Have you got a case of Christmas Piss?

Contributed by a reader

In our house, for many years we referred to the anger, exhaustion and general feeling of overwhelm before Christmas as “Christmas Piss.”

It got to be a joke after a while and helped ease the strain we had over trying to shop for the right presents, send cards, go to holiday parties (why is it that everyone entertains at Christmas?), find the perfect outfits for every event, and yet maintain a warm and glowing family Christmas.

Bah humbug! I am getting that Christmas Piss feeling.

I’m tired (my refrigerator broke just before this week’s dinner party). I’m crabby. Gifts have to be wrapped and mailed. I still don’t have anything for my husband.

I really DO love the season – the joy of the celebration of Christ’s birth, the glorious music, the candles and lights. But I don’t like a lot of the rest.

This year, I tried shopping in the summer, carefully planning my list. I purchased cards and addressed them in October, well before the rush. I limited the number of events and parties I’m attending.

Up until now, my strategy was working. I was smiling. Singing along with the radio Christmas music. Shopping on-line.

At the same time, I scheduled some different, interesting things to keep a warm feeling glowing. We had a family tree-decorating party and the little kids got to climb on ladders and hang up ornaments (who cares anyway where they’re placed? I did, for years, and now I see it didn’t matter at all).

I’ve attended a couple of spectacular musical events. Sitting for two hours of stillness and beautiful sounds is a great remedy for stress.

I’m taking a weekend off to travel and see one grandchild and go with him to a Christmas spectacular.

I’m wandering through town looking at lights and Christmas decorations.

I’ve cut down on shopping. Two gifts are plenty per person, really. (One would probably do it, but I’m not quite there yet.)

I’m watching what I eat and drink. AND I’ve definitely cut out boring parties. If they were boring for the last two years, they’re out. 

I've done everything right. Why, then, do I have the Christmas Piss? Probably because I think I haven’t done enough. Click to tweet this.

Maybe the kids won’t like their presents. Maybe I didn’t smile enough or circulate enough at the last party. Maybe...

Who knows why Christmas Piss/blues happen. I think its a mix of exhaustion and just plain old annoyance that I’m still doing all the stuff I vowed I wouldn’t do after last season.

I think recognizing when I have Christmas Piss helps a little bit. At least I’m admitting it.
Will it ever end? I doubt it. If anyone has ideas, yell. I’ll toast you with eggnog!