No interest in Christmas/ New Year

[fedup33]

I try, I really do. But I cant stand this time of year. So isolating.

Try a house-swap or housesitting site? (you'd still have to pay for travel, but maybe that's doable, I don't know).

I really don’t like Christmas for so many reasons… bereavement, seasonal affective disorder, illness and tiredness, finances, introversion, and I just hate the “perfect Christmas “ commercialism and consumerism.
I feel a lot of pressure from family and friends at this time of year. If I say no to things I still feel guilty, especially where elderly relatives are concerned.
I have volunteered on Christmas Day before, which was a rewarding experience, but didn’t go down too well with a couple of members of my family. It’s hard, I understand, and there shouldn’t be so much pressure around it.

I very much doubt you are alone and I expect if people were honest, a guess is that there could be as many as 1 in 4 people who dislike the Christmas period. I'm not one of them but it does not lessen those for whom it is not a happy one.

One thing we could do and is long overdue and would help people at least in Wales and the southern half of England is to have BST year round.

Thanks, thats about it....get through. Somtimes it's a bit better than get through.

Anniversaries of loss too.

@witchywoo41

See, you get it totally. Some say stuff like surely you should be over it by now. Yes, I don't sit and sob but I remember how the whole day panned out that 22 years earlier and I do feel sad. I'll be with friends and I never talk about it on the day. Why spoil their pleasure. But I'm glad you understand.

Most charities are inundated with volunteers at Christmas, especially for Christmas Day. A lot of people only volunteer then to fulfil their own needs/loneliness. I know that sounds really heartless and I don't mean to be but it is the truth. Voluntary places are also usually heavily booked up in advance of Christmas with waiting lists. I work for a charity and it's the other 11 months that are the biggest problem.

I have been applying for volunteer work for months - not just Christmas...

As a teen I used to waitress at a hotel over Christmas which was quite fun and helped with avoiding a difficult family time.

If you have no family, then for about 3 to 4 weeks you can end up with little social life as everyone is having different family get togethers so are really busy. It can be a lonely time of the year. And it is not just one day for this reason.

I'm dreading it.
All my siblings have had an amazing year and are all excited for Christmas. They are favoured by my parents and have adoring partners. Then there's just me. 40 next year, nothing to show for it. Feel like the spare part in the family or the failure.

I'm the same OP. Every year it brings back memories of awful Christmases with my aggressive and abusive exDP. It was over 20 years ago now but it still all comes back. I try so hard to not be a misery, but I hear the Christmas songs, see the lights and shops feel of tack and just feel dead inside. My DM insists on everyone getting together and following the same routine on Christmas Day that we've always done. I hate it, but can't bear to upset her by refusing to go along with it. My DP is a Christmas lover too which is hard as I have to try and be cheerful so as not to ruin her fun. Young adult DS couldn't care either way.

My favourite Christmas was the Covid year when we couldn't mix and just had a relaxed day at home with the boys.

Sounds hideous. I'm willling to bet there is more going on than the amazing year.

@Obsessedwithlamps I agree with you I think the too much of it everywhere, all the sickly tv adverts and all the people obsessed with the “magic” of it has killed it off. It feels a bit Disneyland to me now

I have to avoid the TV ads as they make me feel stabby. It's all awful awful food, happy families (I do like my family but don't want it enforced) and sentimentality, it all feels fake.

I am trying this year to do a few genuine things- connect with my friends in December, get a good real Christmas tree as I like the smell, and that's about it. I can't go into the city centre or watch the adverts or I just get overwhelmed with the crapness of it all.

I prefer Halloween, few bags of Haribo, cute kids, all done!

I hate it too. Single, no family, all friends have families and are busy for the entire December and then January too as they're a bit skint. I spend the two months every year on my own. Last year from when the office closed begore christmas until it reopened in the new year I didn't speak to or see anyone...... but.....somehow I shall survive this year too. Nothing much I can do except try my best to pretend it's not happening and turn all social media on silent for a few days so I don't feel even worse x

For the first time ever, I'm on my own this year, I don't even have the cat now.

When I said I was alone this Christmas to one of my friends she said "oh I'd absolutely love that!"

I am actually quite looking forward to it, lovely food, two bottles of Cremant and some nice chocolates, what could be nicer if you're by yourself. 😄

That sounds idyllic!

Big hug for anyone who struggles at this time of year, for whatever reason. Most of it is tacky, vacuous, perfectionist SHITE, and it's shoved down your throat everywhere you turn from 1 November onwards. There are some things I don't mind about Christmas but most of it can get in the bin. I feel such relief in January when it's all over and done with and everything feels fresh and clean and new!

Sainsbury's have started with their Christmas music and I just wanted to cry while I was in there this afternoon.
It also seems to make people quite panicky and I noticed trolleys stuffed with booze and chocolate. Still only the one till open though and a mile long queue at self serve!

Lots of middle aged women (me included) muttering that it's only the 1st!

I opted out of Christmas 2 years ago and feel loads better. I told everyone I’m not buying presents so don’t buy me one. I’m so relaxed now, and watching everyone panicking around this time of year has made me realise I’ve made the right decision. I still enjoy the Christmas TV and just get picky bits for Christmas Day. It’s just me and my husband. We’ll go for a nice walk and chill out for the rest of the day.

I understand @fedup33

it's so so isolating and everyone else seems to have people

and the time takes longer to pass because it's December. I wish I had some suggestions but it boils down to whatever makes the time go quicker, which will vary for everyone. I do really struggle with it and cross the days off on a calendar.

I hate this time of year and am always relieved when winter solstice, Christmas and New Year are over.

Short, gloomy days, long nights and ridiculous forced jollity just aren't my bag at all.

Now I like that .. not doing presents so don't get me one and doing Christmas chilled and however you want, not having to split your day into 10 pieces to please people.

Do you try and do a few bits like cinema, Coffee shop or anything to pass the time?

I hate the feel of the shops at this time of year and think I should order online!

It's thee f rushing and the pressure and knowing there are families with so little to go round :(

Do you try and do a few bits like cinema, Coffee shop or anything to pass the time?

I hate the feel of the shops at this time of year and think I should order online!

It's thee f rushing and the pressure and knowing there are families with so little to go round :(

Sad to admit but I feel so lonely and a bit crap over Christmas that doing things on my own makes me feel worse. Over the years the easiest thing for me is to try my best to pretend it's not happening x It's two-ish months out of 12, the other 10 aren't so bad x