When I decorate, the decorations don’t come down until Twelfth Night, which is January 6 (you know, the twelve days of Christmas?). So go ahead and enjoy the season for another week or so, which will bring you even closer to Valentines Day 😁

We too typically keep them up to 1/6. But we didn't start decorating until last week.

If you celebrate Mardi Gras you can extend the holiday decorations through Fat Tuesday. I just ordered more lights. When Christmas comes down, Mardi Gras goes up.

There will be a point when you can relax and enjoy the season in a different way.

Currently, you find joy in adding whimsy and decorating (and for some reason thinking you have to do the cooking for other’s family functions). I know there are people who appreciate your efforts, so carry on as long as its important to you.

This Christmas season is over, just like every other season there is an end. Look forward to the next.

I do not really pay much attention to Mardi Gras to be honest. We always get delicious king cakes with all sorts of different fillings from truck drivers that originate from Louisiana, which is nice. But being brought up in a strict Catholic household, Mardi Gras brings with it the memories of Lent, the most obnoxiously annoying span of time in the year. So i generally ignore it.

Maddielee, they are MY familys functions. And I have my reasons for doing so. Mainly to lighten the burden of those I love,even in a small way.

I've realized I enjoy the anticipation and preparations, decorating, cooking, sending cards, etc., so much more than Christmas day. Ours was a bust this year anyway - family here from out of town got sick, so all plans were cancelled.

And I also don't un-decorate until after Jan. 6 - a.k.a. Epiphany.

I love Lent! Great time to try quitting something or starting something. 30 days makes or breaks a habit, or so they say, so 40 is a good effort. Less daunting for me to take baby steps with Lent than the overwhelming New Years Resolution.

But Lent isn't really a holiday, so here's a day that I've often had the thought to randomly turn into a BFD. And it falls on a Friday this year! In pink, just for you:

After Christmas, I decorate for winter! To me, January is about blue and white, and snowflakes. And maybe snowmen! and sledding! I have several sledding decorations, and I like putting out my blue and white candles. and I have some blue-and-white Asian style pottery I like to bring out. And little white twinkle lights kick it up!

Carolb, I feel the same. I begin to feel sad on Christmas night, because its all over now. My Christmas Day was not good this year either. My SO (a truck driver) left at 11pm on Christmas Eve night to run his load for Christmas ,so that he would be back early Christmas Day. On his way back, there were something like 4 wrecks on the interstate, and he ran out of time and had to sit at a truck stop until his hours reset (10 hours) He didn't make it back until 3 am on the 26th. I spent the day doing laundry and cooking a meal that wasn't eaten until the next night. And watching various version of A Christmas Carol.

However, we did figure out a way to facetime. I have an android phone, he an iPhone, so Facetime would not work for us. but we found a work around and were at least able to FaceTime and see each other on Christmas, even if not in person.

And don’t forget that tomorrow is Excelsior Day!

But being brought up in a strict Catholic household, Mardi Gras brings with it the memories of Lent, the most obnoxiously annoying span of time in the year. So i generally ignore it.

That's why Mardi Gras exists. It's a time to let it all out before stepping into Lent.

If you ever get a king cake from Dong Phoung bakery, you've struck gold! Couldn't believe I stood in line for 3 hours last year to buy one. In the end it was so worth it!

https://www.dpbakery.com/

Joy and grief can coexist. Same with laughter and pain. They always have and always will. 🙂

We had several really joyous Christmas family celebrations. A couple separate just due to time and other spread-out family plans, but fun and good anyway.

My brother got Covid and he and his wife missed out on our local family dinner in Christmas Eve. I know he was upset and even at one point was going to come, masked, and isolate. It was so selfish, and some of us were so mad, we stated we wouldn’t come if he was there, so that was that. He stayed home.

I’m sad today because I learned that the daughter (around 43) of one of my oldest childhood friends was found dead this morning. An autopsy will be done. She was not a drug user, but had been on one of the diabetic injectable drugs used for weight loss and apparently had been very sick for several days. That is all I know at this time.

Amy, I’m so sorry your SO didn’t get home. And the post-Christmas let-down can be very real as you know. I’m sending you a big old hug that you will feel better and more cheerful soon.

I look forward to seeing you happy next October. Meanwhile, take solace in your wonderful SO, your dogs, and all the many little things that bring small bursts of joy into your life. Who knows, maybe you will find the ultimate pink casserole dish when you least expect it!

I was not in the mood for Xmas this year, bought no gifts , got no gifts, and played no Xmas music. But I was with part of the family while my son was cruising somewhere on the high seas. But I keep my Xmas decorations up till New Year's Day...both inside and outside. Why are you in such a hurry to take them down? It's still the season.

I prefer to get unpleasant things over with. My mandatory training courses at work are not due until August. They have been completed since September, as soon as they were assigned to me. Because I HATE them and I want to get them over with. My bills get paid the second they are issued, because I hate them and want them out of the way. After Christmas, I know I have to take them down, so I want to get it over with. Rip the band-aid off, if you will. Otherwise, I just stew over the task and nag myself about it.

The house always feels so strange and empty once the decorations are down. We are entering the cold, gray months, so that doesnt help. I didnt get Christmas tree this year for the first time. I am sorry I didnt get just a small one. I missed it. It was also my first Christmas without my mother, although she was not mentally there for the past two years.

Amy, why not put a Christmas decoration inside a drawer at your desk or in a cabinet to give you a smile all year?

I'll admit I don't have much decor to take down this year. I didn't really decorate inside, other than a bucket filled with greenery and hung with some ornaments, a spray on the front door and lights on the front porch - and I filled a glass bowl with ornaments too. I just wasn't feeling it this year, so our tree stayed in its box.

Work is a whole different story - staff went all out with 3 big trees, lights & tinsel & snowmen & snowflakes everywhere, a larger than life surfer Santa (creepy, IMO) and 4 elves on the shelf that the kids went bananas over.

I've always had post-Christmas depression since I was a child, and this year was no different, although the years that we did not celebrate Christmas at all it did not happen.

There is MLK Day in January (Kevin gets this holiday), Presidents' Day and Valentine's Day in February (plus my birthday, which is always around Mardi Gras), but I do agree that Ash Wednesday is a bit depressing, especially in New Orleans.

We're coming back to Cathedral City for MLK Day as well as for Presidents' Day and will stay for Modernism Week in Palm Springs, which also always includes my birthday. Kevin's birthday is the day before St Patrick's Day, and sometimes we travel for that.

Texas Independence Day is March 2, and we used to celebrate that when we lived in Texas, but that was decades ago.

Anyway, I very much sympathize with post-Christmas depression, and I used to go for Mexico for a month or six weeks to get over it. That was when I lived way north in San Francisco, where the days got very short.

Amy, I'm sorry this is a hard time of year for you. I know how much effort you put into Fall, then the major holidays. I really wish I had a way to cheer you up. You have so much value and things to look forward to, you shine at other times of the year but don't seem to know it.

I'm leaving my decorations out until sometime in between New Years Day and the epiphany. When the mood is right whichever day it is, I'll pack and put away.

I wanted them up this week, we're having either lunch or early dinner either tomorrow or Friday with a friend with Parkinsons. She is 7 years younger than I am. I never know when she's going to have a good day or a bad day and be able to socialize so I'm just leaving it open to whatever works out best for her - then we will drop whatever we are doing to take advantage of a good period.

If she's not too tired I'd like her to come over for while after Mexican food (that she requested). I had my first artificial tree in my life this year. She ran a Christmas tree farm until her health began to fail so we'll have a laugh over the fake tree 😊

Maybe what I'm trying to say is we don't have to look very far to find someone who really has reason to grieve. I know, I know, that may not help but it doesn't hurt to remind ourselves of that occasionally. You have job you don't hate, property that's nice from your descriptions, a man who loves you deeply....I don't mean to sound glib in the least but tell yourself that out loud at least once in the morning, every day until this mood passes.

You hate my favorite time of year - summer. Ours are not hot or humid. I have a guest room and you are welcome - but you might have to do some cooking when here.

dedtired, I share a desk with 3 other people, and I recently had a knock-down drag out fight with my mamas boy wannabe supervisor coworker over my paper "witch crossing" sign that I have kept under the glass of the desk for over 10 years. It was given to me by a person who no longer is there, and I treasure it. He keeps taking it out, and I keep putting it back. He told me he doesn't like "witch imagery" but gave no reason other than he "doesn't like it." And I told him I do not like nepotism or adults, especially "men" who need their mommy to get and keep them employed and yet here we are. After that, he continues to move it, and I continue to move it back. I am sure he will throw some sort of mamas boy hissy fit tantrum over any other year round holiday decor I may try to add. I hate him so much. While it would be my joy to aggravate him further, I do not wish to get in trouble for it, as I would, because of who his mommy is, and also because our supervisor has fallen for his sleazy fake persona he puts on and is deep in a serious bromance with him. I wrote a long, thought out, professional message to said supervisor, outlining all my grievances, insisting that I do have a right not to work in a volatile, hostile environment, pointing out all the policies this person has violated and other employees who have been fired for violating these same policies, giving specific examples of particular offences against me, and asking him to please do something about it, as he is his supervisor, not his friend. I received no reply, not even an acknowledgement. I doubt anything could make me smile there all year long, as long as things stay how they are. I did have a tiny snowflake window cling in the corner of the mirror in our bathroom, and it disappeared shortly after him starting here. It surprises me that he has not cried about the holiday decor altogether, and made it so I was not allowed to put it up, but I think he fears what repercussions would come with that, in regards to how others see him.

Morz, I realize my woes are somewhat frivolous, and I do appreciate how good of a life I have, all the time. I always keep that mind when going through my days. But I do not always thinks that the best way to get over sadness is to focus on the good. I rather focus on the sad feelings, fully indulge in self pity, then pull up my big girl drawers and get on with the rest of the year. I'm in stage 1 right now.

I don’t take decorations down right after Christmas, daughter and her family are coming the 29th and the decorations will slowly come down later but some winter decorations will stay for awhile. Besides, it’s a big job to pur everything away at once.

”But I do not always thinks that the best way to get over sadness is to focus on the good. ”

I don’t think you have to get over your sadness but you can let happiness happen.

The two can coexist.

Amy, I would never call your feelings frivolous. You feel what you feel. And, you know what works best for you while the rest of us are only guessing. You'll handle this - you always do.

Amy, if i were you, I’d be actively looking for a job in a workplace that appreciates you. Then I would move on, singing Joanie Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi”.

Unfortunately I don't have an answer. I'm so sorry you suffer from this affliction. I'm not sure if there is anything to be done about it but I feel for you.

I've struggled with this ever since I had hopes dreams and or expectations that were dashed.

Or rose so high emotionally on all of the fun with family friends and food that there was no way to go but down. It's like a sugar high and then you crash.

Usually I get my feet under me within 2 weeks or so. But it's a tough 2 weeks or so.

Good luck wading through all this. Sometimes it feels like black muck up to my waist that I'm wading through. No exaggeration that's what it feels like.

Also I hope your company realizes its mistake in not appreciating you.

Christmas is sad imo. All that hype and then deflation. I quite enjoy a bit of planning and a few days of food and family but I don't do much decorating. Definitely no special tableware, clothes, etc. We just hang up the cards and put up a real tree a week before 25th. Then it comes down on twelfth night. After which I officially consider it to be spring. I bring in all the budding hyacinths from the shed. I start spotting the local snowdrops and I get back out in the countryside. Time outdoors is a proven antidote to SAD. My walking buddies are free from visitors again and we start the new year with a decent hike. Jan 5th we'll be out on the coast, hoping the rain keeps off and we don't get blown away.

I hope you are feeling better. I feel like with all the work it takes to get ready for Christmas, that it should last longer. That being said, I took two of the three trees down today.

I think you should try to focus on something else that gives you joy - shopping the post christmas sales or going to a plant nursery or trying out a new restaurant or bakery. I went to two nurseries yesterday. I’m going to order some more planters from wayfair to spray paint pink this weekend. Hang in there Amy, I think your feelings are not that unusual and are justified.

It's very sad the truth is lost on soooo many. The Christmas season began Dec. 25th. All the prep and excitement was FOR THESE two WEEKS. There's no reason to abandon ship now!!!

Amylou...I totally "get" your work situation. I always had men "and" women that I hotly disliked, but had to endure...at work. I actually went to college, got my dream job....and the people were awful. I totally get it. BHut...outside of work....I had a BLAST! Hang-in-there.....time usually takes care of these people....they move on. Until they do...you have your life outside of work......your in control of that.

((((Hugs)))

Amy, I hope you feel better soon. Wrap your ceiling in stars and put out snowflakes and blue and white star cookies.

I am the opposite. I get depressed in the fall and do not like the holidays. I don’t cheer up until it kinda starts to look like spring.

I love Mardi Gras, Easter, and the three summer holidays. I love the heat. As I say, 70 is good, 80 is great, 90 is even better, and 100 ain’t bad! I am from around Mobile btw.

BTW: Make a copy of your witch and keep the original at home.

I saw a Lucy Worsley program on Christmas during Henry VIII’s time. Quite different than now! Advent was almost like Lent, lean. Christmas was the beginning! I see remnants of that in the Episcopalian church where I play, there are no decorations at all until Christmas Eve, only the Advent wreath by the altar. It was strange to be rehearsing on the 23rd for Christmas Eve while people swarmed around hanging greenery over our heads and arranging flowers.

I put Christmas decor away slowly, leaving seasonal festive things up until New Year’s, then shift to the wintry decor (some of the Christmas crosses over…as it should! Keep it all the year, as Scrooge learned.)

I'm sorry you're feeling down. I have SAD myself and pretty sure that's why I love Spring so much. I've been stuck at home for a while, alone. No Christmas dinners or festivities for me this year. I did get invited but friend's house is small and I didn't want to crowd them. ]]

My daughter and I have gotten sick each time we tried to get together. She came over last night with her dogs so they could run around in my backyard. She went and got take out Japanese and we ate in my room since I have no clean kitchen table. She also brought me a couple gifts.

We're supposed to meet today to do some pants shopping for her and possibly eat out at a nice Italian place near the mall. I'm a little worried about being out and about with all the sickness going around. Yesterday, had to run to Lowes to get more electrical things for the kitchen and so had breakfast, kinda late in the day at Bob's Big Boy. I went at a slow time so not too many people in there, which was good.

I think it helps the saddness to be around other people, even if you aren't a people person. Also, helps to stay busy.

Welll, Amylou, was in Wal-Mart and my daughter ran over to this display of Paris Hilton kitchen stuff. I almost bought the cute mixing bowls but I really didn't need them. She tried to talk me into taking her knife set so she could buy the pink set. lol. I declined. Made me think of you, though, so I snapped a picture. There were kettles and other things too.

Oh mah Gawsh! When I first heard that Paris Hilton was coming out with a line of cookware, my first thought was "why?" then my second was" Who cares why?!?!!?" I was willing to BET that it was going to be pink!!!! And she did NOT disappoint. I plan to milk the fact that my birthday is on the 4th. SO does not know it yet, but he will be buying me an unholy amount of her kitchen stuff for said birthday!!!! Or I will buy it for myself, doesn't really matter. Thank you for reminding me! cheered me up for sure!

I just watched this cute video by English Heritage about the 12 days of Christmas in England, and apparently, the official last day of the Christmas season was traditionally Feb 2 (!)

And...now I am crying.

Good crying.

For background, this year I made and sent out big buckets of treats to all the different departments, probably ten in all. Nothing special, candy canes, chocolate and other candy, some various snacks, and topped off with some Little Debbie Christmas Tree cakes. I also made a point to go around and refill said treat buckets throughout the month. No big deal to me, its what I do. Its just snacks and candy! I made sure all the shifts would have treats, even on my off days. I would refill on my first night back and my last night, to cover everyone.

I was taking down my work decorations, a sad, tedious task, and 2 of my friends came by to help. But that's not all. They presented me with a gift. All the people that I work with in all the different departments (except my own, go figure) chipped in and got me a foldable, PINK, metal rolling shelf for me to display my candles on to sell! And a 100 dollar amazon gift card. I cried like a baby! I was NOT expecting that and do NOT give out treats or other things in order to get presents in return! I do it to be nice.

I did make a treat bucket for the people in MY own department, and didn't even get a thank you. I did get a text on my day off asking if I had any more Christmas tree cakes stashed at work because they had eaten all the ones I put out. I should be salty about that, my own department treats me worse than everyone else. But like I said, I do not do it expecting reciprocation, and honestly I am no longer shocked by the behavior of the cretins I work with directly.

I am still so shocked and so THRILLED!

My new shelf! Isnt she pretty?

These are the treat buckets I sent out, like I said, about 10 in all. I think I got a way more thoughtful gift than these things!

What a lovely gesture from your co-workers! They obviously really appreciate the fun and festive treats you give to them, and wanted to reciprocate your brightening of their work places. A heartwarming story - thank you for sharing it!

A favorite from Dr Seuss: don't be sad it's over....be glad it happened.

It's good to see that others do appreciate your kindnesses! Hopefully someone in one of the other departments will make an innocent remark like, "So, what did you guys do to thank AmyLou for her awesome Christmas stuff? We gave her a cool shelf and an Amazon gift card" to someone in your department and they will hang their heads in shame and get their act together.

I know you don't expect reciprocation but it's not nice to be constantly taking and never giving, and it's beyond rude to be demanding a refill on the free treats.

I hope you build on it.

I hope you're enjoying this season's lettuce, etc. and that you'll keep going. I also hope, that you'll take other advice to heart, and build on that. You totally deserve better. People have shown you at your work, that you are appreciated. That matters. Go someplace you're appreciated by everyone, not just by coworkers. You totally got this!