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.

As for the consumerism behind Christmas, my thoughts are this:

attheheartoftheopinion.blogspot.com/2011/12/consumers-night-before-christmas.html

@TeenyTinyDustinHoffman

That it's not being a killjoy to state that Christmas is overly commercialised or that people are stupid to spend money they haven't got and go into debt for Christmas.

That a lot of parents are way too invested in the "magic of Christmas" and maintaining their children's belief in Santa.

This ^^

raises glass to fellow misery guts

Going by these comments I'm in the minority when I say I can't bear pigs in blankets and happily surrender mine. Too salty and the double meat combo makes me feel a bit sick.

Much gift giving is "automatic" and unnecessary.
Why do people post threads saying things like "My DH says he doesn't want anything for Christmas, what should I get him?" - the answer is "nothing".
Equally if you have to ask strangers on the internet for ideas of what to ask for for Christmas yourself, you don't really want or need anything do you?
Oh, and gift cards are pointless. If you want to give money, just give cash.

I really dislike turkey- its not "traditional" (goose is) and is very rarely chosen at any other part of the year.

I hate secret santa/robbing santa where its just crap being exchanged.

The thing I really hate about Christmas is the pressure for you to be happy to celebrate it EVERYWHERE! Crappy decorations in the office, on transport- people spreading "good cheer", the constant adverts and the same 5 christmas songs round and round again.

I get that people want to celebrate Christmas and if you want to have shitty tinsel, blinking lights and plastic trees go nuts in your own space-I don't judge you what every gets you through the day. I don't; so why do you have to a) force it on me at work and the supermarket and b) call me names for not wanting to participate in it.

I love a good Christmas carol concert, love setting the Christmas pudding alight, I love having a big meal with the family and watching Christmas movies like the Muppets Christmas Carol, Cool Running's, Die Hard and The Snowman :)

That pavlova is revolting. This is a commonly served Christmas dessert in Australia and NZ.

Apparently 80% of people hate fruit cake, as I do, in which case that is a popular opinion, and thus Christmas cake should phase itself out.

That the 1950s crooners are the best Christmas Day songs. Mixing styles of songs is jarring.

Turkey is just a downmarket chicken - we either have chicken or beef! And Yorkshire’s

I love sprouts, they’re my favourite vegetable, nobody believes me but it’s true. I’d eat them everyday if I could.

Also love bread sauce and always have it with chicken throughout the year!

Bloody Christmas lights on houses. Hideous.
I hate getting up early Christmas morning, why can’t my dds stay in bed a little longer?
I don’t know how people cook a turkey dry? Slather it under its skin with garlic herb butter and then on the skin with a lattice of streaky bacon on. Your guests will go back for seconds and thirds.

@Afwan

Going by these comments I'm in the minority when I say I can't bear pigs in blankets and happily surrender mine. Too salty and the double meat combo makes me feel a bit sick.

I will happily surrender mine too! I don't understand this obsession people seem to have with them

I don’t like receiving gifts, I usually wish people hadn’t bothered or thought a bit more - I like to buy my own stuff and everyone else should buy their own stuff too! I’ll buy for my kids you buy for yours!
Christmas is one big long to do list - Every year I try to make it little bit smaller - eventually I hope it goes away!
Best thing about Boxing Day is that it’s 364 days till Christmas
Thankfully we only eat Christmas dinner once a year - it’s not great is it? I am a good cook think how awful it would be if you couldn’t cook.

Turkey is best eaten with beef gravy. Sprouts and elf on the shelf should be banned.
Big ugly bows on Christmas trees look terrible.
Socks are an awesome gift for me, I love them.
Kids don't need separate presents from parents, these should be from Father Christmas, if they are going to compare gifts it won't matter who it's from.
Christmas Eve boxes are silly and dilute the wonder of waiting for Christmas day, an advent box would make more sense.
All puddings/desserts should be chocolate based and alcohol free, otherwise you can eat mine.
Fancy Christmas day breakfasts are a waste of space.

Turkey is just so bloody dull. Even if you cook it beautifully. I'd far rather have any other roast or even just all the side dishes.

Elf (the film) is awful. Truly awful. Truly, truly terrible. There are so many good Christmas films to choose from and I just don't understand why Elf is so popular.

My controversial point is that Christmas pudding is delicious..i bought two this year!

@MrsAvocet

Much gift giving is "automatic" and unnecessary. Why do people post threads saying things like "My DH says he doesn't want anything for Christmas, what should I get him?" - the answer is "nothing". Equally if you have to ask strangers on the internet for ideas of what to ask for for Christmas yourself, you don't really want or need anything do you? Oh, and gift cards are pointless. If you want to give money, just give cash.

This. Apart from token presents between partners and perhaps people buying for their own parents, adults don't need Christmas gifts of significant value.

If you have to provide lists to avoid getting the wrong thing, then just do away with big presents and buy your own things when you want or need them, rather than going along with a charade of choosing something and sending the link to your DH, so he can say he got it for you for Christmas.

Also people who go along with the 'we host 18 people every year and can't just do a small immediate family Christmas or for someone else to host the big gathering, because everyone else would moan' but complain on here but never push back about getting what they want.

Leftovers. What's that then? A load of cold sprouts? People on Mumsnet talk of these mysterious leftovers in hushed tones as though they're sacred..."HE threw the LEFTOVERS away!" and "I:ve been looking forward to the LEFTOVERS"

WHY?? Why would anyone want part of yesterday's meal!??

Obviously there'll be some cold meat...and cheeses etc but what else is worth having cold? DO NOT Say "oh cold spuds are lovely!" THEY ARE NOT! They're cold! And fatty!

Handle Pavlova is lovely!

Easter beats Christmas hands down

No vast expense, weeks of preparation, burden of responsibility, better weather (well more light at least), no travelling around beholden to everyone. But still 4 days off work. What’s not to love

Making kids write thank you letters to people they have no personal relationship and/or have never even met is pointless and teaches them nothing.

My heart sinks when I hear the intro to “Fairytale of Newyork”.

This!

Always the most straight laced tedious people like to claim it as "really speaking to them" as well. "Ooh me I'm such a cynic. How cool am I?"

I love it. Not because it "speaks to me" or makes me look "cool". It's just a catchy tune that I like. I def prefer hearing the intro to that than having "IT'S CHRISSSSSSSSSSSTMAS" belllowed in my ear

Poptarts are the best Christmas Day breakfast and having a starter before your Christmas dinner is totally daft

@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.

Turkey - cooked well is delicious. Definitely not dry. Roasted sprouts drizzled with olive oil & balsamic. Yummo Parsnips, pureed with butter & thyme. Snap. Homemade stuffing - chestnuts, cranberries. Mouth watering Christmas Pud & custard... Christmas cake - pic attached of the moistest most delicious cake....

Might be worth trying a few new recipes.

On the other hand I loathe pigs in blankets.

Oh and women need to stop martyring themselves every December. Your kids will be fine if they don’t have elves, Christmas Eve boxes, themed hot chocolate and an ice skating trip. If your partner doesn’t buy his parents a present that’s tough shit, but not your problem. Make him do his half of the wrapping too.

Most Christmas decorations are tacky - but I always say 'ooh your tree looks nice'

The only thing I hate about Christmas is the endless threads on Mumsnet moaning about it but they are strangely addictive to read.

I enjoy celebrating Christmas, but I keep it very low key, I don't feel obliged to accept invitations I don't want, or exchange endless gifts. I celebrate on one day and then 'back to normal' on 26th December. I enjoy sending and receiving cards. I also don't believe that you have to go overboard with presents for your own children or that teenager's presents have to 'cost a fortune'. My pet hate threads are the ridiculous comments about 'have I got my DC enough' and listing the entire contents of Hamleys or PC World.

Just wait for the debt threads in January ....

Merry Christmas