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Laura Zigman

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'Basking in the Christmas Afterglow (By Which We Mean, 'Thank God It's Over!')

Posted: 12/26/11 09:28 AM ET

You thought the run up to Christmas -- the Christmas "pre-glow" -- was the worst part of the holiday? Well, think again. Because for some of us, "Basking in the Christmas Afterglow" is no picnic, either ...

 
 
 

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You thought the run up to Christmas -- the Christmas "pre-glow" -- was the worst part of the holiday? Well, think again. Because for some of us, "Basking in the Christmas Afterglow" is no picnic, eith...
You thought the run up to Christmas -- the Christmas "pre-glow" -- was the worst part of the holiday? Well, think again. Because for some of us, "Basking in the Christmas Afterglow" is no picnic, eith...
 
 
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06:48 AM on 12/28/2011
We still have 50 Caucuses to go in 2012. The Partisan "AfterGlow", will be giving "AfterBurn" to most Americans. Rolaids SVP..
09:55 PM on 12/26/2011
The only thing about christmas that stresses us out is our families. Everyone insists on having a christmas celebration on christmas day, and the family that doesn't get us on christmas pouts and cries about it. Every year I go in thinking, "maybe it will be better this year", and every year I'm disappointed.
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Jessica Keener
Author, freelancer, home seeker
09:13 PM on 12/26/2011
Funny!!!
08:23 PM on 12/26/2011
romney holding firm...gingrich slipping

Mitt romney is surprises with his good standing in the polls . If he continues to gain support he's a shoe in for the nomination...as of now given the gains and trends he is the likely republican candidate. Things look good! ... though the economy is important...foremost in people's mind...the rise in the support of the tea party signifies a constitutional crisis. People feel excessive government at the federal level and would like powers to be returned to the state or city level even neighbourhood...your neighbour is the best person to deal with any level of government you need to deal with above that is not advisable...obviously you cant have everything... things need to be centralized like federal police and intelligence and security services...but a return to state powers of everything we can as well as tieing this into foreign policy and recapturing markets is romney's trump card and why he's soaring in the polls and will continue to rise...

Gingrich,now we hear left his wife on his urging,which he previously denied. It just gets worse each day for this candidate,and even though he says he's a christian and a reformed character,and we accept his genuineness,...the public as a president want someone with a clean and family oriented past as welll... They are the ones who vote and america is the most conservative electorate worldwide...
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hadafaone
07:41 PM on 12/26/2011
I still look forward to the day when my family will not be retail and we can enjoy both Christmas Eve and Christmas without the usual dead tired red eyes.
clarissa49
Independent Traditionalist
07:12 PM on 12/26/2011
Since I am Christian, I have never tired of everything that goes with this season!
At least in spirit, it should be Christmas all year!
04:25 PM on 12/26/2011
Boy, it sounds like that couple needs serious help, and not just on Christmas! I'm a big fan of Christmas, and maybe that's why Christmas and the time before isn't stressful to me. I actually LIKE going shopping for my kids, and I get giddy with anticipation when I think of their faces when they'll open their presents. Since I'm a German transplant I also like doing traditionally German things with them, such as filling their shoes on December 6 (St. Nicholas Day) or celebrating Advent by lighting candles. I've already infected my oldest child with my Christmas spirit as she now sigle-handedly takes it upon herself to put up wreaths and lights early December and buys presents for everybody. Unlike the couple in the film I'm actually basking in the afterglow of Christmas, looking at my tree and salivating at the thought of eating the leftovers of yesterday's goose (home-raised). Christmas doesn't have to be miserable, especially if you let go of the things that bother you and only do things that bring you genuine joy.
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mose joseph workman
I don't need no stinkin' badges
03:52 PM on 12/26/2011
This year i opted out of christmas. first time in 58 years. having not enjoyed the last several, i finally worked up enough nerve to just say no to all the invites and stay home alone. it was a real test of my resolve: the closer i got to the big day the more i felt like i should get up and go somewhere. but then i realized i'd rather stay home alone and do nothing than accept a pity invitation or spend the day with people i don't normally celebrate with (my family is on the poster for dysfunctional families). i survived the day better than i thought i would. sure saved a lot of wear and tear on the ol' heart. and to those of you finding yourselves in a similar situation, keep company with yourself and do not be afraid: we come into this world alone and exit the same way, and some of the best times i've ever had were spent alone...maybe next year we'll find what we missed this year.
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lindamom
never fry chicken in the nude
05:28 PM on 12/26/2011
Wow mose - I so agree and have been doing this for 6 years alone and I LOVE it. My loved ones do think they should feel sorry for me and I try to assure them it's wonderful and what I want, but they never believe me. I drink a bottle of champagne on Christmas Eve, do whatever I want, watch movies, play video games, tromp around the computer. I usually turn on the Pope when I go to bed and fall asleep since I have no idea what he is doing. I sleep in Christmas Morning and do anything I want for the whole day, dont get dressed, no housework, no BRA lol, stay in bed and watch movies, whatever. I LOVE IT. I had plenty of traditional Christmases in my life and they were fun, but this is my time now. I do feel badly for those whom get depressed, but that ain't me! WTG...
garystartswithg
el sueno de la razon produce republicans
06:38 PM on 12/26/2011
I do the same and I think the "loved ones" concern is mostly for themselves. Don't you want to join their passive agressive dysfuntional family nonsense anymore? Whats wrong with you? Thats what "normal" is supposed to be, right?
garystartswithg
el sueno de la razon produce republicans
06:44 PM on 12/26/2011
People look at me strange when I say I am perfectly content sitting at home picking lint out of my belly button instead of engaging in social funtions, and while its not entirely true I don't enjoy forced social functions -- like the dysfuntional family get togethers and going out when everyone else is out -- new years, st pats, holloween, etc. I really don't see the need to go home for christmas, I can send presents Fed Ex.
11:53 AM on 12/26/2011
If this is how people show and mean, "I love you", there is one year between today and next Christmas to heal from yesterday so that it is not repeated "manana"...by which I mean, next Christmas.

love,
senora879