To ask if you don't celebrate Christmas

[DonkeyPunch88]

What do you do on the day instead?

Having a discussion with DP last night and thought it must be quite difficult or get annoying for anyone who doesn't celebrate Christmas to be able to continue going about their life in a normal way over the festive period.

All the shops are on funny opening times and a lot of businesses close completely. Every advert on tv and radio seems focused on it.

I know there are plenty of other religious festivals that are celebrated by religions other than Christians (Diwali, Eid, Hanukah, Chinese New Year etc) but they don't seem to be so commercialised where I am so you never really hear of them being celebrated.

So just wondering really, if you don't take part in Christmas, what's the period like for you?

Surely people can manage a day without going into a shop, regardless of whether they celebrate or not?

They probably just go about their lives like they would on any public holiday! One day of not going to the shops is not unusual for most people.

Yes dora

And two weeks holiday at work and people feeling sorry for kids and adverts and secret Santa

You can't avoid it

It's difficult

It depends on whether we're visiting family/friends or not. It''s a good day to catch up with people as we're all off together.

If not then I spend the morning in bed or on my tablet, have a leisurely breakfast and shower. Then on the sofa for most of the day with my treats for a tv fest, a bit similar to others. However, without the expense, the stress and the obligatory arguments. We might go for a walk in the woods this year depending on the weather. Or we might drive through Regent & Oxford st to see the lights without the manic crowds. Lots of choices.

Soydora I only used shops as an example of one of the things that might be disruptive for people.

It was more a curiosity question really, I just wanted to know what it was like if you are a different religion or from a different culture.

Christmas is just so rammed in your face from every angle from end of Oct until December that I just thought it can be quite stressful for the people who do take part, but it must get so difficult to avoid if you weren't taking part.

Bangwhistlepop2 that sounds lovely

Many years ago I worked with a Jehovah's Witness. For him it was a couple of days catching up on tv or videos/DVDs.

We go for a walk, or watch TV, potter about the house. All the normal things that anyone would do on a regular day. It's easy enough to plan not being able to go to shop for 1 day.

A guy i used ro work with was muslim and he didnt celebrate xmas even though his partner and kids did, he used to work a long day (nurse) quite handy for other staff really .