Christmas Coping Strategies, jokes and poems.

my strategies:

boycott it!

but really we dont do xmas as we have no kids

1. Dont get involved in the xmas madness
2. Dont go and visit everybody on that day just stay home and do whatever I want (sometimes I have cleaned all day - just treat like another day)
3. Dont do presents its just an expectation and adds to much financial stress for everyone (bake something instead if you need to take a present)
4. Get all my food and other shopping done before the last week of xmas so i dont have to venture out amongst it all
5. I have time off due to work closing during that period so I do lots in the garden and around the home (connect with nature)
6. Have lots of BBQ's just even me and my partner
7. By a xmas treat for ourselves (xmas pudding or something as a kind treat)
8. Do lots of good cooking as I enjoy that and it relaxes me
9. Get lots of sunshine (vit D) always helps moods

Like I said we dont get involved at all we treat it like another day, no decorations, no trees etc etc for us this works but others may enjoy the xmas thing we dont.

Hi @Former-Member and @Change123

My suggestions are:

Try not to feel guilty if you feel you can't spend it with family. I used to spend it with family, out of guilt, but finally realized that I don't have to. It is too hard for me and that's ok. If family causes more upset, then I suggest, stay away.

To help it not feel so lonely I am going to try and think of something else to do. Either find another family that are alone and spend it with them or perhaps I might phone Salvation Army or a similar place, to see if they are having Christmas lunch for the needy and homeless. I think it would be lovely to help out with serving the meals or something like that.

Buy presents early, try to get things on special. I try to buy something that is nice, but usefull, just something to wrap.

Keep food nice but simple. Cold ham, ready cooked chicken, salads etc............... Pick up party foods now, while on special and store somewhere. (I can't buy goodies early, because I eat them, hehe!).

When feeling anxious remember to breath deep and do some mindfulness, relax and take time out when needed.

Cry if you need to, I get very emotional at Christmas, before and after. It's ok to cry, crying is healing.

Do something nice to someone who is alone or someone who is struggling financially. Say nice words to each other, encourage others, even strangers. There are alot of lonely people around.

Give small presents to people who are alone or struggling.

Share a meal with others who need it.

And remember to be kind to yourself as well. xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

@Former-Member sounds great especially the baileys! I actually make home made baileys it soooooooo easy.

1 bottle of irish whiskey or what ever

1 can condense milk

Melted white choc (optional and use however much - I use approx 100g or milk or dark or combo)

add coffee if desired - sometimes nice to add egg yok instead and while choc its like an egg advacat

1 cup cream (I use a long life cream so the baileys itself doesnt go off quick - not that it lasts!

Mix - yumo!

@Former-Member

You are so right about the guilt thing, when I stopped doing the xmas thing my family freaked but they are the cause of most of my dramas so I dont have anything to do with them anymore at all so no more guilt for me!

I commned you on doing something for others and hope you have a lovely time doing it!

Let's see if I feel up to it though, hehe! @Change123

Sounds like a good idea, but I have good ideas, but unfortunately not the energy. (re: serving meals etc, I mean). Have never looked into that before, but sounds good. Let's see.

Have to check with daughter and hubby too. Oh to feel motivated, have energy and all the rest, life would be easier.

Chat again soon, I have to go and do some things. xoxo

@Former-Member

laugh or you could have a flashing gigantic arrow pointing the direction of "wallys world next door" just in case someone might have missed it.

bear with me i am in the process of going through all range of emotions again today and expressing on here helps a little.

thanks xx