Not really celebrating Christmas?

I'm someone who hates Christmas...if I had my way, I'd head off to the Carribbean, sit on a beach and forget about it.

However, I have kids! As do you op...so suck it up and give them some sort of special day.

I've ignored Christmas for years, it's no big deal.

Haha sadly no. It's the indoor carnival that is on in Glasgow SECC over Christmas and New Year, Irn Bru sponsor it! 😂

It's not for me but if it works for you family go for it!

Sounds like heaven. Escaping the most awful time of the year!

We have a big family and a big Christmas. It doesn’t drain me, it’s my absolute favourite season! But we split tasks fairly equally (I decorate and choose kids presents, stockings etc, DH does the food shop and cooking etc) and the kids are little so it’s really magical for them. My mum did the same. There was an odd in-between phase where my siblings and I were teenagers/young adults and we went more low key and just enjoyed being together. Then we had kids of our own and it’s back to big Christmas again.

Just us two. We leave the country around 17th December and don't come back until mid January. Where we go (Europe) is not Christmassy at all, well only if you want it. The shops, restaurants, public transport etc. all working just the same as any other day.

I will never (barring eventualities) spend Christmas at home again.

We see family regularly throughout the year and get on great, so it's not that, it's just escaping what can be a crazy, crowded, frenzied and pointless time of year.

I think it was implied when you said

We're also in the process of decorating and hopefully upgrading the heating soon, so any 'extra' energy I have will be geared towards all that entails!

which suggested you felt Christmas celebrations consumed your energy,
and in offering one of your voting options as

YANBU - Low key/no celebration works for/appeals to me - there's better things to spend money on

I'm not a fan of Christmas, I'd happily skip it, no problem.
I work Christmas Eve and Boxing Day anyway, so it never feels special.

We have the traditional roast dinner and everything else. Just don't see the point of it as it feels rushed.

We,( me and adult children) decided after DH died that we would do exactly what we want at Christmas. Small present each, exactly what we want, we don't like turkey so just make something tasty we like. We don't do decorating, but just have a nice relaxing day. If my children want something they can't afford I help them during the year.
I think you should do whatever you want. A nice meal of what you actually like, a chance to relax, rest whatever.

One thing I actually really love about Christmas is that nobody 'owns' it anymore (despite what some might say). Christmas welcomes everyone, they even sell halal turkey in Tesco in December. As much as I reject the consumerism of Christmas, I think it's this we actually have to thank for that. Without Father Christmas, Christmas films, lights, big meals pantomime, etc I think Christmas would be a minor religious festival hardly anyone noticed. I would argue Christmas isn't about religion anymore and I think that's to it's strength not detriment.

You're right that any time of year can be for family and togetherness etc, but Christmas just feels different. Work stops for many people, so availability is better and whether right or wrong, Christmas is the excuse people need to drive 4 hours to see family or play silly games or eat chocolate for breakfast. Christmas is a feeling, not just an event. I also don't focus everything on the 'big day.' I prefer early December with lights festooning houses, a cheeky mince pie mid morning, listening to carols etc. When my DC leave home and are possibly living far away, I hope our family's love of Christmas and traditions will bring us together at this time of year. Other times too of course, but Christmas is often the motivator to make family plans.

We're doing low key again this year - I'm staying home with my 2 daughters; few presents each, dinner of our choosing (as we all hate roast dinners), matching pyjamas and some board games / computer games - then when the youngest is in bed we're going to watch Eastenders & the Gavin & Stacey special

Christmas gets all this hype with everyone screaming "family" when realistically it's another day - just with presents - and family you usually hate and wouldn't see lol 😂

I like the lead up to Xmas such as seeing decorations in the shops, carols, watching Xmas movies and the feel in the air that the end of the year is coming. But I could happily skip the actual day. Family drama is the main reason.

I love Christmas & so does my DD. She is an only child so I've tried to do little traditions that she will remember growing up - we always get a hot chocolate & go for a late drive on Xmas eve to see all the lights. Doesn't cost much but we both love it. The idea of an empty house on Christmas when she's older makes me feel really sad. I would love a house full of kids & relatives/grandkids one day. I've lost both of my parents so I try to enjoy all the little things that I remember & make it special for her. I have friends who don't really celebrate though & that's great for them.

I agree with this.

It doesn't have to be all out and you can give your DS lovely Xmas childhood memories he can look back on in the same way you look back on yours on a low key/low budget.

The real decider for me would be what DS would like. If he'd be a little disappointed to have nothing to open, not even a token gift + no decorations etc, then I'd make the effort for him.

Pretty low key, I used to often work on Christmas Day for a few hours when my dc were younger. My dc usually work that day too, nowadays (hospitality, good pay on Christmas Day!). I really much prefer Christmas Eve.

A few years ago, exH came up with the ‘great Christmas charity shop competition.’ He buys a few items of clothing and gifts them to family members. We then have a lot of fun trying the various items on and possibly swopping things with each other (we’ve been separated for a few years but have always got together as a family for a few hours on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day at some point. We both now have new partners so they’re there too, now. Often, exH mum and sister, as well.)

I usually make up stockings for our teen dc consisting of essentials: socks, pants, deodorant, face creams and some biscuits and sweets. I haven’t cooked for years. Last year we were at my boyfriend’s parents on Christmas Day, If I did cook, I would just do a normal Sunday roast. I very much enjoy a Christmas market, a Christmas ice rink and seeing Christmas lights but I’ve always disliked the hype and commercialisation. Low key is far more magical in my view, and for me it’s just completely about spending time with those I love the most in the world.

Mine live 150 miles away so I head to them from the 23rd to the 26th. If I didn’t do it, it would be just another day for them. The irony of wishing it was just another day for me is not lost!

@Kendodd Yes I guess I mean that we're not from a Christian background and we'd be fine if we did nothing but that just seems miserable, seeing as we all have time off in our family.
We don't have the stress of gifts though I do like to buy a few bits for the kids. Just stocking fillers I guess.