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Original poster

Is there anywhere in Europe that doesn't celebrate christmas

49 replies

Frangate · 27/12/2024 19:22

I usually love love love love Christmas. I wasn't feeling it this year but I still forced myself to have a nice and good Christmas. It wasn't easy with the challagnes that I faced. I think my mother has dementia but it's not diagnosed and she's easily angered. She was in a moody strop since yesterday. Likely because her daily TV routine is off. She became angry because according to her boxing day is the biggest drinking day of the year for alcos but I wasn't going drinking and she wasn't going drinking and maybe that was it 20 years ago but it's not the case any more. All she has to do is go to the local and it's likely empty in favour of home drinking. She was angry about mass on Christmas eve. She said it was on too early (5pm). Even though she wasn't doing anything for the day. It would be early for people who were working and have to finish jobs for the day and people doing last minute shopping but I didn't argue with her.

She was just completely off form. It ruined Christmas for me because I work hard all year long. I have other difficulties in my life right now too and I think I might be depressed but I still tried to make it a good one. I had nice foods in the house and other stuff.

Do you know what Christmas means for me? I work hard and it's a few days off from the rat race of work and to enjoy time off.

Wrecking Christmas must be an art form for some people. I have experienced years of wrecked Christmas from my family.

  • a sibling who likely has a personality disorder and I am estranged from. She likes to shine the most at Christmas time to try and suck any joy out from it. Just in case anyone has a smile, she will literally piss all over it.
  • another sibling who was likely on drugs for a few years and there were Christmases where I had to walk on eggshells around him.
  • now a moody mother even though the two main troublemakers have been removed from the equation.

I am wondering if there is anywhere in Europe that doesn't celebrate Christmas and somewhere I can jet off to next year?

I just can't stand Christmas any more and the ridiculousness of it all. I mean like there's only so many candles I can be gifted and that can be gifted.

OP posts:
Juliagreeneyes · 27/12/2024 19:26

Albania? Not yet in the EU but applying to join… Seriously though OP, it sounds like you have had a tough one. Sorry to hear about the family situation. Sending you sympathy and hopes for a better new year. 💐

Gummibärchen · 27/12/2024 19:31

Agree with PP about Albania and your family situation. However, Christmas in much of the rest of Europe is a lot more scaled-back than it is here, OP. In Malta for example, restaurants and shops are open and the buses run on Christmas morning.

Terrribletwos · 27/12/2024 19:34

When was the time that you actually enjoyed Xmas?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Events & celebrations
YouveGotAFastCar · 27/12/2024 19:37

Most of Europe celebrates it, to varying degrees, but it’s not the same as here. As a PP said, Malta tends to have hospitality open. Spain is totally shut down. It varies quite a lot. But they don’t usually have Boxing Day, so they’re back at work on the 26th, so it has a different vibe. It’s more “Thanksgiving” like, rather than our tendency to drag it out over a week.

Havalona · 27/12/2024 19:40

I'm in Spain now and its just there in the background. Very low key. Coffee shops, supermarkets, and restaurants open and public transport working. the nearby pharmacy opened all day from 9-9.

The big day in Spain is Jan 6th Dia de los Reyes for the kids.

FlowersOfSulphur · 27/12/2024 19:40

Bosnia Herzegovina? It's predominantly Muslim, but the Serbian Orthodox Church there does celebrate Christmas, but not until 7th January.

SleepyHippy3 · 27/12/2024 19:43

Juliagreeneyes · 27/12/2024 19:26

Albania? Not yet in the EU but applying to join… Seriously though OP, it sounds like you have had a tough one. Sorry to hear about the family situation. Sending you sympathy and hopes for a better new year. 💐

Christmas is definitely celebrated in Albania, in a very celebratory way. It’s a public holiday.

Juliagreeneyes · 27/12/2024 19:46

SleepyHippy3 · 27/12/2024 19:43

Christmas is definitely celebrated in Albania, in a very celebratory way. It’s a public holiday.

Show quote history

Think you’ve missed the point of the OP!

mathanxiety · 27/12/2024 19:50

Serbia and Bulgaria celebrate Orthodox Christmas in early January.

Cyprus, Greece, and Romania are also Orthodox Christian.

mathanxiety · 27/12/2024 19:52

Juliagreeneyes · 27/12/2024 19:46

Think you’ve missed the point of the OP!

Show quote history

No, she was just warning against heading to Albania to avoid Christmas.

TiramisuThief · 27/12/2024 19:52

Greece still has public holidays around Christmas. We went to Athens and really struggled for things to do around Xmas day as lots of places not open.

mathanxiety · 27/12/2024 19:52

OP, is your mum a drinker?

When was the last time she had her vitamin D levels checked?

SleepyHippy3 · 27/12/2024 19:53

Frangate · 27/12/2024 19:22

I usually love love love love Christmas. I wasn't feeling it this year but I still forced myself to have a nice and good Christmas. It wasn't easy with the challagnes that I faced. I think my mother has dementia but it's not diagnosed and she's easily angered. She was in a moody strop since yesterday. Likely because her daily TV routine is off. She became angry because according to her boxing day is the biggest drinking day of the year for alcos but I wasn't going drinking and she wasn't going drinking and maybe that was it 20 years ago but it's not the case any more. All she has to do is go to the local and it's likely empty in favour of home drinking. She was angry about mass on Christmas eve. She said it was on too early (5pm). Even though she wasn't doing anything for the day. It would be early for people who were working and have to finish jobs for the day and people doing last minute shopping but I didn't argue with her.

She was just completely off form. It ruined Christmas for me because I work hard all year long. I have other difficulties in my life right now too and I think I might be depressed but I still tried to make it a good one. I had nice foods in the house and other stuff.

Do you know what Christmas means for me? I work hard and it's a few days off from the rat race of work and to enjoy time off.

Wrecking Christmas must be an art form for some people. I have experienced years of wrecked Christmas from my family.

  • a sibling who likely has a personality disorder and I am estranged from. She likes to shine the most at Christmas time to try and suck any joy out from it. Just in case anyone has a smile, she will literally piss all over it.
  • another sibling who was likely on drugs for a few years and there were Christmases where I had to walk on eggshells around him.
  • now a moody mother even though the two main troublemakers have been removed from the equation.

I am wondering if there is anywhere in Europe that doesn't celebrate Christmas and somewhere I can jet off to next year?

I just can't stand Christmas any more and the ridiculousness of it all. I mean like there's only so many candles I can be gifted and that can be gifted.

You can go anywhere, and say hire a house or villa, or similar, and just have a non Christmas get away. In most nations, in Europe the most important day at Christmas time is Christmas Eve, Christmas Day less so, Alternatively, in Christian Orthodox countries, that happens 2 weeks later. You can have a great holiday without the Christmas element in most countries.

Original poster
Frangate · 27/12/2024 19:55

mathanxiety · 27/12/2024 19:52

OP, is your mum a drinker?

When was the last time she had her vitamin D levels checked?

She's not a drinker. Unless vitamin D is checked on a routine blood test, never but I think she is taking vitamin D.

OP posts:
Tristar15 · 27/12/2024 19:56

Given the fact that much of Europe is historically Catholic it’s unlikely you’d find somewhere where Christmas isn’t celebrated. You may need to consider non Catholic / Christian countries. Asia and the Middle East would be your best bets.

Original poster
Frangate · 27/12/2024 19:58

Terrribletwos · 27/12/2024 19:34

When was the time that you actually enjoyed Xmas?

I used to adore Christmas and love it and to some degree that is still there.

But there has been many Christmass that have been ruined.

Christmas 2016
2017
2018 (horrific Christmas die to drugs)
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023

All of these have been a mix of an abusive personality disordered siblings, another sibling coping using drugs, and my mother's moods.

I can't cope with another Christmas.

OP posts:
Original poster
Frangate · 27/12/2024 19:59

Tristar15 · 27/12/2024 19:56

Given the fact that much of Europe is historically Catholic it’s unlikely you’d find somewhere where Christmas isn’t celebrated. You may need to consider non Catholic / Christian countries. Asia and the Middle East would be your best bets.

Would it be too expensive to travel there at this time of year? Would it be too hot?

OP posts:
loveisanopensore · 27/12/2024 19:59

Istanbul.

Went 10 years ago at Christmas. There were lights and decorations but most of the population wasn't celebrating. All the tourist attractions and restaurants were open.

suburberphobe · 27/12/2024 20:02

Given the fact that much of Europe is historically Catholic

Utter bullshit.

Italy, Spain, yes, even Greece is not Catholic. Nor the North of it.

Doseofdopamine · 27/12/2024 20:03

Can you not just tell everyone you're going away and retreat to you home to relax for a few days if that's what you really want?
I often don't tell my elderly, and quite needy parents when I have time off.
I took the week off before Christmas and treated it as a holiday. No cooking or cleaning. Went into the the city centre, wandered round art galleries, took myself out for lunch. Went to the beach for a good walk. I then felt nice and relaxed and managed to cope with Christmas day with ease as it's just one day.

suburberphobe · 27/12/2024 20:07

But OP, you can't get away from Christmas anywhere in the world.

I've been in Muslim countries where they celebrate it. We are all ONE.

I love it, the Spiritual Energies coming down, just think it of as Love and Light.

Fuck knows, we need it in this world.

Doitrightnow · 27/12/2024 20:07

Turkey is the closest I can think of.

TheWayTheLightFalls · 27/12/2024 20:14

Israel? Not in Europe, five ish hour flight but no one gives a monkeys about Christmas in Tel Aviv.

soupfiend · 27/12/2024 20:17

suburberphobe · 27/12/2024 20:02

Given the fact that much of Europe is historically Catholic

Utter bullshit.

Italy, Spain, yes, even Greece is not Catholic. Nor the North of it.

Its true to say Europe/the west is historically catholic. The Holy Roman Empire was huge. Some countries rejected the Pope and embraced Protestantism but are still celebrators of christmas, whether for secular reasons or because of deep seated religious belief in that country

Greece is orthodox which was from eastern orthodoxy which is not disimilar to Catholicism in terms of rituals and belief.

soupfiend · 27/12/2024 20:19

OP, what about going somewhere in this country, booking a country cottage in the middle of no where, then you have your christmas your way, uninterrupted, sort of exercising all those awful christmases you've had

Or a nice town centre or village centre somewhere where you can go to carol services or the cinema or go for a bike ride, something to make it your own.