I know I don't like the holidays anymore. But I hope it is temporary. See, being single around Christmas and New Years is very depressing. I see all the couples being lovey, going away, buying neat gifts, spending time at each other families houses, etc. I see the kids opening up presents and being happy or complaining they don't like it. I don't know what is worse hearing all the noise and chaos or waking up alone those holiday mornings or on NYE night.
To top it all off, I don't like how materialistic Christmas has gotten. It has never been one of my favorite holidays after I turned 16. I grew up where Santa came and brought several - many presents but not all HUGE presents, like a TV (which I was not allowed to have). But now, it seems like the kids I know are so spoiled with gifts. My nephews many times have thrown my present down and said they hated my awesome gift...they want to know why I didn't get them a Wii or some other ridiculous gift Aunt's don't give unless they had millions. I don't want to raise my future kid like that...and I don't know how to explain to my future kid that their Santa is different then everyone else's. My Santa is going to give like 2-3 nice gifts and the rest (which will be a few) will be from me and maybe the child's father, if he has one or is in the picture. I will try to reinforce the needy and helping others instead. The good thing about having a different Santa then my sisters Santa is that my sisters kids will be grown by the time I get around to having a child :(
Anyway, I think I am nice when it comes to giving gifts. I generally never stick to my budget and pay for that for a few months. I keep adding on presents for my parents (mostly because I can't thank them enough for all their help and I never think what I get is enough...but then again I am broke). I don't like to holiday shop, but I still go to the stores occasionally to see things 'in person' as opposed to just shopping on the Internet. I am even a nice enough person to go last minute shopping with a family member to help them finish THEIR shopping...AND I am nice enough to stay up till two am Christmas morning to wrap presents with one sister.
While out holiday shopping, I tend to buy things for me because I can. I'd rather get myself things I need myself...so when my parents ask what I want, for the most part there is nothing I NEED at the moment. I have everything a single person can possibly need and more. So this year I asked for either bed bug mattress pads, a $38 gift certificate for electrolysis or a kitchen back splash). Nothing crazy and nothing I can't get myself. If I can visualize what my future would look like - maybe I could ask for a crib for my future kid? Or a patio set that I will need in 8 years when I finally get a place that has outdoor space.
BUT what it comes down to is this time of year I get cranky. The crankiness is from being single, how crazy every one else gets around this time a year and an overall despise for what these holidays have become. It doesn't help I am in NYC which gets flooded with tourists and people in general just seem to get on my nerves. Even at work I am overly annoyed with the stupidity of so many people (as evident in some of my posts). But today...today I spoke with one of my clients, the president of the one of the boards I work for. We were chatting and I was telling him about a mean email I had to send out...then some other annoying news...and then I start telling him I think he should reconsider an appointment of a board member. So by the end of the conversation not only did he ask me who pissed me off, he called me a scrooge and told me he hoped for every one's sake the holidays ended soon so I can be nicer again.
Oh, right, I should add that I am not decorating my apartment either.
So, it is official, I am a scrooge.
Gotta love it.
You're not a scrooge Denise, I agree with everything you say about the commercialism of Christmas.
ReplyDeleteBeing single at this this of year can be a downer but look upon it as an opportunity,with all the parties and other things going on,it could give you the opportunity to meet that someone special!
Totally agree about the commercialism of Christmas, but moreso, I think kids are just ridiculously spoiled these days. Maybe it's because I'm constantly around kids, but it makes me sick to see how many toys they have. I certainly wasn't lacking in the toy department, but I didn't have enough for 100 kids! And my parents were adamant about not giving us the newest, coolest thing just because everyone else had it. My kids will be raised the same way. I should do a post about how I'll raise my kids... and then see if I stick to it ;)
ReplyDeleteBeing single does have it's disadvantages, but I think I hate it more on weekends when I don't have anything to do. A boyfriend would be nice then. NYE is the most overrated holiday there is, so don't get too down on that one!
Oh, i should have mentioned that NYE is the stupidest holiday ever. I never liked it, even when I was in a relationship. So I am not down about that per sae. I will have more about New Years coming soon and my resolutions and goals for 2011 and summary of 2010.
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