I do absolutely love Christmas so it's not a case of not liking it enjoying it. I really do love everything about it from the songs to the films, the excitement of the build up. I even love the quiet period afterwards.
Anyway, I'm feeling a bit anxious and overwhelmed too. I think that the reason for this is some of the behaviour from extended family members. I won't go into detail as I'm sure that some are on here, but let's just say Christmas seems to being out the worst in some people. Throughout the year I feel that I put up with a lot of shit off certain people. I would like the lead up to Christmas to be a relaxed, happy time for meeting up exchanging presents not watching adults behave like spiteful toddlers.
I think the other reason is that Christmas stirs up a lot of old feelings of childhood Christmases. Growing up we didn't have much money and my parents were very bad at budgeting and prioritising. Although we did end up having a Christmas Day it was always last minute and being a child I was very aware of this, presents were always ill thought out for example buying a little girl who wants a doll a toy car instead. Not having a nice outfit for a school Christmas party and my parents asking around for hand me downs or buying an outfit to wear and taking it back to the shop afterwards because they couldn't afford it.
Does anyone else have similar feelings?