Happy "Opting Out" Holdiays

I have lost track of how many years it’s been since Gerry and I decided to opt out of the Holiday Celebrations. It wasn’t a difficult transition… we just decided it wasn’t for us. All the stress and money troubles that this time of year would bring us wasn’t worth the hassle… so we just decided to step back.

We don’t do a tree or light candles. We don’t buy presents. Don’t attend holiday parties. We just go about our days like it’s any other time of the year.

I can feel the collective stress level peaking around me and all I feel is “chill”. It’s a nice feeling to not have any worries when everyone else around me is freaking out. *laugh*

Granted… it does bug me that the traffic gets crazy and it’s harder to find a place to park this time of year… but it’s like that in the summertime as well around the peak of Tourist Season. So whatever.

On X-mas day… since we are forced to take that day off by the rest of the world… we get up. Have a lazy morning. Make some pancakes. Take the dog for a good walk. Then we hit the movie theater for a 2 for 1 movie. Ahhhhhh sitting in the dark eating popcorn with our friends Stu & Sherri-Lynn (Who also “opt out”) is a lot of fun.

Thanks for the day off Santa.
I hope you go Vegan soon… cause between you and me, Buddy. You’re a heartattack waiting to happen.

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0 Responses to Happy "Opting Out" Holdiays

  1. Anonymous says:

    can one opt out but still do a lot of baking??? 😛 The stress was so high this year, I could easily give it all up next year.

  2. Sarah's Blog says:

    That’s the best part… you can do whatever you want.

    The most important part of “opting out” is to only do things you like and opt out of the rest.

    So if you like having a tree. Have a tree. WHATEVER!! It’s all about doing what you want to do and not worrying about the rest. YAY!

  3. Erika says:

    my hubby and i pretty much opt out. i really enjoy getting stuff for people anytime of the year, i just hate how people expect it at xmas. My friends get excited to get the really bizarre stuff that i send and that makes me happy but i hate how you can’t get a damn thing done anywhere because everyone is out shopping.

  4. Sarah's Blog says:

    Today was the worst. Soooo many crazy bad drivers. *laugh* I tried my best to stay chill. I blasted David Bowie and sang at the top of my lungs. That seemed to help with all the traffic stress. 🙂

  5. Wiebke says:

    opting out…well, i will go to my hometown to hang out with my parents, sister’s family (2 kids) and grandma. but we’ve decided years ago that only the little children get presents. and my sister’s even trying to cut it down so they only get one from each one who’s giving.

    i have to admit though that i’ve made truffles and put them in little origami boxes (idea shamelessly stolen from theppk.com forums). so everyone can have truffles for dessert.

    enjoy a nice and lazy day off! i can’t believe it’s alreay been a year since i was in victoria…

  6. Sarah's Blog says:

    Mmmmmmmm truffles. 🙂

  7. Anansi says:

    I would love to opt out…Christmas is becoming more of a chore than anything else. I would love to leave the country and go somewhere sunny for that 2 week period…sigh. Maybe one day. It’s hard with little kids tho.

  8. Kramers says:

    WE LOVE XMAS!!
    Kids grinning, family get togethers, extra time off work.
    IT’S AWESOME!
    Good on ya for doing what works for you. But we still wish you a very Merry Xmas and send you lots of love.

  9. Sarah's Blog says:

    Bah Humbug to you Kramers… you and all your cheer. Bah. BAH I say!!

    Now… where’s my presents? 🙂

  10. Anonymous says:

    Our family opted out a few years ago to! When our kids were little we did the whole nine yards but now that are grown (and feel just like us) we do very little. Yes we do some baking and have a nice dinner but all the rest? gone! People always looks sympatheitcally at me when I tell them or they see our bare house- they don’t seem to understand it is OUR choice. I can’t wait untl life returns to normal out there!

  11. Anonymous says:

    As I said in the comment a couple of entries down I do celebrate Christmas because it is a major Feast Day of my Church. I am most looking forward to Divine Liturgy (kinda like Mass but Eastern Orthodox) on Sunday. Secondly I am looking forward to family and food on Christmas Eve.

    Our Christmas is pretty toned down compared to what I see at other homes. We have no lights out front. We are getting our tree on Christmas Eve and we decorate it with homemade or donated ornaments. We spend a small amount of money on gifts. We read the Holy Scriptures together and pray. Simple, simple. It would be perfect if I could only get my husband and children to forgo eating a dead animal for the occasion 🙁 That is really the only bummer about it.

    M.

  12. Poppy says:

    The husband and I don’t do anything, is just another day for us too. No tree, no decorating, and no giving in to the pressure to buy buy buy! Unfortunately, we are forced to lose out on work days. Must be nice for people to be able to afford to have days off.

  13. Sarah's Blog says:

    Yeah Poppy. I hear ya. We’d open the tattoo shop if people would come in. Oh well. 🙂

  14. carolyn v. mill says:

    hey there sarah,

    what a treat to find out that you dont ‘do’ xmas either! 7 years for me, and consequentialy, 4 years for reid. its a choice worth making.

    my ongoing thoughts on the matter:
    http://www.kitchenink.com/xmas.htm

    all zee best,

    cvm

    carolyn v. mill
    & reid jamieson
    in victoria!

  15. Sarah's Blog says:

    Hey CVM!
    Merry Bah Humbug!! See you at the movies?? 🙂
    xoxo
    SARAH

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