Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU that wrt to Xmas many are pretending the "Emperor has clothes".

54 replies

Boswellox · 19/12/2018 21:25

Just that, really.

OP posts:
SoyDora · 19/12/2018 21:26

?

UnderMajorDomoMinor · 19/12/2018 21:28

Umm... maybe?

GhostSauce · 19/12/2018 21:29

?

AIBU that wrt to Xmas many are pretending the "Emperor has clothes".
WhatsUpHun · 19/12/2018 21:29

No idea what you are talking about Hmm

overmydeadbody · 19/12/2018 21:29

What do you mean?

That everyone is pretending Christmas is great when in fact it isn't? That everyone pretends they are having a great time when they are not?

BirdieInTheHand · 19/12/2018 21:30

Erm....

Original poster
Boswellox · 19/12/2018 21:31

That buying stuff compensates for attention. FWIW I don't for one minute blame parents more the system.

OP posts:
EmUntitled · 19/12/2018 21:32

I dont know what "wrt xmas" means or what the "emperor has clothes".

Do you mean like in the Emperors New Clothes where the crowd goes along with ot because they don't want to look stupid when nobody else seems to have noticed he's naked? This could be clearer...

Donnnerbox · 19/12/2018 21:34

Do you mean that people are behaving as though we're not facing a disastrous Brexit in 3 months?

steppemum · 19/12/2018 21:35

even with your update I am confused.
I don't think most people buy stuff to replace attention. I think most people buy a lot because everyone else does.

Nothing is sadder than people suffering to pay back Christmas credit in Jan/Feb

SoyDora · 19/12/2018 21:35

No, still confused.
Most people manage to give their family and friends attention and buy them presents.
Not sure what the emperor and his clothes have got to do with it?

Stompythedinosaur · 19/12/2018 21:35

If dmil shows up naked I have every intention of mentioning it!

Personally I buy stuff for my dc and give them attention, they aren't mutually exclusive!

The posters who do my head it at Christmas are the ones who claim moral superiority as they only buy their children a water bottle and a stick of celery, as if this is guaranteed to make they appreciative and well-rounded members of society.

cuppycakey · 19/12/2018 21:37

Is that you Sharon?

CrookedMe · 19/12/2018 21:37

Does it have to be one or the other?

If I ignore my son for a week can I buy him an xBox?

Or if I give him my full attention he gets a lump of coal?

I'm lost.

knittedmouse · 19/12/2018 21:48

Xmas is shit and many people hate it, but go along with it for fear of being called names if they don't.

The marketing people have carefully developed this fear for years now and each new generation must be carefully trained to become compliant consumers and it's the parents who are guilted into performing this role.

One day, we may liberate ourselves and xmas will be a far off distant memory. We will look back and wonder why we fell for it for so long.

JustJoinedRightNow · 19/12/2018 22:08

Xmas isn’t shit in my opinion, it’s a magical time for children and brings lots of joy in our household.
I won’t need waking up to the commercialism of it.

Knittink · 19/12/2018 22:14

I don't for one minute blame parents more the system.

What system? You do know that nobody's forcing anyone to celebrate Christmas a certain way. And that it is perfectly possible to give your dc stuff and attention? Confused

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 19/12/2018 22:15
Hmm
Knittink · 19/12/2018 22:18

One day, we may liberate ourselves and xmas will be a far off distant memory. We will look back and wonder why we fell for it for so long.

Hmm If you don't like it, don't do it. Personally I'm not 'falling for' anything. I love Christmas - nice food, a few presents, time spent with family, lights and music at a cold, dark time of year. What's not to like?

knittedmouse · 19/12/2018 22:18

Nah, you're all in denial 😁

steppemum · 19/12/2018 22:22

I love Christmas, we have a great time, doesn't have to be expensive.

But I have nice family, who I like spending time with

Annandale · 19/12/2018 22:23

Love Christmas personally [shakes jingle bells in OP's face]

Do you know what? If you look beyond the surface, you'll see it actually does operate as a season of goodwill. It certainly has for me. DH has died. Family bust-ups have occurred due to the grief and emotion around death. People are reaching out to ds and I again, because it's Christmas, because they have been reminded to do that kind of thing. They are thinking kindly of us. I am sending cards with my thanks for all my friends' support this year, and I have never meant anything more. God bless us every one. [hums 'Jesus Christ The Apple Tree' missing all the high notes]

knittedmouse · 19/12/2018 22:24

Xmas is mainly:

Buying tat for people you don't like, with money you don't have, receiving tat you don't want and haven't got room for, spending time you haven't got with people you don't like in places you don't want to be. The food makes you feel sick and the booze makes you maudlin. The cat runs up the xmas tree and the dog steals chocolate and the emergency vet costs a fortune on xmas day.

The xmas music alone is enough to drive people mad.

steppemum · 19/12/2018 22:31

knitted mouse - speak for yourself. I don't buy tat, and rarely recieve it. I liek the people I spend time with, and I like their homes. I don;t drink much, and I am a happy drunk anyway, and I love the food.

Never needed an emergency vet.

I suspect your name is really scrooge.

do agree about the music though Grin

Knittink · 19/12/2018 22:32

Your Christmas might be like that. Mine isn't. That's probably why I like it and you don't.