to not celebrate Christmas anymore

[MummieDeckTheHallsOutHunnie]

For many reasons, I have not wanted to celebrate Christmas, including not sending cards to others! I am happy to put up the old tree for them and the children can decorate etc, I will cook the normal meal with all the trimmings, I bought them winter gifts and let them know that there will be nothing on Christmas day anymore as they know my feelings and have had them in the lead up, like new pj's, hats/gloves/scarfs/nice perfume/cosmetic sets that are available this time of year, and new party outfit etc...

Why is it ok to get birthday presents on their actual birthday, but christmas presents are not to be given on christmas day? What is the difference?

Ive noticed your unusual posts all over the board lately.

I am not interested in all the palava that goes with Christmas!

Why did you give yourself a christmmas namechange?

What palaver?

Palaver? You mean the lovely sitting round the tree opening presents bit? The best bit that I remember? (and not because i got 'stuff', because we all sat round together and it was exciting and I loved seeing my family's faces when they opened mine) the bit that makes the day really special?

You are odd. You are doing everything about christmas except the presents under the tree. because you think it is a 'palaver'. Why?

"they were not impressed with toys last year, and said they did not want any."

Is that what this is about? Were they not 'grateful' enough last year, and this is some attempt to punish them, or drive that home, or what?

If I am understanding you correctly you have bought them presents, some practical (like PJs) some fun (like games) and you want to give them in the run up to Christmas instead. Why not just keep back the games and give them on Christmas day?

Because that is a "palaver" apparantly

Gathering up these snippets of information, dragged out over 6 pages it seems:

1. There is a tree and decorations
2. There are games and time with family
3. There is a normal Christmas meal with all the trimmings
4. There are presents - all given out before Christmas day and no presents on the day itself.

Then you say "Presents dont' equal drama as such, the other stuff means drama!"

What other stuff?? The only things you haven't mentioned that would be usual are going to church and going for a walk.

So is it that you used to do a lot more "other stuff" and now you can't be arsed so you're throwing the baby out with the bathwater by dumping the traditional gift giving on the day along with your secret "other stuff"?

Pah, ignore the woman and her attention seeking dramatics

You are a Scrooge! I'd be nervous of going to sleep tonight if I were you.

Seriously, you sound a bit like my parents who both hate Christmas and do it begrudgingly. Was quite upset by this as a child but now I don't feel any obligation to spend Christmas with them so that's an upside I guess!

...and 5. there is a christmas MN nickname

I think this was purely posted for the reaction, I dont actually think it's real.

My DSs are older and there isn't the magic, but it is still a special day and they would be terribly upset if I couldn't be bothered. It is a day where we all make an effort, spend time together and enjoy each other's company.

If you want a good relationship with your DCs when they are adults you need lovely joint memories where they know that you bothered.

Jumpty - rather than the crossed-off things being church and a walk I am left with the impression that it's the excitement/anticipation side of things. The bits that make it all a bit magical for kids.

Its like op is saying yes, we'll do some aspects of xmas but dont get your hopes up.

Or, as AC says - it's all a load of attention-seeking balls!

I think what you're doing sounds great MummieDeck and if you're happy and the children are happy then what's not to like? Do what suits you and your family.

And have a merry .... winter .... festive thingy!!

Of course it's posted for a reaction, the womans an attention seeker

Oh oh oh - I think I've got it...!

Its WRAPPING STUFF UP....thats the palaver...

If you give them things as you buy them and they need them (new jammies etc) you don't have to wrap them up, you just buy them and hand them over...

If you keep things for Christmas Day you have to wrap them up....

Is that it...essentailly you can be bothered with everything else around Christmas, including a MN name change (and I love Christmas and can't be pfaffed with that...) but you just can't be arsed wrapping stuff up...

This is weirdest, most attention seeking thread I've read for ages.

OP is loving being all cryptic and everyone trying to work out what she really means.

I feel live each day, including Christmas Day, in the way you feel will bring most happiness to you and yours, and to others.

I can understand someone rejecting the whole Christmas package, as sometimes it might not feel that you can choose which bits to keep, or to have a totally different sort of day, such as the family who spend the day at the swimming pool.

One year my DH and I spent Christmas in northern Japan, and we spent the day skiing.
We had a little Christmas tree that my DH had bought and decorated as a surprise for me in our flat. We probably had a couple of pressies to open. Other than that the day had quite a different feel than usual !

But quite Christmassy and Winter Wonderland with all that snow !

I'd just say I was having a quieter Christmas, or doing something different this year !
Seems people get upset if you say you're not celebrating it without good reason.
Plenty of people not sending cards these days though. One of our good friends says he's giving a gift to charity instead.
Some people send e cards or a message to everyone on their e list ( I don't have a list yet, but we might do this this year )

Hope you and the children have a Happy Day !

"If you want a good relationship with your DCs when they are adults you need lovely joint memories where they know that you bothered."

And Christmas is the only time they can do this??

Fwiw, me and DH have long decided that we will never celebrate Christmas, even when we do have children. Good to know that this will somehow ruin their lives.

Just read this post and I am not going to answer the OP as to whether she IBU or not, because I don't think that's what the post was for.

All the weird, confusing drip feeding of information and the odd way repiles are written makes me think this thread is all about the OP getting attention. She wants us all to object and say how mean she is etc, for what reason I have no idea.

I hope this has provided you with some entertainment tonight Mummie and good luck with whatever you do for Christmas, but really there was no point to starting this thread. Do you really care what people in RL think of your scaled down Christmas? I doubt it.

Just do what you want to do and leave it at that.

Rocklover, Dittany,
Spot on posts.

Punishing them by making them a nice dinner, giving them presents (albeit not on Dec 25th), and playing games with them? Poor poor kids.