To not recognise Christmas on Mumsnet?

[Kikisxmas]

I love reading all of the Christmas threads but more than ever this year I can't relate to much of it. I'm not slating anyone's way of doing things btw, it just seems that the norm here is not what I know and experience in real life at all.

Some examples;

Not visiting family at Christmas- I don't know anybody who doesn't spend Christmas/part of Christmas with family or friends.

Minimal gifts for dc- it sometimes seems like a competition on here, who can spend the least/buy the least for their dc. There's definitely some snobbery about those of us who buy lots of presents and the assumption it's tat. I'm not including those who can't spend much here btw.

Christmas Eve boxes/elf on the shelf/stockings- Again I've seen so many posts, some pretty nasty derisive comments to those who participate.

Giving random essentials for Christmas- A mattress and a potty are the standout ones for me this year.

So is it just me!? Like I said I'm not bitching about those who do things differently, I understand some people aren't big on Christmas, don't like it for personal reasons, don't like the commercialism etc.

Not looking for a bunfight, just curious about how your Christmas is and if it fits the mn norm?

But nobody is making money from Zwarte Piet (as far as I know anyway) or 'Santa's robin'. You can't copyright the essence of an idea but you can copyright an individual item, and I don't like the cynical sucking of money out of Christmas. 'Fair play to them for seeing the opportunity' is not how I see it. I am sniffing at the EOTS, btw, not the people who enjoy the high jinks.

Elf on the Shelf as a copyrighted brand may be new, but the idea of a mischievous sprite assistant to Santa is anything but. Zwarte Piet is almost 200 years old, and given the disturbing racial aspects I can see why a different version has gained traction where the original didn't.

What do you mean 'gained traction where the original didn't'? Piet is very popular still, but I don't know anybody who calls him Zwarte nowadays, many shops and similar also prefer to refer to him as Piet.

If i didnt have kids i wouldnt bother with it. Its a marketeting tool at best.

Bluntness
A shed load of money

I am on my own and usually either work or go on holiday. I am not working on the day but am working Christmas Eve and Boxing day so will be at home listening to the radio! For the record I am not religious (but do like Christmas carols!). I could have gone to a friend's but prefer to stay where I am as hate having someone getting steamed and shouting.

Christmas to us is spending quality time with loved ones.
My dad died this week and this year I am just holding it together for the children.

Sorry for your loss @ginburee

Working class here!
We've got our son a shedload of presents, spending the entire season with family and friends, loads of food, loads of drink, huge build up, Xmas films every night in the week leading up etc. We love it!
(Although I do dislike elf on the shelf because I don't like the 'naughty / nice' aspect of Santa anyway)
And we find Xmas eve boxes a bit pointless as we don't watch DVDs or like hot chocolate etc, so we are having 'eve of eve of Christmas eve' token presents on the lead up (things like a book or PJs)

I actually don't understand the people who say they don't overspend at Christmas.
Surely you have to - even if it's just buying in emergency extra wine for that neighbour / work colleague/ remote relative who has a little something for you

I spent a tenner on a secret Santa present for work - that was the only present I bought I bought a pack of cards and some stamps for distant family. Christmas dinner for two people doesn't bump the weekly Ocado order by much. Can't drink due to epilepsy so no booze. Family don't do presents and DH and I haven't done presents the last few years. Can't have children. So maybe £50 total for specific Xmas related stuff? Not everyone makes a big deal of Christmas.

Gosh no...I've never bought "emergency wine for that neighbour" or whatever....I know exactly who will buy for us and who won't.

I think that Christmas means different things to different people. I've just dropped my 2 kids off at their dads for the week. I will miss them terribly but I have them all the time and it's his "turn" to spend Christmas with them (he lives overseas). I will be enjoying a quiet and peaceful Christmas alone, but not lonely, and I'll be sure to take time to feel grateful for all that I have in my life. As a side note I work in oncology and I'm very aware that for lots of people Christmas is a difficult and sad time - it seems to bring everything up to the surface! So for those who are doing the traditional things, the over the top celebration, spending loads of money etc that's great if it makes you happy and I don't see it as a fail.. it's just perhaps not for everyone because we all have different situations. A few years back I would have been the one doing those traditional big family events but not now!

CheapSausagesAndSpam
What's emergency wine?
feels particularly unmumsnetty