topic Merry Christmas in 2020 in Staying well

Merry Christmas in 2020

Doolhof — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 22:17:40 GMT

Hi Everyone,

I did try and do a search for Christmas 2020 on the forum and kept getting a message stating something like "Page not found" every time I tried to click on the word Christmas. Maybe the Grinch is trying to steal Christmas yet again!

If there is another thread about Christmas, can someone pleas let me know.

Not everyone celebrates Christmas, I understand that. This year it may be especially difficult as well due to Covid and so many other issues people have in life.

This year will be our first without my Dad. As I was decorating the tree I was thinking of Dad and the Christmas celebrations we had as children. Way back then we were able to go out in the scrub and cut down a native Christmas tree.

This year I have to work Christmas Day so I won't be able to attend Church, nor a Christmas Eve service as family are coming for dinner. I am very thankful that at present we are still able to plan for some of the family to be together. I have no idea how busy I will be Christmas Day at work. Hopefully people will be relaxed and happy!

Christmas can mean different things to everyone. It may mean nothing and that is okay too. If you'd like to share thoughts here about Christmas, the end of this year or any other celebration you have happening soon, please do so.

Today I am trying to boil a Christmas pudding! I have to ensure the saucepan has water for 3 hours! In the past I have neglected this step and ended up cooking the saucepan when it ran out of water and the pudding was a rock!

Wishing you all a great day no matter how you are spending it.

Peace to all, cheers from Dools

Merry Christmas in 2020

Matchy69 — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 22:38:53 GMT

Hi Dools thanks for the Christmas wishes.The first Christmas after losing a loved one can so hard.It sounds like you have some great memories with your father at Christmas time.Sounds like work will keep you busy this year..
My self I will try and go for a motorbike ride in the morning and then I will have a bit of remembrance at 2 pm for my mother.
I hope you have a merry Christmas Dools and everyone else on here and hope you can give yourself a special treat on the day Dools.
Take care,
Mark

Merry Christmas in 2020

Doolhof — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 22:43:54 GMT

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your response. A motorbike ride sounds great. I might book myself one as a treat seeing as I am working over Christmas.

I like to light a candle for loved ones who are not with us at Christmas.

My boss told me that Christmas lunch will be provided for all who have to work, so I am looking forward to that! We are going to my In-Laws in the evening so I won't have to prepare any food Christmas Day. That is a bonus for me!

Hope you have a peaceful day Mark and the memories are not too overwhelming.

Cheers from Dools

Merry Christmas in 2020

Moonstruck — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 04:04:23 GMT

Hello everyone.....people who have known me for ages on Forum, are aware that I am not, definitely not a Christmas person. I won't explain my reasons, would take too long. Can someone explain to me....that unless you are of the Christian faith and genuinely believe that December 25 is the day to celebrate the virgin birth of Jesus Christ (son of God and your saviour)...I fully understand your devotion to Christmas.

If you don't fall into this category, can you explain to me why you go to so much fuss, endure so much pressure, spend so much money, read shopping catalogues, make decorations, cook elaborate lunches or dinners, spend so much time choosing gifts, lighting up your houses and the list goes on....why? Just tell me why you do it?Surely these things can be done any time and date in the year? Showing your love for family or friends, cooking lovely food, giving someone a gift? Why do you buy into the hype?

Merry Christmas in 2020

Emmen — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 04:45:30 GMT

Hi Moonstruck,

I don't fall into that category but I do give gifts and plan decorations (whether I actually do it is another story). For me, it's just a way of appreciating the people who are in my life and having a bit of fun. It doesn't mean I don't show love for my family or friends on other days. It's just nice to have a day of celebration sometimes.

Cheers,
M

Merry Christmas in 2020

Doolhof — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 05:22:54 GMT

Hi Moon,

Thanks for your sharing. It is interesting (for me) being a Christian, believing in the birth of Jesus and what that means to me and also falling into that trap of expectations around Christmas.

I agree with you, some people do seem to celebrate Christmas, all the business and chaos just because the day is marked on the calendar as Christmas so they feel they have to participate.

Christmas can be an opportunity to bring people together. Yes, we can do that any day of the year. I wonder if people would make such an effort though if you just invited them to come over because it is say the 5th of April.

To me the Christian story about Christ includes sharing, the giving of gifts, letting people know they are loved and cared for.

Many different nationalities have their own traditions and customs around Christmas and New Years. I remember looking at a calendar once and being surprised at the dates some countries celebrate New Year's Eve. I remember thinking I could do a trip around the world finding out about the customs and beliefs of different people all through a year.

Moon do you have any specific day you do like to celebrate, or is every day an opportunity to do so for you?

Cheers to you from Dools

Merry Christmas in 2020

Doolhof — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 05:27:26 GMT

Hi M,

Thanks for your perspective and for sharing your thoughts.

This year I am making gifts for family and friends. To me that has more meaning and purpose this year. I didn't want to be part of the business and racing around at the last minute because I am not organised and have no idea what to buy people.

Next year I am going to try to be more social and to spend more time with loved ones when possible.

Last year I enjoyed Googling Christmas in different countries around the world.

Cheers to you from Dools

Merry Christmas in 2020

smallwolf — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 12:08:15 GMT

Hi Dools. I hope you do get to enjoy some part of Christmas. And thank you for your stories here as well. All that I will say about your cooking exploits is ... been there, done that and worse. Went to a blue christmas service last night cause not everyone enjoys Christmas. Though we will "celebrate" it twice, once on the day and then with parts somewhere around new year's eve/day.

So to those who enjoy this time... wishing you a very happy and joyous Christmas.

Tim

Merry Christmas in 2020

Doolhof — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 20:28:54 GMT

Hi Tim,

Hope the Blue Christmas service was meaningful for you and those attending. There can be lots of reasons why people don't enjoy Christmas.

I feel there can be a lot of pressure, be it real or in our minds. Let's face it, if we struggle to get on with life nearly every day of the year, how are we expected to be filled with good cheer for Christmas! I'm going to try to make the most of what ever happens.

Oh yer! The Christmas pudding looks good. The gluten free one I made the day previously doesn't look so flash! Custard will fix that issue! Ha. Ha.

Cheers all from Dools

Merry Christmas in 2020

ecomama — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 21:36:49 GMT

Hey Dools, I saw your comment about your gluten free Christmas Pudding, I'm heading back to the gluten free world so I GET IT!
I think custard would sort it too lol.

THANK YOU for beginning this thread about Christmas!

I'm SO HAPPY you did. I'll admit I didn't have the courage to do it lol!

We ABSOLUTELY DO celebrate Christmas in our home.
The birth of baby Jesus is the focal point for me.
I understand the History of changing the date etc but I'm fine with whatever works lol...

In the lead up to this Christmas I've had melancholy memories but they haven't triggered C-PTSD this year, thankyou God lol.

I made the decision to PUSH PAST those memories to create NEW and flexible family traditions. The Values I'm focussing on are: FUN RELATIONSHIPS JOY FORGIVENESS & GRATITUDE, in any order that suits.

Because of this thread I texted my brother and s-i-l to say they're always welcome on Christmas Day and ANY time of the year.

I'll celebrate Advent, as I used to, from now on.

My most FAVOURITE memory of Christmas Day was when my children were little and all living at home. I had created "The Road to Bethlehem" from the front door leading all around the house! lol a jewelled path with a pregnant Mary on her donkey and Joseph leading the way.

I read Advent stories to the children every night. We lit a special candle and talked about the miracles of Christmas.

Then early on Christmas morning my youngest daughter woke up and RAN to the stable and saw little baby Jesus in his manger, then ran and woke all the other children yelling "Baby Jesus is BORN!" over and over again.
What I loved about this beautiful scene was that ALL the children ran past their Santa sack full of toys to wonder at the scene I'd created in the stable.
Even though I know it took ALOT longer for the 3 Wise Men to be there, they were there and the children had added all their little trucks and stuffed toys around the stable over time to BE THERE for the birth.

This was so precious to witness.

I'm not ashamed to spend whatever I want to on Christmas, birthdays, Hallowe'en or our Happy UN-birthdays too all year. This year I'm grateful we're all here and to be able to help stimulate the economy on top.

Praying that everyone receives Christmas miracles this year and every year.
Love EM

Merry Christmas in 2020

geoff — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 00:22:13 GMT

Hello Dools and Everyone else, I sincerely hope and want to wish those that do believe in Xmas a Happy Time because it's one day in the year where people can find it comforting to commemorate their loved one by bringing them into their Christmas celebrations in some way.

I'm sorry that your dad won't be with you this year and you have all my sympathy, but light a candle in his honour and write a letter so you can put it in a 'time box' to read in the years to come.

Hi Moonstruck, I know what you're saying as I am not religious myself, and have said this many times over the years, but Xmas to me, means a happy time for all the children counting down the days until Father Xmas delivers their presents.

I know my two little granddaughters are so excited, and to me, that's beautiful, but for me, it's another day.

Hope I haven't hurt anyone but wish you all a Happy Xmas.

Geoff.

Merry Christmas in 2020

Moonstruck — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 01:06:02 GMT

Yes Geoff, I certainly understand about the excitement of children and when my grand-kids were a bit younger, of course I went along with all the Christmassy stuff, wouldn't dream of spoiling it for them...... however.....kids grow older and no longer wait eagerly for "Santa" to arrive...... just curious what will make Christmas a happy time for you when you don't have the children's joy to witness. What delight will it hold for you then?

Merry Christmas in 2020

Doolhof — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 20:02:35 GMT

Hi EM,

Thank you for your lovely Christmas story, I remember as a child being involved in the nativity plays at Church. One year we had a Church picnic out in the scrub, we acted out the nativity scene and sang carols into the evening. I was dressed up as an angel and recall thinking just how amazing it was to celebrate Christ's birth out in the bush.

I'm making gifts this year for Christmas as finances are not all that flash. My depression overwhelms me when I go shopping, I can spend hours looking at stuff with no idea what to get anyone. Quite often I return home even more depressed, stressed and with nothing! My gifts might not be what people want either. Ha. Ha.

I like the values you are focusing on too EM.

Wishing you a Christmas with all those blessings. Cheers from Dools

Merry Christmas in 2020

Doolhof — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 20:09:21 GMT

Hi Geoff,

I hope you do have an enjoyable day for Christmas, if you are celebrating or not I hope it goes well. Will you be seeing your grand children for Christmas? I guess that may depend where you live as well and what is going on with Covid.

Thanks for the suggestion of writing Dad a letter. I have done that in the past for my children and it does help...once the tears have stopped flowing! I will be lighting a candle as well.

It will be interesting at work on Christmas Day to see how all the different people are feeling and acting. I hope my greetings of welcome will help in some way to make their days brighter. It will keep me in a happy spirit as well during all the business!

Cheers to you Geoff from Dools

Merry Christmas in 2020

Doolhof — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 20:20:28 GMT

Hi Moon,

I have spent many Christmas Days in tears due to broken dreams, cruel words from others and being excluded. My husband and I were told by both our families for years that we were not included in Christmas because we had no children and Christmas was just for kids.

My husband tells me it is just a money making racket and there have been times when I don't have a gift under the tree.

Some of my happiest Christmas Days have been spent with people who are not relatives, other people who for one reason or another had no family to be with for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

This year my Mum wants to be with us even though I had invited my parents to our place for years and they never came.

Now my sister in law has a new partner and her children have their own plans, we have been invited to their home for Christmas Tea.

I'm trying to let go of the ghosts, the hurt and pain of past Christmas so it does not ruin this year for myself and others.

Many people despise Christmas for different reasons. Some people love it.

Thinking of you Moon. Cheers from Dools

Merry Christmas in 2020

Moonstruck — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 22:45:36 GMT

Hi all.....there is a lady who has just started a thread called Dreading Xmas and she sounds very alone and needing some help or someone to talk to who feels the same....if anyone has time to find her and send her some love and understanding.......(I would suggest not emphasising what a wonderful, cheerful, loving, festive, "family" time of year you think this is.....I think that would make her feel worse, so be kind if you answer).....

Merry Christmas in 2020

ecomama — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 00:20:52 GMT

Hey Dools

Indeed I've had many Christmases with no family and offered to work on Christmas Day and other special occasions so that others can be with their families and loved ones.
I kept Praying, hoping and believing that things would change for me.

They did, so I'm grateful.

I'm sorry your families treated you this way. It's a difficult thing to overcome!

All things can be forgiven but it doesn't mean we have to put ourselves in harm's way again by keeping company with those who harmed us, or talk to them, or even KNOW them lol!

I've enacted so much No Contact - it's my middle name I think.
I had to, to protect my children and myself.

I've also had years of not being able to afford presents, and most definitely made PLENTY of them over the years! What are some of the things you hand crafted? I would LOVE to hear about them! It may give others some ideas. Starting early in the year helped me alot with time to do it all.

One thing that delighted my sister in law (with crazy expensive taste) was my terracotta pot full of basil. The next year I planted hers in September for Christmas and she kept commenting how lovely it looked lol... it was hers and she didn't know it.
I did that type of thing for many people with lavender and rosemary I had propagated (if you want to know HOW then ask on the gardening thread!).

I also made Christmas sweets and baked cookies, then put them in jars I had upcycled and just tied a ribbon around them.

My s-i-l still uses the tablecloth I made for her every Christmas. I'd embroidered her children's names on each corner. Sewed a little house in the centre with their family name and the year.
She even gets it dry cleaned! LOL. Little did she know the chequered cloth cost me $2 from a throw out table at Spotlight. But it took me a long time to stitch around the edge and fray the edge, then sew the rest.

Many Blessings Dools.
EMxxxx

Merry Christmas in 2020

Doolhof — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 22:58:23 GMT

Hi EM and All,

Next year I think I will start making things in January, then I will have enough to share around!

Over the years I had made some Christmas decorations from material and other products. I was at my sister's one year before Christmas and she was going through stuff to take to her work place to decorate it for Christmas. She was telling me all the crap she was pulling out was horrible but good enough for work.

I pointed out to her all that crap were items I had made. She told me it still looked awful but people at work seemed to like it.

This year I have sewn some various bags, holders for water bottles when people are out walking and bowls from cotton rope. I made up some succulent gardens in large bowls I bought from the Op Shop and will be making Christmas food treats as well which I can put in jars and decorate.

This year I am not going to wrap the gifts people can choose what they like. If they don't like they don't have to choose. Ha. Ha.

Hope you have a lovely Christmas EM. Thanks for the blessings, same to you. Cheers from Dools

Merry Christmas in 2020

geoff — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 23:56:03 GMT

Hello Moonstruck, I'll only be seeing my granddaughters via video, they maybe coming to see me after Xmas that depends on many issues, they certainly want to, but can't be sure.

I only pretend that I enjoy Xmas for them, but my family/friends know how I actually feel, it's just another day, although my son who is my carer has put up a Xmas tree, last year and this year.

I don't like saying how I feel because there are so many people who do believe in what Xmas stands for and they have every right to do so, I, however, am not someone who is religious and don't believe in these festivities.

As the years pass by I respectfully don't debate or ask any questions, some people like the strawberry flavour, while others prefer chocolate and you can't convince either to change.

All my family ring me on Xmas day, I ask them not to but it's still good to talk with them about anything else.

Take care.

Geoff.

Merry Christmas in 2020

Doolhof — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 00:28:28 GMT

Hi Geoff,

This thread is for everyone. If Christmas is a time you don't believe in or don't enjoy, it is okay for you to say so. There will be no judgement here. Some people do dislike Christmas with a passion for many reasons.

I know someone who likes Christmas for the food, they don't usually get a roast in summer! Boxing Day is the highlight for them as they get to watch the Boxing Day Test Match!

Geoff, I wish you lovely phone calls from family, may they happen often and not just on Christmas Day.

Cheers to you from Dools