To think that having a quiet understated Christmas is not such a bad thing

[itsgoodtobehome]

Everyone seems to be in such a panic about Christmas, and what's going to happen in the current climate. Don't get me wrong, I like Christmas, but I don't have any issue with it being a bit quieter this year. I always find it a bit stressful anyway - the tons of food shopping, presents, wrapping, the extras, who is going where, what's happening on Boxing Day etc. I quite like the idea of having a year off.

After all, it's just a day of over-indulgence. Surely we can all cope without that for 1 year!! AIBU?

"I always find it a bit stressful anyway"

Whereas I don't find it in the least bit stressful. YABU to think everyone else is the same as you are

You are not being unreasonable to enjoy a quiet Christmas. You are being unreasonable to expect everyone else to do the same.

Totally agree but aware I am in the minority!

No panic here. It is what it is. I'm not overly bothered tbh. One day at a time :-)

I don’t find it stressful

And always relaxed, fun and understated here

@Batinahat

Totally agree but aware I am in the minority!

Clearly you aren’t the minority

I agree!!!

But I fear it’s too late.... it’s all in the shops and people appear to be entering panic mode

I will put up the tree, but a bit of nice food for the DAY not full month! And a present/voucher for each kid ( adults)

My puppy however..... full on Christmas for his first one with us!! We are all going mad buying Christmas themed toys, treats, blanket, collar.... 🐶

It's been a big relief for us as we were looking for an excuse to have a small Xmas just us 4 for ages. I've started a thread about how it will be different this year.

No getting up and to places by a certain time, only food we like when we like it. No family arguments. No sitting on the floor for lack of seats.

The lockdown now to ‘save Chris’ headline in the media

Have ‘they’ ever thought that maybe those who don’t celebrate Christmas might not want to dance to that tune? It’s a religious festival.

Just because it's going to be 'quiet' doesn't mean it'll be understated. I'm (for the first time ever) thinking about outside decorations and putting up the tree a week earlier because we all need a bit more cheer.

Your “quiet understated” Christmas is all very well for you but what about those for whom it means utter silence and loneliness? Perhaps try looking beyond the end of your nose.

We had a quiet understated Christmas just the three of us for the last 2 years and this year should have been a big family Christmas so we are very disappointed but will make the best of another quiet Christmas.

Its not the buying that I will miss, its the school play, the carol services, pre-Christmas parties, visiting relatives... the people side of it. Nothing wrong in having an understated Christmas if you want, but especially after the year we've had, I miss actual people, in the flesh, not zoom.

We haven't done adult presents for years. We are a small family, thanks to being second generation immigrants and we look forward to meeting up. Christmas is a very important time of year for me. Not everyone will have the same experience as you of what a scaled back Christmas looks like. I've been ill for years, CF including other things. I'm starting to recover. I was looking forward to going for a drink over Christmas.

It sounds as though you try to cram too much in. For some of is a 'quieter' Christmas will be lonely and non exist. On top of some people not being able to see family this year, it feels like a step too far.

Some people enjoy the works night out, because that will be their only night out. Perhaps be more mindful that not everyone lives your life.

What about the people who live alone or the single parents?

Our friend has just died - do you expect her widower to stay at home alone all Christmas being quiet and under stated ?

@GirlCrush, Christmas is a cultural celebration, not a religious one. Some people make it religious, but for many cultures across Europe it was a winter festival.

I think that regardless of lockdown people will be allowed support bubbles so books should be alone.
I mean yes it’s disappointing for some but it’s really not the end of the world.

It's not a bad thing at all - it's what we do every year!

At least this year we won't have to think up excuses to avoid having to drive nearly 80 miles to sit in a cramped and over-heated house eating crap food, being subjected to BIL's sexism and racism and loud, objectionable and badly behaved children.

DJ and I have never had a Christmas together without either my parents or his parents, or both. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had really lovely times with each of them, and the DC love having their grandparents, and we’ve always had nothing but a great time. But in some ways we will enjoy things being a little quieter. We will still go all out with decorations, presents, food etc, but the day itself would be quieter. I know that when the day comes, I will really really miss them though. And hoping beyond hope that next Christmas we will all be well and that we can have them again.

[quote Ponoka7]@GirlCrush, Christmas is a cultural celebration, not a religious one. Some people make it religious, but for many cultures across Europe it was a winter festival.[/quote]
May not be for you but for some of my family it is very much a religious festival. Advent is a period of fasting and prayer. Christmas is the second-most important feast in the calendar.

I don’t live near my mum and dad, or my sister and her kids. For us, it’s a week where we all get together (we all go and stay at mums), my children enjoy hanging out with their cousins, and my parents get to enjoy spending time with all their grandchildren. We are close but don’t get to spend much time together. I do not want a quiet Christmas. It’s not about presents, or being materialistic, it’s about our family hanging out together, playing games every evening, goi g for walks every day and generally just enjoying being together.

It is what it is for this year at least. And I’m ok with that.

Well if it takes a pandemic for you to turn it into something you find less stressful, then so be it

Spare a thought for people like me whose entire family live overseas. I have no idea right now when I will see them again

We've enjoyed a quiet understated Christmas with just the two of us for years, we do minimal gifts and food. Some years the other half has to work that day and it's all fine, the whole Christmas 'thing' is over rated anyway.