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Original poster

Does anyone love/hate this time of year?

59 replies

missushbbb · 04/12/2023 09:51

I like Christmas and love seeing the kids enjoy themselves, but I also feel quite down this time of year. Anyone else? I don't know if it's the weather, just needing a rest by this time of year, i just kinda hate it! The older I get the more I realise I'm quite an introvert, so i think that's part of it. I also lost a parent at Christmas a few years ago which has made it worse. I do make a big effort with the kids, I don't mope about, it's just a funny feeling. Anyone else? 😬

OP posts:
NoImRenlea · 04/12/2023 09:52

I am finding it really hard having toddlers at this time of year. In the summer we open the doors and let them go in and out, in the winter it’s all much harder - weekends at soft play just aren’t fun

MissingMoominMamma · 04/12/2023 09:55

I hate it.

My (adopted- she has severe attachment issues) daughter’s birthday is in December, and she works herself up into a frenzy.

cheezncrackers · 04/12/2023 09:59

I hate it. It's grey, dark, wet, miserable, often cold and I see Christmas as a meaningless, over-commercialised way to make people spend money they don't have and time with people they avoid the rest of the year. And the guilt! MN is always full of posts by people feeling bad for not seeing someone or not spending time with someone they don't want to, but feel they should, or that they can't afford to give the DC the Christmas they deserve. Arggghhh!!!!!

cheezncrackers · 04/12/2023 10:01

One more thing - the illnesses. Currently, I have some viral lurgy and feel shit. I long for spring and summer again. Long days, doors open, fresh air, birds tweeting, green shoots, rather than a muddy, sodden mess everywhere.

hennybeans · 04/12/2023 10:01

I really love it. I grew up in California and beautiful, sunny days make me feel melancholy and homesick. I’ve been in the UK +20 years and this weather feels uniquely British to me, cosy, like you might stay in and read the newspaper with a cup of tea or go into a pub with a roaring fire. Today it’s raining here which isn’t the best, but yesterday was very cold and there was a heavy mist all day which feels very atmospheric.

Toddlerteaplease · 04/12/2023 10:08

Hate it! Cold and dark nights!

Thatsitfirtiday · 04/12/2023 10:13

I try to love it, the seasons are wonderful, I've lived in countries that are the same all year around and you really can get sick of the sun believe it or not.

WildflowersInAMasonJar · 04/12/2023 10:14

I really like it. We’ve got lots of things booked in with friends, our son will be home from uni for a few weeks soon, I prefer colder weather and I enjoy getting gifts for everyone. No complex family dynamics to navigate though as we don’t bother with many of them, and out friends are easy going and lovely to spend time with. Makes it much less stressful!

madeinmanc · 04/12/2023 10:22

I can deal with the cold and even the grey but it's this constant driving rain that is depressing af.

lesdeluges · 04/12/2023 10:23

Neither love nor hate it. I just accept it for what it is as I live here and that's what we have.

Stresa22 · 04/12/2023 10:23

Same here with trying to love it. I prefer warm weather but I make the most of this time of year by turning on the fairy lights and lighting some candles.

madeinmanc · 04/12/2023 10:24

Don't forget people who enjoy this are speaking from a position of privilege, probably having central heating, tumble dryers, smart warm clothing and warm and dry cars. It's not the same position for all of us.

Nightskystarsmoon · 04/12/2023 10:24

Love it.

Newestname002 · 04/12/2023 10:25

I feel pretty "Meh" about it now. I may book to go away and be looked after somewhere nice next year. 🌹

Adelaide66 · 04/12/2023 10:29

Loved it when my children were small. Dread Christmas without grandchildren or lovely husband who died 7 years ago. Christmas is an emotional time for many. Commercialised out of all proportion. The true meaning of the Coming of Christ can be practiced every day.

Hbh17 · 04/12/2023 10:51

I hate the dark nights & mornings.
I also hate all the commercialised Christmas nonsense, which seems to start in about October.
I would happily cancel December and go straight to January - although cold, at least the days are lengthening and it's a good time to start making plans for holidays and activities for the rest of the year.

Jade1234gg · 04/12/2023 10:55

I enjoy the season of giving and getting presents just not when it's cold and when ita snowing as i don't want to fall in the ice

madeinmanc · 04/12/2023 11:04

@Adelaide66 I agree with you about the religious aspect, even though I'm from a different religion.

People are all about a "magic" elf instead, these days. Forgetting the true message and even mocking people who bring it up.

IsItOverYetAndCanIComeOutNow · 04/12/2023 11:11

I like the winter & all the seasons. I don’t mind the dark and the effect on my mood (stay home, ‘hibernate’).

I hate Christmas as an all encompassing event that takes over, sends people bonkers, and makes people feel somehow ‘less’ if they’re not surrounded by family and glitz.

Bluevelvetsofa · 04/12/2023 11:16

Christmas with children, a full time job and a DH who worked in retail used to be exhausting, but fun for the children. Christmas with young grandchildren was lovely.

Now, it’s pretty much the same as other days and I hate the relentless rain, wind, snow, ice, dark mornings and evenings.

Chouxpastryishard · 04/12/2023 11:19

I hate Winter. I’m also finding Xmas over commercialised and meaningless. It’s just an exhausting farce for me .

cornflower21 · 04/12/2023 11:22

cheezncrackers · 04/12/2023 09:59

I hate it. It's grey, dark, wet, miserable, often cold and I see Christmas as a meaningless, over-commercialised way to make people spend money they don't have and time with people they avoid the rest of the year. And the guilt! MN is always full of posts by people feeling bad for not seeing someone or not spending time with someone they don't want to, but feel they should, or that they can't afford to give the DC the Christmas they deserve. Arggghhh!!!!!

Edited

This s very true.

I feel like the Xmas lost its magic because we see Xmas stuff in shops basically since September...

And the pressure to succeed and manage everything.

I didn't even have a time go for a winter walk, or make a wreath- it's all just so hectic.

madeinmanc · 04/12/2023 11:28

It's often women the take on this extra stress and responsibility, though, isn't it?

I mean, just how many men are taking time out of their day to attend a wreath making workshop? And as women we have a responsibility to ourselves, we shouldn't be complicit in making our own lives hell.

RenegadeMrs · 04/12/2023 11:28

My kids love christmas and I love their excitment, and try and make it fantastic for them, but feel like it is the most stressful time of year. There is so much going on, so much to do, so many people to 'fit in' (horrid phrase, but at the moment, accurate). And its the time of year where there is always some cough/cold/bug going round, so half the time you can't just take rest.

I ususally don't mind the weather, but with the cost of heating the house, it's pretty miserable when it's cold too.

DoYouAgree · 04/12/2023 11:34

I quite like it until after the 1st week of Jan then the following 2 months I really struggle with.

At least now I can enjoy the nice decorations, fairy lights, look forward to Christmas and the dc are excited.

Come January it's just dark, cold with summer feeling still a million years away.
Can't wait for the day I can afford winter sun as I will be straight out of here.