Anybody else get depressed this time of year? I dont know what it is with me and Christmas, I just get into a bit of a funk. I enjoy being with family and friends, and HATE the presents part of the whole holiday. I know the wife means well, but she feels the need to buy presents even though I ask her not to. Then that leaves me trying to figure out what to get, if I got the right gifts for her, etc. Hell I dont know, maybe its just me.

Ok, rant off.

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PERFECT!

Thanks Drafter

Cut it out......cheer up...it's Christmas.

Presents???? I think you are reading too much into the whole thing. If you don't want to buy gifts, then don't. People get enough crap anyway. If you do........then there are a number of no-fail gifts; even gift CARDS.

When I get a present, I say "Thank You".......then that's it. If I don't reciprocate, so be it. If I do, that's fine too. We have the rest of our lives to "even things out". I do plenty for other people throughout the year, much of which is more significant than a new sweater from Old Navy. If people can't see it that way, then it's their problem.

Just enjoy the food, the music, the whiskey, the TV specials, the kids(?), etc.

Oh yeah.....and if you're Christian, you can always fall back on the "birth of Christ" thing.

Tony, Christmas used to have that same effect on me. Over the past few years, things have changed my whole outlook on the holidays. About 2/3 of my family were laid off during 2007 or 2008, and my mother had a bout with breast cancer which strained her finacially. The last few Christmases we have not exchanged gifts at all, the entire family just gathers together and enjoys the company of those dear to them. It has actually made for some of the greatest moments that I could possibly imagine. It has taught me that the gifts and hub-bub of the "commercial" Christmas mean absolutely nothing. The true gift of Christmas is being able to spend quality time with those you love and those that love you. That is something that can not be put in a box and unwrapped. It is totally in your heart.

Ping Vankie.

Some people get that "Seasonal light disorder" from lack of sunshine exposure which affects them in the winter.

Not saying that's your problem but for many it is.

He is sitting beside me TG. I brought him in as a consultant for which cigars I should sell

I enjoy Christmas a lot more now that I'm getting older....I get more sentimental, too. My house always gets a little dusty when I watch "It's a Wonderful Life" and seeing kids having fun or being excited to see Santa makes me happy. I do get melancholy when I remember Christmas's past and the loved ones I've lost. I love this time of year.

hi tony- your wife seems to me to find great joy in giving, let her give. It is very hard to receive sometimes...I'm finding out how uncomfortable I am with it lately, but I was told that if someone wants to share the spirit of Christmas by giving to you it's a blessing. In my case, I will be paying it forward someday. tony- you give a lot to many...let God bless you. As far as what you give, no wrong answer- it's the thought that counts and whoever receives from you that doesn't know that...their problem...not yours.

Much joy and peace to you this Christmas, tony.

good advice from good hearts here...

6 years ago, my wife's father dies on Christmas day, and 3 years ago her Grandmother passed on the 26th. She too has a hard time with the holidays. It's getting better. All the traveling to one house or another is a pain, but it's once a year.......I drink alot

Same here. I'm tired of the guilt heaped on my family when we don't get all filled with Christmas spirit starting 12 seconds after Thanksgiving dinner is served. My MIL spends way too much money on gifts and works way too hard on Christmas dinner. My SIL thinks its necessary and would have nothing to do with her mom if the "tradition" of exhaustion ended. Some holiday.

That sounds like something Pacman would write. Could we be relatives?

Skip the gifts.....just climb on the phone on Xmas day to your family etc, and when someone answers, you say,

"WAAAAAAAAAZZZZZZZZZZUP!!!!!!"

it works!

I hate giving gift cards. If you can't take the time to find something that means something then don't give anything. A gift card, gift certificate to me says, "Here, I couldn't take the time to know you well enough to know what you would enjoy or use."