am i the only one who dislikes christmas

[FortyDoorsToNowhere]

bah humbug alert.

I never get in the Christmas spirt, the christmas decs are already bugging me and I am glad to be working all over christmas.

[Sparklingbrook]

I think of all the lonely people spending Christmas on their own, and those without money to have the Christmas they want.
And now FB is here, we can now see everyone else's piles of gifts, huge trees etc....

[didireallysaythat]

Oh at last I think I found my mn thread. Seriously I've been torturing myself reading threads concerned with not having decided in October on what to serve for breakfast on christmas day, what to put in the stocking (I thought they were just for kids and that there are a lot of five year olds who like Jo Malone smelly candles and 8 hour cream), and what DVDs to watch while opening the xmas eve hamper wearing the compulsory new pyjamas.

I'm cooking curry for xmas. Washed down with beer. Not prosecco with floating cranberries. And I'm going to wear old pyjamas all day !

[PowerPants]

It's just work to me - all those bloody cards, present buying, putting the decorations up, school play costumes, all fun for the first couple of times you do them and then just tedious.

Should be like a leap year, once every four years.

[PowerPants]

didireallysaythat - we are having pizza!

[Lazysuzanne]

I just dont do it any more no decorations, no cards, no presents, I carry on as normal, will spend the two bank holidays relaxing on my own.
I know some people like it but I just find it all irritating and pointless

[Sparklingbrook]

We are just having an all day buffet on Christmas Day. I am not fannying about with a roast dinner when I could be lying on the settee with a new book, After Eights and a glass of Prosecco.

[didireallysaythat]

Oh f. I'd forgotten the f* cards.

I'd happily pay for a service that (found and) uploaded my address book and did the cards. I may suggest the privatised mail look into this.

Pizza - instead of a clove encrusted ham you marinated overnight and then slowly baked in maple syrup ? Why that sounds marvellous. That's boxing day sorted then !

[thegreylady]

I love everything about it but especially Christmas Eve when everyone is home, the doors are locked, the tree is lit and the stockings filled. The wine is mulled, the cake and cheese are cut and it's, "Happy Christmas everyone!"

[FortyDoorsToNowhere]

i love taking the decs down.

I don't think i have ever like christmas, my birthday was forgotten as people was always to busy. ( 10 days before)

[PaulSmenis]

You're not alone OP. I don't hate it, but I don't feel enthusiastic these days. It was fun with small DC, but has lost its shine with teenagers!

It's a huge greed fest. Don't get me started on all the food. I buy myself whatever I want throughout the year if I fancy it, so I don't feel the need to eat the world during the festive period.

[winkywinkola]

I really like it. The food, the tree, the wine, the jollity.

I loathe anything starting before December though and feel cross with shops for starting so early.

And I hate the pressure on my finances. I might just avoid going into overdraft but who knows.

I was looking at my dcs' gifts tonight and decided if I'd bought them ten times that amount they would probably unwrap it all in a frenzy and still look for more.

[ZoeZoeZoe]

My work colleagues think I am being all festive spirit by organising a charity collection in lieu of cards (suggested that people just send one card 'to the office' and make a donation of what they have saved to an agreed charity), but really it just feels like doing this less of a chore than writing all the cards... and money to a good cause as well : )

[ilovesooty]

I hate it. I'm counting down the days to January.

[Kirk1]

Not just you. I hate: the strain of trying to look cheerful while everyone is asking which family members you are going to be seeing and thinking "none cos not one of the fuckers that are still alive gives a shit" and giving non-committal answers when the question is turned to you.

The realisation that the only presents the kids will get are what I can scrape the cash to buy myself, and that this year is going to be all from the pound shop because we can't even afford to pay the mortgage let alone buy celebration food and presents.

The people reminiscing about childhood Christmases when mostly I spent mine in random foster homes wishing I could spend it with my family and knowing that they don't fucking want me. From age 6.

The way this always seems to get highlighted at fucking Christmas and ignored because no one wants to hear that you hate Christmas or why.

So no, you're not alone! I'm trying to make an effort and make new memories with my kids but it would take a major shift in my circumstances for this to be anything but a forlorn hope.

[MrsTrellisNorthWales]

I hate it. A very close friend died on Xmas Eve many years ago. Hated Xmas for some years because of it. Got back into it a bit when I was in my last LTR but have been single now for 4 years and hate it again. I shall see my parents for about half the day, then spend all the rest of it on my own and see no one. All my friends are away on holiday or have their own children and families to be with. Boxing Day I shall see no one. Rest of the time I shall be working.

[Caitlin17]

I hate it. And I hate the way one is expected to go along with it. I can't stand Christmas trees. I used to bother with one when my son was small but he wasn't that interested either so I don't bother now.

[CynicalandSmug]

I hate it, don't see the point in it. Someone on here called it retailmas, one giant con! I don't do presents or a roast dinner, or pathetic work dos. I spend the day drinking decent plonk and relaxing well away from the Christmas hysterical types, unless I have to work it. Thank you op, thank you! I'm glad there are a few of us out there.

[NoComet]

Now cards, I do hate writhing Fucking Cards, trouble is I like receiving them, so I can't not bother.

[Waya]

YANBU OP
I hate all things "christmas" - I don't understand the point of it. I'm always unwell in the colder months. I hate all the crap decorations and high expectations (especially of family members expecting presents who you have hardly seen all year )
Don't get me started on the waste and shit xmas music.

[Brokensoul]

I love Christmas and its the time of the year when I truly reflect on my memories and myself as a person.
I always try to be good person, do the right thing but I am not perfect and with all the madness of everyday life
I don't always get time to analyse myself as a mother, wife ,friend,work colleague , neighbour and someone who gives back to community.
It's my way of trying to do better in the new year ...

[longingforsomesleep]

I loathe it because:

• it's rammed down your throat from September onwards
• weird people have all their shopping done in September and try and make me feel guilty cos I still haven't bought a thing
• I have teenage boys and never know what to buy them
• I never know what to buy DH
• people put their decorations up far too early
• there's too much pressure to have a wonderful time
• I feel guilty about not being with close family
• I feel stressed and resentful about having to host close family
• I hate mince pies, christmas pudding, turkey etc etc
• I can't help thinking of all the suffering that could be alleviated if everyone gave to charity the money they would otherwise spend on Christmas

In my late 20s I'd reached a point where I'd garnered enough courage to say to my family that I would be ignoring every aspect of Christmas other than to spend the day in a soup kitchen but then I met dh and we had kids so I'm stuck with it for the foreseeable.

Easter egg anyone?

[AnyFuckersfrogslegs35]

Yanbu

The fact that I don't like it is made worse because I have to do it twice each year, big celebration Xmas eve (traditional for Dp) then 'normal' Xmas day.
My smiles and forced excitement are for others.

[Amy106]

I love December 27 with all my heart.

[conquita]

I live away from my family and friends, and for the last 6 years have always spent xmas with pils. This year I am spending it on my own while my bf goes away with his family. I am really really looking forward to it. We do not have children so there is no reason to celebrate. I can't stand the commercialism of it all, and the fact bf's mother starts to fret about what the family are doing from July onwards. We don't put up Xmas deccies. I don't buy xmas presents now either, I nipped that in the bud a couple of years ago. I do send xmas cards to the UK so friends and family know I am thinking about them, and I do do a secret santa with bf's family. Maybe it is because it is hot where I live at Xmas so I don't feel that same cozy feeling I used to get as a child.
But basically I am looking forward to chilling out on my own with a great tv dvd set and trying not to fall under the pressure of why I am not going away with bf's family.