I really don’t want to reply to any Christmas messages

[tragedeigh]

Christmas was never my fave holiday and I stopped celebrating and have been spending the day on my own for over 10 years now

I don’t exchange gifts, I don’t send cards, I don’t decorate my house

I respect people who do of course

My family know this but every year I’m bombarded with endless Christmas messages, gifs, virtual cards, stickers, memes - it is so so annoying

I hate having a busy phone. I reduce my emails to absolutely essential. I’m part of very selected few whatsapp groups.
I know it is only 2 days of the year, since they start on the 24th but I feel violated. It is like they want to hammer their traditions on me regardless of what I want/think.

In the past I use to reply with a simple Merry Christmas but there is zero sentiment in it, I feel mechanic, fake and going against myself.

I think this year I will just ignore them all even if they think I’m being rude. I’m pretty present the whole year round but the one period I want to opt out because I don’t see the point in doing Christmas anything, they don’t respect.

Why is too much to accept that some people just don’t celebrate?
I don’t have any religious or cultural excuses and it feels like a burden having to go along other people’s beliefs just because they refuse to accept yours.

Rant over.

Turn your phone off, I would say. I do that on NYE sometimes if I’m not in the mood for all those dumb gifs, messages and memes.

It takes a second to send a copy and paste reply when people have made the effort. So many on neee are alone over Christmas with no one wishing them a happy Christmas.

I would feel free to ignore the fluffy messages. I agree with you that a lot of it is fake showing off and doesn't make you feel connected or seen at all

Do you have people who you do have a genuine connection with, who you could send a genuine message to? Doesnt have to be anything serious, just a quick check in and share whatever you're up to at the moment

this is what I mean

explain to me why I should if I don’t celebrate?

this is what I fail to understand

I wish I could come with a very good analogy but let’s say you can’t stand chocolate at all but you eat lots of it at easter because somehow it was decided that it is what you should do

it is annoying and takes more than one second

but when I turn back on again it is going to be there

my thinking is - if I ignore I will get less and less until they stop bothering

What mode?🙄

Are they respectful to you the rest of the year?

why

because is the 25th of december?

I can and do this any day of the year

you people who celebrate can’t get your mind around that for people like me 25/12 is like any other day - zero difference

why is this so impossible to accept??

My thoughts exactly. Ffs.

The vast majority of the messages will be someone genuinely wishing you well - in general as well as for Christmas. If these are people you care about why not just reply "thanks, all the best to you and the family! X"?

Also these days you can just send a reaction like a heart - if you feel you must respond…that really only does take seconds 😂

If you don’t want to turn your phone off completely, could you leave it in Sleep mode for the 2 days? Or whatever mode gives zero message alerts… And archive (for a few days) anyone on Whats App that is a usual offender 😊

Would you feel a bit miffed if you got zero messages? I know what it’s like to feel bothered by people, but then I get sad reading about lonely people that post here.

It's not that they care whether or not you're celebrating.

It's part of their celebrations to wish friends and family well.

I get the odd message at Eid,I don't celebrate but I appreciate the sentiment and send something nice back. It's nice to be nice and all that.

Yes I realise the messages will still be there 2 days later but I find it’s less irritating after the fact. Plus you could just 👍thumbs up them all in one fell swoop on the 27th or just ignore them and maybe they would get the message: I wouldn’t bet on it though.

That's a disgusting word to use.
And I don't do it to show off, do it to show I care about people that I don't always see.

(I see the offending post has been removed).

I hear you.
As I said in another thread, one day I'll probably be the same.
It's fine to ignore the messages, all of them if that suits you.

This sounds like a very sad existence. It’s part of the to and fro of friendship that you wish people well, that’s all that Christmas greetings are.
Would you prefer it if no one got in touch at all? Or only in your terms? That’s not how the world works.

In your position I wouldn't reply but I wouldn't be annoyed about it either.

These people celebrate Christmas so send messages like these. You do not so you don't reply to messages like these.

Then carry on as usual. I wouldn't let it annoy you OP!

Maybe mute chats if it does bother you.

I dont think/fell like you do = sad existence

okkkayy

You don't have to celebrate christmas to take their well wishing messages as anything more than face value. Its just that, a well wish. You don't have to respond in kind.

Honestly?
Because I think people around you care about you.
If you were my family, friend or acquaintance and had taken such a hard stance about Christmas, I would struggle to accept that this choice makes you happy.
It sounds like a reaction to something sad in your past and I would secretly hope that one day you might want to come back into the Christmas fold.
So I'd like to keep that door open on my side, so if you ever choose not to slam it in my face, I'd be there on the other side with my tinsel, mulled wine and a gift!

'you people who celebrate can’t get your mind around that for people like me 25/12 is like any other day - zero difference
why is this so impossible to accept??'

My suggestion about sending a genuine message to a genuine friend was because you sound very disconnected and isolated from all the performative Christmas hoopla. If that's the case, I hear you, and I feel the same. I'm certainly not trying to force you into celebrating Christmas