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The Christmas Stuff

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 nekorb (original poster member #40306) posted at 8:51 PM on Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Finally starting to un decorate the house from Christmas.

I know, I know. I don't want to hear it.

I had to stop after putting the stockings in their box and making sure WH's was on top for easy retrieval when he packs his things.

Suddenly it dawned on me that no one would be filling my stocking next Christmas. WH always did that. I can't expect my kids to do it.

It makes me so horribly sad. I'm hiding in my room right now so the kids don't see me crying.

I also made WH a beautiful stocking - I made one for all of us. I'm not giving it to him. He doesn't deserve it. He can take the one his mother made for him. She made me one too. All the kids have one. We usually hang hers over the fireplace and Santa fills those. (My kids are all teenagers. I don't care. It's Santa dang it!) the ones I made get hung on the staircase and they all know I put a little something special in there from me.

Then I start thinking about the budget for next year for gifts, which won't be much. I think about having to ask my parents if we can not exchange gifts next year so that I can give more to the kids.

It makes me so sad. I love to give gifts.

I just decided in this moment that I'm going to start working on something handmade for my family members that like that sort of thing.

Me: BS 44; Him: WH 47 M - 22 Years
D-day: 7/2013; D filed 7/2014; Divorced 7-27-16
...the WS affair starts off in a dreamland where everything is all Golly, Wow! and Meant To Be! and Soul Mates drop from the trees to frolic in the mist. -devotedman

posts: 5796   ·   registered: Aug. 13th, 2013
id 6682842
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Catwoman ( member #1330) posted at 8:53 PM on Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

My then-teens, now young adults, always put something in my Christmas stocking. Give your kids some credit.

Cat

FBS: Married 20 years, 2 daughters 27 and 24. Divorced by the grace of GOD.
D-Days: 2/23/93; 10/11/97; 3/5/03
Ex & OW Broke up 12-10
"An erection does not count as personal growth."

posts: 33182   ·   registered: Apr. 5th, 2003   ·   location: Ohio
id 6682845
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 nekorb (original poster member #40306) posted at 8:56 PM on Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

I will love it if they do. My oldest will probably remember, but I don't want them to feel obligated to do it. You know?

Infidelity sucks.

Me: BS 44; Him: WH 47 M - 22 Years
D-day: 7/2013; D filed 7/2014; Divorced 7-27-16
...the WS affair starts off in a dreamland where everything is all Golly, Wow! and Meant To Be! and Soul Mates drop from the trees to frolic in the mist. -devotedman

posts: 5796   ·   registered: Aug. 13th, 2013
id 6682850
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Lionne ( member #25560) posted at 8:56 PM on Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

You certainly CAN expect your kids to fill your stocking! Just make sure you tell them, dont expect them to think of it on their own. Have a brainstorming session in the spring/summer about cheap our free things that are nice stocking stuffers.

We sometimes add sea shells, favorite fruits, etc.

And think about a pollyanna with your extended family.

Me-BS-71 in May HIM-SAFWH-74 I just wanted a normal life.Normal trauma would have been appreciated.

posts: 8533   ·   registered: Sep. 18th, 2009   ·   location: In my head
id 6682852
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norabird ( member #42092) posted at 9:05 PM on Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

I think there is no shame in picking up something nice for your stocking from Santa, too

It certainly is hard to look back at mementos that were part of pre-DDay life--but you will still have beautiful Christmases. And I bet your homemade presents will be the envy of everyone.

Sit. Feast on your life.

posts: 4324   ·   registered: Jan. 16th, 2014   ·   location: NYC
id 6682861
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EvenKeel ( member #24210) posted at 9:06 PM on Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

This is a great opportunity for new traditions. Don't get so hung up on 'what isn't anymore' that you rule out something new.

If stockings are important to you - make a priority.

One year when I was growing up we exchanged names for stockings and set a $20 price limit. It is amazing what you can do with a little bit of money when you are just concentrating on one person and their likes (ie lottery tickets, lip balm, etc).

The first few years I did not even put my stocking up (just the kids) because it was too depressing. I am fine now. Like others said, even my little one will sometimes make something and put it in there.

Good news is you are thinking about this now (well....even if you are putting it all away ) This gives you a lot of time to think of what you would like to do next year, etc.

RE: Budget - I did a Christmas Club account.....big help.

posts: 6985   ·   registered: May. 31st, 2009   ·   location: Pennsylvania
id 6682864
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tushnurse ( member #21101) posted at 9:06 PM on Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Sorry I have to agree with the Cat's here.

You can expect it, and it is your job as their mom to tell them that you expect it.

Lead by example. In other words. Say hey I fill yours, and now you fill mine, and when you have a family it will be your responsibility to make sure that your wife's is taken care of too.

It sucks and is painful to deal with all of that, but it is also a chance to teach your children how not to be.

Me: FBSHim: FWSKids: 23 & 27 Married for 32 years now, was 16 at the time.D-Day Sept 26 2008R'd in about 2 years. Old Vet now.

posts: 20380   ·   registered: Oct. 1st, 2008   ·   location: St. Louis
id 6682865
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 nekorb (original poster member #40306) posted at 9:25 PM on Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Thanks for giving me the reminder that Christmas will be what I MAKE it to be with my kids. Darn straight.

They are old enough to have input. They are old enough for me to explain to them budget concerns and work within the given parameters.

Who knows...maybe my children will vote to DO something together vs giving each other THINGS with our budget. That might be a fun option too.

Thanks, People.

(((SI Peoples)))

Me: BS 44; Him: WH 47 M - 22 Years
D-day: 7/2013; D filed 7/2014; Divorced 7-27-16
...the WS affair starts off in a dreamland where everything is all Golly, Wow! and Meant To Be! and Soul Mates drop from the trees to frolic in the mist. -devotedman

posts: 5796   ·   registered: Aug. 13th, 2013
id 6682894
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simplydevastated ( member #25001) posted at 9:41 PM on Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Don't worry about it too much, you'll just stress yourself out that much more. It'll all work out, you'll see.

Back when I still had some money of my own and my husband and I stopped exchanging I filled my own stocking. I had slipper socks, lotion, body spray. It was great! The kids loved the fact that Santa brought me something. I have no money now so I can't do that anymore.

I have one idea for when I'm divorced (hopefully). I plan on buying gift cards to use to purchase gifts for the kids. I figure the money will be safe in the cards and I'll have them when I need them. A $25/$50 gift card here or there throughout the year will add up.

My family loves my desserts. So, one year I made my mom and sister their own apple pie. They thought it was the best gift ever and it made me feel good to be able to give them something.

I hope some of these ideas helps you.

(((Hugs)))

Me - BS, 40 (I'm not old...I'm vintage)
Two Wonderful children - DS11, DD8
Getting my ducks in a row for divorce... finally (4+ D-Days too many - listed in profile.)

posts: 6121   ·   registered: Jul. 31st, 2009   ·   location: In the darkest depths of hell!
id 6682925
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sunshine226 ( member #38851) posted at 11:17 PM on Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

I know how you feel

This past Christmas was very hard, money wise, and thankfully my kids were very understanding. And it made me realize, it isn't about the money or the gifts, its about spending time together.

Still struggling with the finances, but I plan to use a Walmart gift card and throughout the year, add funds to it so that come November, I will have a good amount of money on it to help out with Christmas. Tucking a little away every week might be helpful to you too, $5.00 here and there will add up after 7 or 8 months

Hang in there

PS My tree only came down 3 weeks ago!!!!

Me-BS (44)
Him-WS (47)
DDay 1/1/2012, common law for 22 1/2 years when he began A in September 2011
Status: moving on without him

posts: 234   ·   registered: Mar. 31st, 2013
id 6683052
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crazynot ( member #24572) posted at 5:58 AM on Thursday, February 13th, 2014

It will be FINE. GREAT in fact. That's been my experience. My kids MASSIVELY stepped up once HE had gone. We formed new traditions just the three of us and this Christmas, in our new rented place in the new area I've moved to, we all agreed twas our best ever. We do stockings too. JUST STOP with the sentimental stuff about this cheating man, Nekorb. I'd snip his stocking up and put it in the bin if I were you!!!!

Me - 50
Him - 51
DDay 21 March 2009
Divorcing and delighted!

Do you want me to tell you something really subversive? Love is everything it's cracked up to be. That's why people are so cynical about it.

posts: 1463   ·   registered: Jun. 26th, 2009   ·   location: UK
id 6683498
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