We are all hurting in every way right now. Everything costs so much, just putting gas in the car, if you have one, is painful. You are not alone. We are all feeling this squeeze right now. You did everything you could. You kept the lights on, you paid the rent. You worked your ass off.
This will be a christmas to remember, not because presents were abundant, but because you fought through it, and provided what you could. It's more than enough. If you are alone this Christmas, you are sadly mistaken. You have all of us here. Just speak out, we are family.
It's only a "dark winter" if we make it so.
My wife and I decided stockings only last year and it made Christmas so much less stressful. We're doing it that way forever.
It was pretty hard for me to say yes last year since I grew up with a tree full of presents and three "christmases" opening presents with each set of grandparents in addition to my own family. Downplaying all of the gifting made it a lot easier to put some prayer into the festivities too!