holiday hum-bug?

I don't know if its me or if other people feel this way-but I am really starting to dislike this time of year.  I used to love Christmas & the feeling behind it, but as of the last couple years it just feels like its all about the gifts & spend-spend-spend. If you don't spend, then you are crap!  I mean Halloween isn't even over yet and the stores are putting up Christmas decorations and playing Christmas Music.  By the time the holiday gets here-it has lost it's luster.

Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me?



I don't know maybe its because Nolan doesn't get anything out of opening presents or any of the holiday spirit. It bothers me--I know Nolan is who he is and he is getting what he gets out of the season, but it is still frustrating/upseting to a parent--because the joy on the kids faces is a huge part of it & we are missing that with Nolan. 

I also feel that the true meaning of Christmas has been lost.  Society has made it all about money/gifts & take/take/take. It is so hard to teach your children different when the world is the way it is.  I really want to go back to church & teach my children the true meaning, but I'm worried about taking Nolan to church & I am not leaving him a sitter every sunday.  Let me say, we have been told to come to church and then when we do, we were not made to feel welcome.  All this was before Nolan was diganosed.  My worry now is he is to old to go into the daycare @ church-but can't go into sunday school without assistance.  He certainly can't sit in a pew for an hour---We are going to talk to a church pastor after the first of the year and explain our situation--maybe that will help.  Maybe they would be willing to come out to our house instead??

Has anyone else had this situation? If so, what did you do about it? I would appreciate of any suggestions.