Thanks!

I've enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts about Christmas.  I've long suspected it isn't a universally loved time of the year, and it's good to be with people who are willing to say so.  Let me contribute my story as well ...

For most of my life I've very strongly disliked Christmas.  The "buy buy buy" advertisements on the radio, Christmas songs and decorations everywhere, heavy traffic in the "mall town" I live in, the obligation to buy gifts ... the whole thing has always left me cold, and annoyed as all get-out.  Even as a child I didn't enjoy it much.  As a non-religious person and a low-impact consumer, this is not my favorite season.

Although it was a difficult and stressful process, over the years I've backed out, declined to participate, and done as little as possible, excising "obligation" from my life.  I've never decorated my own home for the holidays.  I send no cards, don't have people over, and only attend parties as necessary.  Many years ago the adults in my family agreed to stop buying gifts for each other, and as my nieces and nephews turned 18, I stopped buying gifts for them as well.  I told them all, "You're on my 'adult' list now that you're grown up, and that means no more presents."  They're all thrilled to be adults at that age, so it was a pretty easy transition.

These days I'm a comfortable non-participant.  We go to see my family for the holidays, but it's just a nice family gathering with no pressure.   Those gatherings (three this year) satisfy Bill's love of the season, so my lack of interest doesn't interfere with his enjoyment.

Bill and I talk about what to get our grandkids (he has children and grandchildren from his first marriage, and I'm fortunate enough to have full grandma privs!), but he does the ordering and the buying.  I function solely as a consultant.  :P

So now I feel quite happy posting holiday pictures to the Forum thread!  I can participate in small ways without getting my knickers in a twist. 

Life is good!

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa