Christmas - why don’t I get the magic of it?

[ZeroMagic]

Have been meaning to write this post for years.

I just don’t get Christmas at all. Can somebody please explain the point of it? I’m not religious - haven’t got kids. Why would I put a tree up in my house? It’s nuts 🤷🏼‍♀️.

There’s just DH & me. We don’t live near family, but we get on very well with them & they come to stay with us throughout the year. I love having them here but I don’t feel the need to be with them on this particular day. Why would I?

Growing up I remember Christmas very fondly. Nice presents, stockings, lunch etc. But it feels entirely false & utterly pointless for me to put up decorations & recreate that. Anyway I haven’t actually got any decorations - never have had.

DH is possibly even less Christmassy than me.

Talking to pals yesterday (all of whom are well into Christmas) they seem to be having a great time but for me it’s just a normal week. Seeing video of their houses full of baubles & tinsel had me thinking WTAF? Why are you doing this? I know if I’d asked they would say because it’s Christmas. That doesn’t answer anything though does it?

I don’t want to sound joyless & miserable because I’m definitely not. I’m retired, comfortable financially, happy with DH. I’ve got a lovely life that I wouldn’t change but a teeny tiny part of me wonders if I’m missing out by not getting it?

We celebrate birthdays which to me feels much more appropriate. Why would I celebrate Jesus’ birthday if I’m not religious?

I’m not criticising those who are into Christmas - just trying to understand why you are. Particularly if you haven’t got kids & aren’t religious.

Early 60’s - not ND - two grown up DSC.

Before having kids I would still have a small tree and a few outside lights. It cheers me up in dark, cold winter. It’s natural to a more decorations when kids are small as it is magical for them.

Why wouldn’t you want a tree on your house for a couple of weeks? It’s fun, the lights are pretty, and if you collect things to hang on it it brings back memories of trips and times from past years. Like a temporary version of fridge magnets.

And a lot of people get time off, it’s a time of year you can see family when everyone, or as many as can be, are off together. A lot of the working world really does shut down more so than other holidays.

It’s a way of bringing light and food into the house during the darkest time of the year and music that celebrates just being here.

And the midwinter feast and celebration isn’t really that random, or arbitrary, it is thought Stonehenge was built for the winter solstice not the summer one because it was more important to know when the shortest day was so that planning for planting crops could start.

Yes there are aspects of today’s modern, commercial Christmas which can be depressing if you over think it, but to not understand it at all, if you consider the growth of the origins of midwinter gatherings and the need for humans to put meaning on aspects of life, to me, indicates a lack of curiosity.

I don't want a tree in my house because it makes me feel cluttered and trapped. I have real trees in my garden (proper ones, not conifers).

I'm increasingly becoming a semi feral cat; I can tolerate the inside and people for a bit, but I need to be outside more.

There's probably a thread on here by my dh, asking why I feel the need to go for a run, even on xmas day!

Spot on. Merry Christmas to you! 🎄❤️ xx