Holidays can be bothersome due to seasonal stress

Amy Link
Kansas State Collegian (Kansas State U.)

MANHATTAN, Kan. (U-WIRE) -- Remember when the holidays were all about you?

As I prepare for the holiday season -- no, I haven't started my shopping yet -- I can't help but look back fondly on a time when the holidays were completely without worries.

While growing up, the holidays were all about what I wanted.

Of course, I did shop for my family members, but it was easy. I had $20 and one afternoon to find all four family members something. It was simple -- a flashlight for Dad, car wax for my older brother, GI Joes for my little brother and the best $5 earrings Wal-Mart had to offer for Mom.

Nowadays, I roam the stores for days, stressing about what to get everyone. I want to show I did spend some time thinking about them and what they would like, so I opt to get them something more personal than a gift certificate for a guy or Bath and Body Works products for a girl.

However, straying from the norm causes me to think they will not like it and wonder why in the world I would ever pick something like that out for them.

These worries, I believe, only get worse as you get older.

For instance, the ability to spend more money is a curse. Now I wonder what is an adequate amount to spend on everyone. Of course, they know I am a poor college student and don't expect much -- but I don't want to appear cheap.

Plus, as your family expands, the question of where you draw the line for gift giving and what these new members you don't know very well will want creates anxiety.

Then there are pre-holiday festivities, which are always rough.

My family always sends out a Christmas letter, which has taught us writing is an art form. You want to tell how and what everyone is doing, yet you don't want to appear to be bragging. It's very tricky. After all, I've been known to mock a few other people's Christmas letters from time to time.

The final worry is deciding where to go for the holidays. Fortunately, I still have the option of just going where my parents decide to go, but as we get older and have to work or get married, we will have to make decisions about whom we will be with on Christmas Day. It can be a challenge to avoid hurting anyone's feelings.

With all these worries before the day even begins, it's a wonder how I can even enjoy the holidays.

That's why I want my Christmas gift early. I want to stop worrying about what other people think.

I want to return to the days when my innocence prevented me from worrying.

For instance, shopping could be simple. My little brother is proof of this -- he once did all his Christmas shopping in 10 minutes at a Stuckey's.

While I won't go that extreme, I think I will try to buy gifts with the best of intentions and not worry what the recipients will think. It does seem pointless to worry -- after all, the gifts are going to people who love and are loved by me. So, if I put thought into my gifts, surely they will be appreciated.

Same with the Christmas letters -- if they were lucky enough to receive one from you, I hope they will see the good intentions that went into writing it.

And when worrying about not attending a home -- well, if they really love me, they'll invite me back next year.

This is my plan. It won't be easy -- after all, I'm worried right now what you might think while reading this column.

Still, I'm optimistic that I will get my present before Christmas, but maybe I should write Santa just in case.

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