[CHAT] Dealing With the Holiday Season

[ErinsAntics]

What are some things that make Christmas harder to deal with me?

Certain family members ... one of my aunts used to brag about my cousins achievements every family celebration, it was not fun for someone who was barely struggling to survive high school and had low self confidence (due to anxiety and dyspraxia). Thankfully that has stopped and she has realised that everyone is different and not everyone is academic, so that's good.

Then my other aunt had issues with my late Grandma so she avoided family celebrations altogether, but since my Grandma has passed away she has now decided to be part of the family but still acts weird. 

[Bee]

What are some things that can make Christmas harder to deal with?

For me, I'd say, family. Sometimes there can be lots of stress around Christmas which can be hard...

[j_]

2. What are some things that can make Christmas harder to deal with?

I come from a Roman Catholic family, which means that Christmas is very traditional in my household and as someone who is a non-practicing Catholic, it's a lot of trying to please everyone else at my expense, even if they know that doing all the religious stuff isn't my thing. Yeah, it sucks that family still aren't fully accepting of who I am spiritually (or in this case, non-spiritually), but I try to justify it by telling myself that I only have to do this one day a year.

Small price to pay, I guess? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[roseisnotaplant]

Hmm, so it seems like family is a difficult factor for a lot of people.

[Bee]

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@redhead wrote:
What are some things that can make Christmas harder to deal with?

Everyone expects you to have a happy family. And expect you to go way over budget on presents.
I pretty much don't give gifts and rarely see most of my family.
Another this is the food, as someone with an eating disorder it's very challenging.

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Well Said @redhead!

[Esperanza67]

What are some things that can make Christmas harder to deal with?

I agree with what @roseisnotaplant in that Christmas can be financially challenging, especially if you got a giant family like I do!

[ErinsAntics]

 I should point out that I am close with my mum's youngest brother's family (she is one of four) and my cousins from that family plus my 2 sisters and I band together and are close which is nice. We also sympathise with each other about the other family members. So they even out the weird family members haha 

[FootyFan26]

What are some things that can make Christmas harder to deal with?

• Financially straining
• Busy schedules
• Not having anyone to share it with
• Feeling responsible for buying presents for people who have bought presents for you

[Bee]

It does hey @roseisnotaplant Family seems to be a common factor, which leads us to our next Question...

3.During Christmas there tends to be a fair few social gatherings with family and friends, what can/do you do to cope if these can cause some difficulties for you? 

[j_]

Ah @Bee, I was literally seconds away from posting practically what you said HAHA.

3. During Christmas there tends to be a fair few social gatherings with family and friends, what can/do you do to cope if these can cause some difficulties for you?

Honestly, the best way that I go about this is being upfront of what makes Christmas difficult for me (in this case, treating Christmas very traditionally). This way, they're aware of what about it you find difficult and why, and if you're lucky, they may even try to make some concessions for you! (Trying to get my parents to bribe me with extra food )