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Ghosts of Christmas Past …

  • December
  • 6

6:19 pm Uncategorized

Can you see the cat amongst the gift wrap??!

I have a confession to make. I am not particularly fond of Christmas.

I feel like a traitor saying this. After all, I am a follower of Christ, and Christmas is when we recognise and celebrate the birth of our Saviour!

Perhaps my ambivalence is due to the ghosts of Christmas pasts … what Christmas was like for me as a youngster.

Growing up in a sole parent family meant that money was tight, and presents scarce. While my friends were receiving bikes, stereos, roller skates, and other big ticket items that we could only dream of, we were usually given $20 on Christmas Day – mainly because my mother hated Christmas shopping and avoided it at all costs.

In a way, receiving cash was a good idea - we then spent it on what we really wanted at the post-Christmas sales, and definitely got more for our money this way.

But somehow our Christmas Day always seemed lacking with no presents to open.

My mother had a severe mental illness, and the stresses of Christmas, financial worries, unrealistic expectations (a roast dinner in the middle of a summer heatwave!) and pressure from all corners to be joyful, brought out the very worst in my mother. In fact, psychologists will tell you that the holiday season is when suicides, and other mental health crises, reach epidemic proportions. Seems many others find that all the festivity only served to emphasise the fact that we WEREN’T a happy family, but at the time it felt like we were all alone.

My childhood memories of Christmas are anything but festive, in fact downright traumatic.

Thankfully that is all in the past!

Today I am blessed to have a husband who spoils me rotten each Christmas (regardless of the amount, it’s the thought that counts and he always puts lots of thought into it!), and two wonderful children. And yes, I probably do compensate somewhat for my own lack of pressies, and go a bit overboard with gifts for them …

Do you battle with any ghosts of Christmas past? How do you dispel them?!



7 comments

You know I’ve been thinking about making my own Christmas confessions on my blog! I’m struggling with some of my own memories as well as stresses and business of life today…..anyway I’m needing to give it some more thought but then I’ll be blogging about this topic myself – I might have some strategies by then! Give me a few days!!

Posted by Narelle Nettelbeck, on December 6th, 2009, at 8:47 pm. #.

This blog post started as a joking exchange between myself and a workmate, she was “horrified” that I “hated” Christmas … then for a joke gave me a badge which said “I hate Christmas!” When I wore it, hubby and Miss Julia did not like it one bit … they thought it gave the wrong impression. Isn’t it amazing how as mums we cover up our own feelings for the sake of others, to the extent they are shocked when they realise what we REALLY think??!

love Janet xxx

PS I am working on another blog post about why I struggle with Christmas (“hate” is such a strong word!) … so keep an eye out for it …

Posted by Webmaster, on December 7th, 2009, at 3:42 pm. #.

Don’t fall for the hating thing. Remember the “Howard haters”? If you attach the hate tag to someone you deny the validity of what they think. It’s perfectly valid to have reservations about something and see flaws in it. Attempts to denigrate you for not being mindlessly enthusiastic are really nasty. Don’t let them get away with it.

I find Christmas a mixed blessing. Mostly it’s the fake goodwill that is not in evidence throughout the rest of the year. But people in the southern hemisphere have a particular problem with the Dickensian Christmas. Note how some Australians celebrate Christmas in July by going to high places with the possibility of snow. Then they can eat roast beef and plum pudding and not feel inappropriate.

I’ve come to detest Christmas trees. Grow a small pine for some years then cut it down to slowly die in a hot loungeroom. The only way I cope with this is by putting it in the chipper in January and spreading the mulch out under the strawberries. They love this, so the next summer we get a good crop of strawberries. That’s the only thing that makes the tree worthwhile for me.

Posted by Ken Rolph, on December 9th, 2009, at 5:08 pm. #.

I like your comment Ken … “it’s perfectly valid to have reservations about something and see flaws in it” … I don’t hate Christmas (really!) but I do have mixed feelings. And I know I’m not alone!!!

Posted by Webmaster, on December 14th, 2009, at 8:10 pm. #.

Thanks for sharing Janet. I’ll put a link of these on my post. My Mum loved Christmas, and gave my sisters and I the BEST time ever. I guess I take that for granted even though I know there are a lot of stories like yours out there.

Posted by Kelly Be A Fun Mum, on August 13th, 2010, at 3:42 pm. #.

Kelly I hope that we (my hubby and I) are making great memories for our kids! From this generation on, my family will serve and honour the Lord – especially at Christmas time!

Posted by Webmaster, on August 13th, 2010, at 3:52 pm. #.

[...] Ghosts of Christmas Past [...]

Posted by Christmas is Coming : Be A Fun Mum, on August 13th, 2010, at 4:03 pm. #.

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