DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

I love my DD more than words can say...my heart hurts at how much I love her. And I want to do great things for her....but I have just been sooo exhausted and bummed and have no holiday spirit.

I cant even imagine putting up a tree. I used to go ALL out before DD existed now I am lucky I can get the basics done.

I feel so terrible for feeling this way. Is anyone else feeling this way, esp those who have a child who is celebrating their first holiday? I have to get myself motivated but I dont know how...and I am afraid I will regret not making things special for her...

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

If it makes you feel any better I don't have a tree up yet either...

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

we have no tree up yet and will not be decorating the outside (it's not our house - and there are NO outlets outside (not kidding).

do i want to? yes - more than anything! will it be more work than I have the energy for? yes...

will it happen? i don't know....

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

I feel the same way. I bought Landon plenty of gifts, but I have zero holday spirit. Ever since we lost my mom in May I have no desire to celebrate anything. We have no decorations, no christmas tree, and no lights outside this year.

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

I still don't have a tree yet. Every time we go to get one its raining

I got upset too that nothing is done yet... not even holiday shopping but really, they are quite young and won't even start to remember holidays until they are like 3+


Its ok....

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

I am the complete opposite. I never had holiday spirit before DS. My Dad passed when I was young and the holidays were never the same again.

I always told myself that once I had kids that I would do it for them, and so far, I have! We have decorated outside and inside, tree is up and decorated, and I am pretty much done shopping. Just need to wrap.

I want to start some of my own traditions with DS, and am looking forward to that most.

Maybe just start with small steps (decorating a little each day)???

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

Maybe it's because we're "holiday" Mommies?

DH and I didn't put up a tree, we bought the Charlie brown Christmas Tree from CVS and called it a day.

I am having a lot more fun planning her 1st b-day party than Christmas. I don't even feel like it is the holiday season. I don't know what it is, but this time of year feels very different to me now.

Being that I was soooo pregnant at this time last year, this makes it two years in a row with no real holiday "feel." Maybe that's something that you're feeling too?

Just some randomness...

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

OMG - I am feeling the same way. I just don't have it in me this year! the tree has been up since Sunday night, but we have yet to put lights or ornaments on it, I haven't done any shopping - not for James or anyone else for that matter. We were supposed to have our anual holiday party this weekend, but we canceled it because I'm totally overwhelmed with going back to work, the car accident and James being sick. Normally I LOVE decorating and stuff, but my heart is not in it this year.

I wish with everything I have in me that I was more into it - maybe next year... when he's a little bit more "aware"

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

We don't have our tree up yet either.

And last year, I was so exhausted that the tree was up, but we didn't put any ornaments on it...just the lights that came on it

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

I am missing my holiday spirit because I am completely broke and can't afford to buy presents. I wanted to get DD some fun toys even though she will only be a little over 4mnths old. We did get A huge tree and decorated it while listening to Christmas music. I don't know. Next year i'll be more into it, I guess.

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

I am much more motivated than my DH. He is the one that usually gets things started. We moved into a new coop just before DS was born and of course the area that I want to put the tree in is a friggen mess The only progress DH has made was he hung the lit garland over the archway...uh...could you move the friggin bins out of the dining room so our son can have a tree for his first christmas please....its ONLY been 2 1/2 months

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

I feel the same way. My tree is up, my shopping is done, and I can play Christmas music until I'm blue in the face. I'm just not "feeling it" this year. I don't know why. I think it's just exhaustion, but I'm kinda bummed about it.

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

First off-she's only a year old so she will not remember. Why don't you just get a tabletop tree and decorate with only your special ornaments. Much easier.

I was just reading the other day an article that said even if you don't feel happy, act happy because the way your brain works you will actually become happier

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

She will have no idea. DS was 3 weeks old his first Christmas, and we put up a small tabletop tree. That was it, couldn't deal with more. When he was a year old I skipped the tree since he was walking and sticking everything in his mouth. I also don't think he really understood no at that point. So at 2 years old, this is the first time we have decorated and bought a tree.

And honestly, this year he really notices the tree and appreciates it. So that motivates me to decorate a bit. But before this, I don't think he would have cared.

So don't feel bad--you'll either decorate a little this year or you won't, and she will not know. You have many years to decorate and do the holiday thing.

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

Posted by DRMom

First off-she's only a year old so she will not remember. Why don't you just get a tabletop tree and decorate with only your special ornaments. Much easier.

I was just reading the other day an article that said even if you don't feel happy, act happy because the way your brain works you will actually become happier

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

Posted by Goobster

Posted by cjik

She will have no idea. DS was 3 weeks old his first Christmas, and we put up a small tabletop tree. That was it, couldn't deal with more. When he was a year old I skipped the tree since he was walking and sticking everything in his mouth. I also don't think he really understood no at that point. So at 2 years old, this is the first time we have decorated and bought a tree.

I think you also hit the nail on the head with this. I guess I am bit overwhelmed with DD walking...crawling that I can't imagine putting up an object with lead (lights) and so many dangerous small parts!!!! Also I have two dogs, and I have to be super careful with them also. In addition, I am so depressed in my home....with all of the baby stuff, it feels so cluttered. I can't even think of ONE place the tree could go and be convenient, and SAFE (for her and my dogs). So I guess this is part of it.

But is it a GOOD enough reason to not acknowledge my DCs first xmas with decorations/a tree in my home?

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

I think its a normal feeling...I remember the first year after Michael was born...I was excited but I was TIRED!

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

I can't tell you how much I can relate to this post. Normally we have everything done, inside & out on Thanksgiving weekend & this year we still haven't put the outside stuff up. I also skimped big time on the inside decorations - tree is up though with lots of fight within myself. I kept telling DH I just wasn't into the holiday's this year - I thought something was seriously wrong with me. So glad to know others share the same feelings.

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

Still dont have a tree, and am not that happy about decorating it.

I still have all my shopping to do, and dont know when it will get done.

I have the holiday spirit, I am just so tired that on my free time all I want to do it sleep.

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

The ONLY thing I got done this year was a little tree, and that will probably be all I get done. DS is 2 this year though and LOVES it...but with my schedule between work and school, I am just burnt. The tree didn't even make it up last year at all, so I know what you are going through....

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

Awwwwww I hear ya - at 35 wks pg with my very active 2 yr old I have NO energy for the holidays this year and no time with getting ready for the new baby. That said, we put up the decorations last week and will do the tree this weekend. Honestly, even though it's a pain, I do think you will feel better if you do something - if not, I think you might feel worse. I have gotten a tree and decorated every year since DS was born - even when he was only 3 months old and we had just moved. No, they won't remember it but they WILL enjoy it in the moment. Even at his first christmas his eyes lit up when he saw the tree and the decorations and he loved ripping the wraping paper and looking at the lights and listening to the songs. I was hesitant with the tree last year since DS was 15 months old and running around and into everything but, he was pretty good about staying away and I was pretty good about keeping him away He loved it though and even though he doesn't remember it - he had a wonderful time at the time helping us with everything and just seeing santa every where etc. And, the memories last forever for us.

ANyway, my point is, if you can deal with it - do it - i think it might actually feel better once you get over the hassle of doing it.

HTH!

Re: DC's first xmas and I have no holiday spirit

I love the holidays, but i am sooo nervous about the tree and decorations with DD bc she is all over the place. I wanted to get either a small tree to put in the bay window or a fake tree, but DH wanted a big real tree, so I am super paranoid that she will get hurt, ven though I am very careful. I totally understand with the exhaustion part too. I haven't had a good night's sleep n a long time, and I am working full time, so it is hard to have motivation for anything when you are shot. I always feel like i am going through themotions for everything-- Christmas parties, holiday events, etc. In truth, I just want to cuddle on the couch with DH and DD, and nothing else! Christmas itself makes me anxious too, bc of so many people being all over her, and it being the season for sickness! Too many worries = unmerry Christmas!