Ye gods and little fishes, family can be such a PITA.
You know, I really love the festive side of Christmas, the decorating, the celebration, the food, the music. The whole bit, I really do. (Not the presents, as you already know.) And I think next year, I may do some of those things, may even host a fun (FUN) Festivus For The Rest Of Us sometime during the season because I've felt like it more and more this last year (although we'll see how I feel about it come November next year).
But. If I have to badger and cajole and guilt people into coming? Where's the festivity in that, I ask you? I realize it hasn't occurred to her that expecting other peoples' reluctant participation in order to make her holidays bright is pretty much everything the season isn't supposed to be about, but it doesn't change the facts of the case. Nor would it go over well to suggest that she make plans with/for people who actually want to participate and who could really use the holiday cheer...say, oh I don't know, a homeless shelter or domestic violence shelter or children's hospital or elder care home or VA hospital or I CAN KEEP LISTING IDEAS HERE IS WHAT I'M SAYING. Funny that that never seems to be on the agenda for the folks who get all het up about "OMG IT'S NOT THE HOLIDAYS UNLESS WE ALL DO THE THINGS DICTATED BY A HALLMARK CARD OTHERWISE YOU MAKE THE BABY JESUS CRY".
Ahem. Anyway, sorry that what was supposed to be a stress-free holiday has morphed. :( Sorry for your other family, too, including Xmas Sister, who seems to have lost sight of what the holidays are meant for, to wit: generosity of spirit and heart, peace on earth, good will to all.
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You know, I really love the festive side of Christmas, the decorating, the celebration, the food, the music. The whole bit, I really do. (Not the presents, as you already know.) And I think next year, I may do some of those things, may even host a fun (FUN) Festivus For The Rest Of Us sometime during the season because I've felt like it more and more this last year (although we'll see how I feel about it come November next year).
But. If I have to badger and cajole and guilt people into coming? Where's the festivity in that, I ask you? I realize it hasn't occurred to her that expecting other peoples' reluctant participation in order to make her holidays bright is pretty much everything the season isn't supposed to be about, but it doesn't change the facts of the case. Nor would it go over well to suggest that she make plans with/for people who actually want to participate and who could really use the holiday cheer...say, oh I don't know, a homeless shelter or domestic violence shelter or children's hospital or elder care home or VA hospital or I CAN KEEP LISTING IDEAS HERE IS WHAT I'M SAYING. Funny that that never seems to be on the agenda for the folks who get all het up about "OMG IT'S NOT THE HOLIDAYS UNLESS WE ALL DO THE THINGS DICTATED BY A HALLMARK CARD OTHERWISE YOU MAKE THE BABY JESUS CRY".
Ahem. Anyway, sorry that what was supposed to be a stress-free holiday has morphed. :( Sorry for your other family, too, including Xmas Sister, who seems to have lost sight of what the holidays are meant for, to wit: generosity of spirit and heart, peace on earth, good will to all.