To ask for your unpopular Christmas opinions?

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

Mine is that a traditional Christmas dinner is horrible
Turkey - bleurgh, so dry
Sprouts - farts posing as leaves
Parsnips - how can anyone put them in their mouth?!
Stuffing - like eating sand
Christmas pudding - sour booze disguised as cake
Christmas cake - way too dry and that much fruit does not belong in a sponge

I'd honestly be happy with a plate of pigs in blankets, a jar of cranberry sauce and a spoon to eat the sauce straight from the jar.

Oh and Christmas is not just for children! We currently have no children in our family, but we celebrate every year with my parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and adult cousins (obv not this year). We have a bloody great time and our parents always say how much they prefer it now we’re all grown up, it’s far less stressful.
When I was a kid it was mostly about presents but as an adult I appreciate every part of it.

There is no point to Christmas dinner if it doesn't include a Yorkie. I wouldn't get out of bed for it.

@honeylulu - I agree spreading out is best. Mine have stockings first thing, main presents from us after breakfast and presents from anyone else after lunch. I find it more relaxing and less overwhelming to spread out.

I truly judge parents who teach their children that they have to be 'good' for a fat old white man who they don't know. It is creepy as hell. I pretend not to, but you wanted the unpopular opinion so there is it.

Turkey- yuk. Beef, lamb and chicken here
Will eat most other vegetables but my least favourite is peas
The angst of trekking over to see people that you never bother to see the rest of the year. We never do this now and just stay at home, we’re so much happier.

I don’t understand people who put decorations up in November when it’s not Christmas and take them down on Boxing Day when it is

Amen to this. I hate it when people say "Christmas is over" on Boxing Day. Some of us poor sods work right up to Christmas Eve. The week from Christmas day to new years day (when I don't usually work) is definitely "my" Christmas. It's when we (except in covid times) do all our Christmas visits and gift exchanges with non local family and friends.

Decorations should stay up till the 12th night not come down on Boxing Day.
Nativity 2: danger in the manger is quite a good film.
The Phil Spector Christmas album can be a bit much after a while.
The Holiday would be much better without Jack Black.
The expense and consumption is becoming more abhorrent each year and I wish my family would get behind the idea of escaping somewhere sunny instead of doing it at all. This last opinion is very unpopular on our house.

Christmas is not "just one day".

@Queenest

Work secret Santa is usually a crap gift that gets tossed in the bin.

In years gone by I’d definitely say I’d agree with you. However, next time, suggest to your organiser that you use Elfster. It’s great as you can choose gifts you like, then the app assigns you a person and you choose from their list. Someone will obviously get you too and you’ll be guaranteed to get something you like (unless they’re a knob and buy you something else but I can’t see why they would)

@Changi

Christmas is not "just one day".

Unfortunately!

@grassisjeweled

I'm actually pleased we're forced to have a Christmas alone. No in-laws!

In other news, all that shit chocolate? Just unworthy weight gain to me

I second that so glad MIL cannot come for Xmas ...and i agree with the choc thing too!

@Stillgoings

Decorations should stay up till the 12th night not come down on Boxing Day. Nativity 2: danger in the manger is quite a good film. The Phil Spector Christmas album can be a bit much after a while. The Holiday would be much better without Jack Black. The expense and consumption is becoming more abhorrent each year and I wish my family would get behind the idea of escaping somewhere sunny instead of doing it at all. This last opinion is very unpopular on our house.

Yes to escaping to a sunny destination for crimbo...great idea...my husband unfortunately has a job where no annual leave can be taken at xmas ...annoying!!

@SilverBirchWithout totally agree with you! I love the run up but Christmas Day itself I hate, it never feels like Christmas either usually a wet Friday ! Once the presents are opened it feels a bit flat, feel the same about Boxing Day too.

It's just an absolute headache getting to and from work and answering the "What are you doing for Christmas" with "Working" to cried of "Oh that's awful!"
Now I reply with "People are still needing care on Christmas Day" but it really used to piss me off when I worked in hospitality and they'd say how awful it is and that Christmas is a time for family and relaxing, followed by "We're going out for Christmas lunch/Boxing Day piss up"
Well you're the reason I needed to work then, duh!

We are having a quietish Christmas dinner this year - usually ten but now six. I am an oldie and remember Christmas's without outrageously expensive gifts. Always lovely to get presents, but do kids really need £300 jackets? My dd1 does this and then cannot pay any bills. Just why? I always loved Christmas as a kid, terrible school parties with green jelly but happy times. No presents for the teachers either. Another unpopular opinion there.

I do hope shops remain shut on boxing day. I have never got the Next sale in particular when people trudge out at 5 am to queue for some clothes no-one else wanted. Stay home with your loved ones, keep your money.

i love sprouts, bread sauce, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes and parsnips,
boiled ham for breakfast on boxing day

Blue Christmas lights. Migraine inducing horribleness.
50 million boxes of chocolates. All nice ones too. But dh’s policy is to have one a night (a throwback to being skint and posh chics being a big treat) which while great for the waistline, means they are still around at Easter.
Candy canes. Does anyone actually eat them?

Parents should buy suitable gifts for their DCs and vice versa even if those DCs are grown up mum I'm looking at you with your child's tray as my sole gift last year and no I DON'T think it's "nice to get me something the DCs would like"

I find it wiered when people take their decorations down straight after if they have children and/or they have time off.

Weird even

That it’s actually nice to sit down with extended family for a roast dinner when everyone is off work that day and the next.

I think people get too worked up in the Christmas hate.

I hate the piggery. I would be happy to go somewhere that celebrates Christmas in a simple, meaningful way.

Other women at Xmas are a competitive, sweaty, stress inducing nightmare.

Most people find it too pressurised and fraught so try to hide away on the day, generally on the internet hence the busiest online shopping day of the year.

The tree can stay up in Jan, often until the 15th. Keep the festive cheer, enjoy the remaining food and drink. (Normally) still seeing people afterwards.

I don't like sprouts, pigs in blankets or stuffing.

Cheeseboards are disgusting (actually, just cheese is disgusting).

Christmas isn't just about the one day on the 25th December. It's about spending time with the people you love and if that happens on the 18th December or the 10th January it is just as valid as if it's the 25th December.

Cash is a perfectly valid present choice. I'm 36 and I don't want "stuff". If you must gift me something then bung a note in a card and I'll use it towards the hoover/sheets/knife block/camera/laptop whatever that I'm saving up for.