Comments on: The Christmas Issue…

By: Lara (Thinspired)

Lara (Thinspired) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:14:48 +0000

I can’t help but love Christmas, but I COMPLETELY understand those who don’t. It has become so over-the-top commercial in recent years that it is sometimes hard to stomach, even for die-hard XMas fans like myself. I just have really fond memories of it from my childhood. That is really the only reason.
My parents also divorced when I was younger but oddly that didn’t affect my XMas love (it sure affected other things though!). I can definitely see how that could affect someone. I am happy to read that each year it gets better though :) I hope this one is fabulous for you <3

By: Sara

Sara — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:30:10 +0000

Susan it’s Sara your sister here. I just read this and I couldn’t agree with you more. I love christmas because I get to see you all, but there is no way to describe that first Christmas outside of traumatic. I admire that you’re using the blog to communicate these difficult things, though the circumstances around what happened with our family are unique I don’t think some of these feelings (even years after) are.
What I love most about Christmas is just being around you, jane and mom for that first bit (and dad once we go to his place!). There’s a sense of humour we all have that I don’t seem to share with many others and just hearing us all joke around is what’s so special.
I think yoga this year would work well…nana can show us some tricks! And don’t know if mom told you but I might be bringing an african guest. xoxoxo

By: janetha

janetha — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:43:40 +0000

awe susan, thanks for sharing your story! i always wondered why it was that you hated christmas. i loved reading this! i love your family from what i have read from you and i am glad you are making it a goal to get more into christmas! now.. how about the pumpkin?? ;)

I MISSED YOU! glad i am back!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:01:20 +0000

Thank you for opening up to us about this. My family is quite similar (my parents also splitting at age 12 and having to split holidays between 2 groups) and like you said, it’s “better” this way; it is hard. Thanks for being honest!

My favorite thing about the holidays IS family haha. I like when one side of my family or the other gets together with all of our relatives because then it really feels like a big family holiday time, and I love that :)

By: A Takeout Tuesday « The Great Balancing Act

A Takeout Tuesday « The Great Balancing Act — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:17:33 +0000

[...] on November 10, 2009 by Susan Wow, thank you so much for the feedback on my post about the "Christmas Issue." To be honest, I was most worried about what my family would have to say about the reason why [...]

By: Angharad (Eating for England)

Angharad (Eating for England) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:02:47 +0000

Yoga is just what the doctor ordered! It makes so many things better. I have to say I am not a big holidays person either, not coming from a very ‘close’ family…but my favourite part is the cooking and eating (duh)!

By: Bekah

Bekah — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:55:46 +0000

hummus+eggs= genius!

I love that you don’t skip on the eggs either. 2 whole eggs+4 whites is like the perrrfect protein effecting serving size. Love it. Eating that for dinner, like, this week.

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:32:09 +0000

Obviously, this Christmas needs to include a yoga sesh with my fam. I see a new family tradition in the making… ;)

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:22:48 +0000

You’re right Angie, the extra dinners between two homes are probably a bonus ;)

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:18:07 +0000

Haha Leah, I don’t think one thing I drink over Christmas ISN’T spiked with alcohol :P We even have mimosas with breakfast!

By: Diane Fit to the Finish

Diane Fit to the Finish — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:13:36 +0000

Holidays are tough, and I’m sorry that you had that kind of experience right at the beginning of 7th grade. That’s a hard time anyway – especially for girls.

I had a very dysfunctional family growing up and holidays weren’t fun. Even though I’ve been married for a long time to “Mr. Christmas” I still have to work up the proper enthuasism!

By: Holly

Holly — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:42:01 +0000

oh girl, i cannot imagine how tough that was for you to talk about personally. and i completely understand where you are coming from – i have never been in that situation but i can imagine how it would completely shift the foundation of your being. that said…we may not both love christmas, but we both love yoga. and that my friend, happens all year long!

i love you girl – thank you for sharing and thank you for that hummus frittata. GENIUS!

By: Adam @ turnupmyworkout.com

Adam @ turnupmyworkout.com — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:28:27 +0000

First of all, your breakfast this morning looked AMAZING…Fluff on oatmeal? Unbelievable, I can’t wait to try it!!

As for Christmas, there are two things that I really love about it:

1.) The Music: not the cheesy kind you get in the stores when you’re shopping, but the really beautiful Christmas music – try Sarah McLachlan – Song for a Winter’s Night or River two amazing songs!! If that doesn’t get you into the spirit, I don’t know what will.

2.) The smells: I love the smells of Christmas, pine tree, hot chocolate, anything cooking in the oven (although not exclusive to Christmas) cookies…mmmmm…cookies!!

Oh and family too…I don’t mean to leave that to last because that’s the most important, but I thought that one might go without saying.

Now I AM IN THE SPIRIT!!

- Adam @ http://www.turnupmyworkout.com

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:49:31 +0000

My favorite thing about the Christmas season would be gingerbread, eggnog, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin. Plus all the little baked goodies people gift me with! :) I also like getting together with family, though now that my grandparents are gone my extended family doesn’t really get together anymore.

By: ellie

ellie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:26:53 +0000

I’m sorry Christmas stirs up such rough memories for you. I have similar feelings about Christmas for the same reasons (my parents seperated the first week of school when I was 12 too). My mom remarried an Orthodox Jew a few years later so all Christmas festivities stopped after that which was hard because my dad was living abroad, and I wanted to carry on our family traditions.

Favourite thing about the holidays- I love all the Christmassy foods, the music and the movies on TV :D