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darclauz · 09-26-2003, 03:11 PM

I live in Columbus, and the rest of my family lives in Virginia Beach. Three kids...three spouses..and now 4 grandkids.

Christmas morning is insane. I buy 7-11 gifts per kid, and per parent. Everyone is like that...we take HOURS to open gifts. So last year, we elected to exchange names among the six spouses/kids. It was a great choice..shortened the insanity, helped the budget.

This year, both my brothers have sold houses and generated some profit. So that makes me the poorest relative. We all voted, and decided to buy for the kids....however, the wives in VA want to buy whatever for everyone, disregarding what we had all planned.

This is the time of the year when the histrionics begin. I love Christmas -- don't get me wrong. But we drive 600 miles (nearly), haven't yet had an "us only" Christmas with our daughter, and then have to endure anguish and angst from EVERYONE, while they share their own personal misery with all.

I love the holidays, I love to shop... and none of us have forgotten what Christmas means (at least in our household.) But the weeks before can be a genuine trial..always tears, always anxiety. This is the time of the year that I always want to cancel Christmas.

So! How does your holiday go? Do you have the same trials as my house?

09-26-2003, 03:11 PM	#1
darclauz Breathing into a paper bag Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 334	Holiday Madness I live in Columbus, and the rest of my family lives in Virginia Beach. Three kids...three spouses..and now 4 grandkids. Christmas morning is insane. I buy 7-11 gifts per kid, and per parent. Everyone is like that...we take HOURS to open gifts. So last year, we elected to exchange names among the six spouses/kids. It was a great choice..shortened the insanity, helped the budget. This year, both my brothers have sold houses and generated some profit. So that makes me the poorest relative. We all voted, and decided to buy for the kids....however, the wives in VA want to buy whatever for everyone, disregarding what we had all planned. This is the time of the year when the histrionics begin. I love Christmas -- don't get me wrong. But we drive 600 miles (nearly), haven't yet had an "us only" Christmas with our daughter, and then have to endure anguish and angst from EVERYONE, while they share their own personal misery with all. I love the holidays, I love to shop... and none of us have forgotten what Christmas means (at least in our household.) But the weeks before can be a genuine trial..always tears, always anxiety. This is the time of the year that I always want to cancel Christmas. So! How does your holiday go? Do you have the same trials as my house? __________________ Taking up smoking to lose weight.