Anyone having post-Christmas letdown? [Archive]

AmeliaJane

12-27-12, 1:34pm

I am, I have to admit. The Christmas season was very busy at work and with family obligations, and I was feeling a bit worn down, but this year we really simplified Christmas itself. The extended family visited elsewhere, it was a particularly simple year for gift-giving (lots of group gifts), and the youngest children are old enough to handle the disruptions better--we also made some choices in terms of cooking, decorating, etc that were easier. Once my time-off from work started, it was really a blessed holiday, and I got quite sad Boxing Day afternoon when it was time to pack up all my bits and pieces and head home to my own house.

Mrs-M

12-27-12, 1:40pm

AmeliaJane. I'll admit, I go through times of melancholy after Christmas, but overall, being able to wave goodbye to all the fuss and muss for one more year, never fails to put a smile on my face! :)

herbgeek

12-27-12, 3:52pm

No. I only feel bad that my nephew who I only get to see once or twice a year is going back to Miami so soon.

I have minimized Christmas to such an extent, that there is no hassle. I did no real shopping (other than on line), got to bake for family (I love baking), and it'll take me less than an hour to put away the tabletop tree, take down the wreaths and garlands and be back to normal life. I would always feel a let down after doing lots of shopping and preparation that it was over with so soon. Now Christmas Eve is a nice dinner with family, and no additional expectations. No presents to figure out what to do with (other than some fun stocking stuffer gifts from hubby). Got to see a Christmas play (which I wanted) , but the month was empty of any obligations. What I do have left is all good.

Stella

12-27-12, 4:17pm

No, because it's still Christmas around our house until Epiphany (Jan 6). I love our holiday celebrations. They are simple and beautiful and enjoyable. I do enjoy the period just after Christmas and before Lent. That's the beginnng of "winter" to me, the time when winter is still new and enjoyable to me with fires and needlework and baking. I have some fun projects coming up and some fun family activites planned. I think it will be good.

HappyHiker

12-27-12, 5:10pm

Yep, definite let-down here...partly the end of all the fun gatherings--it was go-go back to back festivities here..

and then part of it is, I'm quite sure, a post sugar/carb let-down...

Back to healthier eating and more gym work-outs.

And more time for diving into more books! Hooray!!

Simplemind

12-27-12, 5:17pm

We had planned to have a non-Christmas holiday season and go on vacation instead. Due to several family health issues the vacation was canceled so we really had nothing planned and were not going to plan B and jump back into Christmas. It was great with the exception of all that was going on around us with other family and friends. We didn't invite or accept invitations but it still felt like being the only sober people in the middle of a party. I am glad it is over so I don't need to deal with that on top of my husbands health issues.

goldensmom

12-27-12, 7:01pm

Due to a series of unexpected circumstances, I experienced a post-Christmas letdown pre-Christmas. Circumstances stole my joy so I need to get my eyes off circumstances and focus on what this season is all about for me. We traditionally celebrate 12 days beginning on Christmas day through Epiphany, this is day 3 and things are looking up. Looking forward to Christmas 2013.

Tammy

12-27-12, 7:15pm

I just finished working the last 4 days, and I'm starting a 5 day vaca with my sister and her husband in town. The party is only beginning! :)

KayLR

12-27-12, 7:23pm

goldensmom, glad for you! Find that joy!!

iris lily

12-27-12, 10:03pm

EXACTLY. Christmas to me, is the most stress filled time of the year, to the point I get angry and depressed.

I'm not a big Christmas fan. You'll appreciate (given your screen name) that our grinch tradition is now pat: We come home with the piles of Stuff that we don't want and DH immediately starts sorting: Goodwill & keep. Some years ago he would put everything into a neat pile for me to--act on. While it once made me tired and depressed, I gradually learned that he doesn't care about the Stuff and did not notice when it disappeared. In fact this year we got a gift that duplicated one we got last year. He told the gifter "hey that's great we like those, we got one last year and it works just fine!" when in reality, I tossed the first one early on. He has no idea if it worked or not, haha.

Our tradition is to sort the stuff immediately, not keep things hanging around while we figure out what to do with them.

Wildflower

12-27-12, 10:16pm

I'm always thrilled when it's over. I feel like all I do in December is get ready for Christmas. And no matter how much I simplify it's always ALOT of work. I host Christmas day dinner in my home. I've had health problems this year and it was doubly hard for me, although DH helped as much as he could. Thinking next year that something has to be different...

That being said, I love seeing my family, I love the music and decorations, and I love giving gifts to both my loved ones and those who need a helping hand.

ToomuchStuff

12-28-12, 12:56am

I'm not a big Christmas fan. You'll appreciate (given your screen name) that our grinch tradition is now pat: We come home with the piles of Stuff that we don't want and DH immediately starts sorting: Goodwill & keep. Some years ago he would put everything into a neat pile for me to--act on. While it once made me tired and depressed, I gradually learned that he doesn't care about the Stuff and did not notice when it disappeared. In fact this year we got a gift that duplicated one we got last year. He told the gifter "hey that's great we like those, we got one last year and it works just fine!" when in reality, I tossed the first one early on. He has no idea if it worked or not, haha.

Our tradition is to sort the stuff immediately, not keep things hanging around while we figure out what to do with them.

It is sad, that we even need to sort the stuff. It is too bad they don't listen, when I say "don't buy ANYTHING" for me. This year, there were two gifts, that I have been watching for, at my price-point, that I also was planning on using as rewards for decluttering. Rewarding myself is a good thing. Having something handed to you, doesn't mean you will always appreciate it, and not having to work for it, may make me want to play with it, and slack on the decluttering (Nook with Glowlight). I guess now, I will have to use extra memory (sd card) for the reward.
The other item, may go back, or may sit in the box for the better part of a year.

goldensmom

12-28-12, 4:31am

goldensmom, glad for you! Find that joy!!
Thanks.....confident that it's there, the fog is rising.

goldensmom

12-28-12, 4:44am

We come home with the piles of Stuff that we don't want and DH immediately starts sorting: Goodwill & keep.
I do the same thing. I thought we'd dodged that bullet this year as we missed that annual extended family get together and for 20+ years I've pleaded 'no gifts' but a few days later we got our huge bags of garage sale, laying around the house, too small, too big, etc. stuff. I don't mind being the recipient of a re-gift but at least I would like to be useful or to fit. I try to be graceful, say thank you, then sort....it just gets so old after so many years.

razz

12-28-12, 7:24am

It was a lovely Christmas seeing our family, having our Christmas dinner with all being thoughtful and an almost normal diet. Because the visits were staggered, we got to enjoy each member and now DH and I are back to our usual quiet routine.

A letdown? Maybe just some regret that we could not visit longer with family.

Kat

12-28-12, 8:46am

I always go through this to some degree. For me, it is because during the Christmas season, the world seems like such a better place. People are generous and kind and relationship-oriented. Then after it is over (at least in my circle), things revery back to the way they were and, for lack of a better term, the "magic" is lost.

What helps me is planning out my charitable giving for the coming year. I also throw myself into "fresh start" kind of projects (organizing, etc.) that I know will help with contentedness and gratitude.

pinkytoe

12-28-12, 9:24am

This year, DH and I tried an experiment in avoiding the Christmas expectations. We did a three day getaway, just the two of us, and I have to say it was the easiest Christmas ever without all the usual anxieties. We bought a few gift cards and mailed them out prior but that was it. We drove to the coast, prepared a candlelit dinner in our hotel room on Christmas night, walked on the beach, and watched the full moon rise over the ocean. I completely understand that feeling of let-down though as I lived it for many years. I just wonder when the season all got so complicated.

cdttmm

12-28-12, 9:33am

I am pleased to report that for once I do *not* have a post-Christmas letdown of any sort. I have dreaded the Christmas season for years. It always seemed like there was too much to do, too many places to go, too many people to see, etc. We hosted Thanksgiving this year and I think that helped to kick off the holiday season in the right way for me. We deep cleaned our house in preparation, which was something that desperately needed to be done, and we had a mostly stress free Thanksgiving. It probably helped that we sent everyone away the next morning and just enjoyed a weekend to ourselves. We scaled down the various Christmas obligations to just a few things. We went to a Christmas vespers program, which we both enjoyed. We had a pre-Christmas family brunch with my partner's extended family, which was relatively painless. His family skipped the elaborate and not-so-joy-filled Christmas tree decorating tradition, which also helped me to stay sane as their family drama was greatly reduced. Then for the actual Christmas celebration he and I went separately to celebrate with our families and we both returned home the evening of the 25th ready to consider it another holiday season in the books. We don't really do anything on New Year's Eve so we're done until next Thanksgiving -- woot! Finally. This has been nearly 2 decades in the making so I am thrilled that we seem to finally be "there" -- wherever "there" might be. :~)

CathyA

12-28-12, 9:36am

Oh pinkytoe........that sounds wonderful! I would love to do that some year.

I'm not feeling let-down in the least. For me its sort of a cleansing...........put away all the "stuff", clean up the house, start eating more healthily, peace and quiet again.
(Although its not over for me yet........DD still home and DS coming home for DH's birthday tomorrow). But for me, January is all about peace and quiet and enjoying the fact that this
won't happen again for another year........

(But I have to say.........DD lost a friend a couple years to a terrible tragedy. His parents post on Facebook quite often about how they miss him so. Makes me enjoy the time with my kids even more).

Bootsie

12-28-12, 11:10am

I'm not feeling the letdown this year, but my DH mentioned he is. He attributed his feeling to overeating and lack of exercise (he normally eats very well and exercises a lot every day).

Though I enjoyed the holiday, I'm glad it's winding down. We're still on relaxed mode for a few more days, but I'm starting to feel motivated to return to a full routine. I'm thrilled that my relatives listened to my plea of "no gifts for me." My MIL did send me some socks, though. :) I might feel a bit melancholy when putting the decorations away, mainly because that's not a fun task for me. Hmm...I need to think of a way to make it fun.

awakenedsoul

12-28-12, 11:14am

I felt really tired after Christmas. In fact, I went to bed at 7:30 p.m. the last two nights to recharge! I was wiped out. I had a long drive, though. Also, my father spent the entire holiday criticizing me, which was draining. (He even put down the way I stand!) I called him on it, but it still gave me a headache.

But, I was pleased with the gifts I made and kept decorating simple but beautiful. I sent out some cards and heard from friends I worked with 25 years ago. That was uplifting. Now I'm back into my routine at home. It feels good to exercise and stay grounded. I'm looking forward to spending New Year's Eve with a friend I worked with twenty years ago.

iris lily

12-28-12, 11:23am

I do the same thing. I thought we'd dodged that bullet this year as we missed that annual extended family get together and for 20+ years I've pleaded 'no gifts' but a few days later we got our huge bags of garage sale, laying around the house, too small, too big, etc. stuff. I don't mind being the recipient of a re-gift but at least I would like to be useful or to fit. I try to be graceful, say thank you, then sort....it just gets so old after so many years.

One would think that being out of the family loop would keep us from getting bags of Stuff, but nope--one of our friends loves shopping and buying cheap crap from China and hence we get probably $150 in Stuff from her.

This year I had on my "list" (it was only a mental list, I never told anyone) two items: Wine stoppers and a back scratcher. I got lucky and got 3 wine stoppers from friends. I did not get a back scratcher but I watched one friend open a gift of a back scratcher from another person and I commented about how that was a cool back scratcher and I wanted one. They are normally about $1.00 although this one was an extendable, high end back scratcher, hehe.

Low and behold, DH came up with one from the depths of our junk drawer. So--I really did get the things that I wanted even though I had not formally made a list for Santa.

ctg492

12-28-12, 2:14pm

My 80 some year old Mom called yesterday and told me she is suffering from after Christmas feelings. I felt sorry for her, but she hipes it up so there is no place to go but down.

Zoe Girl

12-28-12, 3:09pm

Well yeah in a different way. This was my time off work and it feels like I didn't get enough done, or what I am getting done will be undone so fast and then I will be back in crazy work mode. I already had one work nightmare. I very much need to exercise, and I have been keeping up with some exercise and meditation over this break, and then feeling stressed because it is so hard once school is back in session to do any of this (plus I cannot fit my pants at all after all the goodies my mom brought, 5 lbs at least)

leslieann

12-28-12, 5:28pm

I get the let down when my son who usually visits during December drives off...but this year, he just got married and they started new jobs and were not able to come for a visit. So, oddly, I haven't felt that sad, let down feeling. I get it whenever I separate from my kids after a visit, though, so it probably isn't really about the holiday at all. As far as I am concerned, I am in the post-Christmas glow period....not back to work and most of the obligations already met.

Plus there is snow....lots of it! I don't mind it when I don't have to go to work or get anywhere. And it helps a lot that DH is home from work too, and likes to shovel.

iris lily

12-28-12, 7:31pm