https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 02:27:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-395493 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:27:57 +0000 MrsTiz 395493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I LOVE THEM! I come alive in the fall, I start decorating and cooking and making my house smell good, etc. I only cringe at fall/winter holidays for $$ reasons. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-395474 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:17:04 +0000 MediaNaranja 395474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I enjoy them but we are very low key about things. There is also zero drama in my family (like I said, we are low key!), everyone gets along well, and there aren't that many of us.</p> <p>We have never done holidays with extended family because they are all so far away, which tends to simplify things as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-395467 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:12:46 +0000 winniebee 395467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a little stressed about it this year - the tug of war over where we spend the holidays now that we have a baby - being back at work and balancing work, home, baby, husband, holiday shopping, etc. But Once they are here, I love them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-395453 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:03:57 +0000 pl0508 395453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I look forward to them every year but sometimes logistics (that is code for MIL - ha) make it difficult. I'm expecting her to be on her very worst behavior this year because instead of coming and staying Christmas eve with us we are asking she come Christmas morning instead. For two reasons. 1. it is our last christmas "alone" before baby and 2. i want to do santa/christmas morning with my children and my husband and no one else when they are little. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-395421 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 14:47:04 +0000 ValentineMommy 395421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish I could love them, but am usually stressed by in-law family drama, trying to see everyone, etc. It's usually more hectic than enjoyable. Blech. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-394364 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 04:40:52 +0000 Boogs 394364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's always something stressful, but we overall enjoy them. It's just that once you think you have things all figured out somehow another wrench gets thrown into your plans. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-394296 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 23:47:13 +0000 DigAPony 394296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marionberry: yes! I love Oregon, but it is quite nice to go down to AZ and see the sun. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-394265 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 22:46:17 +0000 marionberry 394265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I absolutely LOVE the holiday season. I love baking, picking out gifts, wrapping them, decorating the house, going to see Christmas lights, etc. etc. I am totally like a little kid. I look forward to sharing that love with a kid one day. The only thing I hate is having to go to my mom or my dad's house for holidays...they always get mad if I only go to one, but it's hard to be in so many places in one day.</p> <p>@digapony: I live in Oregon too and used to spend my summers in Arizona! Quite different areas, esp temps lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-394216 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:51:09 +0000 heffalump 394216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For the most part enjoy. My only stress is usually dealing with lo's sleep /nap schedule. For example, thanksgiving tradition is to do the turkey trot that starts earlier than lo wakes up. So I'm stressing out about either missing the trot or lo being cranky. Neither sounds fun. But at least its not family drama or something worse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-394192 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:34:45 +0000 prettylizy 394192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love love love. Especially now that we're three:) I love the food, the family, the gifts, the decorations. I like to get my shopping done before Dec 1, and then I can just sit back and enjoy 25 days of happiness. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-394173 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:25:53 +0000 mamabolt 394173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to love them, but now they usually end up stressing me out, especially the drama of whether we are spending it with my family or DH's family. His family is super small and doesn't do anything big for the holidays, so I always end up really missing my family and their huge gatherings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-394152 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:06:13 +0000 JerricaBenton 394152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love them - there is absolutely 0 drama in my family because it's so small. My husband's family has a little drama but they are so scarily non-confrontational that it is just the kind of drama that has us kicking each other under the table and laughing about it later. We also always have our dog, and now I'm pregnant so we always have an excuse to take a breather. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-394057 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:49:08 +0000 Mrs.M57 394057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love them! There's definitely always stress, but especially this year, I refuse to let stress get to me, because it is our first holidays with dd, we are so blessed :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-394040 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:40:46 +0000 Mrs. Train 394040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love them and I get a bit stressed. Just planning events, dinners and parties are a lot of work but I absolutely love it. I live continuing traditions with my kids and sharing thd joy with them. There is some drama, a cousin of mine hasn't talked to me in two years. But I choose to ignore it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-394030 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:30:48 +0000 singingbee 394030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love them. we are do not have a lot of drama in my family over the holidays, but what would the holidays be without drama? : ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-393995 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:07:38 +0000 Smurfette 393995@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love them! They might be a little stressful but I don't mind it. In the end it is totally worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-393990 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:03:51 +0000 jennylynn 393990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to really enjoy them, but it always winds up being really rushed and hectic, and I imagine it'll be even more rushed now that LO is here. I've been trying to get DHs family to join our family holiday dinners for the past few years bc I think that'd minimize A LOT of our rushing around and craziness of trying to get everywhere in 1 day. Plus, his side of the family is only 4 people (not counting us), so it just makes more sense to me. But, sigh, it's not happening.... so we have to try to squeeze in 2 dinners on Thanksgiving + LOs nap in a 3 hour time frame. I just hate feeling rushed! Don't even get me started on the 4 Christmas gatherings we have. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-393975 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:58:46 +0000 Turd Ferguson 393975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I LOVE the holidays, but because I'm a huge introvert, I don't really love the "social" (*cough*family*) part of it...it can get exhausting... I also agree that drama somehow aaaaalways finds a way in! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-393950 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:46:48 +0000 immabeetoo 393950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think we're really lucky, there isn't really any family drama on either side (knock on wood). I enjoy them, although this year is a little stressful because Christmas will be so close to baby's arrival and I'm nervous about lots of people wanting to put their paws on him. But we'll see :) LOVE gift making &amp; giving, and getting to see my family all in one spot since we're all spread out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-393946 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:45:00 +0000 Mrs. Superhero 393946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love it all, but there is very little drama in my family and we don't do overly expensive gifts. </p> <p>Christmas is my favourite thing ever, I'm like a child. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-393929 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:32:11 +0000 Tidybee 393929@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love thanksgiving but not so much christmas. i hate the shopping, gift giving, gift receiving and chaos leading up to it. I do love the carols, traditions, church, etc. thanksgiving is awesome because there's so little prep except for cooking and to me, its what a holiday is all about -- being together and grateful for what we have. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-393845 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:42:09 +0000 blackbird 393845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah definitely a double edged sword </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-393837 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:37:06 +0000 DigAPony 393837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me it's a double-edged sword. I enjoy the holidays, because it's the only time of year I get to go back to my hometown and see my extended family (I'm from Arizona but live in Oregon). But, travel is inherently stressful, expensive, and annoying. And even though I always get really excited about being "home," it is kind of boring. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-393823 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:26:04 +0000 SugarplumsMom 393823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to LOVE the holidays, especially Christmas! But since first meeting DH's fam, I've been stressed out and dreading Christmas! I'm working to change that this year. My goal is to love the holidays again and not let anything or anyone get in the way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-393814 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:17:37 +0000 .twist. 393814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really enjoy them but they do stress me out a bit. </p> <p>I host a xmas party for my husbands company each year. I stress about getting the food done and decorating done. I also feel like my decorating style SUCKS, so I end up feeling crappy about that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-393804 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:12:00 +0000 BeachMama 393804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like the holidays but they always stress me out. There's always family drama - my dad drinks too much and turns into an a-hole. Last year he and my sister got in a huge fight on Christmas Day and basically haven't spoken since. It makes me so sad to see my family fall apart. And it's LOs first holiday. I just wish it could be a happy time but it'll probably be full of awkwardness and stress. Next year I think DH and I will start focusing on creating our own traditions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-393801 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:10:26 +0000 MrsSPB 393801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I normally love every moment of the holidays and just refuse to allow family drama to interfere with our holiday cheer. However, I have already cried more than I care to admit this year. LO's first holiday was Halloween and MIL didn't even bother to drive the 10 blocks to see her but she was free to spend the whole day with her other grandkids. My family was supposed to fly in from CA for Thanksgiving, but that fell through and my dad got deployed by FEMA to respond to Hurricane Sandy. So, he'll be missing Thanksgiving. So, I've been pretty disappointed. DH and I decided today to look at it as a blessing though - we get to celebrate our first Thanksgiving just how we choose with no outside interference. Trying to focus on the positive and stay cheerful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-393792 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:08:14 +0000 ladyfingers 393792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I enjoy them. My family's not big enough to where it makes me stress out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-393784 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:03:12 +0000 aprk 393784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been working on trying to enjoy the holidays more. I am generally a Christmas grinch ... it wasn't very fun when we were young, and I guess I'm still not over it. I start trying to get in to the spirit around August, but usually end up cranky about something. I'm much too logical to just enjoy the holiday season - we're not Christian, and I hate the materialism that overwhelms American Christmas, so I don't have anything to hang my hat on, so to speak.</p> <p>I do like the pretty lights, though! And the greenery! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-do-you-enjoy-the-holidays-or-do-you-feel-stressed-out-by-them#post-393776 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:58:33 +0000 Mrs. Pen 393776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always love and enjoy them... but this year I'm getting really anxious because of money :( I hate that is has to ruin them... but it totally is.</p> <p>We have never participated in gift exchanges with DH's family because they live so far away, they never send us anything and vice versa and I was TOTALLY fine with that!! That meant only buying for each other, the sibs we draw in my family (so two total, one for DH, one for me) and my parents. That was it, easy peasy and usually less than $100.</p> <p>This year his family kinda coerced us into exchanging gifts even though we're 1000 miles away... I normally would love this but I'm freaking out about money. ughhh... so this is not fun :(</p> <p>otherwise I usually enjoy and love it. </p>