Christmas Is No Longer a Source of Joy
Dear Abby | November 3rd, 2024 | Letter 2 of 2
DEAR ABBY: I have warm memories of Christmas from when I was a child. I didn't start disliking it until I was married to my second husband. My parents grew old, and we celebrated their last Christmas together. They passed several years ago. After that, I really disliked the season and all the crap that went with it. I have tried to like it over the last few years, and did all the holiday stuff. I sent out cards, baked cookies, decorated, bought presents -- even went to church. Last Christmas Eve, I just snapped. I couldn't take it anymore. I took down most of the decorations because I could no longer look at them. I'm not well, and my boyfriend has been sick off and on. He likes Christmas, so I will put some stuff back up for him, not for myself. Why do I dislike Christmas so much? It's such a pain in the butt. Maybe you can help me understand my feelings. -- SCROOGE IN INDIANA.
DEAR SCROOGE: Your change in attitude may have been caused by two things. The first would be that, in your mind, Christmas is linked to the loss of your parents and to a chapter of your life that is now closed. The other might have been caused by the incessant hype and merchandising surrounding Christmas that starts right after Halloween. It may be time to scale back and ask your boyfriend to help by celebrating the meaning of Christmas, instead of the trappings. Helping someone -- or a family -- less fortunate comes to mind.
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