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?

What difference would that make?
Steak pie dinner is less hassle than turkey and trimmings.

New Year doesn't involve gifts other than token first foot presents, shortbread, sweets for the house.
But if Christmas didn't exist, those first foot presents would end up being individual gifts.

I think Christmas has always been advertised early for commercial reasons. Restaurants selling bookings and shops selling produce but I think now is a time to prepare for Christmas not celebrate it yet.

Loved it when my dc’s were small.
Now it’s all a bit of a chore which is a shame as I loved Christmas.
My parents died a few years ago too so the whole dynamics have changed ( used to love visiting them over Christmas )
so it’s just circumstances really.
I wish I could get the ‘festive feeling’ back.

I absolutely love Christmas so wouldn't cancel!!

The joy on the kids faces on Xmas morning is second to none.

I'm sorry for your loss @AuntieMarys

Yes I have to work it so have all the financial pressure to get everyone presents but then don't even get to enjoy the day. The thing I find the most stressful is Christmas decorations. I hate having to get them out of the shed and I hate having tat in my already overcrowded house. I have a controlling mum who will kick off if I don't do exactly what she wants for all the hrs I'm not working and I have a partner I had a really amazing gift planned for which I know he will love but he has just spent 24 hrs ignoring me after a minor argument which was about him bossing me around so his fault in the first place so now I'm not sure if I even want to give him the gift. I do like getting gifts for my children so I wish I could only do that and forget the rest of it.

I’ve put my tree up to date and quite a few of my girlfriends have this weekend as well!

Please tell me you don't take the tree down and pack away all the decorations on Boxing Day!

I wouldn't cancel it but I would scale it back.

There'd be no mention of Christmas before December. Trees up a week before. Gifts would be a pair of socks, book or scarf. Music would be classical and carols, no Noddy Holder allowed. There'd be lots of crafting, home baking and natural decorations. I'm not a religious nut but there would be more church visits and a focus on the real meaning of Christmas.

We're having a reset here because it's all got a bit complicated and expensive.

Same as the Pagans, I guess.

For us, it’s new year and DH’s birthday. Xmas can (and does) get in the bin).

I’m in the “Olympic Xmas” camp - I could probably cope with it once every 4 years but we generally ignore it.

No.

It's bizarre that people would prefer it to be cancelled for everybody, rather simply opt out themselves. Fun sponges.

Yes. It’s nice to see the Xmas lights on a dark cold night, and it’s nice to have time off, but the expectations I don’t like, and so I’d happily pass.

Other than the date it happens none of it is compulsory.
If people don't like/want to do certain parts of Christmas then DON'T DO IT.
Do the parts you like. Or don't do any parts. If you have other family members (spouse, parents, adult children) and they want a specific thing then THEY need to organise it.

Same re America. Everyone here is quick to blame the US for commercialising the holidays etc but in America it works much better because you have a distinct seperation between holidays - Halloween - Thanksgiving - Christmas. Christmas talk and decorations in shops doesn’t really kick in until November unlike the UK when it starts as soon as schools go back in Sept.

Just do the bits you like, that's what most people do. I don't think I know anyone who celebrates Christmas. Some hippy friends celebrate Yule but most just pick and choose a few Yule traditions and that's about it.

I hate that people think they can “cancel” Christmas. It exists whether you like it or not. Perhaps try changing your relationship to Christmas.

I hate new year more. I just really don’t see the point, never did.

Exactly. I love Christmas.

I loved it when the kids were little, but now it's just another day, but with the pressure of it having to be "special". I absolutely hate it now.

I am an only child with no living parents. My husband has no living parents, and has one sister, who lives 200 miles away, and spends Christmas with her in-laws.

My three adult kids do not realky get on, so there is no fun conversation, or "buzz" in the home.

It really feels like they all want their presents, have their dinner, and then do their own thing. My husband, like every other day of the year, just sits in computer corner, with his back to the room and headphones on, the son that lives with us disappears into his room, and my daughter is clearly just desperate to go home.

Only my youngest son will make an effort, but I'm honestly relieved when it's all over.

I love Christmas! But then, we've made it how we want it. We don't go overboard on presents, we have a budget and we stick to it and don't get piles and piles of gifts. It helps that we agreed as a wider family to only get gifts for children and not adults....and even then they get a selection box and some money in a card so it's easy.

But I love the lights, some nice food and relaxing. It brightens up winter for me. I love the children's faces lighting up and their excitement. We always stay home on Christmas Day just the four of us and don't host so we can have a chilled out day together. We see family on other days instead.

We don't do any of the nonsense that makes it more hassle. So no 1st December boxes/Christmas Eve boxes/Elf on the Shelf/North Pole Breakfasts. I think sticking to some nicer than normal food, a few gifts and a focus on chilling out still makes it special but it doesn't become a total headache. Christmas can be what you want it to be. If you don't want to visit relatives or bankrupt yourself buying presents then don't. If you want a pizza on Christmas Day and would rather sack off the roast then it is within your power to do so.

No, but I refuse to get caught up in the pressure and stress - or let it start too early. I haven't even started thinking about it yet.

Although I do get annoyed by all the Christmas songs being played for months - I normally listen to heart radio but I switch stations at this time of year because of the Christmas music. It's harder to get away from the Christmas music in shops though.

I'll start my Christmas shopping in December. I don't go overboard with presents so it's easily done in a day or two. Everything else is similarly low key. Some people seem to enjoy making a drama out of it.

I do, however, have a lot of sympathy for those who find it difficult because of their family/ living situation.

I only have Christmas once every three years (when DS and DIL come to stay), other years I'm on my own and I don't bother. I find that works quite well!

No, but I’ve had to quite consciously reject “traditional” Christmas, to make it work for us- and really it’s more of a midwinter celebration, that sees me through SAD season. I’m a mum though, so I make sure DS gets all of the “trad” bits… just with a bit of a twist!

So we put the tree up quite late compared to many (no sooner than 10 days before Christmas) but it stays up until 12th night… and sometime a bit longer, if it survives! I like having the lights and decorations up into January (which I find dismal), to keep the uplifting feeling into the new year.

DS gets a sensible number of presents - and big ticket items are saved for birthdays, so it’s not a huge stress to find the money for a £500 gift. Adults get a token gift, often something they’ll use or will be able to look forward to using - wine, a plant, seeds for the garden in spring, something like that.

We start celebrating with a bonfire on the solstice

Have a party of some kind with friends a few days before Christmas- usually to coincide with a local Christmas event

Christmas Eve we order take out and play games

Christmas Day is VERY relaxed. Even if I have guests, it’s all very easy going. Nobody has to dress up. We go for a walk if it’s not hideous weather. There’s lots of food, but it’s ready when it’s ready. and I let DS set the Christmas menu…. It’s usually something like mussels or other shellfish, steak and roast potatoes with a couple of sides, and a mad desert. One year the desert request was jam sandwiches …. (There was an alternative for those who wanted something less… lunchbox. But everyone had at least a finger in the end!)

We always go to the beach between Christmas and NY. Sometimes just for the day, if I’ve got spare cash (lol this year) I hire a cottage.

lots of walks and pints and chips in pubs on fine days!

And I don’t look at emails! It’s the one time of year I’m totally off comms, and it’s the only time I ever get 2 full weeks off.

And like @GameOfJones I’ve consciously rejected the bloody elf, Christmas Eve boxes, expensive shit “North Pole” days out etc. DS seems none the worse for it!

No I absolutely love it.