We finished our Christmas celebrations today with our children and their spouses here for breakfast and gift opening and then dinner and fellowship with DH's siblings and their families this afternoon. Now I am very tired. I will keep the decorations up till the weekend but everything Christmas-y will be packed away before I head back to school on Mon. Even today, I still did not 'feel' Christmas. Maybe next year.

I'm so sorry. I too have lost a child...my son in '02. Holidays are very hard and I'm sooooo glad they're over!

Oh not me -- I thought last Christmas was the best ever, but this one certainly surpassed it! First of all, we sat down as a family back in September and TOGETHER decided to cut way back. In fact, we drew names and that was the family member we bought or made a gift for. We chose to do stocking stuffers and that was so much fun. It was wonderful - it helped us take our eyes of the commercialism and actually enjoy the season. Secondly, it was our first Christmas as grandparents -- our 11 month old grandson was exempt for the name drawing but we kept the buying to a minimum.

It was a wonderful season to concentrate on the real meaning of the season! Joy to the World, the Lord has come!

Went to bed last night totally exhausted. Glad it is over but do have to say, I would not trade the memories. We had family and friends with us, so who could ask for anything more.

Congratulations to you for your 50th .Ours is the 30th also and and we have been married 38 yrs.

Yep - I'm glad it's over too. All the festivities happen at our house, so while I love the real reason for Christmas (celebrating Jesus' birth), I hate all the work behind it to put on a big dinner on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Then ... there are always the family dynamics. : ) It wasn't all bad though - there were wonderful moments that created wonderful memories. Just always glad to have it done. Even took the tree down today and got the house back to normal.

I agree I am glad it is over ,I get so Depressed. Around this time of the year . But thank God for Grand Children.

Sad Christmas this year. I guess I'm just getting too old for all the shopping, cooking and hub bub. Lost my Mom on Thanksgiving Day, 2009 and just can't seem to have any holiday spirit the last couple Christmas Days. Plus it's been a bad year financially so had no money to shop. Made quilts, hot pads, and placemats for gifts. They were all well received which did help some. Hope this next year will be better for everyone. God Bless....

I like the thought of Jesus being born, and that is why we celebrate Christmas. But, it is just way out of control with gift buying and celebrating. Now after eating big time for a week I can now go back to eating less and back to eating healthy foods.

Christmas changes over the years. I did not put up a tree for the last two as I live alone am am quite a hermit. I went to my son and daughter and boyfriend and grandson's house and was happy to have them do the "heavy lifting" for the holiday. Another thing to think about in the big picture is that we are in the worst time of the year for those of us that suffer from SAD - seasonal depressive disorder - which is put in gear by the short days and lack of sunlight. Since my mom died in 2004, I have not felt myself able to get rip roaring excited about holidays in general. Knowing that these are the worst times of the year for me, personally, has made it a whole lot easier to cope with. Take what enjoyment you can from the hustle and bustle and leave the rest of it to others. We made it through and there is still so much more to do for yourself and those near and dear. Congratulate yourself and know that spring is coming!