What IS it with men and Christmas?

[Zaphodsotherhead]

I work with a lot of men and have, ahem, been with a lot of men, and I do not know ONE that says 'oh, goodie, I LOVE Christmas!' They all act as though it's some kind of dreadful punishment to be on holiday from work, eating lot of lovely food and being bought presents. Very few of them will actually participate in the present buying for their kids, they will buy their wife/partner 'something', but usually be in paroxysms of fear for weeks beforehand about what to buy.

I've stopped asking them now about Christmas. Women are, mostly, keen on the whole thing, even those doing all the work and only getting one day off from work (we are retail). Friends report the same phenomenon.

So, what is it? (And yes, I am probably being hugely unreasonable and as many women hate the whole thing and it's not all men etc etc, but the gender bias is noticeable where I am!)

LOL @Snaga!

I don't agree that Christmas has to be hugely expensive, but then my children are all adults now so maybe that's why. Also no piles of plastic crap here! Our day is more about getting together and cooking and eating a big dinner, but it was a lot more high pressured when they were small (and their father was busy doing the 'I hate Christmas' routine).

Everyone's experience is different, but I still stand by knowing far more men who profess to hate Christmas as opposed to women (who don't universally love it because they are generally the ones doing the work, but can enjoy elements of it quite thoroughly).

Bit of a generalisation there.

My ex loves Xmas.

My dp loves it even more, his trees up, we have non stop Xmas songs in the car and when he's washing up, his shopping is done and has looking forward to spending Xmas day with us and his family has so bloody cheery about it..and he can't wait for the break off work

Me on the other hand is rather less than enthusiastic 🙄

That's modern man for you.
Give me my old fashioned 1950's lifestyle anyday.
Mine loves xmas, will do all the main shop, pick kids presents up, and now our gd presents.
He cleans the house, will have a laugh, play xmas music and open a bottle of mulled wine.
He cooks, cleans and some of these threads make me wonder why intelligent women get with men like your examples.
I'd rather be single if that's what my dh competition is.
I'm constantly realising how lucky I am, nobody should settle.

I dislike Christmas. I only do the 24th, as a favour to my family. The 25th I usually spend with friends/alone avoiding all things Christmas. I do quite like buying presents for other people (I’m actually very good at it) but I’d wish that people would stop wanting to buy me presents. If I need anything, I’ll buy it myself. I even dislike the promotional gifts; so far four bottles of wine, three watches, five pens. Potlach. I love birthdays though.

@Beansandcoffee I agree with the men. A lot of work, expense and emotional stress for one day.

I'm afraid I'm with the Grinches and Scrooges, who thinks that Christmas should be once every four years, if that. Christmas is overrated for so many reasons; it's also so predictable, being the same every year, right down to the bloody songs. (If I hear Santa Claus is coming to town one more time, I shall scream!) And worse than the emotional stress leading up to Christmas day is something that always happens in my household, every single year, without fail: a huge post-Christmas emotional crash. It's all over, back to normality and January bleakness, and one person (the biggest fan of Christmas) has a huge mope throughout January; sometimes this has lasted well into February. I'm sure this wouldn't happen if there wasn't such an artificial anticipation of Christmas.

My Dad loves Christmas and gets incredibly excited. DH could honestly do away with it and spend the day playing computer games... but Xmas in his family is quite stressful.