I broke my wrist in May, we listed our house in June, moved (downsized) in August and then DD and her DH moved (also downsizing) one week later. I'm so weary from our move and hers and helping her with their new (June, 2011) bundle of joy that I haven't even put up a tree, just a couple of little arrangements and some candles. And, ya know what? It's liberating to not to go all-out. We've already got together with the two other kids and those GKs and had a lovely mellow time together with nice, low-key gifts exchanged (except for the 2 youngest!) and all that's left for Christmas day is church in the a.m. and then dinner with this DD at their new, smaller, decluttered, more affordable house. Lovely, loving, mellow, no hype. Ahhhh ...
There's so much hype, so much "love, joy, gifts, excitement, eat, eat, eat, visit, visit, visit" that anything less seems like we've been deprived of something. I'm enjoying this mellow time so much that I may just want to have this type of easier "I care about you, let's get together but not go overboard" type of Christmas every year.
I hope that you have a blessed Christmas day and that the new year brings you good health, joy and contentment!