Hating the holidays? - Page 2

Questioner · #11 11-24-2010, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Holidays are loaded with obligations and expectations because traditions must be carried on from year to year... decade to decade... largely so that women can annually make their wild and outlandish attempts to recreate moments and make memories they can call on for years to come which then serve as moments which they will attempt to recreate from year to year.

The lady folk are about moments... feelings... and emotions and whether it be birthdays, thansgiving, christmas, or the annual vacation they busy themselves from occasion to occasion year in and year out attempting to capture moments... recreate feelings and moments of the past and create new ones that we can all work to reproduce annually for the rest of our lives.

Sorry to be so frank about it all but I've put a lot of thought into it and that's pretty much what it boils down to.

This is why your question is going to fall largely down these lines... Women... No. Men... Yes.

I totally agree! My brother and I feel the same way... but my sister gets all emotional and wants to recapture things that cannot be created artificially. Maybe it does boil down to a man vs. woman thing.

Digging4Truth · #12 11-24-2010, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy

For the last few years we have avoided those problems. Because our family is so large, we get the meat done at the BBQ place. And each family member only has to bring one or two sides. The only must have is my dressing.

We keep it pretty simple, usually some extra people show up, and everyone takes home some leftovers. My decorating will be minimal this year.

Sounds reasonable and wise.

Don't get me wrong... we don't have a mens movement afoot calling for the abolition of momma's dressing.

As a matter of fact I am in charge of making my grandmothers dressing recipe each year unless I am home. Then my mom does it.

But I think it can get crazy and go way overboard. Those that wise up to the continual avalanche of "musts" save themselves much heartache.

I will make sure and express the reverse of what i have been stating. The ladies desire to create these moments does not go unappreciated. It is the overkill that causes eyes to roll behind their backs. Balance should be a virtue.

I have often discussed the concept of dressing. We all know that dressing must have been invented by some grandma that looked around and all she had to work with was some leftover cornbread and stale white bread... and she thought... what can I do with this. And from there she made the master culinary creation of all time.

I am sure that the balance you seem to have found does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

Cindy · #13 11-24-2010, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Sounds reasonable and wise.

Don't get me wrong... we don't have a mens movement afoot calling for the abolition of momma's dressing.

As a matter of fact I am in charge of making my grandmothers dressing recipe each year unless I am home. Then my mom does it.

But I think it can get crazy and go way overboard. Those that wise up to the continual avalanche of "musts" save themselves much heartache.

I will make sure and express the reverse of what i have been stating. The ladies desire to create these moments does not go unappreciated. It is the overkill that causes eyes to roll behind their backs. Balance should be a virtue.

I have often discussed the concept of dressing. We all know that dressing must have been invented by some grandma that looked around and all she had to work with was some leftover cornbread and stale white bread... and she thought... what can I do with this. And from there she made the master culinary creation of all time.

I am sure that the balance you seem to have found does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

I am blessed. My daughters and DIL's do most of the work. I really just have to sit around and supervise and enjoy.

rgcraig · #14 11-24-2010, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Holidays are loaded with obligations and expectations because traditions must be carried on from year to year... decade to decade... largely so that women can annually make their wild and outlandish attempts to recreate moments and make memories they can call on for years to come which then serve as moments which they will attempt to recreate from year to year.

The lady folk are about moments... feelings... and emotions and whether it be birthdays, thansgiving, christmas, or the annual vacation they busy themselves from occasion to occasion year in and year out attempting to capture moments... recreate feelings and moments of the past and create new ones that we can all work to reproduce annually for the rest of our lives.

Sorry to be so frank about it all but I've put a lot of thought into it and that's pretty much what it boils down to.

This is why your question is going to fall largely down these lines... Women... No. Men... Yes.

Yep. That's about it. I love it......the family, doing for them, trying to re-create "the feeling" - - it is all about that. Then, deep down there is always a disappointment or let down and usually, for me, it's because now I'm single.

rgcraig · #15 11-24-2010, 07:01 AM

BUT.....I have a new grandbaby, so that will make Christmas exciting!

Sherri · #16 11-24-2010, 07:01 AM

I love this time of year, even though my calendar is so extremely full that I can barely breathe! (And I'm fitting a trip to Belize in between Thanksgiving and Christmas). The holidays are all about family and fun and being grateful for what God has done for all of us. I love the shopping, the decorating, the gift wrapping -- even doing my son's piles of laundry that he brings home from college. It's just good to have everyone together.

Cindy · #17 11-24-2010, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

BUT.....I have a new grandbaby, so that will make Christmas exciting!

drummerboy_dave · #18 11-24-2010, 07:05 AM

I totally get the extra obligation aspect and don't much like it. It seems that every single group you're a part of wants to have an extra special shin-dig that's bigger and better than last year and it can get out of control in a big hurry. These extra activities and the built in deadline can cause crazy stress if you let it. But, I do enjoy the extra time we get to spend with family.

Whether it be the "holidays" or any of the other millions of things we can't control, it gets better once a person figures out what they have to do for themself in order to get through it. My plan, keep it simple, balanced and to scale. Say no, when you have to and remember, nothing is perfect; not even the best plan.

Digging4Truth · #19 11-24-2010, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drummerboy_dave

I totally get the extra obligation aspect and don't much like it. It seems that every single group you're a part of wants to have an extra special shin-dig that's bigger and better than last year and it can get out of control in a big hurry. These extra activities and the built in deadline can cause crazy stress if you let it. But, I do enjoy the extra time we get to spend with family.

Whether it be the "holidays" or any of the other millions of things we can't control, it gets better once a person figures out what they have to do for themself in order to get through it. My plan, keep it simple, balanced and to scale. Say no, when you have to and remember, nothing is perfect; not even the best plan.

Yep... if we all pitched in and bought McRibs from McDonalds... it's about everybody being together. That is the point... and... like weddings... the point is often lost in the hoopla.

Digging4Truth · #20 11-24-2010, 07:14 AM

Here's a question...

I find dressing worth the trouble. I REALLY like dressing.

How about Turkey?

Do we really like it? I have no use for the white meat on the bird at all. I like eating a wing or a leg. (And yes... I know the wing is considered white meat but it sits down at the bottom in all the grease. LOL)