To wonder if you could get rid of one Christmas Tradition

[Atthewelles]

what it would be?

For me, it would be Christmas cards. They're so much hassle to write and get sent off, people get all worried if they get a card from someone they forgot to send one to, people who no longer have any real contact or interest in each other anymore are afraid to be the first one to break the habit of sending cards etc etc etc
I think it would take a lot of the stress out of Christmas if this tradition ceased or was confined to people you are still in touch with but do not see on a regular basis. So no cards to neighbours, siblings who live down the road, couple you met on holidays 15 years ago and wouldn't recognise if you fell over them in the street......

Oh I feel so lucky, we emigrated so we do not have to bother with any of the crap you guys are moaning about, boy do I feel super smug now

I would get rid of shops being allowed to open on boxing day, let retail workers have at least 2 days off so they can actually go off somewhere or just relax and have a good drink :o)

Can I exchange the mountain of dried fruit-based 'treats' for somebody else's sprouts? I love sprouts, but the thought of mince pies and Christmas pudding makes my heart sink. Some families accept that you're too old to be force-fed sprouts if you don't like them, but apparently there's something antisocial about refusing another fucking mince bastard pie.

I'd go for blue lights too. Blue lights are only associated with emergency services in my mind, not jolly at all.

Can we ban 'Christmas' being called 'Xmas'?! It just winds me up something rotten!!

I'd get rid of the huge piles of marking that piles up in our house around Christmas every year (although it's usually virtual piling, rather than actual stacks of exam scripts these days). Nothing like 300 essays to make the Christmas season fun...

'Fairytale of bloody New York' on the radio and in the shops every 5 minutes Hate it. Must be the most overrated song of all time.

Cards. I still send a fair few out of pure guilt though (only after I have got theirs first - just incase by magic they have decided to stop that year). I've even got to the point where I resent the time it takes me to open them and put them in the recycling.
Adult Presents. I hate recieving them more than giving but the whole thing is just ridiculous. I definitely resent having to hang the horrible picture that the ILs gave us last year! I just want to give to my own DC and give a bit extra to charity and that is it. (I do birthdays btw).

I don't like turkey, especially the horrid dry breast which takes so long to chew when its cold. This year we're having capon/cockerel which is basically a very large chicken. Its more moist, has more taste, is easier to use in left-over recipes and isn't so huge as the typical turkey. The kids are thrilled as they all hate turkey - my husband likes dry meat though (his mother was not the best cook in the world). Perhaps I could just dry his out in a warm oven?

We've already cut out sending presents to distant relatives, only close family and near neighbour qualify now! Do like cards - but hate round robin letters in them.

Cogito - I see your M6 and I raise you to the M25 + M1 to Leeds

Oh, and come to that, the M3/A303 to the South West, to my PILs.

Sprouts.

Had a lightbulb moment a few years ago when I realised that as nobody actually liked sprouts, there was no point in making them. We've enjoyed a sprout-free Christmas ever since.

I can tolerate most things about Christmas, even the cards to/from people you never see, the pointless presents for people who don't want them, or from people who don't know your taste, the school carol concert, yes all of that. I suppose the one thing I can't stand is having to listen to Slade, Band Aid, John Lennon et al every bloody December for weeks on end.

bread sauce is delicious. I could just have that for christmas dinner. It's the only thing that makes turkey nice. But it has to be home made with loads of cream in it. Also the whole "stud an onion with cloves" thing just makes me feel Christmassy and like a 21st century Mrs Beaton.

Brussels sprouts are already off the menu in my house so no need to ban those. Also don't do cards (too boring). I'm not sure if I would go so far as to ban it but the wrapping is a major pain in the backside. I have lots of people to buy for (and also buy for people to give to other people which makes me a mug) so I am about to begin my third evening of wrapping presents. I am not crafty or creative so they all look reasonably rubbish and it's very boring.

I am not cooking sprouts this year.

I'd ban Father Christmas.

Solution to secret Santa is buy scratch cards to the value. Amusing, fun & no landfill.

I'd ban:

Cards
Christmas decorations (especially tree)
Santa and his elfs

I like the food, family get-togethers, board games and presents for children.

I'd ban adult presents. Being given a Christmas present list by my PILs takes the biscuit IMO. Presents for under 18s (and probably cash over 14yrs) only.

With you on that one Misty9. DH has had a 'fun' day today sourcing things from his parents' list. He's still grumpy now.

I'd ban sprouts and christmas pudding.

The list contained some pretty expensive items so DH improvised! We'll see how that goes down . In fact, their twin boys (11yo) were less forthcoming with a wish list than their parents!

My DH HATES Ferrero Rocher . Hilariously, my MIL has bought him these at Christmas for ever( he's too much of a coward to tell her).
He's just piped up 'with these you are spoiling no-one'. Haha

For me cards to people I'm not bothered about - but cunningly lost my address book this year so that's filtered out a lot of unnecessary tosh.

Bread sauce, the christmas music that's just shouty, crackers, christmas pudding, brandy sauce, mince pies...

I love the cards, trees, lights, food, family, getting too tired and a little bored.

Cards & mince pies.

Buying presents for every bugger