would you cancel Christmas if you could?

[ffsfindmeausername]

It always surprises me each year when engaging in conversation with people about Christmas at how many people say they really dislike Christmas, myself included if I'm honest. Everyone seems to say the same things that it's so stressful,expensive, pressure to make everything magical etc. Lots seem to say they wish Christmas didn't exist! I also feel this way and I actually dread Christmas coming around each year and feel huge relief once January comes around.
How many actually feel this way and if there was a national vote to cancel Christmas then would you vote yes?

I don't know if I'd cancel it, but I'd certainly tone it down.

I've lived all over the world, and take it from me, the UK makes the biggest fuss over it. Americans care more about Thanksgiving than they do about Christmas - I was surprised at my first Christmas in the States at how low key it actually was.

The fact that it seems to start in early September, the hype over the Christmas TV ads from supermarkets/John Lewis...it's all got so out of control. I don't have children, don't have any family in the UK and living here, the media makes me feel like a total fucking loser at Christmas.

Since my DD has grown up I'm fairly indifferent to it. I used to love every aspect of it when she was a child,but now,I can take it or leave it. I do know several people who hate it though, and several people who absolutely love it.

I love the food, the family get together, the panto, the Santa experience etc. The lights and decor.
I like buying kids gifts etc.

I hate trying to scrape the barrel of ideas for adults I wish it was acceptable to buy token gifts, chocolates etc. It's just a stress we don't need.

I don't even know what I want someone to buy me. Never mind come up with ideas for anyone else

No. But I live in a location overseas where Xmas is not a big deal. Xmas is a few gifts for the kids (I don't exchange with most other people including family members), and an excuse to get together with friends for some drinks over Dec and Jan and to gawp at some fun Xmas lights. Oh, and we decorate a tree which is nice.

I can see why some people get overwhelmed by Xmas each year.

This.

Why should it be cancelled for people who enjoy it just because some other people are too pathetic to resist being pressured into doing what they don’t want to do?

Fuck off fun sponges.

Yes. I don't like this time of year in general and am always mightily relieved when Christmas is out of the way. New Year too!

I do quite enjoy it on the day with DH and the DDs, (now all in their twenties) and we go out for Christmas Dinner. That's fine. I just can't be arsed with the huge build-up.

I think rather than totally cancelling I might vote to have it every three or four years instead of annually (see, I'm not a total Grinch). Or what about every leap year? That would take some of the pressure off.

Absolutely not! I love Christmas and this time of year! Bring on the long nights and blustery cold (I'd like a bit more snow though). The lights! The trees! The music! The hustle and bustle! Love it love it love it! It truly is the 'most wonderful time of the year' (my favourite Christmas song). I'm not one of those people who put the tree up before December though.
But hey, if you're not into it then don't be a martyr - just do your thing.

It's not compulsory. I just don't do it.

I wouldn't cancel it, but I would tone it down.

The fuss and escalating expensive of the Olympics does NOT make me feel that a four-year-apart Xmas would be any saner.

The way to make Xmas saner is for people to stop doing things that make them fed up. Other than schools bugging you about assembling costumes, there is very little you can't opt out of.

Not cancel but perhaps downsize.

My dc are 30’s now. There was no elf, pj’s or Christmas Eve box, just an advent calendar in the 90’s.
The food and drink was better for 2 days.
Then back to normal.
Much nicer.

Every year there are thousands of posts here about how it needs toning down. And nothing happens🤷

"but society" I hear you cry.
You are the society.. . If you keep being wet blankets, running yourself down or near bankrupting because "the society just wants it that way😭 what can I do", you are just moany wet blanket who is also pushing the pressure on other wet blankets who do the same and so on and so on.

Just tone it down if you want it toned down. No ones going to die because you didn't have 3 desserts and 750 presents.

Be the change you want to see.

Nooo! I love it. The planning, the warm cosy feeling, reading The Christmas Chronicles with Nigel, festive Nigella programs, the magazines, making the cake, the panto, the lights, the parties, the cocktails. The best bit is I can treat myself as boxes coming into the house won’t be questioned by DH!! I go by the “one for you, one for me” philosophy!

God no, favourite time of year

But that's because I do nothing stressful and only do nice things, buy for no one I don't want to (only buy 4 gifts), and take 2 weeks off to watch tv and go for gentle walks in the park.

Do they live nearby, or do you have to stay with them for days on end, or is it just the one day...?

No, definitely not.
Yes I am run ragged every year (and I don't do elf on the shelf, Xmas eve box etc) and I cook a huge dinner for my family so spend a lot of the day in the kitchen but it is worth* *every second to see my (now teenage) kids enjoy it.
It is only once a year and none of it is compulsory, if you don't like it don't do it. Personally I can't stand the idea of putting the decorations up in November so I don't put them up.
It's like anything in life, whatever you make it.

100% this. It's ludicrous now. I miss Christmas like it was, I hate the fact it lasts 3 months now.

I've always done Xmas my own way. No traditional food, no visiting or hosting relatives , no ridiculous expenditure as I'd only buy for dcs and dh.
And we had lovely Xmas days.
This year there will be no Xmas as my adult dc died 7 weeks ago.

I’m firmly in the Cancel Christmas camp. Depressing and stressful, so I try to avoid it as much as possible, and DH is generally in agreement. We didn’t even put our (ancient, artificial) tree up last year.

However, he’s specifically requested that we make a bit of an effort and do Christmas stuff this year - put the tree up, have a turkey roast for dinner, buy a few small gifts etc. As he has a number of significant health issues and is in early stage dementia, I’m actually finding that a bit concerning. I have an awful feeling that he thinks this might be his last one. So we will be doing these things and see how it goes.

Yes, I've never liked Christmas but have been made to feel obliged to host each year. I planned to ignore it when dc were grown up but now we have grandson and I can see it dragging on until I die. It's compounded because it's my birthday Christmas Day as well so even if I ignored Christmas they would all descend on me to "celebrate" my birthday.

It's the expectation every year. I can't stand it. Wish it was 1st January already.

I love having the tree up and I love Xmas films but I hate the loss of routine.
We're on holiiday 27th-1st this year which will help as it's a change of scene

I am so sorry, don't blame you for putting celebrations to one side 💐

I think it’s really how you view Christmas. My dd said the other day she can’t wait for the family to all have dinner together and Christmas yummy carrots. If that is what you take from it, a nice family time with good food, goodwill and cheer, you place less emphasis on the money side and the extortionate prices. That is why I like chrismas, we are all together safe and warm and enjoying the day.

I love Christmas and have built some very specific traditions around it that I would not be able to let go of but it has been turned into something monstrous by the media.

Keeping it small, special and sensible in the modern world and not being influenced, is really hard.