Christmas is for the kids

Since I’ve had children I see Christmas as just for the kids, but it’s because that’s the chapter we are in. I like seeing the children’s eyes light up and seeing the magic of it through their eyes. It’s about making them happy primarily.
I didn’t feel that way pre-kids and I probably won’t feel like that when they are adults, but at this point in my life I do see it as just for the kids. That’s where I get the enjoyment of it from at this stage in my life. I like doing the child based activities with them and have no interest in adult Christmas parties and drinking etc, I did that in my 20s.

I adore Christmas and we do loads with our kids such as light trail, wander rush the lights, festive pub lunch and so on. It’s really special time in our family

Well, I don't have children, but I don't celebrate Christmas and it means nothing to me. If I could wipe out this cultural celebration of Christmas and leave it something more low-level for the Christians, I would. At least reduce it to the less culturally crazy level of Easter celebrations.

I have the time off work because work closes, and on this basis I see family members during this period, but I'd be perfectly happy to work through Christmas and have the time in another time - in fact, in avoiding all the fuss everywhere about Christmas from as early as NOVEMBER, I'd be thrilled for it.

@BarbaraHoward Yes, for everyone.

Me too. It leaves me cold, all the work, fuss and expense for just one day. It would be like Leap Year if I ruled the world - once every four years would be plenty.

Christmas is for Christians.

All the other fun winter trappings are for everyone.

Yes, agreed. Once out of full time education is the line I think for me.

I've never had anyone say this to me or in a conversation I've been in. Christmas is for everyone?

I love Christmas and my dc are adults. But I also go to church so perhaps it actually means something to us

Not really. Christmas is for Christians. For others, it's a holiday with excessive commercialisation and over indulgence. My favourite time of year.

Totally the same for me.

I don't even really understand what people mean when they talk about Christmas being "magical"

It's for everyone.

Christmas was rubbish when I was a kid, very stressful being pulled about by various family members and having to make a big show of opening presents with my cousins, having to get dressed up and perform all day like a bloody seal for adults pleasure. They say it's for the kids but it seemed more like making the kids be all cute and pretend theyre having a magical time for their pleasure when really it was stressful and overwhelming to have a day that was just go go go from sunrise until beyond sunset. Bloody hated Christmas as a kid.

Much prefer it now I can choose to have a relaxing one with partner and cat, quick visit to a parent maybe if they want. I can also observe the pagan celebration aspects as I wish, now.

Christmas is for everyone but we do fear it towards our Dc, mainly because they are only little for a short time and it’s particularly magical for them at this stage. We love seeing them so excited and enjoying all the Christmas events and outings, and that makes Christmas for me.

We still do family stockings as adults, but they have a £30 budget & each person takes responsibility for one stocking. It works for us.

I think there is a grey area in there. It's fine for kids up to Uni age to look for sacks of stuff or big ticket items, but once they get to mid 20s earning full-time money it all becomes a bit daft.

I think Christmas is for everyone. Our children are now young adults and we won't see them Christmas day as they're with other relatives but we'll see other extended family and friends. I like advent, the Christmas church services even though no longer a believer, winter walks, Christmas markets and the winter solstice party element of it

Agree with this re presents.

Obviously it’s a holiday, there are lovely traditions that everyone can enjoy, and that’s even leaving aside the religious meaning.I absolutely love Christmas for lots of reasons.

But I do find adults expecting Santas sacks of presents, often from their own parents, as bizarre, childish and just feeding unnecessary commercialism. Kids who believe in Santa is one thing; grown adults no.

To be fair, most things are more fun as a child. There’s no bills to pay, jobs to work, all life admin is managed for you, no responsibilities… sans abusive/neglectful situations, what’s not to love?

Christmas is a family event.
Presents are for kids, Adults shouldn't exchange much more than token gifts.

Well most adults I know don't need or want much so it becomes a big faff trying to come up with ideas.
People know exactly what they want or it's clothing that needs to fit.

You’re right and I’ve never understood it when people say it. Do you they honestly mean that in the years between them being a kid and having their kids they didn’t celebrate or it meant nothing to them?

I love Christmas. I loved it growing up, as a teen, as an adult and since I’ve become a parent. I don’t think I love it more as a parent, it’s different and that’s wonderful as it’s what I wanted but it was bloody brilliant all the decades before.

It is for family of every age. The people that say it’s just for the kids are usually the ones that are trying to shaft people out of their holidays from work

The whole of December is wonderful with the run up to it like Christmas markets, putting the tree up, going to see lights even work Christmas parties. Then the days around it are great as we travel to our hometown and catch up with people there, the day itself and then the lazy week between Christmas and New Year.

I appreciate it’s not like this for everyone but for me it is bliss and it is the most wonderful time for all the family, regardless of their age

It's a holiday, so obviously it's for everyone, and people can do what they want with the time off.

I think it's important to reflect upon the original, real meaning of Christmas, which was "it's too dark and the ground is too frozen for farming, let's get pissed until things warm up a bit".

I agree that it’s for everyone. If it was just for kids then we’d celebrate with food like pizza and milkshakes rather than adult stuff like champagne and smoked salmon.

Exactly this!

And if you aren’t… it’s probably because you had a childhood of pandering to adults wishes at Christmas.