SOFT NEWS Not Everyone Is Looking Forward to Christmas

[Blacknarwhal]

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Sad but true. I knew it was rough for all those folks who lost family, or never had much of one to begin with. So spare a thought and a prayer for those folks for whom Christmas isn't a quiet celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, but a disaster waiting to happen.

Fair use cited so on and so forth.

Not Everyone Is Looking Forward To Christmas | ZeroHedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

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Not Everyone Is Looking Forward To Christmas​

by Tyler Durden
Saturday, Dec 03, 2022 - 07:00 PM

There are only a few weeks left until Christmas. That means most people are getting together with their family and spending time with their loved ones. But not everyone can look forward to a peaceful Christmas - for some people, the Christmas season is particularly stressful, as a survey conducted as part of the Statista Global Consumer Survey shows.

You will find more infographics at Statista

According to the research, Christmas means pure stress for around 16 percent of the people surveyed in the United States. This even rises to 18 percent of respondents in the UK.

This is seemingly in part because there are too many expectations associated with Christmas; a quarter of respondents from Germany and the United States and 39 percent from the UK confirm this.

Five to nine percent of the survey participants even stated that the family get-together usually ends in arguments.

For them, Christmas is emotionally and psychologically draining rather than energizing, and often requires a great deal of effort to get through.

 

[Cardinal]

Five to nine percent of the survey participants even stated that the family get-together usually ends in arguments.

Then they are spending their holidays with the wrong people.
Spend your time with people you like, and get along with, and genetic links be damned.

 

[mzkitty]

Touchy subject.

 

[nomifyle]

I'm hoping we spend Christmas with the same folks we spent Thanksgiving with. They are cousins and church members, we enjoy their company.

We don't do gifts but I may get something for the couple that hosts the holiday meals, just to show our appreciation.

We have little to no contact with our children and grandchildren.

 

[packyderms_wife]

Then they are spending their holidays with the wrong people.
Spend your time with people you like, and get along with, and genetic links be damned.

This^^^

 

[WildDaisy]

My mother just lost her companion yesterday. I feel for her. Dad has been gone for 7 years now and she just rekindled a friendship with this man after meeting again at their high school reunion. He had lost his wife about the same time Dad passed. Mom was just beginning to be happy again, going on some trips and out for dinner and such. He was a nice guy. If you guys wouldnt mind keeping her in prayers.

Our holidays aren't sad or angry. They are actually pleasant, but we lost my cousin who usually does Christmas eve at her house over the course of this year, so they will be bit different than normal. Christmas day still at Mom's with mom and I cooking. We definitely cut back on gifts this year. Only the children will get gifts. No need for stuff we dont need as adults.

However, my whole house has Covid at the moment, so we've all been house bound for a week so far. Getting better. Seems we had family for Thanksgiving that came from Vegas to visit, and one of them was sick. We're just praying that one of the older family members that was there doesnt get it since he is a cancer survivor (twice over) and only has one lung.

 

[Wildwood]

Prayers going up for all the folks who find the holidays a struggle. I understand.

I quit doing the huge family get togethers. Now it's just my kids and grandkids. My extended family was happy to let me do all the work and host every holiday after we lost my mother. I'm older than my siblings and work long hours...I just got overwhelmed and dreaded all the work involved. I'm ashamed to say I still do to a degree. As we get older and have lost so many of the people we love, the holidays become a reminder that they are no longer here.

I'm trying to do better and take a page from my mother's book. She would start making cookies and candies weeks before and we would enjoy them all the way to Christmas...no saving stuff back for her. All the country folks around here did that and started at least two or three weeks before Christmas. It was sad for me when we couldn't make it home for the holidays. Thankfully, most years we could. My generation let those old traditions fall by the wayside though.

 

[Broken Arrow]

I’ve always hated them. Husband made them more fun, but now that he is gone it’s back to dread and hate.

 

[Millwright]

The first person who tries to do a 'rona/vaxx drift on this thread had better like barnacles.

They will be keelhauled.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We only have a small family setting for Christmas. All like minded and pleasant to be around. A lot of the stress from cooking has been taken off me, since DDIL and her mom has agreed to do most of it from now on. I don't have much to do with mine or Cary's extended families at all. We also have one DS that is estranged from us, again. His choice.

 

[Blacknarwhal]

Then they are spending their holidays with the wrong people.
Spend your time with people you like, and get along with, and genetic links be damned.

Easier said than done, sadly. My aunt has been giving my folks fits for months. But what can you do? It's dad's sister.

 

[Blacknarwhal]

Prayers going up for all the folks who find the holidays a struggle. I understand.

I quit doing the huge family get togethers. Now it's just my kids and grandkids. My extended family was happy to let me do all the work and host every holiday after we lost my mother. I'm older than my siblings and work long hours...I just got overwhelmed and dreaded all the work involved. I'm ashamed to say I still do to a degree. As we get older and have lost so many of the people we love, the holidays become a reminder that they are no longer here.

I'm trying to do better and take a page from my mother's book. She would start making cookies and candies weeks before and we would enjoy them all the way to Christmas...no saving stuff back for her. All the country folks around here did that and started at least two or three weeks before Christmas. It was sad for me when we couldn't make it home for the holidays. Thankfully, most years we could. My generation let those old traditions fall by the wayside though.

Every year, my mom and grandma--and my aunt, who is currently giving my mom and dad such fits--would get together and bake massive amounts of cookies ahead of Christmas. We'd be eating them for most of January and beyond. Chocolate chip, peanut butter blossom, kolachkes, a whole host of others. Took most of the afternoon on any one day. That's the only reason mom doesn't make cookie bars for Christmas.

I know holidays will get strange before too much longer. Eventually it will only be me. I expect my aunt to go next. Dad probably after, and then Mom. But then, by the time I'm in my sixties, it'll be just me, and that's a disturbing thought.

 

[Wildwood]

Every year, my mom and grandma--and my aunt, who is currently giving my mom and dad such fits--would get together and bake massive amounts of cookies ahead of Christmas. We'd be eating them for most of January and beyond. Chocolate chip, peanut butter blossom, kolachkes, a whole host of others. Took most of the afternoon on any one day. That's the only reason mom doesn't make cookie bars for Christmas.

I know holidays will get strange before too much longer. Eventually it will only be me. I expect my aunt to go next. Dad probably after, and then Mom. But then, by the time I'm in my sixties, it'll be just me, and that's a disturbing thought.

I don't suppose finding a companion is an option?

 

[Blacknarwhal]

I don't suppose finding a companion is an option?

Sure it is. But so's finding Jimmy Hoffa, his pet unicorn, and the lost treasure of the Incans.

 

[flame]

It's just us and our daughter and her family...we may be a small tribe but we get along nicely..

 

[Southside]

My sis passed last year, 28th of December. I am going to drive down to Florida to be with Mom.
That will be nice.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Sure it is. But so's finding Jimmy Hoffa, his pet unicorn, and the lost treasure of the Incans.

LOL! I have to admit that there is a very limited supply of women out there that match what you're looking for. Don't give up, though. Our oldest DS found his wife who had never been married, with no children, and they are happily married with like interests and goals. He's almost 20 yrs. older than her, though. He was 42 when they met.

 

[Journey]

We lost our last parent, my father-in-law, back in January so it’s going to be a different Christmas for sure. No more family anywhere nearby, sister-in-law and her family live in the southern part of the state and other than them coming after the death we hadn’t seen them in 4 years. My family hasn’t spoken to me in over 15 years after a falling out over my mother’s estate during which certain rellies started laying claim to her personal property as she lay dying in her bed.

But we have friends nearby that outshine rellies like crazy. Ever heard the old saying, “Friends are God’s apology for family!”? It’s certainly true around here.

 

[Blue 5]

My son passed on November 1st this year. There is no joy or celebrating the holidays for us this year, but we are still praying thanks for the gift of Jesus Christ. I pray every night that God will give my son a big hug, until I can get there to do it myself.

 

[Wildwood]

Sure it is. But so's finding Jimmy Hoffa, his pet unicorn, and the lost treasure of the Incans.

Agreed.

 

[Wildwood]

My son passed on November 1st this year. There is no joy or celebrating the holidays for us this year, but we are still praying thanks for the gift of Jesus Christ. I pray every night that God will give my son a big hug, until I can get there to do it myself.

Prayers of comfort for you and yours as you get through this first set of holidays. Most of the family I've lost has been around Christmas and I do think it's contributed to the melancholy feeling that goes along with the celebration.

 

[nomifyle]

Follow up to my previous post, DH and are fine with the way things are, we have each other and have happy blessed lives. Not seeing family is not a big deal anymore, that way we don't have to deal with different opinions and personalities. That's a blessing.

 

[Double_A]

Sure it is. But so's finding Jimmy Hoffa, his pet unicorn, and the lost treasure of the Incans.

You can scratch the Incan treasure

 

[pauldingbabe]

I’ve always hated them. Husband made them more fun, but now that he is gone it’s back to dread and hate.

I can sympathize with you BA.

This is no longer my home. We are only here until we can find somewhere else to live.

I would go elsewhere for Christmas but for our animals that have to be taken care of. We have had covid all week and you would think out of 6 adults living here we could have gotten some help right?

NOPE.

That's fine. Either we find a new place, or aliens will land on the front 5 acres. I'm good either way.

 

[patriotgal]

Buried a neighbor yesterday. Dear friend buried his wife a couple days before Thanksgiving. I know several people who lost spouses or family members this year in addition to fellow members. That first holiday with an empty seat at the table is rough. Hugs and prayers to all who are dealing with this. Whatever you do, grieve your way. Don't let anyone guilt you with "should"s.

 

[Sacajawea]

Every year is different for us - even before losing a lot of relatives over the years. So we've started simply celebrating Yule instead of Christmas. Lot less stress that way.

 

[Dennis Olson]

Every year is different for us - even before losing a lot of relatives over the years. So we've started simply celebrating Yule instead of Christmas. Lot less stress that way.

And there’s a terrific log involved….

 

[momma_soapmaker]

Our Christmas has been pared down to three of us. It's a combination of relief and bittersweet. My parents are now gone, and we always spent every holiday with them. The relief comes from not having to deal with other extended family members.

I've had to learn to enjoy the smaller, quieter gathering. The first few years were really tough.

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Looking forward to Christmas. Family is much easier to get along with family a few thousand miles away....

This holiday season we've been truly blessed and I'm honestly thankful for those blessings. My sympathy and condolences for those who have lost loved ones and aren't in good health. Your stories are a reminder to cherish: good health when we have it, the precious time we have with our loved ones and how ephemeral life is.

 

[MMWW]

I look back and remember some of those good times with loved ones. Many years I had a house-full. We are scattered now and older. I am glad for the good memories. It is just different now, but not sad. The memories don't go away.

 

[Dobbin]

Owner has pictures of a holiday gathering from about 1954, which occurred the year he was born.

I've seen him looking at them. Its a small box which has STEREOSCOPE pictures within, and a small plastic bifocal viewer.

Owner says there are about 15 pictures in the box, stereo and they're in BEAUTIFUL color.

He has counted the people at that gathering. His parents are both there, as are his grand-parents. Even Owner's Grand-Uncle who was alive then but died later within the year.

There are 17 people Owner says. All having driven from within a 20 mile radius where all had lives, were successful after a pattern, and all had been in regular communication and possibly seeing each other over the previous year. They were "connected" to each other.

And Owner says "So much different than our family today. We're either limited in generational strength, or family are too far away to easily gather together, or are too busy."

Somewhere else I have mentioned that Owner's family seems to have "daughtered out" with Owner being the only family member with adult male children of his namesake. Not that matters as family comes from BOTH sides of the marriage. But for Owner the numbers are dwindling to a few.

I can't say Owner is much bothered much by this - I'm sure his view publicly is "it is what it is." But the "small town America" which Owner hails from is gone - as are the people that were part of that small town America. And I think that is what bothers him most.

He very much enjoys his annual re-watch of "Its a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart. At the time the film was made, small town life was the rule rather than the exception. And the film was considered "unexceptional" when it was made because it portrayed an America which EVERYONE already knew? For them sort of like watching sports-team tryouts for a sport your kid doesn't play? They watch but for them its just more of what they see every day?

Owner looks at a picture like above and says to himself, "I knew him, and her, and those two over there." As an adult he never met them even in real life but he knew them in spirit from exposure to those in his childhood - which the movie has perfectly captured.

But today those people are gone - and have been replaced by what? Soy Boys and Goth women? Or a woke who knows what ready to discount Owner because he wears a red hat? Or someone in a "surgical mask?"

Dobbin

 

[Ractivist]

The first person who tries to do a 'rona/vaxx drift on this thread had better like barnacles.

They will be keelhauled.

Said the pot to the kettle....just saying.

 

[dioptase]

I've grown to hate the holidaze season because of the gift giving pressure. I wouldn't mind giving gifts, except that I frankly suck at it in that I don't know *what* to get people. I want to give them what they'd like, but not something from a list.

This year is especially bad, though, as our dog is dying of kidney disease(s). The internal specialist has given up on him, pretty much (all she can do now besides refill prescriptions is a feeding tube, which DH declines; our dog is essentially on "home hospice" now with subcutaneous fluids daily). It's been two or more emotional roller coaster years with this dog : Cushing's Disease badly treated by the regular vet, which is why we went to a specialist, emergency gall bladder removal and that fright/trauma, horrific unexplained nose bleeds, and the kidney diseases, with him refusing the prescribed diet. I've been crying a lot over him since late October (when the specialist threw up her hands), as is now even DH (who was largely in denial, but is still not ready to let him go).

So if anyone can spare a prayer, please ask for God's blessing on this dog, and for us to have the strength to do what needs to be done and when (it's not clear we're there, yet (it's that "quality of life" thing), but we're getting very close, I think), and for us to have peace about it when that awful, horrible day comes.

 

[Loretta Van Riet]

I've grown to hate the holidaze season because of the gift giving pressure. I wouldn't mind giving gifts, except that I frankly suck at it in that I don't know *what* to get people. I want to give them what they'd like, but not something from a list.

This year is especially bad, though, as our dog is dying of kidney disease(s). The internal specialist has given up on him, pretty much (all she can do now besides refill prescriptions is a feeding tube, which DH declines; our dog is essentially on "home hospice" now with subcutaneous fluids daily). It's been two or more emotional roller coaster years with this dog : Cushing's Disease badly treated by the regular vet, which is why we went to a specialist, emergency gall bladder removal and that fright/trauma, horrific unexplained nose bleeds, and the kidney diseases, with him refusing the prescribed diet. I've been crying a lot over him since late October (when the specialist threw up her hands), as is now even DH (who was largely in denial, but is still not ready to let him go).

So if anyone can spare a prayer, please ask for God's blessing on this dog, and for us to have the strength to do what needs to be done and when (it's not clear we're there, yet (it's that "quality of life" thing), but we're getting very close, I think), and for us to have peace about it when that awful, horrible day comes.

I am so sorry. Please accept a hug.

 

[BUBBAHOTEPT]

When I get sad about myself this time of year, I go to Clark’s Christmas Kids and look at all the names and the small gifts and the big gifts the foster children want -one of many places. I feel ashamed about my selfish feelings considering what it would take to help those children -in their particular setting- feel happy and loved. So many here have have gone through so much and my small problems don’t amount to a hill of beans In this world. So many times there are more blessings than bad and I’m really good at forgetting….

 

[BadMedicine]

The graph represents the numbers "Out of 1000" while the article states them as percentages. Journalism is dead. reading is dead.

eta: the numbers are MORE LIKELY percentages, because that is a more common 'graphing' technique, but the fact the "number units" aren't labeled, but that below they mention the "sample size" or "survey size" -somewhat implies the numbers given are a fraction of the 'control group'.. not a fraction of '100'. Either way, surprised this pos ever made it to print.

I hope everyone has happy or at a very minimum, peaceful holidays. I know many have lost loved ones, and wether it was around the holidays, or recently, the holidays are for loved ones, and it's much harder when some of them for which you loved the season so much, are gone.:S :/