Just stop all this crap buying?

Not anywhere that's not rabidly right wing it doesn't. On MN it's open season.

Sorry I don't agree
Islam gets alot more abuse.
I say that as a Christian.

I have an angel for the top made in Kindergarten by my now 46 year old daughter. Clearing my mother's house 20 years ago I brought home a set of fairy lights, each one is a nursery rhyme, I recall them when I was little and they weren't new then, I wouldn't say they were old but the flex is two twisted strands with a cotton outer covering! They actually still work too, once I'd replaced the 15 amp round pin plug.

This, Christianity is to be mocked and ridiculed as outdated and irrelevant… other religions welcomed and lauded!

Christianity is an acceptable religion to insult on MN, try it with others and you'll be on the naughty step.

Hardly anyone in this country can say they are a Christian Yeah, only 27 million+ people in the 2021 census. Hardly worth counting that 🙄 Or are you assuming that because you don’t know many or any Christians, then they can’t possibly exist?

It’s always Christianity, isn’t it? None of you would mock Islam or Judaism, or Hinduism in the same way; I think that’s because you’d be shitting yourselves in case someone accused you of being racist or anti semitic. But Christianity is seen as fair game. Why is that? Why are you comfortable referring to Christian teachings as a fairy tale, or talking about magical sky fairies, as I’ve seen on other posts, but you’re all remarkably quiet when it’s Diwali or Eid or Rosh Hashannah? I’m assuming that anyone who doesn’t believe in virgin births is equally suspicious about the existence of Ravana the demon king? Or Allah swapping a prophet’s son for a ram? Or the existence of Adam and Eve?

I feel like it’s just the momentum of consumption we get caught in.
The people saying “stop” might seem rude or judgmental etc but if course that’s why as a society we keep spending.
No one wants to be the killjoy.

I feel like it’s just the momentum of consumption we get caught in.
The people saying “stop” might seem rude or judgmental etc but if course that’s why as a society we keep spending.
No one wants to be the killjoy.

I feel like it’s just the momentum of consumption we get caught in.
The people saying “stop” might seem rude or judgmental etc but if course that’s why as a society we keep spending.
No one wants to be the killjoy.

Tat and consumerism is not my thing but if it genuinely makes you feel good, go for it.

Thing is that it doesn't actually make many people feel good, judging from the amount of stressed-out threads about how much they "have to" buy, or the moaning threads about the unsatisfactory tat they've received. And in that case you think, why are you bothering then?

We will have to agree to disagree on that one!

@PortSalutSherryHello
poster @PassingStranger does not sound ‘deranged’ at all, just completely sensible.

😂

Not for me, either! I've never seen the point in 'seasonal' cushions, PJs or bedding (especially if the bedding is for adults!)

We have Christmas decorations that we've collected over almost 30 years. Some belonged to my parents, too, which is right up DH's street, as he loves antique/vintage decorations. Very occasionally we're tempted by a new bauble or three (Homesense used to be good, but more tat since the pandemic, imo), but if we add any 'new' ones, they're usually from fleamarkets now.

DH also likes to do a very traditional Christmas - I suggested not sending cards a couple of years ago and he wasn't having any of it...funny as it's always me that writes them. But mostly we send to elderly relatives who still appreciate the contact at Christmas. He also loves all the sweet stuff (that I hate - Quality Street/Roses etc 🤮) and if he had his way he'd be hanging chocolate baubles and santas on one of our two trees!

Crackers are another tradition he insists on...oh, and stockings for us both (adult DS has his own home/family), but we only buy stuff we need and give each other a list in late November. So, this year for my stocking I've asked for new wooden spoons and glass-headed sewing pins, he's stipulated a chocolate marzipan bar and new work socks. Main gifts are frequently books or something for our renovation project (I asked for paint one year 😆 and another time he had a forge make me a giant garden obelisk!).

We've never done secret santa, but DS's partner's - very wealthy - family do it instead of big/multiple gifts for the adults - so it can be anything useful up to £25 each.

It's crazy that many people feel coerced into buying shed loads of Chinese tat every year whether they can afford it or not!

Rather than ride out social, financial or personal misery the Grinch/Puritans will take Christmas, Valentine, Easter and Mothering Sunday.

We will be told to "celebrate" other stuf instead.

I didn't mind fox hunting being cancelled, what I don't get is why those that hate that tradition are happy to eat red meat and chicken that die cruelly, unless it was never about animal cruelty and all about destroying a culture 🤔

It probably feels like a lot of posts on here about the negative side of Christmas, as it’s more of a talking point. For every person moaning about a certain element of Christmas, there are probably 5 who love it. But those of us who enjoy buying gifts, enjoy seeing family, enjoy everything about the season, don’t feel a need to make a post just to say that. It doesn’t make a very fun or engaging talking point.

So weird. For some people it is 'all that'. They like Christmas?!

Perhaps you could actually send letters out to your students' parents telling them to please not buy you anything? Save them money and you problems with getting ever more tat!

It’s so presumptuous though. Sending a letter to say no gifts when actually teacher gifts SHOULDN’T be a thing.

Perhaps you could actually send letters out to your students' parents telling them to please not buy you anything? Save them money and you problems with getting ever more tat!

It’s so presumptuous though. Sending a letter to say no gifts when actually teacher gifts SHOULDN’T be a thing.

The shortest day of the year in the UK, isn't on 25th December. I know Irish monks kept the faith alive, they weren't part of the UK then and they weren't interested in English pagan festival dates when tradition was passed down. Some dates will be nearby look at the festival of lights and fireworks.

25th December is 9 months after 25th March (creation, fall, flood, Abraham, annunciation, crucifixion).

Like mothering Sunday, for many people it's a lovely time to get together and have fun.

You will have hard years for various reasons snd ride through them, overall it's nice and people deserve joy in life with family.

You are totally missing the point.

Excellent post! It's all a lie. Christmas was originally a pagan festival. Hardly anyone in this country can say they are a Christian, or a devout one at that.
The commercialisation of the season is ridiculous. People seem to think that it's all that and it's really not. There are plenty of other things to celebrate /get excited over, alone or shared.

Because people are unhappy?

You sound deranged!

Ha, I actually only ever got bought one advent calendar throughout my whole childhood. My mother would press the windows closed and I’d be given the same calendar year on year!