We are keeping it really simple, just lights, a few ornaments for now. I might add some garland, or maybe not. I might get a topper, I might not - though it looks rather sad without a 'hat' of some kind!
I asked DH the other night if we could put up one of our trees. He looked at me wide-eyed and said sure, if you want to.
I came to realize that avoiding Christmas was hurting me more than it was helping me to a degree. Yes, it's a child-centered holiday, and for that reason, I have to protect myself from unnecessary emotional pain. But I wanted to participate this time. To tell myself, you know, it IS Christmas. For YOU. Even though we don't have our little ones with us, it's still Christmas.
We'll be doing it differently, that's for sure. I have a tree in my living room, but that's where the similarity ends. I shop for comfort when I can afford it - and it's just for me. Heck, I think that's great. It's that time of life for us, for me, apparently. One day, we will buy presents for our little ones.
I will not be attending our Sunday school Christmas party. Almost everyone has kids they bring - most of them multiple kids. So, that one gets a pass.
I'll let you know more of the strategies we will employ to survive this most sad of holidays for the family experiencing infertility. Until then, hang in there, ladies. I plan to try.
