Is it normal to get this stressed about christmas shopping?

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9 Comments

I can't stand the stress of Christmas shopping. I never know what to get anyone (they're all notoriously difficult to buy for) and yet there's so much pressure to get everyone a gift that they'll love. The look of disappointment in some people's eyes after receiving a gift they didn't like in past years haunts me to this day, they try to act enthused but it's easy to see through it and that just makes it more sad. The last couple years now I've just started to dread the lead-up to Christmas. I also start stressing about Christmas earlier and earlier, like from October even. And even if I do think of a good present for someone I'll think "But what would I be able to get them next year then", so I'm even starting to stress about the next Christmas.

At my most stressed I've caught myself saying "I hate Christmas!". That's not true though, once Christmas day comes I love it. I love the Christmas period (from Christmas day onwards), all the decorations, Santa Claus, the songs, and just the general Christmas spirit and magic, it's just the lead-up to Christmas I hate due to the Christmas shopping. But I've come to realise that as much as I love Christmas for these reasons, the main thing I love about Christmas more than anything now is just the fact that by the time Christmas day arrives, it means that I'll have definitely finished the Christmas shopping. The stress is over and I can breathe again. So now I'm starting to think Christmas just isn't worth it anymore, it's just a relief from stress that I'd be altogether much happier just avoiding in the first place. I wouldn't mind skipping Christmas for a few years or spending it on my own. Especially when I think that this stress is never going to end, it's going to return every year until I die, I just get so fed up and feel like just refusing to buy anything for anyone anymore.

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Based on 7 votes
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Comments ( 9 )
  • Mini69
    3 years ago

    Best thing to do is take all the money you would have spent and donate it to charity. Then you give everyone a card showing what charity you donated to this year, instead of wasting money on unnecessary Christmas presents that nobody really wants or needs anyway. That way if anyone appears disappointed, they just show themselves up as being mean spirited and they are the ones that look bad in front of everyone else. You meanwhile, come off as the really kind thoughtful person that wants to help others less fortunate. The only ones that need an actual present to open are any children you buy for.

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    • donteatstuffoffthesidewalk
      3 years ago

      a donation has been made in your name to the human fund

      the human fund-'money for people'

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    • GaelicPotato
      3 years ago

      That is honestly a little obnoxious and kills the spirit of Christmas.

      You'll always be "ugh, that guy with the fucking charity cards".

      They'll think you only donate to get out of having to be thoughtful, and they'll say he probably never donates outside of it.

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      • Mini69
        3 years ago

        Hopefully no one will ever look at me and think ‘that guy’. But nevertheless it’s quite common here in the UK, has been for quite a few years. Maybe we are not as self centred and materialistic as you people in the US.

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  • a-curious-bunny
    3 years ago

    Obligatory gift giving is the worst. Just don't get them anything. That'll teach them

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  • SwickDinging
    3 years ago

    Can you make something? And yes, I am being serious.

    For example, if you can make a batch of jam or chutney, then you can put them in nice little jars and wrap bow on them or whatever.

    You can do the same with spice mixes, cookies, fudge, caramel etc.

    If they aren't into food then you can make something else.

    If there's something nice that you can make then it's hard for it not to seem thoughtful. People who express disappointment at a nice handmade gift just seem like assholes.

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  • ellnell
    3 years ago

    Yes I get really bad anxiety because of it.
    It's worse this year because I can't really afford anything + I can't go to the mall.

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  • Meowypowers
    3 years ago

    I know this won't help you now, but what I do is shop for people throughout the year (well normal years) and keep everything in a closet until the holiday season. I shop while traveling, or at sidewalk art shows/ craft fairs, flea markets, or just when cool stuff is on sale.

    I buy with certain people in mind or get things that would work for several different people. In normal years I have probably 75% of my shoppong done before December. It relieves the stress of panic shopping to meet a deadline, most of the money I spend is at small businesses, the gifts are better, and I don't have huge credit card bills in January.

    I pride myself in being a good gift giver so I understand your not liking to see disappointment in peoples eyes, but try to remember that everyone should be thankful they're thought of and given ANYTHING.

    The idea of skipping Christmas isn't crazy either, I know people that aren't into the consumerism of it all and insist that you donate to charities if you feel so inclined to gift them anything. I also know a couple that (again during normal years) takes a Carribean cruise and skips it entirely. I wish you the best and hope you don't stress too hard.

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  • Somenormie
    3 years ago

    Yes as those times can feel really stressful because of this whole madness, nobody would know what to do at this point anymore.

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