to dread Christmas and wish it Wasn't on it's way

[baaahhumbug]

The expense.
The forced 3 day lock-down
Enforced jollity
Crowds everywhere
The huge Expense
Being ripped off.
Family fall outs.
Hideous Xmas music blaring out in all the shops.
All the tat that is bought.

I know I should like it but I don't.
Any other Bahhumbugs out there?

Yes baaaaaaaah, our family is like this, well me DH and DSS17 at least!

The only thing I'm looking forward to this year is the Mumsnet Secret Santa. That's majorly exciting.

Bah humbug here.

So we ignore family, plan good food and long walks that don't include shops.

We spend most of our time playing cards, board games and loud music

Too much food, drink and television. Ghastly.

YABU - you could have a relaxed family Christmas instead, we are.
Having my parents round for roast beef dinner, ordered most of my presents online, not doing cards or venturing into town if I can avoid it.
Then Boxing Day a walk, play with new toys and lots of nibbles in front of the fire.
I can't wait. I love Christmas and I have young children who are really excited, I just don't go mad!

We rather like Christmas, being fortunate enough to not have any particular reason to dislike it yet.

We spend what we can afford, embrace the crowds (and do most shopping online!), don't fall out with anyone much, love the music, laugh at the peculiarities of our families, and fight to get the first turkey sandwich with stuffing for Boxing Day breakfast.

God bless us, every one!

Hic.

Every year, without fail, there is a family bust up (usually over who's going where) and then certain members don't speak until well into the new year.
Happy days.

You won't want hear that I've finished my xmas shopping, thanks to likes on xmas bargain thread here. Food shopping pre booked.

No crowds, no rush, not as expensives as predicted, as if my dinner turns out shit, so be it I just let kids eat the crap I've got in because only me and them I'm cooking for.

We spend what we can afford, embrace the crowds (and do most shopping online!), don't fall out with anyone much, love the music, laugh at the peculiarities of our families, and fight to get the first turkey sandwich with stuffing for Boxing Day breakfast.

You belong in a tv ad.

YANBU. I went shopping today (for non Xmas stuff) and it could have easily been December 24th. Hate it. Then went to post office for stamps and was asked if i wanted Xmas stamps. I can't cope...

Forgot the word sweets

I love it, but think it belongs in December.

Can't think about any of it until then.

YABU re the three day lockdown - I dont think it's long enough.

It always reminds my how weird and disfunctional my wider family are :(

Yabu it's what you make of it.

It always reminds my how weird and disfunctional my wider family are

Me too.
The rest of the year it can be ignored and it's possible to keep the family members that don't get on, apart.
But at Christmas there is NO avoiding it.
I dread it.
I end up spending the whole Christmas trying to keep the peace.

I'm usually one of those annoying people that loves everything about Christmas, but this year I'm dreading it. It's a pain in the arse.

I never understood why people got so irate at posters starting threads about Christmas in AIBU at any time of the year other the last two weeks of December. Thought they were miserable buggers. Now I get it.

None of these things apply to me and I could moan in the Olympics and get a gold.

I buy online, don't buy tat, don't go out, don't invite anyone I don't like, never been ripped off, and I'm already quite jolly without forcing it

I live a long way away from my family these days, and I've rediscovered my love of Christmas.

I'm actually looking forward to the DC's activities pausing and having 1.5 weeks off work. Don't want to have to deal with Christmas presents - fortunately DH likes shopping and will sort most of them out.

Dreading this year - first one as a mother that I won't be waking up on Christmas morning with my boys in the house.

They're going to be at their dad's, and what makes it worse is that they've both admitted they'd rather be here, but don't want him to be on his own.

I'm proud of their loyalty and compassion, but also gutted

No, we're more the Griswolds (minus the amazing house) than TV ad.

But I was raised on a diet of sentiment and American movies, so when my aspirations hit reality, it can't result in anything other than a ridiculous farce.

That is kind of fun.

We don't have a three day lockdown either sadly, loads of little shops are open even on Christmas Day, and everywhere is open on Boxing Day.

Money has been tight the last couple of years.
Lack of Money + Nightmare relatives has really taken the shine off things.

YANBU. There's a lot of pressure around Christmas and I certainly don't look forward to it. It doesn't seem great for the environment as it seems to encourage consumerism for the sake of consumerism. It's very difficult to go against the tide. I loathe Secret Santa with a vengeance. In our office it's a pointless exchange of tat that does not bring us any closer as a team, but is more likely to emphasise our differences. I resent having to buy yet another gift when i'm already struggling with the usual preparation nightmares. While the charity shops may do well out of unwanted gifts, it's still a waste and it would have been better if the money went to charity in the first place cutting out the middle man. I love the idea of a midwinter festival with lights and music and good food and a chance to catch up with friends and family, but Christmas needs some serious editing, or maybe to be redesigned completely. Good luck, I hope you manage to have some good times among all the enforced nonsense.

I really like Christmas itself if not the ott run up.

Might be because I don't see any of my wider family though

thankyou cathsmum.

And reading these comments, I'm going to try and enjoy it.
Even if I have to fake it, for everybody elses sake. Because I know other people don't want to be dragged down.

I'm the opposite! The Christmas run up in December is great as far as I'm concerned, it's the day itself that can fuck off.