flesh of our mighty God to restore us to a relationship with him.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL !

[Sherry]

I enjoy christmas more than any other holiday. Our family always gathers together on Christmas eve. We spend time eating, my sons bring their instruments and we sing carol's always ending with Silent Night. Then Raymond sings his mothers favorite.. Oh Holy Night.

Please say hello to your sons for David and I! Enjoy your holidays with your family!!