To cancel christmas

[amms36]

This year has been absolutely awful. I am not convinced that it is going to improve over the next few months either.

I have tentatively told family members that I am cancelling Christmas this year. By this I mean I won't be putting up a tree, I won't be doing any 'festive' shopping, and I won't be doing anything special for Christmas Day.

Likewise, I don't expect any gifts, or anything related to Christmas.

DH thinks this is extreme and I am being unreasonable. My point is that I have never particularly loved Christmas, and feel this year especially it feels like more trouble than it will be worth. Who knows what restrictions will even be in place come December?

People saying OP is being attention grabbing with the words "cancel Xmas" are just being unnecessarily unkind to her. It is that very phrase that made me rush to this post, so glad that someone on Mumsnet was beginning to discuss what to do about the sense of loss this year. As said, my plan is to escape the country, currently wondering between Morocco and Canaries, to get somewhere hot to make up for all the missing parties and activities, but also to do something that won't require all the prep, admin, and the huge pile of expensive and often unneeded presents. If we go away we don't have to do any of the same rituals so then, nothing appears to have been actually cut away -- at least that's the theory.
It's silly calling this OP or any OP an attention grabber anyway. Public venting on forums is always a form of vanity and attention seeking. So what? We all enjoyed replying.

Putting aside the religious festival, Christmas still functions as an important mid-winter festival. Something to look forward to during the long, dark cold (drizzly, meh) days.

I could put almost everything aside, the presents, the fuss, the godawful music (carols excluded), the general excess and bloody obsession about making everything special and magical. However I would still want to put some sort of decorations up that involve lights, doesn’t have to be on a tree, some sort of nice meal that is a bit different and feels a bit decadent, including some lovely wine, and a few opportunities to meet up with family.

Oh and mince pies with brandy cream.

Cancelling it seems so bleak and depressing, particularly if you are making that decision in September. Why not use this year as an opportunity to change what you have always done and make the few days of Christmas something enjoyable and relaxing.

I'm with you OP. I can't stand the commercialism of Christmas. I'm also not Christian and see no point in celebrating it. My husband who claims he is atheist likes to Celebrate it but feels that it's gotten really out of control in the past several years. He no longer looks forward to it either. We've both adopted a minimalism lifestyle and Christmas is like the anti-minimalism holiday especially when it comes to gifts from his parents. We do have two little girls and we get them a single gift each that has been really well thought through rather than just a bunch of thoughtless things for them to open up.

I can't stand the commercialism of Christmas.

But at least you Are working against that commercialIsm by encouraging a meaningful and rewarding Christmas for your children which involves kindness and not just gifts. Not just telling everyone actually ITS CANCELLED! and hoping they comply.

'But at least you Are working against that commercialIsm by encouraging a meaningful and rewarding Christmas for your children which involves kindness and not just gifts. Not just telling everyone actually ITS CANCELLED! and hoping they comply.'

She didn't say IT'S CANCELLED - read the updates!

Well your christmas is probably going to be cancelled anyway to all intents and purposes after today's announcement amms

No parties, no celebrations, church services, nativities, dinners together, father christmas visits etc.

Those of us that still wish to celebrate will need to be very imaginative this year -

@Friendsoftheearth

Well your christmas is probably going to be cancelled anyway to all intents and purposes after today's announcement amms

No parties, no celebrations, church services, nativities, dinners together, father christmas visits etc.

Those of us that still wish to celebrate will need to be very imaginative this year -

We don’t do most of these things, the past couple of years we have stayed home on our own (me and 2 teens) and I have to say it’s been much better and less stressful. I can see how some will be disappointed about the lack of gatherings and events though, it’s going to be very different.

Very different, unrecognisable if you love a good christmas party! We should start a new thread about how to make it special without all of the above..

amms36
I feel the way you do this year. Normally I love the decorating, have lots of Santas and other Christmasy things that I put out all over the house, get a live tree and all that. The past few years I have been less and less motivated as I now live alone and the kids visit for a morning or a dinner (?) maybe at the holiday. This year I simply see no point in going to all the trouble since probably no one will come to visit. My mom died in April of covid and I feel like I will just miss her even more at Christmas. I don't know if my response helps any, but I don't think you are the only one who isn't feeling up to celebrating Christmas this year, at least at this point in time anyway. Maybe we'll change our minds in December and just jump on the bandwagon to avoid adding more misery to an already terrible year. Whatever you decide to do just don't stay home and be sad. Try to spend the time with people whose company you enjoy and people who will love you whether you decorate and buy gifts or not. You can order in if you're not into cooking a big meal. Good luck, let us know what you decide to do.